Capture of Las Tunas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capture of Las Tunas
Part of Second Eastern Campaign of the Cuban War of Independence
Calixto García's cavalry charge during the engagement
Date August 27–30 , 1897 Location Las Tunas, Oriente, Cuba, Spain Result Cuban victory
Belligerents
Cuban rebels Supported by:  United States	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Calixto García Mario García Carlos García José M. Capote Frederick Funston	Unknown
Strength
1,200 soldiers, 300 horsemen and 6 cannons	350 soldiers and 100 volunteers, with artillery
Casualties and losses
29 killed, 60 wounded	161 killed, 176 wounded, 409 captured

The Capture of Las Tunas was an important battle during the Cuban War of Independence. It happened from August 27 to 30, 1897, in a city called Las Tunas in the Oriente region of Cuba.

The Battle of Las Tunas

In late August 1897, Cuban forces led by Lieutenant General Calixto García surrounded the important military base in Victoria de Las Tunas. Most people had already left the city and gone into the jungle.

The Cuban forces fought hard for three days. They managed to make the Spanish soldiers surrender and took control of the base. After capturing it, they set the base on fire. But first, they took many important supplies. These included weapons, ammunition, food, and medicine.

During the battle, 29 Cuban soldiers were killed and 60 were wounded. For the Spanish, 161 soldiers were killed, 176 were wounded, and 409 were captured.

What Happened Next

The Capture of Las Tunas was a very big victory for the Cuban Liberation Army. It was also a major defeat for the Spanish Army. This battle helped to show that the Spanish leader, Captain General Valeriano Weyler, was not telling the truth. He had been spreading news that he was "pacifying" (making peaceful) Cuba. He also claimed his "Reconcentration" policy was working. This policy forced many Cubans into camps, which was very unpopular.

The victory at Las Tunas proved that Weyler's claims were false. This battle was one of the last big defeats for Spain before Weyler was removed from his position in Cuba. In November of the same year, Spain tried to calm the Cubans by offering them more self-rule (autonomy). However, this did not work either.

In 1898, Spain eventually lost Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam to the United States.

See also

In Spanish: Tercera toma de Las Tunas para niños