Battle of Bonilla

On November 28, 1868, at Bonilla, a point on the Nuevitas-Camagüey railway line, the Cubans awaited the passage of the Spanish commander who was traveling from Camagüey to Nuevitas.^[10] Among the Cuban leaders were Augusto Arango, Ignacio Agramonte, and Ángel del Castillo. Arango, directing the insurgent forces, entrenched his men, and prepared for Villate's advancing column.^[11] In his first major battle, Ignacio Agramonte was assigned the most advanced and risky position among the 150 men.^[12][13]

Nearby the hills of Bonilla, Arango's 150 Cuban troops were notified that the Spanish vanguard had advanced to the Tomás Pío Betancourt Bridge on the railway line.^[14] The Cuban commandant Augusto Arango and his men clashed with the San Quintín regiment of Blas Villate, Count of Valmaseda. Although he commanded a strong contingent, the Count of Valmaseda was delayed by the Camagüeyans for several hours and had to alter his route.^[15] Villate, who reported ten killed and thirty-two injured, was compelled to order the Spanish troop's retreat to San Miguel de Bagá near Nuevitas.^[16]

The action at Bonilla greatly influenced the progression of the war. In San Miguel de Bagá, Blas Villate awaited reinforcements.^[17] With his forces strengthened, Villate's column moved towards Eastern Cuba to recover Bayamo, facing continuous harassment from the mambises of Camagüey.^[18]