Battle of Loma del Gato facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Loma del Gato
Part of Cuban War of Independence
Map of the battle
Date July 5, 1896 Location Santiago de Cuba, Oriente Province, Cuba Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Cuban rebels	Spain
Commanders and leaders
José Maceo  † Pedro Agustín Pérez Matías Vega Alemán [es] Agustín Cebreco Luis Bonne [es]	Tirso Albert Joaquín Vara de Rey
Units involved
1st Corps	Two columns
Casualties and losses
16 killed and 40 or 50 wounded	80 dead and 160 wounded

The Battle of Loma del Gato was an important fight during the Cuban War of Independence. It happened on July 5, 1896, near Santiago de Cuba in Oriente Province, Cuba. This battle is remembered because a very important Cuban general, José Maceo, sadly lost his life here.

The Battle Begins

The Cuban rebel forces, known as the Mambí, had spent the night camping near a village called La Isabelita. Their plan was to cross the railroad at La Maya and head towards El Espartillo. This was part of their larger military actions in the Oriente Province.

As the Mambí soldiers reached El Espartillo, they were suddenly attacked. Shots came from Spanish military outposts nearby, named Sangre de Toro and Camarones.

General Maceo arrived at El Espartillo and quickly organized his troops. He sent Colonel Luis Bonne [es] and his Prado Regiment towards La Jagüita. Colonel Agustín Cebreco was ordered to march towards Loma del Gato. Brigadier Pedro Agustín Pérez was to protect the area of El Mamón. Brigadier Matías Vega Alemán [es] was told to support Cebreco's forces.

About fifteen minutes later, General Maceo sent another officer, Colonel Luis Aranda, to La Jagüita. This was to make sure Colonel Bonne would attack the Spanish forces there. Maceo also ordered Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Sánchez Hechavarría's special unit, called Maceo, to move towards Loma del Gato. Their job was to help Cebreco's soldiers, who were already fighting.

After about twenty minutes, General Maceo grew impatient. He couldn't hear any fighting from where Sánchez Hechavarría was supposed to be. So, he decided to ride with his guards and assistants to join the battle. They went to where Cebreco's forces were fighting the Spanish.

General Maceo's Last Stand

General José Maceo, a key leader in the Cuban fight for freedom.

When General Maceo reached Loma del Gato, he quickly gathered the soldiers with him. He bravely led them into the fight.

A few minutes later, while fighting on horseback, Maceo got too close to the Spanish positions. The Spanish soldiers fired at him. A bullet hit him in the head, and he fell from his horse.

His helper, Lieutenant Salvador Durruty, tried to lift him up. But Durruty was also shot. A Mambí medic named Porfirio Valiente quickly tried to help General Maceo. He removed the bullet while the battle continued around them. Sadly, moments later, the general died from his serious injuries.

The Cuban forces lost 15 more soldiers during the battle. They were forced to retreat. Losing General Maceo was a very big setback for the Mambises. He was a crucial leader in their fight for independence.

Battle Outcome

The Battle of Loma del Gato ended with a Spanish victory. The Cuban rebels suffered 16 soldiers killed and between 40 and 50 wounded. The Spanish forces had 80 soldiers killed and 160 wounded.

See also

• In Spanish: Batalla de Loma del Gato para niños