[3] He was later destined to Santo Domingo, and took part in the attack and occupation of Santiago de los Caballeros, retreat from Puerto Plata, and military operations in San Cristóbal, Baní and Azúa, assault and defence of Monte Christi and other, earning the rank of captain.

[1] He worked as lecturer of Geometry and Topography at the Havana Military Academy,[1] and, when the Yara insurrection [es] broke out, kickstarting the deadly Cuban campaign, he mobilized a small force of volunteers under the name of Primera Guerrilla Volante.

[1] At the helm of said force, Cassola took part in many military operations, including La Mercedes, Santa Gertrudis, Sancti Spíritus or Meloncitos, until falling ill at the vanguard line of the Trocha from Morón to Júcaro.

[1] He took the same regiment to Catalonia and the North, assisting in the Somorrostro battles, until occupying the place of Montellano, thus easening the link between the forces of the Marquis of Duero and the Duke of la Torre.

[1] He was promoted to Brigadier general and appointed to the first brigade of Biscay, taking the town of Munguía by surprise, and holding a combat between Urbe and Legina on 9 July.

[1] Appointed as Commander General of the division of Biscay in January 1876, he contributed to the success in the combats taking part in Santa Águeda and Elgueta, earning military decorations.

[1] During his ministerial tenure (8 March 1887 – 14 June 1888), Cassola proposed a huge pack of modernizing reforms, straying away from the army-militia dualism.