Also known as Manuel Antonio de Varona Miranda, he was born in Sibanicú, Camagüey on January 1st, 1856. The cry of La Demajagua on October 10th, 1868 began the Ten Years War led by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. And, with only 12 years old in 1870, Antonio Varona joined along with his father and his brothers, Pablo and Javier, as a conspirator, two years later (1872) at the age of 14 he definitely stood up for the independence of his homeland. A year later, on May 11th, 1873, he was in the combat in which Major Ignacio Agramonte and Loynaz died on that fatal day.

In the Little War, 1879, he supported the uprising of Colonel Limbano Sánchez, his military record made him a prisoner of the Spaniards who led him to the Morro castle, in Santiago de Cuba. He managed to be released at the time that he had been put to court martial but has to go into exile. His link with Cubans in exile in the Central America and the Caribbean countries allows him to be part of Flor Crombet’s frustrated attempt to take over the city of Santiago de Cuba.

In the Necessary War, 1895, he joined as an expeditionary on the steamer James Woodall, which disembarked on Tayabacoa beach on the south coast of the Villas on July 24th, 1895, under the command of Major General Carlos Roloff. He is promoted to captain and has the mission of destroying the bridges and railways of the Villareña area, to prevent the Spanish advance.

A life on the rise

He was part of the Fourth Army Corps until December 1895. He was one of the first to arrive in Mantua on January 20th, 1896, where the Invasion ended two days later. On January 27th, 1896, when the forces of the 6th Corps were organized, he became head of the Maceo infantry regiment, subordinate to then-Colonel Bermúdez, head of the southern Brigade of the province. After several combats, Antonio Maceo appointed him on September 29th, 1896, Chief of the Western Brigade, later of the 1st brigade Division of the 6th. Corps, subordinate to then-Colonel Juan Lorente.

His military performance with skill and courage in successive combats led to him being appointed on September 8th, 1897 as head of the 1st Division of the 6th Corps and on March 17th, 1898 he was promoted to head of the Division, a position with which the War ended.

He graduated in 1899. During the Republic he served for a short time as inspector of Forests and Mines. In 1912 he presided over the Bauta Delegation of the National Veterans Association in Havana, where he died on October 6th, 1935.

Transcendence

From childhood, the convictions of Manuel Antonio Varona Miranda were to see free and sovereign his Homeland. He condemned all behavior compatible with autocratic leadership and regionalism, and, all over the nation, this patriot from Camagüey put his talent and courage at the service of the cause, during almost 30 years of war.

Bibliography

Diccionario Enciclopédico de Historia Militar de Cuba. Primera Parte (1510-1898). (2014) Casa editorial Verde Olivo. Tomo 1 Biografías. pp. 288-299 La Habana

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García