Adolfo Fernández Cavada
Encyclopedia
Captain Adolfo Fernández Cavada (1832 – December 18, 1871) 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
. 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. After the war Fernández Cavada, joined his brother in the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule and succeeded him as Commander-in-Chief of the Cinco Villas.
. 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
.
He was wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg when his horse was shot and killed from under him. 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 a descriptive and informative rendition 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..."
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. In November 5, 1869, the men under Fernández Cavada command took the town of Cienfuegos and a month later Arroyo Blanco. In 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.
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...
who served in the Philadelphia 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment of the Union Forces with his brother, Colonel Federico Fernández Cavada
Federico Fernández Cavada
Colonel Federico Fernández Cavada 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...
. 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. After the war Fernández Cavada, joined his brother in the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule and succeeded him as Commander-in-Chief of the Cinco Villas.
Early years
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.American Civil War
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 PotomacArmy 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...
. Federico was transferred to 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...
, while Adolfo remained with the regiment as an aide to General Andrew A. Humphreys
Andrew A. Humphreys
Andrew Atkinson Humphreys , was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union General in the American Civil War. He served in senior positions in the Army of the Potomac, including division command, chief of staff, and corps command, and was Chief Engineer of the U.S...
. Adolfo participated in various battles including 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...
.
He was wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg when his horse was shot and killed from under him. 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 a descriptive and informative rendition 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..."
Cuba’s Ten Years War
After the war Fernández Cavada was appointed United States consul at Cienfuegos, Cuba. Fernández Cavada resigned his position upon the Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule that became known as Cuba’s Ten Years War (1868–1878). 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.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. In November 5, 1869, the men under Fernández Cavada command took the town of Cienfuegos and a month later Arroyo Blanco. In 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.
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.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...
- Federico Fernández CavadaFederico Fernández CavadaColonel Federico Fernández Cavada 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...