CUBAN LIBERATION ARMY
Fascinating content and association A.D.S. in Spanish, 2pp., folio, Bayamo, Oct. 4, 1898, a sworn statement of military actions undertaken by Cuban General RAFAEL B. JIMENEZ, and counter-signed as a witness by General and Chief of the Bayamo military division FLORENCIO SALCEDO. Cuba evicted Spain and finally won its independence on August 11, 1898, with the help of United States intervention after the USS Maine exploded in a Havana harbor. Prior to U.S. entry, Cuban rebels had fought for decades in the Oriente region, a major area of rebel operations. This document is dated from details Jimenez's missions from 1895-1898, some of which were secret, and which frequently mention contact with Cuban general officers, including Enrique Collazo, Carlos Roloff Sarafin y Sanchez, and Fernando Figueredo. Of particular interest is the Figueredo entry, in part: "...I passed the order to General Fernando Figueredo at West Tampa from New York...". Figueredo, exiled at that time, managed the O'Hallo Cigar Company in West Tampa. When Cuba's New York junta passed the order to commence hostilities to Figueredo for delivery on January 6, 1895, he concealed the order in a cigar and had it delivered to the revolutionary leadership in Cuba. The revolution began on February 24, 1895. Boldly signed "Rafael B. Jimenez" and "F. Salcedo". Very good condition, age toned, slight foxing, moderate folds with slight tears. We surmise that sometimes a cigar...is NOT just a cigar!