Battle of Coliseo facts for kids
The Battle of Coliseo was a series of important fights that happened near the town of Coliseo in Matanzas Province, Cuba. It took place on December 23, 1895, during the Cuban War of Independence. This battle was a key part of the Cuban forces' plan to move their fight across the island.
Quick facts for kids Battle of Coliseo |
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| Part of Cuban War of Independence and Invasion from East to West in Cuba | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Cuban rebels |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Máximo Gómez Antonio Maceo |
General Prat García Navarro General Aldecoa General Luque Suárez Valdés |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 2000 men | Two regiments | ||||||
Why the Battle Happened
The Cuban War of Independence started in the spring of 1895. Cuban fighters quickly formed the Cuban Liberation Army. After some successful battles, a new Cuban government was set up in September.
This new government decided to invade the western part of Cuba. This big move was called the Invasion to the West. It started on October 22 from Mangos de Baraguá. About 4,000 Cuban soldiers, led by Major Generals Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo, marched across the island.
By December, they reached Matanzas province. They were very close to La Habana Province, where Cuba's capital city was located. To get into Havana province, they had to fight a series of battles near the town of Coliseo. These fights are what we now call the Battle of Coliseo.
The Fight at Coliseo
Generals Gómez and Maceo led their forces to attack the town of Coliseo. They took over the town and burned it after the Spanish soldiers there put up little resistance. Gómez knew that a large group of Spanish forces, led by Arsenio Martínez Campos, would try to stop them from reaching the capital.
When the Spanish troops arrived, they got into their fighting positions. Maceo placed his cavalry (soldiers on horseback) on the left. He spread out his infantry (foot soldiers) to use the land for cover. Both Cuban leaders, Gómez and Maceo, along with about a hundred horsemen, charged at the enemy. But they could not break the Spanish lines right away. Several Cuban officers were hurt, and Maceo's horse was killed.
The Cuban rearguard (the soldiers at the back), led by Commander Enrique Loynaz del Castillo, managed to take over the ruins of a mill. This was a quick and intense fight that lasted only ten minutes. Meanwhile, Gómez moved their supplies and equipment along a main road. The Spanish thought this was a trick to attack them from the side. So, they started firing their cannons, then pulled back and left their positions.
The main Cuban forces kept moving forward, followed by the middle part of their army. The rearguard protected them from behind. Later, Maceo sent for the rearguard, making sure they could leave safely. The Cuban troops then regrouped. As evening came, they continued their march towards Sumidero.
This battle showed that the Spanish, even with General Arsenio Martínez Campos leading them, could not stop the Cuban invasion. This victory had a big impact on the war. After a short fight, the Cubans won the Battle of Coliseo.
What Happened Next
Because the Cubans won this battle, their invading army could easily move into Havana province. They continued their military actions there against the Spanish. The Spanish had to send more soldiers and supplies to try and stop the Cubans.
However, the Cuban army reached the very western tip of the island by January 22, 1896. Spain had failed to stop the Cuban independence fighters.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Coliseo para niños
