Fernando Espinosa Socarrás together with Brigadier General Ángel del Castillo, in 1869 he marched towards the jurisdiction of Sancti Spíritus, and in 1871 he returned to Camagüey. Under the orders of Major General Julio Sanguily he participated in the invasion of Las Villas. He likewise took part in the combats in Loma del Jíbaro (González’s coffee plantation) and Crimea. He finished the war with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Little War

In the Little War, he was a prisoner in Nuevitas, on November 19th, 1879. He was sent to Spain on January 5th, 1880, and later sent to the Chafarinas prison.

During the ’95 War

On June 6th, 1895, he joined the Liberation Army under the orders of Major General Máximo Gómez, who was its first chief of the General Staff of the ’95 war. He stood out in the taking of Fort Pelayo, on November 17th, 1895.

He was wounded as part of the invading Column, on December 3rd, 1895. He then subordinated himself to the head of the 3rd Corps of Camagüey, Major General Mayía Rodríguez.

The promotion

On December 22nd, 1896 he was promoted to Brigadier General, then at the beginning of 1897, he was appointed head of the 2nd Division by Major General Javier de la Vega, with this appointment he took the town of Cascorro. On June 14th, 1897 he attacked a column at Caonao and the following month he fought the Buenavista and Cabeza del Toro battles.

Death and legacy

He died in Camagüey on November 14th, 1901. His example of perseverance in the principles of freedom, anti-colonialism, and in favor of social justice in diverse and complex contexts of exploitation and exclusion, make Fernando Espinosa Socarrás a path to follow.

Bibliography

Diccionario Enciclopédico de Historia Militar de Cuba. Primera parte (1510-1898) Tomo I Biografías. (2014) Casa Editorial Verde Olivo, La Habana, Cuba.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García