Federico Fernández Cavada

Federico Fernández Cavada (July 8, 1831 – July 1, 1871) was an officer in the Union army during the American Civil War and a diplomat, as well as commander-in-chief of all the Cuban forces during Cuba's Ten Years' 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.

At the rank of lieutenant colonel, he was captured during the Battle of Gettysburg and sent to Libby Prison for Union officers in Richmond, Virginia. Released in 1864, that year he published a book that told of the cruel treatment that he had received in the Confederate prison. His brother Adolfo Fernández Cavada also served as an officer in the Union army.

After the war, Fernández Cavada was appointed by the United States government as consul to Cuba. When the insurrection began against Spanish rule, he resigned his commission and joined the insurgents. His brother was also serving there and resigned his commission, joining the war. Federico was commissioned as a general. Cuban authorities eventually commissioned him as the commander-in-chief of all the Cuban forces during what became the island's Ten Years' War for independence.

Early life and education Fernández Cavada was one of three sons born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, to Emily Howard Gatier and Isidoro Fernández Cavada. His mother was an American citizen and a native of Philadelphia. After his father's death in 1838, Emily Gatier returned to Philadelphia with her sons.

There, the young widow met and married Samuel Dutton. Together, the family resided at 222 Spruce Street. Fernández Cavada received his primary and secondary education at Philadelphia's Central High School. After being certified in a training program, he later worked as a civil engineer and as a topographer in the Panama Canal.

American Civil War Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, both Federico and his brother Adolfo Fernández Cavada joined the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry, a regiment of the Union army. 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.

On July 2, 1863, the 114th 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. Although Barksdale's troops were defeated, Colonel Fernández Cavada was captured and sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia.

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Commander in Cuba's Ten Years' War

After the war, Fernández Cavada was appointed United States consul at Trinidad, Cuba. 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.

On 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. He describes the Caves of Bellamar in the following way:

Death Federico's eldest brother Emilio remained in Philadelphia, where he was an active fundraiser for the Cuban insurrection. He relayed the news which he received from his brothers to the exiled strategists and other Cuban exiles in Philadelphia and New York. The funds he raised were funneled together with arms and munitions to the insurgent forces in the island. 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. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Cuba has oil paintings by Fernández Cavada on permanent exhibition.

Awards and decorations Fernández Cavada's awards and decorations include the following: