Since we were little we learn in our schools that Carlos Manuel de Céspedes is the Father of the Nation, not only because he raised the flag of the insurrection on October 10th, 1868 but because he refused to abandon the cause due to blackmail that included the threat of shooting his son. However, some historical evidence leads us to think that Amado Oscar de Céspedes had already been shot before the Captain General, Caballero de Rodas, sent the dishonest proposal to lay his down arms to Céspedes.

One of the historians in charge of investigating the execution of Oscar de Céspedes is Fernando Crespo Baró, together with a work team comprised by researchers from the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city and the Archbishopric of the province.

“The evidence that indicate that Oscar de Céspedes was shot on May 29th, was found in the archive of the parish of Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje, in book number eight of white burials, which covers from July 1854 to January 1876 It says ´National Prison, day 29th, Oscar de Céspedes y Céspedes´ that is, this suggests that the letter sent to Céspedes on June 1st, in which he was told that the death penalty of his son would be forgiven if he left the Revolution, it would not stop being a felony “, says Crespo Baró.

Today a monument commemorates independence fighters shot by the forces of Spanish colonialism on the back wall of the old infantry barracks. At the base of the monument is the name of Oscar de Céspedes and the seven fighters who were captured with him.

Luckily for the Cubans, Céspedes did not fall for the dirty stratagem elaborated by the Spanish Captain General and in a show of absolute dedication he responded vehemently.

Cayagual Camp, June 2nd, 1870

Your Excellency Captain General,

Caballero de Rodas

 

Your Excellency,

It is in my possession the letter from V.E, where he informs me of the fatal misfortune in which my son Oscar has been taken prisoner by forces under his command; and at the same time the proposal that V.E makes me, to save my son, by leaving the country. It is hard to think that a dignified military man like V.E, can allow such revenge, if I do not abide by his will, but if he does so, Oscar is not my only son, all Cubans who die for our national freedoms are.

God keep you for many years

Carlos Manuel de Céspedes

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García