GENERAL MAXIMO GOMEZ Y BAEZ - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/17/1898 - HFSID 217445

MAXIMO GOMEZ

The military strategist, who fought for Cuban independence for over 40 years, sends a wartime letter to his daughters expressing how much he misses them, gives them some news and wishes them a happy New Year

Manuscript Letter Signed: "M. Gomez" in iron gall ink. 8x9½. Fully Translated in English: " 'Los Hoyos' Sti Etus, January 17, 1898. Ladies Castula y Lola Borrero, Puerto Plata. Dear Daughters: On August 3 of last year, with a delay of almost six months, I received the lovely letters from you, which I have read and whose content I have examined minutely. I am replying to you on this same date trying to disappear all the difficulties you have had to encounter and that are referred in your letters. You don't worry because I believe everything will be taken care of. I write you every time I can and assume you have received some of my letters. Lately I received a letter from Mariano that pleasantly surprised me, he wrote me about his arrival to the beaches of Camaguey. He said he wishes to be by my side, and I feel the same way, but I asked him to wait until I was able to find a way to do it. I will never forget you and it is useless to say again that I will take care of your issue with the interest [illegible] with Mariano in Camaguey. I will procure to consider your recommendations.  The news regarding the time that Fula spent in Monte Cristy with her family have made me very happy. I conclude for today but not without wishing you a happy New Year. Your most loved friend, M. Gomez" Dominican Major General Maximo Gomez (1836-1905) was initially trained as an officer of the Spanish Army at the Zaragoza Military Academy, originally arriving in Cuba as a cavalry Captain in the Spanish Army before taking up the rebel cause in 1968. Gomez famously helped transform the Cuban Army's military tactics and strategy, teaching the guerrilla independence fighters, the Mambises, their most feared tactic: the "Machete Charge". Gomez worked odd military jobs for the next couple decades: he became involved with the independence of Puerto Rico when he sold most of his possessions to finance a revolution, even volunteering to lead troops (later deemed unnecessary when Spain intervened), as well as was promoted to General of the Cuban army, improving the military's guerrilla tactics most effective against the traditional Spanish forces. The Spanish-American War, the result of the United States interfering in the Cuban War of Independence, forced Cuba to decide if they should choose heritage over their New World partners (Spain vs. U.S.), Dios decided to fight solely for his adopted country's independence; he lost his most trusted officer Antonio Maceo, and his son Francisco Gomez in the war in 1896, but by 1898 Cuba had obtained independence and Gomez was offered the presidential nomination, but he refused due to his Dominican heritage. By that time his was 75 years old, having spent half his life dedicated to the liberation of Cuba, and he died in Havana in 1905. Sealed. Fragile. Normal mailing folds. Slightly worn and soiled. Ink shows through to verso. Edges slightly frayed. Tears in bottom margin at folds. Corners creased. Otherwise, fine condition.