Marcos Evangelista Adón

Marcos Evangelista Adón (1800 – October 22, 1872) was a Dominican revolutionary who was a hero in 3 national wars of the Dominican Republic. He was also the founder of the Dominican town La Victoria.

Biography Adón was born in 1800 to José Lino Adón and Bernarda Abad, both Dominicans of African descent. He was two brothers, Ambrosio and Santiago, who had fought with him for the all national causes. Although born in the city of El Seibo, he would later relocate to the capital city of Santo Domingo.

He was among the participants of the independence revolt on the night of February 27, 1844. Apparently, he was part of the contingent of Seibanos who accompanied General Pedro Santana to the capital, in the days following the proclamation of independence. Having joined the ranks of the Liberation Army, he participated in many bloody battles fought in the southern region against Haitian forces in the Dominican War of Independence.

Like Eusebio Manzueta, Adón was one of Pedro Santana's friends and subordinates, who did not openly oppose the decision of the general, but observed, after the fact, a distant attitude of non-complacency, in front of the civil and military authorities that Spain designated in the country. This explains the reports from spies and informers in the service of foreigners, who warned of the conduct and behavior of those men who had extensive military experience. And the Spaniards were not far from reality, since Adón was one of the first in the eastern region of the country to support the movement that began at Cerro de Capotillo on August 16, 1863, when the definitive stage of the Dominican Restoration War began. On October 2, 1863, in Hato Mayor, he led the uprising against Spain.

Once the insurrectional movement in that region failed, Adón was arrested and sent to the capital city on October 16. In November, he was sent as a prisoner to Cuba and transferred, in the same capacity, to Spain from where he escaped, returning to Santo Domingo, to join the ranks of the patriots who were fighting against the Spanish troops. Together with Eusebio Manzueta, Chief of Operations in the Eastern region, he established himself near what is now Villa Mella at the head of a flying guerrilla contingent, which prevented the passage of Spanish troops and the crossing of small steamships through the Ozama River and Yabacao River, which supplied the army quartered in the Guanuma camp. Adón's guerrillas did not allow themselves to be seen by the enemy and at night they attacked the supply convoys, creating serious problems for the opposing forces, as recognized by military leaders González Tablas and José de la Gándera, in works that review that episode.

As a result of a successful assault on a large Spanish supply convoy that also caused numerous casualties, deaths and injuries, Adón decided to found a small town near the site of his camp, which he named “Victoria del Ozama” (Ozama Victory). That small town today is known by the name of La Victoria (The Victory), and is located kilometers beyond Villa Mella. By that date, March or April 1864, the guerrilla leader was 64 years old, which means that he had entered old age, although physically fierce, he was a strong, agile and bold man as described, capable of personally leading a guerrilla contingent. in a large region, since their activities reached the foothills of the Cordillera Central, blocking the way for the Spanish intentions to penetrate the Cibao valley.

Marcos Adón died, exiled, poor and alone, in the Haitian town Jacmel, on October 22, 1872, when the last stage of the Six Years' War was being fought. He was 72 years old.

Historiagraphy Like other Dominican heroes, he did not leave any fortune, farms, or assets of his own or taken from the State's assets. He honored the military uniform and his example also honors, and dignifies, the history of the Dominican people.