The Journey of Discovery: 'El Encuentro' with General Máximo Castillo's Memoirs
"El Encuentro," when translated to English, simply means "The Encounter." The writer Jesús Vargas Valdés shares the profound experience of encountering General Máximo Castillo's memoirs, a journey he likens to a spiritual revelation or divine intervention. This "Encuentro," as Vargas Valdés describes it, is not just a mere discovery but a special unveiling—a process of finding information, a place, or an object, ultimately leading to that one extraordinary thing.
Vargas Valdés, in his introductory summary of "Máximo Castillo and the Mexican Revolution," compares the historian's role to that of a prospector, delving into subterranean tunnels with only a tiny flame, driven by the belief that the sought-after treasure will be found. For the prospector, it's not merely about the value of gold but the experience of the encounter itself.
What adds a fascinating layer to this narrative is that General Máximo Castillo, the subject of the memoirs, was a miner in his own right. Writing about his mining experiences, Castillo delves into his own discovery of the coveted metal during his work in the Cusihuiriachi copper mines in 1895. Despite facing disputes and lost compensation in a mining project, Castillo gained invaluable experiences from this chapter of his life.
In 1914, while incarcerated at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and Ft. Wingate, N.M., Castillo began chronicling his memoirs on the Mexican Revolution and his life. Around December 1915, after learning of his impending release, Castillo entrusted the manuscript to his wife, Maria de Jesus, hoping his words would be published someday, preserving his honor and integrity. Following Maria de Jesus's passing, the memoirs found their way to Atilana Castillo, who later passed the document on to her son, Máximo Vargas-Castillo, the general's grandson.
Máximo Vargas-Castillo, honoring his grandfather's wishes, ensured that Castillo's words finally reached the world when Vargas Valdés published the memoirs in 2004. This tale of discovery, perseverance, and fulfillment serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of General Castillo and the profound impact of "El Encuentro" on history and literature.
Photos
In 1995, a snapshot captures Máximo Vargas-Castillo, the grandson of General Máximo Castillo, alongside first cousins Felix Castillo, Clotilde "Lillie" Castillo-Serna, Cesar Castillo, and Fernando Castillo.
The Castillo family expresses profound gratitude to Jesús Vargas Valdés for unveiling General Máximo Castillo's memoirs in Spanish.
The family also is grateful to Roger Ekirch, University Distinguished Professor, Virginia Tech, for his dedicated research and writing of the Wikipedia page, and his facilitation of the English book translation.
The English translation was completed in 2016 by Dr. Ana-Isabel Aliaga-Buchenau, Department Chair and Professor of German and Comparative Languages at UNC-Charlotte.
Fernando Castillo, the youngest grandson of General Maximo Castillo, joins Jesús Vargas Valdés in a heartwarming photo captured at a Castillo family reunion in July 2017 in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Jesús Vargas Valdés and Fernando Castillo share a moment with Luz-Elena Torres, the great-granddaughter of General Maximo Castillo.
Captured in a special moment, Jesús Vargas Valdés and Rebecca Castillo, the great-granddaughter of General Máximo Castillo, stand together, representing the connection between the writer, the family, and the enduring legacy of General Máximo Castillo.