In early February, Maceo known as the Titán de Bronce had carried out important actions first in Paso Real and later in the area of Candelaria.

In Candelaria, Maceo was not able to stop the Spanish forces from penetrating the town, forcing him to retreat from the area. He considered that by eliminating the siege, the Spanish forces would retrieve and in consequence looked for another area in order for his men to attack the adversary once the Spanish troops withdrew.

Firstly, he was able to take control of the Yaguazas Bridge. Once he achieved this, Maceo placed the bulk of his troops on a plain to the right of the road from Candelaria to San Cristobal.

The actions began at noon when the first shots were heard and a couple from the advanced regiment informed that part of the Spanish column had attacked precisely that side.

Antonio Maceo, bold and courageous as he had always been characterized as, left with his small escort towards the side he considered most vulnerable and later was joined by a good part of the forces that accompanied him.

The situation for the Cuban forces was very difficult due to the Spanish superiority and the adequate location of its troops. Considering the battle, Maceo decided to organize the attack in front of the Spanish forces with the objective of breaking the adversary’s defense and attempt to leave from the other side of the path.
 

Although the objective was reached, the Cuban forces suffered some casualities due to the intense fire of the Spanish soldiers´ artillery provoking a wound to Maceo himself which was not an obstacle for the independence leader to continue fighting.

After breaking the defense of the enemy, Maceo decided to incorporate new forces to the action but soon received information that Spanish reinforcements were on their way to Candelaria which also had the response on the Cuban side with more forces.

The actions in Rio Hondo increased and only nightfall achieved diminishing the combats. Both sides rested and waited dawn.

 
At 7 in the morning when Maceo was preparing to reinitiate the combat, the
Spanish forces decided to withdraw the Cuban independence leader indicated
to attack and force them back to the entrance of Candelaria.

The Cuban casualties among the dead and wounded surpassed 80, while the Spanish side was unknown although 17 Spanish soldiers were left on the battlefield.

Rio Hondo demonstrated that operative capacity of Maceo while working with
the development of the events, adapting the combat tactics according to
the circumstances.

The sacrifice and dedication of the Cuban people were also evident, when with the lack of resources like weapons and other means of combat plus their faith in favor of independence was launched against the Spanish soldiers that left their blood in Cuban soil.