On July 1st, 1871, Federico Fernández-Cavada Howard was shot. The General was trying to leave the north coast of Camagüey to the United States of America to seek support for the Cuban troops. But a vile informer caused the fatal outcome.
In the midst of a crisis of asthma and high fever in the inhospitable environment of Cayo Cruz, it was the preamble to his prison on June 30th, to be shot the next day.
Where did he born?
Fernández-Cavada was born in Cienfuegos, on July 8th, 1831. He studied Civil Engineering and Topography. During his stay in Philadelphia, USA, he participated in the Civil War with the rank of captain in the Union army from 1861, serving as an engineer. His qualities and merits allowed him to rise to commander in 1862, at the Battle of Bull Rum. He fought until the end of the war mediated by prisons.
On his return to Cuba, he took up arms on February 6th, 1869. He established his camp in Macagua, Sierra de Siguanea, and a month later he was appointed head of Las Villas Division with the rank of Major General.
Why the nickname General Candela?
On July 27th, 1869, he proclaimed a manifesto addressed to the Cuban landowners, in which they called for a war of extermination by means of the incendiary torch against the properties of the Creoles who supported Spain. His proclamation gave him the nickname: General Candela.
Tactical-strategic legacy
His tactical-strategic success was the platform that established him as chief of the General Staff of the Liberation Army. On April 21st, 1870, he was appointed to replace Ignacio Agramonte y Loynaz, who had resigned as head of the Camagüey Division.
He is considered the initiator of the strategy to carry the invasion to the West, first in March and then in June 1870. In 1871 he resigned to direct Camagüey and went to Sancti Spíritus and Remedios.
In this same year, his departure to the United States was approved when the fateful final outcome of a man dedicated to fighting for the principles of freedom and equality in the American continent occurs.
Military thinking
His military knowledge is collected in several texts, including: Brief guerrilla instruction and Guide for chiefs and officers in the field, approved in the House of Representatives on May 29th, 1870 due to its instructive profile.
So, if they ask you why Federico Eduardo Isidro Fernández-Cavada Howard was called General Candela? You can answer with arguments.
Bibliography
Diccionario Enciclopédico de Historia Militar de Cuba. Primera parte. (1510-1898) Tomo 1. Casa Editorial Verde Olivo, La Habana, 2014.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
