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Cuba RARE MAXIMO GOMEZ Diario d Campaña Limited Edition
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DIARIO DE CAMPAÑA
MAXIMO GOMEZ
533 Pages
5 1/2"x 7 1/2"
MAXIMO GOMEZ
|
Máximo
Gómez y Báez forma parte, junto a Martí y Maceo, del núcleo esencial de
la Revolución de 1895 y es, sin duda, una de las figuras descollantes
de la Guerra de los Diez Años. Sus
|
| proezas militares, especialmente la Invasión de
Oriente a Occidente, se insertan entre las más destacadas de la historia
militar universal del siglo XIX. Representa asimismo un símbolo de la presencia
internacionalista en nuestras luchas por la independencia.
El venerable dominicano nació en
Baní, pequeño pueblo de República Dominicana, el 18 de noviembre de
1836 y desde muy joven estuvo vinculado a la vida militar. Con una
instrucción muy elemental recibida de su padrino, que era sacerdote,
durante la niñez, mostraba, a partir de una formación autodidacta,
cierto dominio de temas y acontecimientos de la historia, la
literatura, la política y otras materias. De ello dan fe su Diario de
Campaña, sus Proclamas, sus artículos sueltos y su abundante
correspondencia.
Conocemos la fotografía de Gómez ya viejo y la veneramos, pero es bueno
recordar como lo describió Federico Hernández y Carvajal, quien mantuvo
con el Generalísimo vínculos de amistad desde su juventud: 'Joven de
apuesta figura, erecto, delgado, ágil y elegante. Tenía trigueña la
faz, finos los labios, los ojos negros, sedoso el cabello y era el
galán mimado de las damas; en breve dio la norma en bailes, veladas,
paseos, amores y amoríos.'
Los convulsos acontecimientos políticos en Santo Domingo lo llevan a
incorporarse al ejército español y llega a ser enviado a Santiago de
Cuba como comandante de tropas dominicanas. Sobre ese acontecimiento el
propio Gómez escribiría años más tarde:
'...joven yo, ciego y sin discernimiento político para manejarme dentro
de aquella situación, más que difícil oscura, porque la Revolución se
presentó más que defectuosa, enferma, fui arrastrado por la ola
impetuosa de los sucesos, y me encontré de improviso en Cuba, a manera
de un poco de materia inerte que lejos de su centro arrojan las
furiosas explosiones volcánicas. Era la primera vez en mi vida que
abandonaba el suelo natal, y muy pronto empecé a purgar la culpa
cometida, con la pena más cruel que puede sufrir un hombre.'
Aquí, entra en contacto con la cruel realidad de la sociedad esclavista
y según sus propias palabras muy pronto se sintió unido 'al que más
sufría en Cuba y sobre el cual pesaba tan grande y triste desgracia'.
Al laborar y vivir junto a las masas de esclavos en las plantaciones de
las zonas orientales de Cuba, aquel corazón firme pero sensible al
dolor humano, lejos de su patria de origen, se vincula primero a un
pequeño círculo revolucionario que conspiraba en la región de Bayamo
ayudando en la preparación militar y tras el alzamiento de Céspedes en
La
Demajagua, se incorpora inmediatamente a la Guerra de Independencia en
octubre de 1868 y se convierte en maestro de guerreros.
En el transcurso de 10 años, Gómez se transforma en el más respetado de
nuestros generales. Su ascenso al grado de general está unido
indisolublemente a la primera carga al machete que transforma la
herramienta de trabajo en temible arma. Antonio Maceo quien es, sin
dudas, lo más puro y genuinamente cubano de nuestro
mambisado, se inclina siempre respetuoso ante el valiente dominicano, y
le guarda una disciplina cívica y militar que es también uno de
nuestros grandes recuerdos.
Gómez, hombre cuyo vigoroso carácter es bien conocido, era capaz de ser
tierno y generoso con los suyos y de combatir al enemigo hasta la
victoria o la muerte. Su rigor y su sentido del deber, le permitían
imponer la disciplina entre los bravos soldados.
Su amor por nuestra patria y su lucha ininterrumpida de cerca de medio
siglo, lo colocaron eternamente en el corazón de nuestro pueblo.
Tanto Gómez como Maceo se forman, pues, en la lucha armada, y tienen
como basamento político y social las masas de esclavos liberados, de
campesinos y trabajadores del campo explotados. Ellos eran sus más
altos representantes. El prestigio de ambos en el sector más humilde y
expoliado de la sociedad cubana fue la clave de su autoridad moral,
política e histórica; eran la más pura expresión del pueblo.
La experiencia militar de Gómez, sus dotes de estratega, su mano firme
para conducir a la tropa le ganaron muy pronto reconocido prestigio.
Así, en 1871, dirigió la audaz invasión a Guantánamo y, en 1873, al
caer Agramonte se le designa por Céspedes como jefe del Camagüey,
logrando dos resonantes victorias militares: La Sacra, en la que con
300 jinetes camagüeyanos hicieron retirarse a una columna española
cinco veces mayor dejando un centenar de cadáveres insepultos y Palo
Seco, donde obtuvo un éxito más rotundo aún al enfrentarse a una
columna española de 600 hombres, con sus 300 jinetes camagüeyanos,
ocasionándole 300 muertos incluyendo el general que la comandaba.
Al año siguiente obtiene otro triunfo de las armas mambisas en la
batalla del potrero Las Guásimas, la más larga y costosa de toda la
Guerra de los Diez Años, y en enero de 1875, cruza la trocha de Júcaro
a Morón y realiza la invasión a Las Villas logrando incorporar en esa
región mil 400 hombres al Ejército, destruyendo 83 ingenios y
arrebatando a las fuerzas españolas cuantiosos pertrechos de guerra.
Sin embargo, las acciones militares de Máximo Gómez en Las Villas se
ven paralizadas por las disensiones internas que impidieron la llegada
de los refuerzos y continuar la empresa invasora hacia Occidente. Las
sediciones y la desmoralización en las filas insurrectas condujeron,
más tarde, al Pacto del Zanjón a comienzos de 1878.
La Guerra de 1868 no se perdió para los cubanos por falta de talento y
capacidad militar, sino por factores políticos derivados del
quebrantamiento de la unidad entre los mandos civiles de la Revolución.
España había perdido sus colonias en la América continental,
concentraba su poder económico y militar en la Isla y Cuba tuvo que
librar sola este combate desigual casi medio siglo después de las
luchas libertarias de Bolívar. De aquella epopeya Máximo Gómez fue su
gran maestro y estratega militar.
El exilio que siguió al Zanjón fue muy duro para Máximo Gómez y su
familia por las penurias económicas, la frustración y la incomprensión
de muchos que le exigían haber tenido un protagonismo mayor para
haberle puesto coto a las luchas intestinas que condujeron al fracaso
de la guerra. Fidel Castro, refiriéndose a esta característica suya,
que marcará su actuación política a lo largo de su vida, señaló:
'Máximo Gómez con su natural inhibición -porque pese a sus
extraordinarios méritos, él siempre actuaba con la timidez del que no
había nacido en territorio cubano.'
En su prolongado peregrinar por Jamaica, Honduras, Panamá y finalmente
asentado en su tierra natal, se mantiene en contacto con viejos
compañeros de armas, que tratan de reiniciar la lucha en Cuba, entre
los cuales goza de admiración y enorme respeto. A Montecristi, donde
reside en su querido Santo Domingo, va a visitarle José Martí en
septiembre de 1892. Habían pasado ocho años de su encuentro en Nueva
York donde no lograron ponerse de acuerdo, pero, esta vez
'...no hubo palabra alguna por la que un hijo tuviera que avergonzarse
de su padre, ni frase hueca ni mirada de soslayo, ni rasgo que
desluciese, con la odiosa ambición, el amor hondo y como sangre en las
venas y médulas de los huesos, con que el General Gómez se ha jurado a
Cuba. Se afirma de pronto en los estribos, como quien va mandar la
marcha. Se echa de un salto de la hamaca enojosa, como si tuviera
delante a un pícaro. O mira largamente, con profunda tristeza.'
El Apóstol quedó profundamente emocionado en el contacto con la familia
Gómez-Toro; con Bernarda, generosa, compañera de la guerra a quien
todos llaman cariñosamente
Manana; con su hija Clemencia, en cuyos ojos pudorosos brilla la patria
cubana; con Francisco, el hijo mayor que cayera años más tarde junto a
Maceo en Punta Brava; con Máximo, que prefiere El Quijote entre todas
las lecturas y con Urbano, el más pequeño. En esa visita que se
prolongó tres días le pidió que ayudara a la revolución como encargado
supremo del ramo de la guerra y todavía resuenan con su fuerza original
las palabras de Martí al General Gómez poco después de la entrevista y
la respuesta de este a ese pedido. En carta desde Santiago de los
Caballeros el 13 de septiembre de 1892, dijo nuestro Héroe al
Generalísimo Máximo Gómez: 'Yo ofrezco a Ud., sin temor de negativa,
este nuevo trabajo, hoy que no tengo más remuneración que brindarle que
el placer de su sacrificio y la ingratitud probable de los h!
ombres.' Y más adelante continúa Martí:
'Los tiempos grandes requieren grandes sacrificios; y yo vengo confiado
a pedir a Ud. que deje en manos de sus hijos nacientes y de su
compañera abandonada la fortuna que les está levantando con rudo
trabajo, para ayudar a Cuba a conquistar su libertad, con riesgo de la
muerte: vengo a pedirle que cambie el orgullo de su bienestar y la paz
gloriosa de su descanso por los azares de la revolución, y la amargura
de la vida consagrada al servicio de los hombres.'
En hermosa carta de respuesta, Gómez concluye con un abrazo definitivo.
Dice el gran dominicano-cubano: '... para la parte que me toca, para la
cantidad de trabajo y de labor en la grande obra que vamos a
recomenzar, desde ahora puede usted contar con mis servicios.'
A partir de esos momentos y para comprender el desarrollo de los
acontecimientos que condujeron al estallido de la guerra necesaria
resulta imprescindible tener en cuenta el tipo de relación, la
identificación que fue prácticamente absoluta, el cariño entrañable y
la admiración mutua que llegó a establecerse entre Gómez y Martí.
Dotados de distinta formación y carácter, nada pudo impedirlo y ello
fue clave para el inicio de la lucha independentista.
Al responder a una misma base social de naturaleza profundamente
popular y sentir vibrar en sus pechos similares pensamientos
patrióticos y los mismos objetivos nacionales e internacionales, se
formó una amistad y una colaboración basada en los más sólidos
principios, una hermandad verdadera.
Llegado el momento de convocar la guerra que ambos habían preparado con
total dedicación y entrega, acuerdan el documento suscrito por el
Apóstol y el Generalísimo Máximo Gómez que se conoce como el Manifiesto
de Montecristi, y que es uno de los textos fundamentales de la historia
de nuestro país.
Desde las primeras líneas se destaca que el propósito inmediato de la
revolución iniciada casi 30 años antes en Yara era el 'saneamiento y
emancipación del país para bien de América y del mundo.'
Este objetivo, de interés universal, aparece como lo más sustantivo del
ideario martiano y está presente a lo largo del texto que suscribió con
Gómez.
En dicho texto se afirma que:
'La guerra de independencia de Cuba, nudo de haz de islas donde se han
de cruzar, en plazo de pocos años, el comercio de los continentes, es
suceso de gran alcance humano, y servicio oportuno que el heroísmo
juicioso de las Antillas presta a la firmeza y trato justo de las
naciones americanas, y al equilibrio aún vacilante del mundo.'
Más adelante se subraya:
'A la revolución cumplirá mañana el deber de explicar de nuevo al país
y a las naciones las causas locales, y de idea y de interés universal,
conque para el adelanto y servicio de la humanidad reanuda el pueblo
emancipador de Yara y de Guáimaro una guerra digna del respeto de sus
enemigos y el apoyo de los pueblos, por su rígido concepto del derecho
del hombre, y su aborrecimiento de la venganza estéril y la devastación
inútil.'
La primera conclusión que podemos extraer es que el objetivo esencial
de la Revolución cubana no obedece, exclusivamente, a causas o
intereses locales ni se reduce a objetivos nacionales.
La pregunta que debemos hacernos es por qué Martí y Gómez querían una
Cuba libre, unas Antillas libres y una América libre. Lo expresó el
Apóstol de una manera diáfana en su artículo con motivo de la
conmemoración del segundo aniversario del Partido Revolucionario
Cubano, publicado en 1894:
'En el fiel de América están las Antillas, que serían, si esclavas,
mero pontón de la guerra de una república imperial contra el mundo
celoso y superior que se prepara ya a negarle el poder, -mero fortín de
la Roma americana; -y si libres- y dignas de serlo por el orden de la
libertad equitativa y trabajadora-serían en el continente la garantía
del equilibrio, la de la independencia para la América española aún
amenazada y la del honor para la gran república del Norte, que en el
desarrollo de su territorio -por desdicha, feudal ya, y repartido en
secciones hostiles- hallará más segura grandeza que en la innoble
conquista de sus vecinos menores, y en la pelea inhumana que por la
posesión de ellas abriría contra las potencias del orbe por el
predominio del mundo.'
Destacando el alcance universal de la causa de la independencia de Cuba, Martí y Gómez señalan en el Manifiesto de Montecristi:
'Honra y conmueve pensar que cuando cae en tierra de Cuba un guerrero
de la independencia, abandonado tal vez por los pueblos incautos o
indiferentes a quienes se inmola, cae por el bien mayor del hombre, la
confirmación de la república moral en América, y la creación de un
archipiélago libre donde las naciones respetuosas derramen las riquezas
que a su paso han de caer sobre el crucero del mundo.'
Lo esencial que quiero trasmitir está en que en el patriotismo cubano
se halla insertado, desde su raíz misma, un sentimiento y una
aspiración universal. Así fue ayer, lo es y lo será mañana. La
felicidad y el progreso de Cuba han dependido siempre de la forma en
que se inserte en el mundo, y no hay manera feliz de hacerlo si el país
no es independiente. Cuba es parte sustantiva de las Antillas, de
América y del mundo. En ella se integran los valores propios de la
nación con los de carácter universal.
En Cuba, sobre la base de largas y cruentas luchas como fueron las
guerras de independencia, se forjaron sentimientos de fraternidad y de
sangre que sirvieron de catalizador a la primera y más importante
manifestación de solidaridad: el hecho histórico de la identificación
entre blancos y negros y entre criollos e inmigrantes como componentes
de la nación, con igualdad de derechos, lo que está en la médula de
nuestro ideario cultural. Tal identificación fue punto nodal y de
arranque de la unidad del país y de su moral renovadora que se extiende
hasta nuestros días.
Gómez, como General en Jefe del Ejército Libertador y con sus 60 años a
cuestas, desembarca con Martí en Playitas de Cajobabo en abril de 1895
para reiniciar la lucha por la independencia. Planeó y llevó a cabo
junto con Maceo la invasión de Oriente a Occidente y mantuvo en jaque a
poderosas fuerzas españolas durante más de tres años hasta que se
produce la intervención norteamericana que frustra los ideales de
independencia y justicia por los cuales el pueblo cubano había luchado
durante más de 30 años..
En su Diario de Campaña, Gómez deja constancia de aquel sentimiento de
frustración de todo un pueblo, provocado por las condiciones impuestas
a Cuba por Estados Unidos:
'Tristes se han ido ellos y tristes hemos quedado nosotros; porque un
poder extranjero los ha sustituido. Yo soñaba con la paz de España, yo
esperaba despedir con respeto a los valientes soldados españoles, con
los cuales nos encontramos siempre frente a frente en los campos de
batalla; pero la palabra paz y libertad, no debía inspirar más que amor
y fraternidad, en la mañana de la concordia entre los encarnizados
combatientes de la víspera. Pero los americanos han amargado con su
tutela impuesta por la fuerza, la alegría de los cubanos vencedores; y
no supieron endulzar la pena de los vencidos. La situación, pues, que
se le ha creado a este pueblo, de miseria material y de apenamiento,
por estar cohibido en todos sus actos de soberanía, es cada día más
aflictiva, y el día que termine tan extraña situación, es posible que
no dejen los americanos aquí ni un adarme de simpatía.'
Consciente de los peligros que la nueva situación entrañaba para el
destino de Cuba y de la necesidad de un genio político para hacer
frente a aquel desafío, señala que esa hubiera sido 'la hora de Martí'.
Sabía dirigir y organizar un ejército, pero confesaba con infinita
honestidad que esos métodos que dominaba a la perfección no eran útiles
e incluso podían ser perjudiciales para dirigir la política de un
estado. La sinceridad y el patriotismo estaban en la esencia de este
planteamiento, no se encuentra fácilmente a un guerrero victorioso que
muestre tal modestia y desinterés.
En medio de los angustiosos momentos de la primera intervención yanqui,
frente a incomprensiones e intrigas, mostró su habitual dignidad y
altura, rechazó las provocaciones y la politiquería, irguiéndose como
centinela moral de la Patria.
Rodeado de la veneración del pueblo cubano, falleció el 17 de junio de
1905, con la misma austeridad y sencillez con que siempre había vivido,
añadiendo un elemento desgraciado más a aquellos tristes momentos.
Los cubanos de hoy, somos y nos sentimos los genuinos herederos de este
grande de nuestra historia. Lo que hemos hecho y haremos es para
continuar la obra que él y muchos otros iniciaron. Por eso pudo decir
Fidel Castro que 'nosotros entonces habríamos sido como ellos; ellos
hoy habrían sido como nosotros'. |
Gomez Maximum
THE LIBERATOR
ITS VALUE:
Its fire baptism, the formal demonstration of its value has effect to the tender age of the sixteen years, when in the battle of Santomé, bloodiest and heroic battlefield of the glorious war of national Independence, participates in the Body of Cavalry of Baní and is promoted Lieutenant, as opposed to smoky pajones, that like immense sacrifices, announced to the world, our right to be free and independent.
In manigua Cuban, that bloody one and it releases war, its value and his I throw was decisive to print organization to him to the
inexperienced Cuban soldiers, who knew neither the tactics nor the use
the machete in the attacks hand-to-hand. In this aspect of the war interesting testimonies exist, that we will know in the Chapter dedicated to the "Guerrero".
In order to prevail before his soldiers, this "extranjero stranger" had the necessity to be put under diverse tests and acts some of them remember the pugilatos to us of pueblo native.
At a time of indiscipline, when assuming the control in a region, found to a reckless Colonel with aspect of pirata, trousers to the knee, handkerchief to the neck that receives to its Head with put table, in which astonished Go'mez notices white table cloth, stoneware, crystal, places setting of silver and wine aged "(53). In scandalous resistance with the simple life and the austerity
of its own camping. But this Colonel was famous by his value, was a fierce man and "valentía conquers it with one intentionally brutal. It orders to him to take a trench giving to him three cartridges to each soldier. The Colonel refuses. With three shots by man one does not take to anybody to the matadero! Go'mez limits itself to clear a shot to each soldier and dejándolos with two, attack and take the position "
Its rectitud was studied. It admired and mimaba, to his soldiers. "it requests value to Them and obedience, does
not request more, porque to them he will think by them. But if
sometimes it incurs lack and one does not notice to him, one does not get angry, it knows that all it excuses the soldier, except the abuse,
that is the disdain of its life and of his it honors "
In the assault of the Socapa, it orders Collazo Captain, in the middle of one night tenebrous, that defends the passage with the artillery. The Captain who knows well his only
tube... pide with all seriousness, maso of candles. And before the astonishment of Go'mez, he clarifies simply, to look for the tube after the first firing, because this seven corcovea tiny beast and is going much to stop ú eight twigs for back. General Go'mez. One lies down to laugh. He is well, says to him. He does not make use of the artillery "
It would seem that it wished to offer the image that anybody debía to be neither the more strict, nor brave that it and this sense sometimes seemed a little ingenuous, action that was celebrated alegremente by its soldiers.
Souza - it affirms except that "valentía was always great extenuating before the General, when of the crime treated". It seems that it maintained the memory of Florentino permanently and must have it very present when it directed the fusilamientos of Brigadier Bermúdez and Colonel Bejarano.
 True examples of their cult to valentía always offered them. "When it marched for the invasion it left in the zone of Sancti Spiritus, like Head of a guerrilla, to one of the Cervantes. To his return of the West, it received bad information on this one mambí and when being with him, it sent it to disarm and it cleared the control to him of his force, saying to him to voices in front of all:
That I become it by cowardly!
I am not cowardly, General!
We are going to see - said to him to the General You you are able to come with me and to stop myself where I I stop myself to throw
to him to the column?
I stop ten steps more pa alante than you, shouted guajiro to him.
The old one very pleased returned to its escort and exclaimed:
East Ay man is handsome. There is no doubt. That they give to his force and its arms him.
"Their cold value, their indifference before the fire, their boldness, their calm composure, as opposed to the several incidents of
the expanded campaign, was proverbial in the mambí field"
"It said eloquent, in an occasion of his value, personage of as much note as the young person and valiant General Enrique Loinaz of the Castle, often witness of that value: "their hair whiter than the smoke of the guns, to vanguard always, indicated in the combat the way to us of the honor"
This testimony explains the circumstance that General Go'mez was wounded in several occasions, that to him five horses killed in a single campaign and the bullets crossed the clothes to him, the hat and the binoculars.
The conservation of its precious life until the end, can be considered providencial: "In the Dry Wood battle, of eight hundred men, five hundred seven were left layings in the dismal savannah"
ITS HONESTY:
The illustrious soldier, during the War of the Ten Years, handled the bottoms him trusted as Commander in chief of the Revolution and he did it with the most purified neatness, but the most
eloquent expression, the highest exponent of its honesty, showed it when being itself denied to accept with orgullo and right honor all the gold that the Greater General, Gobernador of Cuba, Arsenio Martinez Fields offered to him, when refusing to accept it, this one said to him: But, how you are going to return to your country with that miserable clothes?
Maximum Go'mez, watching at that shining man, adorned with toisón of gold of General Lieutenant of the Spanish ejército, refuses again and it says to him: General, cambio I by money these rags, that constitute my wealth and are my pride, am not cado, but I know to respect since I occupied in the Revolution ".
Martinez Fields narrows the hand sincerely to him and when taking leave she says to him:
Since you do not want to accept nothing of us, déjeme ésto, from little that it has, to conserve it of memory, and took a handkerchief that Maximum Go'mez used a little while,
General Go'mez said to him:
With taste I occur it, and, despite being so little, he is mucho, because I do not have another one...
By the cheeks of General Casola, Assistant of General Martinez Fields, runs the tears.
When the events are triggered that originaron the Agreement of
the Trench and the insubordination of the villareños decides to not know it, "only bow that tied to the discipline and the common effort, hands over to the command to Carlos Roloff and the sum of $14,000,00 of the Division, to Serafín Sanchez and leaves the Villas.
One takes leave of his Assistants. Eduá, sobbing, requests its freedom. "General, I wanted to go to me, but I do not know of my woman and my children". Go'mez grants the freedom to him to go away and Eduá says to him ", the woman and the children cannot give in, but by the mother country, quédate, that that is your to have now". Heel, wishes to look for its companion, thrown by the war. God knows where. Simón and Polo, that they do not have where to fall deads, will accompany to
him. These will share their misery, to the other anything can leave him, because it does not have anything. And it is consoled: saying: "at least I have helped a little to break his cadenas"...
He was so pulcro and decent in all the performances of its life, that when it was to complete the payments of the Liberating Ejército, reimplantando the Lottery, was against in firm:
"he would not be very decent for the Army, that so heroically fought in defense of the mother country, that resorted to the garito to pay so right debt to him"
ITS ILLUSTRATION:
The historians and biographers who have stopped to examine the great amount of works that have been written in Cuba and the few in our country, on the life and executory of Maximum the Go'mez, surely that one of the aspects that have had to him to be strange more has been, the mysterious and recondite emptiness that is verified when we tried to know the sources where it obtained its illustration, because we know by its confession, that his only Teacher
was it his padrino Father Andrés Rosón, who according to the Generalissimo said: "Era a man who although instructed enough, had slow ideas, like it has been always the people of sotana and my primary education, unique that I could reach, was purely religious"
Nevertheless, after that period of his youth, it is evident that it had to make other studies and that was dedicated to read works of some classic ones, as well as of European and Latin American modernos writers, since they abound in his "Diario de Campaña", correspondences and written, diverse appointments that intrigue the investigators, such as manifestations related to facts and events of the history of Greece and Rome, or references to passages of the Peruvian Traditions of Ricardo Palm.
The revelation of these knowledge called the atención to him to their Assistants who pointed out it: Colonel Orestes Ferrara
declared on the matter: A day, to the silence touch, I retired reflecting on something serious: it thought about the unexpected knowledge revealed by General Go'mez on the battle of Navarrino and the policy of the powers. It seemed to me very strange that it had such knowledge. But soon in the course of the years I could appreciate, that the men of that time, not yet having a great culture had adquirido peculiar slight knowledge related to their existence, dedicated to a freedom ideal. The General knew interesantes things on the fights of Poland and Hungary;
on Garibaldi and the Italian conspiracies ".
To the great soldier the only Liberator of an American country corresponded the privilege to him of having sido, that with asombrosa meticulousness, he wrote up in the battlefields, a Diario de Campaña and the only also that offer to us with sencillo and eloquent style, knowledge of history, Literature and other matters.
The fact that his Dominican and Cuban Assistants, Generals and admirers they early recognized the extraordinary man who was Maximum Go'mez, contributed to that was managed to conserve its correspondence
jealously. Proclamations and all their writings, that form a volume that exceeds the 100,000, folios, kept in the Nacional File of
Cuba.
The Benign historian Souza, affirms, that "Maximum Gómez, as great as welded, was a writer of whole body. In its correspondence, in that form of Literature, epistolar, in loose articles, is revealed colorful and precise like such writer ".
These judgments are valid despite (in his despreocupación, because he himself was described with "a style inculto and desaliñado", confirming it soon when I expressed ", that I give little importance him to the papers, I said to him to Martí: read ".
This negligence was not obstacle so that it wrote the most beautiful and felt pages: "Nobody will be able to write a letter of condolence like the directed one by him to Maria Cabrales; a Daily routine more tender than the dictated one when the death of Maceo. One more a more heroic and martial harangue than the one of the town of Lazaro Lopez. It chooses with such precision the word, it chooses with such opportunity the epíteto, locks up with so powerful contraction, in a single image so many things that some of these constitute sometimes, a chapter of our history. Sometimes it locks up, it summarizes the complete treaty of estrategia, crystallizes it, it extracts his fifth essence to him and the stamp in his grandílocua allegory ". Perhaps one thinks that the historiador Souza exaggerates. But the same Martí apostle had said:
I, am not as eloquent as you ".
Contrary to Napoleón, that in the exile dictated to its Memories to the Count Cases to him, that soon had oportunidad to correct it, Maximum Go'mez wrote its Newspaper all the nights, seated in a hammock, to the light of a candle, with the singsong music of the
firings of the sentries of the columns bet in the environs, task who made in many occasions, pierced its clothes by the water of the torrenciales heavy showers, that fell through the awning that did not
manage to totally cover the hammock that also served to him as bed.
This surprising literary production forces to ask to us to us:
 Where biblioteca had opportunity to have access to one.
Where it acquired the culture that from the first momentos from its arrival to Cuba gave timid demonstrations to have and doubtlessly soon extended?
Will be characterized explaining of banilejo autodidacta that is sent to the ways of the life after the accomplishment of an ideal?
It is necessary specular that the culture of which gave demonstrations in the first times, had to acquire it in Baní. There he was companion of its cousin the novelist, writer and soon statesman Francisco Gregorio Billini, as well as friend of the illustrious educator doctor Federico Henríquez and Carvajal, who had to contribute of some way to that interesara in the reading.
It could influence means where its youth ran
Perhaps for the surprise of some people, we have verified several irrebatibles testimonies, which put in evidence the fact that from distant time, the society banileja gave overcoming samples. To the effect, the journalist and historian Joaquin S.
Incháustegui, when talking about in its work Historical Review of Baní, to the cultural activities of the society banileja, when already Maximum Go'mez was a young person, affirms, that "it had for those times, which pudiéramos to say a literary cenacle. Continuously they changed to impressions Don Francisco Gregorio
Billini, Marks To Cabral, Melchor Cabral, Jose Maria Cabral and Báez ". To this group they got up Fabio F. Herrera soon, Sailor Miniño, Jose Maria Perez Andujar. "and other so many that indicated and indicate of an unequivocal way, reasonable directions for our Baní" (35)
In 1854, three banilejos that had taken root in the city of Santo Domingo, they found the newspaper there "the Oasis", Loving organ of the society "of the Letters". These banilejos intellectuals were Manuel de Js. Heredia, Apolinar de Castro and Manuel Maria Santamaría "(36)
Incháustegui says, that "shortly after the abandonment
of our territory by the Spaniards, formed in Baní a Company from fans
to the theater to initiative of Francisco Gregorio Billini, Melchor Cabral and Francisco Herrera and gave its functions in" ' the Large cabin ". They appeared in those represetaciones, Don Julio Herrera, Pedro Landestoy, Hipólito Billini, Manuel Maria Saldaña and
Arístides Victory. The writer adds - who "the beautiful drop curtain of mouth, was work of the painter Luis Perez, and represented the Republic and thrown an enormous lion that symbolized Spain. The painter created his work, in the striking figure of the Miss Guadalupe Billini, his musa, cuyos characteristics painted with success in the face of the young republic ". (37)
 These manifestations that characterize a true intellectual ambiente of the society of Baní, then in which Maximum Go'mez was an influential young person in the halls, according to affirmed the teacher to it Henríquez and Carvajal, test who he also participated in the existing literary cenacle, which explains its intellectual preparation and the illustration of which it gave samples.
Also it had to be integrated to other activities that then were
explaining of a true desire of that community, to be interested in all
inquietudes of the spirit, because Maximum Go'mez had to begin like francmasón, since in a date previous to the annexation, "Baní counted on one installed good masónica lodge, the one that took by name" the Charity ", counting itself between the more enthusiastic primeros and: Felix Suazo, Adolph González, Jose of the Carmen Ortiz, Javier Paulino, Uladislao Guerrero, Bartolomé Maggiolo, helped by other important people "(38)
Later of this time and completed the annexation, Maximum Go'mez is designated to Secretary of the Command of Arms of San Jose de Ocoa, remaining around of two years al side of its Head, the Commander Francisco Xavier Heredia, who must have a library, to judge by its culture and the exceptional education of its children, who astonished by their genius, as much in Cuba as in Spain, where they deserved special attention of queen Isabel II and her Court.
In the 1857 name of Maximum Go'mez appears in a document written up in San Cristóbal, in who also they sign the banilejos, his
companions in the war of General Cuba Modesto Diaz, Francisco X. Heredia, and Ignacio Diaz Valera adhering the movement initiated in Santiago by Jose Desiderio Valverde. (39)
In order to confirm the foundations of these conjectures on its vocation for Literature and its interest in the reading, ofrecemos like a primicia, the finding that made the historiador and licensed investigator Caesar Herrera, who between viejas collections found a precious data: In the 1858 newspaper "the Dominican one counted two subscribers in Baní and one of them was the young Maximum Go'mez and Báez (40). That preoccupation by the reading, soon transmitted guerrero to its family, because when accompanied by the apostle, it undertakes the invasion from Cristi Mount, it wrote to him to his wife and in paragraph of the letter it said to him: "I have given the back them to the dear home. Similar sacrifice not even I can comentar it. I have left books them and you know to read "that
they enseñan to them as everything is cultivated and since the things become of the Earth. After closed the letter, he opens it and he adds, with graciosa philosophy: "To Panchito and Maximum that acquire a bicycle, because while and more faster the man moves, he will be more man" (41).
That tenderness, that simplicity that showed the children or the consolation to the widows, trocaba in sudden ray in the battlefields.
Let us see examples:
"To seven in the morning, before the formed troops, is Maximum Go'mez. If it knows the art of war, the art to command, a experience that dilates with a inagotable life.... It knows that music and the word take to the men to die with more conformity. To him it dragged the war, in a so distant youth that it seems another life. Soon the word of the apostle spilled in its hope a new hope. All the eve the agreed ones have been heard in the camping of
BAYAMESA "...
"the soldiers had the tercerola in the hand with the butt supported in the right thigh; the officials and Heads the pulled out of a scabbard machete.
The Generalissimo "was to horse, raised on piernas," with the alive eyes and small he crossed the row of the men grouped there. Everything gave to an aspect of energy and superiority him...
That day would initiate one of the combat operations more importante and would pronounce one of most eloquent and beautiful Proclamas of its esplendorosa military specialty, which finishes thus:
"I foretell that there will be to be fulfilled when arriving the invaders at the doors of Havana, with the victorious flag, between
the reddish smoke of the fire and the noise of the fusilade. Soldados: we will arrive until the last borders to where there is Spanish earth ".
If the hero had the faculty to write Proclamations with an impeccable prosa like this one, also he improvised with high and impressive style. Diverse examples exist on the matter
and we have selected one that corresponds to a trascendental case, we see:
The war seemed that it finalized and him he had been denunciado to the Generalissimo, the bochornosos accomplishment of crimes and facts that they darkened the longed for freedom. One
of the military who greater crimes had committed was the Brigadier Bermúdez Robert, to whom called the Cuban Weyler and when finding out
Go'mez the most atrocious crime, ordered its prison so that an Advice military knew his case, but when being observed that in the sufficient camping there was no Oficiales for the first judgment, as well as for the one of revision to which Bermúdez would resort, notices to him that he would be useful to reunite the Heads of specific graduation, who demand Advice both military.
"Man, this warning is good. I am going to give to this process a great importance. I go to make a concentration.
- Ferrara- Adds that the "General ordered immediately that the Generals Carrillo, Jose Miguel Go'mez, González, Castle. And nonmemory if General Bravo, was always in contact with the enemy with him, ready to march towards the Headquarters...."
Brigadier Bermúdez was condemned until death. Somebody commented that he had been brave and a General Go'mez replicó, but was an assassin and a thief.
It would think about Pedro Florentino?
"Soon a newness appeared. Bermúdez seemed ill. Colonel Ferrara who thought that Go'mez wished to save the life
to him, commented: then if you create it we can suspender the execution "
"I have not asked to him you, if I create it useful. When I create useful a thing, I do it without consulting. I asked what says the law to him?
"After a little indecision, I answered the General.
There is no law on this matter, but there is custom...
Bermúdez had simulated a disease, but a new delay arose: Who will send the picture? He must be a General, because there is to degrade to the condemned before fusilar it, and only a General can degrade to another one. The Generales present did not want to lend itself to the act, justifying and with reason, that they had been all judges "
I will send the picture. How much flojera!
It was a moving spectacle, in front of thousand doscientos men! when silence became, Go'mez raised in high their body on the stirrups and I erect flameante his machetín, with estentórea voice, pronounced the following speech; improvised:
"Heads, officials, soldiers; we come to fulfill this morning a painful one to have, most painful to have of a military man.
Venimos to execute a comrade-in-arms, who has suffered our pains and bitterness and has been in danger. But venimos at the same time, to fulfill with the mandate of the law and the dictations of the civilization "
"General Bermúdez was a humble citizen when the voice of the Mother country called it to the fields of free Cuba. Hombre of decision and I throw, was distinguished in a moment like guerrero. Untiring fighter crossed the fields of the honor from the Villas to Pine of the River, distinguishing itself by his value. If, brave between the brave ones, he were often hurt
teniendo written in the wounds of his body the Cuban epic!
"the mother country awarded it like must always award its children who occur her. The humble farmer, soldier in the first
times, was promoted degree to degree, until arriving at the position of General who made conductor of men and he gave a control him that, in our war is limitless.
"General Bermúdez arrived at as much height, did not know, nevertheless, to include/understand the duties that the position and the degree imposed to him. He demonstrated with his later acts,
that its value was not sacrifice, but thirst of blood; that the
services that rendered to the Mother country were not product of a honest conviction of good son of this earth, but of criminales instincts that in this our tragic hour, were satiated to total satisfacción. General Bermúdez saw in the war only the bad part, not it great ideal meaning that he has. And her person dishonored and dishonored her high position. An Advice of Guerra has condemned to him until death, and in fulfillment of the sentencia, I degrade to him.
Fire "
Moved Ferrara finished his narración' "This speech made a deep impression general. Mine he was profundísima. I said to him to my companion of the right, with pedantería of
the young people who study humanities: "On the Earth of Esparta, words more noblemente severe and of a style had not been pronounced more attic"
According to it improvised this speech-proclaims with all the severidad, height and atildado style, thus had tenderness, beauty and depth feeling to express to Maria Cabrales his condolence by the death of his companion of fights, the "steel titan", Antonio Maceo:... "Our old friendship, of his intimate and warm one, finish being sanctified by the bond doloros of a common misfortune. Hardly if encounter words whereupon to express to you the bitter pain and the immense sadness that my spirit obstructs. General Maceo has died gloriously on the battlefields, day 7 of
the previous month, in San Pedro, province of the Habana.. A this pain is united to me, back in the bottom of the soul, the cruelest pain also of my Pancho, fallen next to the corpse of the heroic soldier and sepultado everything with him, in a same grave, as
if the Providence had wanted with this fact to grant to my misfortune the sad consolation to see united in the tomb two beings whose nombres lived eternally united in the depth of my heart "
"You that you are woman. You which you can - without sonrojar themselves nor sonrojar to to give itself to the indescribable overflowings of the pain, it cries, it cries, Maria by both, you and my, since to this old poor devil the privilege to relieve its intimate sadnesses is not to him possible untying in a weeping drip "
"infortunio makes brothers. Hágame the favor, Maria, to think that fraterniza with you in all the bitterness of its soledad and its suffering. Its Afmo. friend. Maximum Go'mez "
The enthusiasm and the emotion that the use of these literary jewels produces, urge to continue discovering the espléndido position beaten by the Generalissimo, but other facets that wait for our attention and for that reason we closed this aspect today, with two lapidarios judgments exist, leaving opened it to the investigators.
One of the judgments is General Frey de Andrade, that saw it thus:
"Boldness would be in the contemporaries to form completo judgment on Maximum Go'mez. But it is obligation which close by
we dealed with to him, to the future express our opinion on him, so that in the Cubans, if it is that they are not called to desaparecer like nation, can judge to the man insigne, that inspiró more respect
than affection and more fear than respect. Who only described to General Go'mez like culture and talent man, the objective would be mistaken. Its powerful inteligencia could be described as brilliant.
The second evidence offers the same Generalissimo, and it is related to the shrewdness that made anticipate consecuencia of the death of Spanish Prime minister, Cánovas of the Castle. When the news arrived, it predicted in its correspondence to Estrada Palm, the march of the events produced by this incident, in the future of Spain.
The man who the Souza historian called reiteradamente: "farmer banilejo", predicted clarividentemente: "Cánovas takes to the tomb great responsibilities. y if we did not rejoice on his covered with blood corpse, like hizo he with the broths in Brave End, because that would be innoble, we watched it if, with pity and scorn "
As soon as Weyler, clear is that, failed in everything,
like military man and politician. Hated, fought by own and extraños, preparing itself it must be to leave...
Soon it would add to the letter to Estrada Palm: "The Spanish Government.... as he does not want to deal with which has not been able to win, they will have left to the resource of the tubes yankees, that to the aim will be those that will
remove to them from hardships. and if nothing of this happens, we will see that wins to who.
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Maximo Gomez The 8 Parks, S.W. St., Miami.
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S.W. 8 St., Miami.
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