Adolfo Fernández Cavada[note 1] (May 17, 1832 – December 18, 1871) was a soldier and diplomat, an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War who served as captain in the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment of the Union Forces, with his brother, Colonel Federico Fernández Cavada. He served with distinction in the Army of the Potomac in the battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg and was a "special aide-de-camp" to General Andrew A. Humphreys.[1] After the war, Fernández Cavada was appointed as consul in Cienfuegos, Cuba. He joined his brother, who had been in Trinidad, in the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule and succeeded him as Commander-in-Chief of the Cinco Villas.[2] He was killed in action.
Fernández Cavada was one of three sons born in Cienfuegos, Cuba to Isidoro Fernández Cavada and Emily Howard Gatier, an American citizen and native of Philadelphia. After his father's death in 1838, he moved with his mother and siblings to Philadelphia. Fernández Cavada's mother 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 School.[3]
He was wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg when his horse was shot and killed from under him.[4] Fernández Cavada kept a diary during the war which is considered to be one of the most vivid and articulate accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg. His eyewitness account of the famous conflict provided an expressively descriptive account of the battle. During one day of the July battle, he recorded how "The air was soon full of flying shot, shell and canister--and a groan here and there attested their affect. ...the roar of musketry and the crashing, pounding noise of guns and bursting shells was deafening..."[3]
Cuba’s Ten Years War
After the war, Fernández Cavada was appointed as United States consul at Cienfuegos, Cuba. Fernández Cavada resigned his position upon the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule, which became known as Cuba's Ten Years' War (1868–1878).[5] Together with his brother Federico, who had also resigned from his appointment as consul to Trinidad, he joined the Cuban insurgents in their quest for Cuba's independence.[1][3]
In February 1869, Fernández Cavada attacked the town of Palmira. He led his men in the battles of Altos de Potrerillo and Saltadero de Siguanea and in the attack against the Arimao armory.[2] On November 5, 1869, the men under Fernández Cavada's command took the town of Cienfuegos and a month later Arroyo Blanco. On April 4, 1870, Fernández Cavada was named Commander-in-Chief of the Cinco Villas with the rank of Mayor General, succeeding his brother Federico, who was named Commander-in-Chief of all the Cuban forces.[1][3]
Death
Adolfo's brother Federico was captured by the Spanish authorities and sentenced to die by firing squad in July 1871. On December 18, 1871, Fernández Cavada was killed in battle at the coffee estate, La Adelaida, near Santiago de Cuba.[1][3]
Awards and decorations
Fernández Cavada's awards and decorations include the following:
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Fernández and the second or maternal family name is Cavada.
References
^ abcdeCavada Brothers, by Daniel Rolph. PhD, Historian & Head of Reference Services, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. April 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
^ abcdeFernando Fernández-Cavada Collection, 1846-1976 | University of Miami Cuban Heritage Collection, By María R. Estorino, May 2001
^The Cubans who fought at Gettysburg; By Pedro J. Saavedra; 13 August 1997
^"The Latino Experience in U.S. History"; publisher: Globe Pearson; pages 155-157; ISBN0-8359-0641-8
January 15, 2023
adolfo, fernández, cavada, note, 1832, december, 1871, soldier, diplomat, officer, union, army, during, american, civil, served, captain, philadelphia, 23rd, pennsylvania, infantry, regiment, regiment, union, forces, with, brother, colonel, federico, fernández. Adolfo Fernandez Cavada note 1 May 17 1832 December 18 1871 was a soldier and diplomat an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War who served as captain in the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment a regiment of the Union Forces with his brother Colonel Federico Fernandez Cavada He served with distinction in the Army of the Potomac in the battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg and was a special aide de camp to General Andrew A Humphreys 1 After the war Fernandez Cavada was appointed as consul in Cienfuegos Cuba He joined his brother who had been in Trinidad in the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule and succeeded him as Commander in Chief of the Cinco Villas 2 He was killed in action Adolfo Fernandez CavadaCaptain Adolfo Fernandez CavadaBornMay 17th 1832 1832 05 17 Cienfuegos CubaDiedDecember 18 1871 1871 aged 38 39 Santiago de Cuba CubaAllegiance United States CubaService wbr branchUnion Army 1861 1865 Cuban Liberation Army 1868 1871 RankCaptain U S Commander in Chief of the Cinco Villas Cuba UnitPhiladelphia 23rd PA Infantry RegimentBattles warsAmerican Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of GettysburgTen Years War Cuba Contents 1 Early years 2 American Civil War 3 Cuba s Ten Years War 4 Death 5 Awards and decorations 6 See also 7 Notes 8 ReferencesEarly years EditFernandez Cavada was one of three sons born in Cienfuegos Cuba to Isidoro Fernandez Cavada and Emily Howard Gatier an American citizen and native of Philadelphia After his father s death in 1838 he moved with his mother and siblings to Philadelphia Fernandez Cavada s mother met and married Samuel Dutton and the family resided at 222 Spruce Street Philadelphia Fernandez Cavada received his primary and secondary education at Philadelphia s Central High School 3 American Civil War Edit Adolfo s brother Col Federico Fernandez Cavada Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War both Adolfo and his brother Federico joined the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment a regiment of the Union Forces The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac Federico was transferred to 114th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment while Adolfo remained with the regiment as an aide to General Andrew A Humphreys Adolfo participated in various battles including the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Gettysburg 1 He was wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg when his horse was shot and killed from under him 4 Fernandez Cavada kept a diary during the war which is considered to be one of the most vivid and articulate accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg His eyewitness account of the famous conflict provided an expressively descriptive account of the battle During one day of the July battle he recorded how The air was soon full of flying shot shell and canister and a groan here and there attested their affect the roar of musketry and the crashing pounding noise of guns and bursting shells was deafening 3 Cuba s Ten Years War EditAfter the war Fernandez Cavada was appointed as United States consul at Cienfuegos Cuba Fernandez Cavada resigned his position upon the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule which became known as Cuba s Ten Years War 1868 1878 5 Together with his brother Federico who had also resigned from his appointment as consul to Trinidad he joined the Cuban insurgents in their quest for Cuba s independence 1 3 In February 1869 Fernandez Cavada attacked the town of Palmira He led his men in the battles of Altos de Potrerillo and Saltadero de Siguanea and in the attack against the Arimao armory 2 On November 5 1869 the men under Fernandez Cavada s command took the town of Cienfuegos and a month later Arroyo Blanco On April 4 1870 Fernandez Cavada was named Commander in Chief of the Cinco Villas with the rank of Mayor General succeeding his brother Federico who was named Commander in Chief of all the Cuban forces 1 3 Death EditAdolfo s brother Federico was captured by the Spanish authorities and sentenced to die by firing squad in July 1871 On December 18 1871 Fernandez Cavada was killed in battle at the coffee estate La Adelaida near Santiago de Cuba 1 3 Awards and decorations EditFernandez Cavada s awards and decorations include the following Army Civil War Campaign MedalSee also Edit Biography portal American Civil War portalHispanics in the American Civil War Federico Fernandez CavadaNotes Edit In this Spanish name the first or paternal surname is Fernandez and the second or maternal family name is Cavada References Edit a b c d e Cavada Brothers by Daniel Rolph PhD Historian amp Head of Reference Services Historical Society of Pennsylvania Archived April 13 2014 at the Wayback Machine a b The Civil War 1840s 1890s by Roger E Hernandez Roger E Hernndez ISBN 978 0 7614 2939 5 ISBN 0 7614 2939 5 a b c d e Fernando Fernandez Cavada Collection 1846 1976 University of Miami Cuban Heritage Collection By Maria R Estorino May 2001 The Cubans who fought at Gettysburg By Pedro J Saavedra 13 August 1997 The Latino Experience in U S History publisher Globe Pearson pages 155 157 ISBN 0 8359 0641 8 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Adolfo Fernandez Cavada amp oldid 1117692890, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
