Demetrio Castillo Duany

Who was Demetrio Castillo Duany?

Demetrio Castillo Duany was a Cuban revolutionary, soldier, and politician. He fought in the Cuban Independence and Spanish-American wars.

Demetrio Castillo Duany was born in Santiago de Cuba, into one of the leading families of the eastern region of Cuba and he went to France for his education. After spending some years at the Lycée of Bordeaux he went on to the United States where he studied English and entered an established business house.

In 1878, at the age of twenty-two, he returned to Santiago de Cuba to take charge of the interests of his mother. A year late the outbreak of the "little war" obliged him to emigrate to the United States where he remained until 1885.

The outbreak of the War of Independence in 1895 found him ready for the final struggle and he devoted himself to it without reserve. He joined the Revolutionary forces under Victoriano Garzón, was soon transferred to the staff of José Maceo, and saw much arduous service under that redoubtable chief. His valor and enterprise brought him rapid advancement. He became Lieutenant Colonel after the actions of Yerba de Guinea and la Curia and became Colonel after the battles at El Triunfo and Sao del Indio. Three days before the fatal encounter of Loma de Gato in which Maceo lost his life he promoted Duany to the rank of Brigadier General.