By: Dra. Kezia Zabrina Henry Knight, MSc. José Fernando Crespo Baró y Lic. Amparo Fernández Galera

“He lived like that

had to die,

and he died like that

he had to live ”.

Sunday, May 11th, 1873, seemed to pass with total normality in the city of Puerto Príncipe, and this would happen until after ten o’clock in the morning, after it was known by the citizens that a military courier arrived from the fields of Jimaguayú had brought the news of the death of Major Ignacio Agramonte, killed in a fray with no other strategic significance for the insurrection.

The Second Division of the Department of the Center under the command of Field Marshal Don Ramón Fajardo e Izquierdo, —according to Pieltain, who brought together “influence and people close to him who could help him very effectively—”, would prepare to celebrate that night the defeat of the insurrection in the «Spanish Casino». It can be affirmed that it was not to outrage his honor or to celebrate the death of the vanquished, according to historical documents and Captain General Cándido Pieltain himself.

Major’s Appreciation

It is good to know the criteria of the opposite side to form an objective opinion of the multiple significance of one of the key figures in the Cuban liberation process of the mid-nineteenth century, such as Major General Ignacio Agramonte. To find out, let’s take a look at the Report of Captain General Cándido Pieltain, in which respectful concepts and opinions are noted, with sufficient veracity and objectivity regarding El Mayor.

For example, when referring to the tenacious resistance and combat that it waged, which is known to seek to strengthen the faith and revolutionary unity around the Republic in Arms and ensure the triumph of the Revolution, Pieltain would specify: “[…] the increase in the insurrection would continue, rising more and more the separatist spirit, in proportion to what would decline that of the troops and inhabitants loyal to Spain; like Manzanillo and Bayamo, in the Oriental department, they were seriously threatened, and Ignacio Agramonte, in the Center, with his prestige and strength, was a constant danger for Las Villas and the Occidental department ”.

The most important leader of the insurrection

Referring to the end of Agramonte, Pieltain would describe the Jimaguayú combat: “A remarkable act of arms in which Ignacio Agramonte lost his life with eighty of his best supporters, whose corpse was taken to Puerto Príncipe and recognized there by the entire population. This leader was the most important one of the insurrection in the Central department and perhaps in the entire Island, because of the influence he exerted on his followers, because of his courage, character and energy, and he could assure Your Excellency that his lost it is a mortal blow for the enemies of Spain, and can greatly speed up the time of the desired pacification”.

As can be seen, the General in Chief of the Army of Operations had not diminished the merit, qualities and values ​​of such a distinguished leader in nothing; and he even admitted, between the lines, that his leadership would have been vital in achieving the separation from Spain.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García