Capture of Guisa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capture of Guisa |
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| Part of Cuban War of Independence | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Cuban rebels |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Calixto García Mario García Carlos García José M. Capote |
Unknown |
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The Capture of Guisa was an important event during the Cuban War of Independence. It happened on November 28 and 29, 1897. During this time, Cuban forces took over the town of Guisa from Spanish soldiers. After winning, they set the town on fire.
The Battle for Guisa
In late November 1897, Cuban forces led by Lieutenant General Calixto García surrounded the town of Guisa. Guisa was a key military spot for the Spanish army. However, most people had already left the town and gone to the nearby jungles.
After two days of tough fighting, the Cuban soldiers made the Spanish forces give up. The Cubans then took control of the town. Before burning it down, they grabbed important weapons, ammunition, food, and medicine. General García himself gave the order to burn the town. After the fire, the Spanish prisoners were set free. Because of his great leadership in this battle, Calixto García was promoted to Lieutenant General.
Why This Battle Mattered
The Capture of Guisa was a huge military win for the Cuban Liberation Army. It was also a big loss for the Spanish Army, making them feel discouraged.
This victory also showed that the Spanish Captain General Valeriano Weyler was not telling the truth. He had been spreading news that Cuba was peaceful and that his "Reconcentration" plan was working. His plan forced many Cubans into camps, which was very unpopular. The battle at Guisa proved his claims were false.
This was one of the last major defeats for Spain before Weyler was removed from his position in Cuba. Later that same year, Spain tried to calm the Cubans by offering them more self-rule, called the Autonomous Charter. But this offer did not work either.
Spain eventually lost Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam in 1898. This happened after the United States joined the war.
See also
In Spanish: Toma de Guisa (1897) para niños
