Javier de la Vega Basulto

Patriot of the independence wars. He fought under the orders of Major General Ignacio Agramonte in the ranks of the Caonao Regiment, and in that same regiment he came to serve under the orders of Generalissimo Máximo Gómez, following Agramonte's death. His participation was extraordinary due to his valor in numerous battles, where he received six wounds.

He was born in Puerto Príncipe, now Camagüey. His parents were Manuel de la Vega Ferrer and María de la Concepción Basulto Pérez. After completing primary education, he dedicated himself to working alongside his brothers on a farm owned by his father.

Twelve days after the Uprising of Las Clavellinas, on November 16, 1868, at only 17 years of age, he joined the insurgent group operating under the orders of Federico Castellanos Arteaga. For several years he served in the so-called Maraguán force, commanded by Commander José Ramón Guerra Agüero, and was present in the actions at Clueco, Bonora, El Corojo —where he was wounded—, Puerto Escondido and others.

In 1872 he transferred to the "Caonao" regiment, which was part of the force of Major General Ignacio Agramonte y Loynaz, and fought at Curajaya, La Matilde, El Carmen and Loma del Vapor. After the Major's fall, when General Máximo Gómez took over the military leadership of the Central Department, Javier de la Vega was promoted to lieutenant, and with the same "Caonao" regiment, he came to serve under the orders of Máximo Gómez. He distinguished himself in the battle of La Sacra and the Battle of Las Guásimas, and also participated in Palo Seco, Naranjo, Mojacasabe and the assault on the town of Cascorro. Subsequently he was present at Los Muñecos, the taking of Las Tunas, El Oriente, Antón and other important actions. Upon the conclusion of the conflict, he held the rank of commander, and had received six wounds in combat.

In 1895 he joined the insurgent ranks, and on June 24 of that same year he joined the force of General Máximo Gómez in the Antón pasture. He fought at Ciego de Molina, Jimaguayú, Los Ripios and Cacaotal de Najasa, and held the position of Chief of Staff of the Army until October of that same year, when he was appointed advisor to General José María Rodríguez —Mayía—, who had just received military command of Camagüey. Accompanied by 25 men, he marched westward in January of 1896, to rejoin the General Headquarters and fought while crossing the Trocha de Júcaro a Morón. He found Máximo Gómez in Matanzas territory, and participated in the actions taking Bayamo, San Felipe, San Nicolás, Moralitos, Loma Candela, Santa Rita.

On May 10 he was promoted to brigadier general. He returned to Camagüey territory in June, and under Gómez's orders, fought at Saratoga. Shortly thereafter he received the military leadership of Camagüey, and while the Generalissimo was in Oriente, he conferred upon him the powers of General in Chief. On June 6, 1897 he defeated a Spanish force of more than 2,000 men at La Redonda, and was seriously wounded. At the end of August of that same year he provided effective aid to Major General Calixto García in the taking of Victoria de Las Tunas. At the beginning of 1898, he again joined the General Headquarters and remained there until the end of the war. That same year the Government Council approved his promotion to major general, granted by the Generalissimo since 1897.

During the Neocolonial Republic he held the presidency of the Territorial Council of Veterans of Camagüey. On March 17, 1930 charges were brought against him, accused of signing a manifesto in which machadista tyranny was attacked.

He died at his residence on Angel Street # 5 —Paco Recio No. 63—, on November 23, 1934. His remains rest in the Camagüey Cemetery.

He participated in the two Independence wars. His discipline and performance in combat led him to hold in 1895 the position of Chief of Staff of the Liberating Army. Accompanied by 25 men, he marches westward in 1896; for his countless merits he is promoted on May 10 of that year to Brigadier General.

In 1898 he is promoted to Major General. His revolutionary sentiments are demonstrated when he is accused on March 17, 1930 for signing a manifesto in which machadista tyranny was attacked.

Source: Ecured