GENERAL JOSE MANUEL CAPOTE SOSA - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 04/24/1896 - HFSID 218107

 

JOSE MANUEL CAPOTE SOSA
The Cuban liberal military writes a letter to Brigadier Cornelio Rojas to reprimand him for the disorganization of his forces because even the President of the Republic himself had complained about it
Manuscript Letter Signed: "Jose M. Capote" in iron gall ink. 8¾x6¼. Fully Translated in English: "R de G 2nd. Army Force. 2nd Division E.M. C. Brigadier Cornelio Rojas, It is completely necessary to undertake in that way and promptly all the operations. The President of the Republic has bitterly complained to me about the disorganization of the zone which does not have a worthy command and where, he said, the bodies of soldiers swarm in the mountains of Calabazas, Casimbas, etc, etc. and that now more than ever, such things should not exist, and that he thinks he has the necessary resources to harry the enemy in those lands of Holguin. I very much regret to get your attention in this sense, but since there are too many the complains that daily arrive to this barrack, even from the President himself, that I need to stimulate your zeal and patriotism in order for the reaction to come back in a favorable sense towards you. I recommend you promptness in the sending of the sixty recruits. Fatherland and Liberty. Santa Lucia (Camaguey) April 24, 1896. The Chief General of the 2nd Division. Jose M. Capote." Jose Manuel Capote Sosa (1836-1934) was a Cuban liberal military and politician who in 1868 joined the Liberation Army in Holguin, participating in the Taking of Bayamon in October of that year. On October 10, 1874 he fought in the army of Major General Maximo Gomez during the Naranjo-Mojacasabe battle, which was followed by the Battle of Las Guasimas in march of 1875 and in that same year he gained the title of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1876, Capote Sosa earned distinctions in the Taking of Guaimaro (on January 3), Las Tunas (between September 23 and 26) and Guisa. Jose Manuel later took part in the Guerra Chiquita (Little War) during which he was captured by the Spanish Army and jailed for four years in the Chafarinas prisons in Cadiz. In 1890 Jose Manuel fought in the failed Conspiracy of Peace of Manganeso. During the War of 95 he led 40 soldiers in a zone situated between Cauto el Paso and Bayamon, and later joined the army of Major General Bartolome Maso in Corralillo, near Guisa. On February 24, 1895 he was ascended to Colonel and on April 1 of that year he fought in Los Moscones. He initiated the Circular Campaign on June of that same year and gained the title of General of Brigade. The Circular Campaign was followed by the combats in Altagracia, La Ceja, El Mulato and San Jeronimo. However, he had to go back to Las Tunas and joining the forces of General Maximo Gomez fought in the Combat of Sao Claro. His actions during the Campaign contributed to the passing of the invasive column, led by General Antonio Maceo, from la Trocha de Jucaro to Moron. On February, 1896 Jose Manuel was leading the Third Division of the Second Force, fighting in Las Tunas and Holguin West. He was elevated to the rank of General of Division on august 29, 1896. Jose Manuel also joined the army of Major General Calixto Garcia, at least between October 1896 and April 1898, and during that time he fought in Guaimaro, Jiguani, Las Tunas, where he was ascended to the rank of Major General, Guisa and in the assault to Bayamon, and also occupying the towns of San Miguel, Maniabon and Puerto Padre. Between August 16 and 17, 1898 Jose Manuel fought in the last combat of the military campaign, Combat of Auras. Once the war ended and Cuba was annexed by USA, the new military government of that country named him mayor of the prison of Santiago of Cuba. Capote Sosa also served as mayor of Bayamo and opposed to the politics of president Mario Garcia Menocal, he reveled against his reelection on February 1917. According to journalist Luis Felipe Gomez Wangüemert, a few weeks before his death he was decorated with the Great Cross of Carlos Manuel Cespedes. He passed away in Bayamon on November 11, 1934. Heavily toned and soiled. Moldy. Multiple mailing folds. Pinhead-size moth marks at upper blank right margin. Edges frayed. Otherwise, fine condition.