Finally, owing to the unsettled conditions resulting from the war, he sent his family back to the United States, and joined the insurgent army.  His brother-in-law also espoused the Cuban cause, and was killed in battle.  Discouraged by his reverses, he decided to return to his native land, and made his escape from the island by boarding a blockade runner, which landed him at Atlantic City, from where he walked to New York.  Grand Army comrades gave him food and shelter, and assisted him to reach his family.  This man has a personal interest in the success of the cause, for when that time comes he hopes to regain possession of his property.

The case of Pedro Casanova.

Pedro Casanova, a citizen of the United States, resided near the little railway station of San Miguel de Jaruca with his family, which consists of his wife and three children and his nephew, the latter born in the United States.  He told the story of his wrongs at the hands of the Spaniards to a representative of the New York Herald in the following words: 

“I have suffered great outrages from the Spanish soldiers.  The soldiers recently passed on the road, and my wife called my attention to the fact that they had broken into a vacant house where valuable property was stored, and were pulling things in pieces.  Just then I saw two officers coming toward the house.  I was very glad, and went out to meet them, and invited them to enter the house and refresh themselves.  They accepted, and said they liked coffee.  While they were drinking, one or two soldiers came and spoke to the captain, who asked me, ’Who are the men in the sugar house?’ ‘My employes,’ I replied, ’including one engineer.  The others are engaged in repairs.’

“The captain said:  ’I hear rebels are hidden there.  I must take the men before the major for examination; the major himself will be here to-morrow.’

“After he left I found the door of the house on the hill broken open.  A quantity of bottled beer had been taken, also my saddles and bridles, and many other things.  Gloves and other articles of woman’s apparel were tossed in the yard.  I went to the station.  The drug store looked as if it had been visited by a mad bull.  All the shelves and drawers were thrown out and smashed.  An empty store opposite was in the same condition.  The counter was thrown down and the door posts hacked by machetes.  The large coffee mill was broken, and all was in disorder.  An account of this work was what the soldiers had whispered to the captain.  The officer had remarked to me with a sneer:  ’The insurgents are very kind to you, as no harm has been done here.’