GENERAL JOSE MANUEL CAPOTE SOSA - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 04/28/1896 - HFSID 218106

JOSE MANUEL CAPOTE SOSA
The Cuban liberal military writes a letter to Brigadier Cornelio Rojas to give him instructions for the war
Manuscript Letter Signed: "Jose M. Capote" in iron gall ink. 8x5¼. Fully Translated in English: "R of G. 2nd. Army Force. 2nd Division E.M. N.11. Brigadier Cornelio Rojas, Chief of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division. Immediately after receiving this letter, you will do whatever is necessary to reunite all the forces under your orders without doing any exception. For this operation you won't need more than few hours, so you will be able to go to 'Cañada Honda' or 'Las Palmas', or whatever other site near to those places, if more convenient. Under any circumstance you will move from those places without an order from this General Barrack. I dispose all this for its exact fulfillment; please let me know when you receive this communication through the fastest via. Fatherland and Liberty. Camp of the General Barrack in Monte Carmelo (Tunas) on April 28, 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. Edges frayed. Toned. Normal mailing folds. Fragile. Otherwise, fine condition.