Background
García was born on August 4, 1839 in Holguín to parents of Cuban Criollo descent.
García was born on August 4, 1839 in Holguín to parents of Cuban Criollo descent.
Garcia was one of the organizers of the Ten Years' War against Spain (1868 - 1878).
In appreciation of his services in the field, he was appointed brigadier general by Maximo Gomez and soon succeeded Gomez as commander in chief of the revolutionary forces.
In 1873 he was captured and sent to Spain but was allowed to return after the signing of the treaty which put an end to the war. Back in Cuba, Garcia organized a second revolt, which came to be known as the Little War.
This revolt failed completely, and once again, in 1880, Garcia was sent to Spain.
There he was imprisoned for 15 years.
Late in 1895 he tried to land in Cuba and failed, tried again and succeeded in bringing ashore a large expedition.
Garcia's name was made well known by Elbert Hubbard's article "A Message to Garcia, " recounting the carrying of an important message from President William McKinley to Garcia in May 1898.
Calixto operated in the vicinity of Santiago and helped the U. S. General W. R. Shafter to capture that port.
General Garcia was elected to head the commission which was sent to confer with McKinley at the close of the Spanish-American War.
