Finally Spain's oppression of Cuba became unbearable, and the war to throw it off was begun.

My father refused to take part in the rebellion, but my brother joined the insurgents and was killed in battle.

I took his place; and, because his sons aided the insurrection, my noble father, still loyal to Spain, was seized by the Spaniards and thrown into prison.

Two days later, without trial or previous warning, he was shot to death in the prison-yard.
"For giving bread to starving women and children whose husbands and fathers fought in the Cuban army, my mother and sister were driven from their home to the nearest city, where the former, always delicate, died, literally of starvation, and from which my sister disappeared, so that I do not know her fate.

At that time, also, our house was stripped by the soldiers of everything that could be carried away, and then burned.