Matías Ramón Mella Castillo (February 25, 1816 –June 4, 1864), who was most known by his middle name (Ramón), was a Dominican revolutionary, politician, and military general. Mella is regarded as a national hero in the Dominican Republic. Remembered as one of the three founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella is partially named in his honor. Through sheer determination and strategy, Mella would play a very crucial role into the successful independence from Haiti. But this success was short-lived, as Mella would find himself, along with his fellow patriots, having to engage in a series of political standoffs against the very same people who had previously fought alongside him, of which the most central person was none other than the wealthy General Pedro Santana. Ill and financially crippled, he watched as many of his fellow patriots faced the worst for their pro-Independent plans. Eventually, by 1861, Santana gave the country back to Spain, setting off another war. But despite this, Mella would continue serve his duties as a revolutionary leader until his tragic death on June 4, 1864. Early life Mella was born to Antonio Mella Álvarez (1794–1837) and Francisca Javier Castillo Álvarez (1790–1864), both of Canarian descent, on February 25, 1816, in Santo Domingo during the España Boba period. He had two other siblings named Idelfonso (1818-1910) and Manuela Mella Castillo (1827-1894). Very little is known in regards to his school life, but perhaps due to the scarcity of public educational centers during his childhood and adolescence, its believed that his parents chose to send him to the few "private schools" that were secretly available during that era. It was there that the young Mella would receive proper education from respectable Dominican teachers. From a young age, he had a latent talent in handling a sword and a sabor. Since his teenage years, he was known for being brave and fearless. He would spend his early life involving himself into productive work for his society. In 1835, during the years of the Haitian occupation, he served as head of the community of San Cristóbal. He devoted himself to cutting wood for a business, a habit that he shared with future legendary military general, Antonio Duvergé, who took note of Mella's proficiency of skill using a sabor and a sword. This, along with their shared opposition to Haitian rule, established a