Home › G › Gomez (MAXIMO g meth a Cuban military)

Gomez (MAXIMO g meth a Cuban military)

MAXIMO (gō'meth), a Cuban military officer; born in Bani, San Domingo, in 1838; served as a lieutenant of cavalry in the last Spanish army sent to occupy that island. During the war with Haiti he won distinction at the battle of San Tome, in which action at the head of 20 men he conquered a much superior number. When the freedom of San Domingo was declared he accompanied the Spanish force to Cuba; but later, when General Villar maltreated some Cuban refugees, he became angry, and after personally assaulting that officer left the Spanish army. In 1868 he joined the Cuban insurrection known as the Ten Years' War. He aided in the capture of Jugnani, Bayamo, Tunas, and Holguin, and was a leading actor in many other successful engagements; was promoted Major- General and later succeeded General Agramonte as commander-in-chief. At the beginning of the war of 1895-1898 he again took up arms with the Cubans and fought with marked distinction till the Americans occupied Cuba. On Feb. 25, 1899, after marching through Havana with 2,500 of his soldiers, he was given a reception and banquet in that city by the United States military authorities.

Later he was of invaluable service to General Brooke, the American governorgeneral, in the work of reconstruction on the island. In 1900-1901 he was conspicuously mentioned for the presidency of the Cuban republic. Among his sketches are "Panchito Gomez" and "Mi Escolta." He died June 17, 1905, at Havana.