Federico Fernández Cavada
Encyclopedia
Colonel Federico Fernández Cavada (1831 – July 1871) was an officer in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. Because of his artistic talents, he was assigned to the Hot Air Balloon unit of the Union Army. From the air he sketched what he observed of enemy positions and movements. On April 19, 1862, Fernández Cavada sketched enemy positions from Thaddeus Lowe's Constitution balloon during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. Fernández Cavada was captured during the Battle of Gettysburg and sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Fernández Cavada was released in 1864 and later published a book which told of the cruel treatment which he received in the Confederate prison. After the war Fernández Cavada joined the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule and eventually became the Commander-in-Chief of all the Cuban forces during Cuba's Ten Year War.
. Fernández Cavada worked as a Civil Engineer and as a topographer in the Panama Canal
.
joined the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment of the Union Forces. Federico was transferred to the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac
, which participated in such battles as the Second Battle of Bull Run
, the Battle of Fredericksburg
and the Battle of Gettysburg
.
in Virginia.
. During the Battle of Gettysburg, a number of the regiment fell into the enemy's hands including Fernández Cavada; he was then succeeded by Major Edward R. Bowen.
In July 1, 1863, the 114 the Pennsylvania regiment was engaged in battle against General William Barksdale
's Mississippi
troops, known as Barksdale's Brigade, at Peach Orchard
near the wheat field where the bloodiest part of the Battle of Gettysburg, occurred on the second day of the encounter. Even though Barksdale's troops were defeated, Fernández Cavada was captured and sent to Libby Prison
in Richmond, Virginia
. Fernández Cavada was released from prison in 1864, as part of a prisoner of war exchange between the Union and Confederate Forces. He returned to his unit and continued to serve until April 1865.
In the introduction of the book he wrote, in pages 19 and 20, the following:
. Fernández Cavada met and befriended General Thomas Jordan, who was chief of staff of the Cuban Liberation Army under the provincial government presided by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
. Jordan was a United States citizen who had served as a General in the Confederate army
during the American Civil War. The friendship inspired Fernández Cavada to resign his position as consul upon the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule that became known as Cuba’s Ten Years' War
(1868–1878). Together with his brother Adolfo, who had also resigned from his appointment as consul to Cienfuegos, he joined the insurgents and was named General for the District of Trinidad, Commander in Chief of the Cinco Villas. In January 5, 1869, Fernández Cavada established the "Logia Luz del Sur” (Southern Light Lodge) in Trinidad, which was used as an active recruiting center for insurgents. In April 4, 1870, Fernández Cavada was named Commander-in-Chief of all the Cuban forces. He became known as “General Candela” (General Fire) because of his battle tactic of burning and destroying Spanish property.
Fernández Cavada wrote an article about the beauty of the Caves of Bellamar, located near the town of Matanzas in the northern coast of Cuba. The article was published in "Harper's New Monthly Magazine"
on November 1870. In the first paragraph of his article he describes the Caves of Bellamar in the following way:
In 1871, Fernández Cavada took charge of the military division in Camagüey and together with fellow rebel Bernabé de Varona planned an armed invasion on the western coast of Cuba. The Cuban Liberation Army approved a resolution which would permit Fernández Cavada to travel to the United States. The intention of his trip was to seek, among his military contacts, support for the cause of Cuban independence. He traveled to "Cayo Cruz" in the northern coast of Camagüey to wait for his transportation, however he was captured by the Spanish gunboat Neptuno in 1871 and taken to Puerto Principe. He was then transferred to the town of Nuevitas
from Puerto Principe. There he was tried by the Spanish authorities and sentenced to die by firing squad. Generals George Gordon Meade, Daniel Sickles
and Ulysses S. Grant
, his military compatriots in the United States, attempted in vain to obtain his release. Fernández Cavada was executed in July 1871. His last words were "Adios Cuba, para siempre" (Goodbye Cuba, forever). He was survived by his wife, Carmela Merino, and their son Samuel.
. Among the men who were honored besides Fernández Cavada were Francisco Muñoz Rubalcaba, José Inclán Risco, Oscar de Céspedes and Antonio Luaces. The Province of Cienfuegos
also honored his memory. A modern medical poli-clinic named "Policlínico-Facultad "Federico Fernández Cavada" located in the section of La Horquita in Cienfuegos, was named in his honor.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Because of his artistic talents, he was assigned to the Hot Air Balloon unit of the Union Army. From the air he sketched what he observed of enemy positions and movements. On April 19, 1862, Fernández Cavada sketched enemy positions from Thaddeus Lowe's Constitution balloon during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. Fernández Cavada was captured during the Battle of Gettysburg and sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Fernández Cavada was released in 1864 and later published a book which told of the cruel treatment which he received in the Confederate prison. After the war Fernández Cavada joined the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule and eventually became the Commander-in-Chief of all the Cuban forces during Cuba's Ten Year War.
Early years
Fernández Cavada was one of three sons born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, to Isidoro Fernández Cavada and Emily Howard Gatier; his mother was an American citizen and a native of Philadelphia. After his father's death in 1838, his mother returned to Philadelphia with her children. There, she met and married Samuel Dutton and the family resided at 222 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Fernández Cavada received his primary and secondary education at Philadelphia's Central High SchoolCentral High School (Philadelphia)
Central High School is a public secondary school in the Logan section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Central, the second-oldest continuously public high school in the United States , was founded in 1836 and is a four-year university preparatory magnet school...
. Fernández Cavada worked as a Civil Engineer and as a topographer in the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
.
American Civil War
Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, both Federico and his brother Adolfo Fernández CavadaAdolfo Fernández Cavada
Captain Adolfo Fernández Cavada was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War who served in the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment of the Union Forces with his brother, Colonel Federico Fernández Cavada...
joined the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment of the Union Forces. Federico was transferred to the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
114th Pennsylvania Infantry
The 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. They were very famous for their colorful americanized zouave dress which consisted of: a dark blue zouave jacket with sky blue cuffs and red trimmings and...
. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
, which participated in such battles as the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
, the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
and the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
.
Sketches
Fernández Cavada's artistic talents became evident because of his writings, sketches and paintings. Because of his artistic talents, he was assigned to the Hot Air Balloon unit of the Union Army. From the air he sketched what he observed of the enemy movements. In 1862, Fernández Cavada wrote a poem in which he stated:"I have pulled through many a march, I have been in many a battle, I have seen the bomb-shell burst, I have heard the grapeshot rattle! With the bravest, in the strife, I have nobly risked my life."On April 19, 1862, Fernández Cavada sketched enemy positions from Thaddeus Lowe's Constitution balloon during the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
in Virginia.
Battle of Gettysburg
On August 29, 1862, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
. During the Battle of Gettysburg, a number of the regiment fell into the enemy's hands including Fernández Cavada; he was then succeeded by Major Edward R. Bowen.
In July 1, 1863, the 114 the Pennsylvania regiment was engaged in battle against General William Barksdale
William Barksdale
William Barksdale was a lawyer, newspaper editor, U.S. Congressman, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War...
's Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
troops, known as Barksdale's Brigade, at Peach Orchard
Peach Orchard
The Peach Orchard is a Gettysburg Battlefield site at the southeast corner of the north-south Emmitsburg Road intersection with the Wheatfield Road...
near the wheat field where the bloodiest part of the Battle of Gettysburg, occurred on the second day of the encounter. Even though Barksdale's troops were defeated, Fernández Cavada was captured and sent to Libby Prison
Libby Prison
Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the harsh conditions under which prisoners from the Union Army were kept.- Overview :...
in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Fernández Cavada was released from prison in 1864, as part of a prisoner of war exchange between the Union and Confederate Forces. He returned to his unit and continued to serve until April 1865.
"LIBBY LIFE"
Fernández Cavada published a book titled LIBBY LIFE: Experiences of A Prisoner of War in Richmond, Virginia, 1863-64, in which he drew sketches and told of the cruel treatment which he and other prisoners received in the Confederate prison.In the introduction of the book he wrote, in pages 19 and 20, the following:
"It was a beautiful country through which we had just passed, but it had presented no charms to weary eyes that were compelled to view it through a line of hostile bayonets; we felt but little sympathy for the beautiful; on our haggard countenances only this was written: "Give us rest, and food."
"On the evening of the same day, our sorry column was marched through the streets of Richmond from the depot of the Virginia Central Railroad to the Libby Prison. The gloomy and forbidding exterior of the prison, and the pale, emaciated faces starring vacantly at us through the bars were repulsive enough, but it was at least a haven of the rest from the weary fast-march, and from the goad of the urging bayonet. Had we known that we were entering this loathsome prison-house not to leave it again for many, many weary days and months, more than one heart would have grown faint with a mournful presentiment, for there were among us some who were doomed never to recross its threshold as living men."
Commander in Cuba’s Ten Years War
After the war Fernández Cavada was appointed United States consul at Trinidad, CubaTrinidad, Cuba
-External links:* , Online travel guide to Trinidad* , Selected photos of Trinidad* , Photos of Trinidad...
. Fernández Cavada met and befriended General Thomas Jordan, who was chief of staff of the Cuban Liberation Army under the provincial government presided by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes del Castillo was a Cuban planter who freed his slaves and made the declaration of Cuban independence in 1868 which started the Ten Years' War...
. Jordan was a United States citizen who had served as a General in the Confederate army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War. The friendship inspired Fernández Cavada to resign his position as consul upon the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule that became known as Cuba’s Ten Years' War
Ten Years' War
The Ten Years' War , also known as the Great War and the War of '68, began on October 10, 1868 when sugar mill owner Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and his followers proclaimed Cuba's independence from Spain...
(1868–1878). Together with his brother Adolfo, who had also resigned from his appointment as consul to Cienfuegos, he joined the insurgents and was named General for the District of Trinidad, Commander in Chief of the Cinco Villas. In January 5, 1869, Fernández Cavada established the "Logia Luz del Sur” (Southern Light Lodge) in Trinidad, which was used as an active recruiting center for insurgents. In April 4, 1870, Fernández Cavada was named Commander-in-Chief of all the Cuban forces. He became known as “General Candela” (General Fire) because of his battle tactic of burning and destroying Spanish property.
Fernández Cavada wrote an article about the beauty of the Caves of Bellamar, located near the town of Matanzas in the northern coast of Cuba. The article was published in "Harper's New Monthly Magazine"
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
on November 1870. In the first paragraph of his article he describes the Caves of Bellamar in the following way:
"Although discovered but a few years since, already enjoys a world-wide reputation. At the present day no visitor to Cuba fails to repair to that wondrous subterranean palace, unrivalled, perhaps, in the grandeur of its stalactite masses and the exquisite detail of its starry decorations. Easy of access from Havana by railway, and commodiously and safely prepared for the reception of visitors, it fully repays one for a day's absence from the busy scenes of the capital."
Death
Federico's eldest brother Emilio, remained in Philadelphia, where he was an active fundraiser. He relayed the information which he received from his brothers to the exiled strategists and other Cuban exiles in Philadelphia and New York. The funds which Emilio raised were funneled together with arms and munitions to the insurgent forces in the island.In 1871, Fernández Cavada took charge of the military division in Camagüey and together with fellow rebel Bernabé de Varona planned an armed invasion on the western coast of Cuba. The Cuban Liberation Army approved a resolution which would permit Fernández Cavada to travel to the United States. The intention of his trip was to seek, among his military contacts, support for the cause of Cuban independence. He traveled to "Cayo Cruz" in the northern coast of Camagüey to wait for his transportation, however he was captured by the Spanish gunboat Neptuno in 1871 and taken to Puerto Principe. He was then transferred to the town of Nuevitas
Nuevitas
Nuevitas is a municipality and port city in the Camagüey Province of Cuba. The large bay was sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Founded in 1775, the city was moved to its present site in 1828.-Geography:...
from Puerto Principe. There he was tried by the Spanish authorities and sentenced to die by firing squad. Generals George Gordon Meade, Daniel Sickles
Daniel Sickles
Daniel Edgar Sickles was a colorful and controversial American politician, Union general in the American Civil War, and diplomat....
and Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
, his military compatriots in the United States, attempted in vain to obtain his release. Fernández Cavada was executed in July 1871. His last words were "Adios Cuba, para siempre" (Goodbye Cuba, forever). He was survived by his wife, Carmela Merino, and their son Samuel.
Legacy
In February 24, 1929, a monument honoring the memory of those who participated in the Ten Years War and who were sentenced by the Spanish authorities to die by firing squad was erected on Finley Avenue in the town of Nuevitas located in the Province of CamagüeyCamagüey Province
Camagüey is the largest of the provinces of Cuba. Its capital is Camagüey. Other towns include Florida and Nuevitas.-Geography:Camagüey is mostly low lying, with no major hills or mountain ranges passing through the province...
. Among the men who were honored besides Fernández Cavada were Francisco Muñoz Rubalcaba, José Inclán Risco, Oscar de Céspedes and Antonio Luaces. The Province of Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos Province
Cienfuegos is one of the provinces of Cuba. The capital city of the province is also called Cienfuegos and was founded by French settlers in 1819....
also honored his memory. A modern medical poli-clinic named "Policlínico-Facultad "Federico Fernández Cavada" located in the section of La Horquita in Cienfuegos, was named in his honor.
See also
- Hispanics in the American Civil WarHispanics in the American Civil WarHispanics in the American Civil War fought on both the Union and Confederate sides of the conflict. It is estimated that approximately 3,500 Hispanics, mostly Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans living in the United States joined the war: 2500 for the Confederacy and 1000 for the Union...
- Adolfo Fernández CavadaAdolfo Fernández CavadaCaptain Adolfo Fernández Cavada was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War who served in the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment of the Union Forces with his brother, Colonel Federico Fernández Cavada...