Adolfo Cavada

Background

After his father"s death in 1838, he moved with his mother and siblings to Philadelphia.

Career

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 was appointed as consul in Cienfuegos, Cuba. 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.

Fernández Cavada received his primary and secondary education at Philadelphia"s Central High School. 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.

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 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.." 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). 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"s command took the town of Cienfuegos and a month later Arroyo Blanco.

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, Louisiana Adelaida, near Santiago de Cuba.

Achievements

• Fernández Cavada"s awards and decorations include the following:.