Combatant of the three Wars of Independence. On March 26th, 1855, Braulio Peña de la Cruz was born in Puerto Príncipe, although it is also said that he was born in Colombia. When the Ten Year War ended he was already Captain. In the Little War he reached the rank of Commander. In the War of 1895, Major General Máximo Gómez, for his merits, promoted him to Colonel.

In 1868 he was subordinate to Lieutenant Colonel Luis Magín Díaz, in the Agramonte Regiment, in Camagüey. He accompanied Máximo Gómez in the invasion of Las Villas. When the war ended he was promoted to Captain.

In the Little War

In the Little War he supported the uprising of Lieutenant Colonel Emilio Núñez in Sagua La Grande, Las Villas, he reached the rank of Commander. After the capitulation in the Zanjón Pact, he traveled to the United States.

In the Necessary War of 1895

In the Necessary War of 1895, twice in his attempt to travel to Cuba to join the war he was arrested. He continued his efforts to liberate Cuba and on March 19th, 1896 landed at Punta de Ganado, near Nuevitas. He commanded his own expedition aboard the steamer Commodore. Major General Máximo Gómez promoted him to Colonel.

He served as Chief of the Jacinto Infantry Regiment (1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps) and participated in various combats, standing out in Cascorro, under the command of General Máximo Gómez.

In June 1897 he was appointed accidental commander of the 1st Division of the 3rd. Body. He was discharged on November 30th, 1898.

First North American military intervention and Republic

During the first North American military intervention he had the lackluster determination to enter the Rural Guard with the rank of Captain. This Corps was created on January 1st, 1899 with the beginning of the North American occupation. Six regiments commanded by lieutenant colonels were created. Braulio Peña de la Cruz was appointed to lead the one in Camagüey. According to the historian, Héctor Izquierdo Acuña, Colonels Braulio Peña de la Cruz and Ángel del Castillo enlisted 150 mambises for this purpose. In 1900 he was promoted to Commander and in 1901 to Lieutenant Colonel, in 1909 he retired.

His death

He died in Camagüey on April 25th, 1924 at the age of 69.

Historical memory, Living memory

One of the streets of Camagüey city bears his name, located in the Garrido neighborhood.

Bibliography

Diccionario Enciclopédico de Historia Militar de Cuba. Primera Parte (1510-1898) Tomo 1. Biografías. Casa Editorial Verde Olivo, La Habana, Cuba. 2014.

Hidalgo Martínez, Mabiel (2020) Sucesos y figuras de la Guerra necesaria: el coronel Braulio Peña de la Cruz. Biblioteca Nacional José Martí. Noticias. Recuperado el 21 de marzo de 2021 en http://bnjm.cu

Izquierdo Acuña, Héctor: El Cuartel de la Guardia Rural en Morón. Recuperado el 21 de marzo de 2021 en https://www.radiomoron.icrt.cu

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García