The 10 Years War left endless anecdotes of heroic armed actions by the Mambises. One of them is the rescue of Brigadier Julio Sanguily on October 8th, 1871.

It is said that the day before the events Sanguily had asked permission to go to the Santo Domingo farm, where he was surprised and taken prisoner by an enemy guerrilla made up of 120 riflemen on horseback.

Upon learning of what happened, Major General Ignacio Agramonte addressed his soldiers and explained to his companions that it was necessary to rescue Sanguily “alive or dead, or all perish in action.”

With only 35 riders he followed the trail of the Spaniards who were found on the “Pozo La Esperanza” farm owned by Antonio Torres.

The action was so surprising to the Spaniards that it was impossible for them to carry out any organized resistance. In the midst of the short-lived battle, the Spanish sergeant who was guarding Sanguily knocked him off his horse and fired a shot that wounded his right hand.

The objective was successfully accomplished, Brigadier Julio Sanguily was rescued alive and with him five other prisoners were released. Eleven Spanish soldiers were left dead on the field while the Cubans did not suffer any casualties.

The action demonstrated the enormous courage of Ignacio Agramonte and his men and further increased the fame and fear that the Spanish had for their powerful cavalry.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García