Pueblo Libre ( Spanish for "free village" or "free nation"), formerly known as La Magdalena and commonly known as Old Magdalena ( Spanish : Magdalena Vieja ) to differentiate it from Magdalena del Mar District , is a district of Lima Province in Peru . Its name, which means Free Town or Free People , was granted by José de San Martín on April 10, 1822, as a recognition of the patriotism shown by its inhabitants during the Peruvian War of Independence . The district was created by law 9162 on November 5, 1940. Pueblo Libre is a middle-class residential community and has the most parks in Lima , although it has several branches of banks, local private universities and major corporations. The current mayor of Pueblo Libre is Mónica Rossana Tello López
93-584: Pueblo Libre was founded in 1557 as Magdalena Vieja, before being renamed Free Town (Pueblo Libre in Spanish) in 1821 by José de San Martín . The name was given because of the great patriotism and desire for freedom San Martin saw from the people. Simón Bolívar , one of the liberators of South America, lived in Pueblo Libre. His colonial mansion is known today as the Palacio de la Magdalena , which houses
186-642: A Spanish force commanded by Rafael Maroto . This victory was a significant defeat for the Captaincy General of Chile , the royalist government established after the division of the Viceroyalty of Peru . In 1814, after helping establish a popularly elected congress in Argentina, José de San Martín began considering how to expel the Spanish royalists from South America entirely. He recognized that
279-473: A brief reconnaissance of the royalist army, and noticed several flaws in their organization. Feeling secure of victory, he claimed that "Osorio is clumsier than I thought. Today's triumph is ours. The sun as witness!". The battle began at 11:00 am. The patriot artillery on the right fired on the royalist infantry on the left. Manuel Escalada led mounted grenadiers to capture the royalist artillery, turning them against their owners. Burgos' regiment severely punished
372-545: A force of up to 2,000 volunteers. Maroto’s plan was to take control of the mountainside and launch an attack against San Martín. On February 11, three days before his intended attack, San Martín convened a war council to decide on a plan. Their primary objective was to capture the Chacabuco Ranch, the royalist headquarters located at the foot of the hills. San Martín decided to divide his 2,000 troops into two groups, sending them down two separate roads on either side of
465-424: A nearby chamber, but either couldn't or refused to listen due to his pride and self-importance. With his notorious hoarse voice, he called an attendant and decreed a general order, threatening death to anyone who suggested retreat." Maroto's task was to delay San Martín, knowing that additional royalist reinforcements were en route from Santiago. San Martín, aware of this, chose to launch an attack while he still held
558-631: A new government, and proposed San Martín as Supreme Director of Chile . He declined the offer and proposed O'Higgins in his stead: he recommended that the Supreme Director should be someone from Chile. San Martín would instead organize the navy to take the fight to Peru. He established a local chapter of the Lodge of Rational Knights , named as Logia Lautaro , in reference to Mapuche leader Lautaro . The victory in Chacabuco did not liberate
651-485: A numerical advantage. San Martín received numerous reports on the Spanish plans from a spy disguised as a roto , a poverty-stricken Chilean peasant. The roto informed him that the Spanish general, Marcó, was aware of fighting in the mountains and had ordered his army to "run to the field," referring to Chacabuco. The spy also revealed the strategy of General Rafael Maroto, leader of the Talavera Regiment and
744-475: A pincer movement, with Soler leading the west column and O'Higgins the east one. O'Higgins, eager to avenge the defeat at Rancagua, rushed to the attack, instead of coordinating with Soler. This gave the royalists a brief advantage. San Martín instructed Soler to rush the attack as well. The combined attack was successful and San Martín's column secured the final victory. The battle ended with 600 royalists dead and 500 prisoners, with only 12 deaths and 120 injuries in
837-412: A stealth operation. A spy informed San Martín that Osorio would make a surprise attack in the night, but the army could not be prepared in time. 1,000 soldiers fled, 120 died, and San Martín's assistant was killed. O'Higgins tried to resist with his unit, but retired when he was shot in the arm. Las Heras managed to retire his army in order, saving his 3,500 men. The patriots escaped to Santiago. Despite
930-677: A subject of debate by later historians. San Martín is regarded as a national hero of Argentina, Chile, and Peru, a great military commander, and one of the Liberators of Spanish South America. The Order of the Liberator General San Martín ( Orden del Libertador General San Martín ), created in his honor, is the highest decoration conferred by the Argentine government. José de San Martín's father, Juan de San Martín, son of Andrés de San Martín and Isidora Gómez,
1023-481: A valley near Santiago. Facing the crumbling state of the royalist forces, Maroto initially proposed abandoning the capital and retreating south, where they could regroup and gather resources for a renewed campaign. During a military conference called by Royal Governor Field Marshal Casimiro Marcó del Pont on February 8, Maroto's strategy was adopted. However, the following morning, the Captain General reversed
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#17327756049231116-552: Is La Cruz del Viajero (The Cross of the Traveler). The cross was a symbol of faith and protection the conquistadores brought from Spain. Francisco Pizarro placed the cross in Pueblo Libre; soldiers would pray before going to war or when making a hard distant journey. Situated not a long walk from Pueblo Libre's pleasant plaza is the Museo Larco Hererra , which houses the largest collection of Moche artifacts in
1209-579: Is located 90 meters above sea level . According to the Census 2017 by the INEI , the district has 83,323 inhabitants. Jos%C3%A9 de San Mart%C3%ADn José Francisco de San Martín y Matorras ( Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse ðe sam maɾˈtin] ; 25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), nicknamed "the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru", was an Argentine general and
1302-531: The Patria Vieja period. San Martín initially proposed a regular-sized army, simply to reinforce Chile, but changed to propose a larger one, to liberate the country from the occupation. Chileans Bernardo O'Higgins , José Miguel Carrera , Luis Carrera and Manuel Rodríguez , the leaders of the deposed Chilean rule, sought refugee in Cuyo, along with their armies. O'Higgins and Rodríguez were well received, but
1395-544: The Carrera brothers intended to act as a government in exile . They ignored the local laws of Cuyo, and their soldiers committed acts of vandalism. San Martín imprisoned them and sent them to Buenos Aires. They proposed a plan to liberate Chile, different to the one outlined by San Martín, who rejected it as impractical. This initiated a rivalry between the Carreras and San Martín. San Martín immediately began to organize
1488-690: The Liga Federal led by Artigas. He thought that the civil war was counter-productive to national unity, and that an end to hostilities would free resources needed for the navy. He calculated that Artigas might condition the peace on a joint declaration of war to colonial Brazil; so San Martín proposed to defeat the royalists first and then demand the return of the Eastern Bank to the United Provinces. O'Higgins recommended caution, fearing that San Martín might be captured. Pueyrredón rejected
1581-797: The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru , having formerly housed the Magdalena government of Peru during the War of the Pacific . The Museum, also known by its initials MNAAHP, has collections of artifacts from Peruvian culture. It is one of the most visited museums in Lima and it is located at the heart of the district. Pueblo Libre has a rich history - museums, famous restaurants, and art galleries which are located in this district of Lima. One of Pueblo Libre's oldest attractions
1674-538: The Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers with Alvear and Zapiola. As Buenos Aires lacked professional military leaders, San Martín was entrusted with the protection of the whole city, but kept focused in the task of building the military unit. San Martín, Alvear and Zapiola established a local branch of the Lodge of Rational Knights , along with morenists, the former supporters of the late Mariano Moreno . This lodge sought to promote liberal ideas; its secrecy hides whether it
1767-791: The Second Banda Oriental campaign . Antonio Zabala, the leader of the Montevidean army, served under San Martín during the crossing of the Andes years later. Once again in Buenos Aires, San Martín and his wife attended to the first official performance of the Argentine National Anthem , on 28 May 1813 at the Coliseo Theater . Oral tradition has it that the premiere took place on 14 May 1813 at
1860-680: The United Provinces of the Río de la Plata , present-day Argentina and other countries. After the Battle of San Lorenzo and time commanding the Army of the North during 1814, he organized a plan to defeat the Spanish forces that menaced the United Provinces from the north, using an alternative path to the Viceroyalty of Peru . This objective first involved the establishment of a new army, the Army of
1953-454: The 11th to prepare for an attack at dawn. By dawn, his troops were much closer to the royalists than anticipated, but they fought hard and heroically. Meanwhile, Soler's troops had to descend a narrow path that proved long and arduous, taking longer than expected. General O’Higgins, supposedly overcome with passion upon seeing his homeland, abandoned the planned attack and charged ahead with his 1,500 men. What exactly transpired during this part of
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#17327756049232046-472: The 16th century). San Martín supported this proposal, as well as Güemes and most deputies, except for those from Buenos Aires, who undermined the project and prevented its approval. Needing even more soldiers, San Martín extended the emancipation of slaves to the ages from 14 to 55, and even allowed them to be promoted to higher military ranks. He proposed a similar measure at the national level, but Pueyrredón encountered severe resistance. He included as well
2139-533: The Andes , in Cuyo Province , Argentina. From there, he led the Crossing of the Andes to Chile, and triumphed at the Battle of Chacabuco and the Battle of Maipú (1818), thus liberating Chile from royalist rule. Then he sailed to attack the Spanish stronghold of Lima , Peru. On 12 July 1821, after seizing partial control of Lima, San Martín was appointed Protector of Peru, and Peruvian independence
2232-604: The Army in Chile when Belgrano's lieutenant Viamonte signed an armistice with López; he thought that the conflict had ended. Battle of Chacabuco 1,400 –2,450 Infantry 5 artillery The Battle of Chacabuco , fought during the Chilean War of Independence , took place on February 12, 1817. The Army of the Andes , from the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata and led by Captain–General José de San Martín , defeated
2325-529: The Army of Andalusia to attack and seize Madrid. For his actions during this battle, San Martín was awarded a gold medal, and his rank raised to lieutenant colonel. On 16 May 1811, he fought in the battle of Albuera under the command of general William Carr Beresford . By this time, the French armies held most of the Iberian Peninsula under their control, except for Cádiz. San Martín resigned from
2418-476: The Army of the Andes, as San Martín's force was known, suffered severe losses during the crossing, losing as much as one-third of its men and more than half of its horses. Upon reaching Chile, San Martín allied with Chilean patriot Bernardo O'Higgins , who commanded his own army. As the patriot forces advanced, the royalists rushed northward to confront them. A force of around 1,500 men, led by Brigadier Rafael Maroto, moved to block San Martín's advance at Chacabuco,
2511-460: The Army of the Andes. The army triumphantly entered Santiago de Chile the following day. Governor Francisco Marcó del Pont attempted to escape to Valparaíso and sail to Peru, but he was captured on 22 February and returned to Santiago. Several other officials were captured as well and sent as prisoners to San Luis, Argentina. San Martín sent Marcó del Pont prisoner to Mendoza. Three deputies from Coquimbo, Santiago and Concepción organized
2604-493: The Army of the Andes. Carrera was an enemy of O'Higgins and sought to navigate to Chile and depose him, which led to his imprisonment by Pueyrredón and the confiscation of his ships. San Martín requested help from British Admiral William Bowles . He wrote from Chile and expected to find him in Buenos Aires, but Bowles had embarked for Rio de Janeiro. Bowles considered that San Martín was more trustworthy than Alvear, and praised his support for monarchism . San Martín did not obtain
2697-514: The Army of the Andes. He drafted all the citizens who could bear arms and all the slaves from ages 16 to 30, requested reinforcements to Buenos Aires, and reorganized the economy for war production . He took another leave to restore his health four months after taking power, so Alvear appointed Gregorio Perdriel . This appointment was resisted by the Mendoza Cabildo, which ratified San Martín. The government of San Martín repeated some of
2790-514: The Chileans who escaped Chile after the disaster of Rancagua, and organized them in four units, each one of infantry, cavalry, artillery and dragoons. At the end of 1816, the Army of the Andes had 5,000 men, 10,000 mules and 1,500 horses. San Martin organized military intelligence , propaganda and disinformation to confuse the royalist armies (such as the specific routes taken in the Andes), boost
2883-471: The La Plata basin. He thought that Chile should organize the navy against Peru, not Buenos Aires. San Martín discussed with him and finally got financing of 500,000 pesos. He returned to Mendoza with his wife and daughter and received a letter from Pueyrredón, who said that Buenos Aires could only deliver one-third of the promised funds. This complicated the project, as neither Santiago de Chile nor Mendoza had
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2976-429: The North. The viceroy of Peru sent Mariano Osorio in an attempt to reconquer Chile. The royalists would then advance by land from south to north towards Santiago. San Martín thought that it was not possible to defend Concepción, so he ordered O'Higgins to leave the city. 50,000 Chileans took cattle and grain and moved north, burning everything else, so that they did not leave supplies for the royalists. As he had done with
3069-631: The Peninsular War. It was a defensive war, and San Martín trusted that they could prevent a royalist advance in Jujuy . San Martín had health problems in April 1814, probably caused by hematemesis . He temporarily delegated the command of the Army to colonel Francisco Fernández de la Cruz and requested leave to recover. He moved to Santiago del Estero , and then to Córdoba where he slowly recovered. During this time King Ferdinand VII returned to
3162-746: The Regiment of Murcia in 1789, when he reached the required age of 11. He began his military career as a cadet in the Murcian Infantry Unit. San Martín took part in several Spanish campaigns in North Africa, fighting in Melilla and in Oran against the Moors in 1791, among others. His rank was raised to Sub-Lieutenant in 1793, at the age of 15. He began a naval career during the War of
3255-644: The Second Coalition , when Spain was allied with France against Great Britain, during the French Revolution . His ship Santa Dorotea was captured by the Royal Navy , who kept him as a prisoner of war for some time. Soon afterward, he continued to fight in southern Spain, mainly in Cádiz and Gibraltar with the rank of Second Captain of light infantry. He continued to fight Portugal on
3348-742: The Spaniards Francisco Chilavert and Eduardo Kailitz. They arrived on 9 March 1812, to serve under the First Triumvirate . A few days after his arrival in Buenos Aires in the United Provinces (formally named the Argentine Republic in 1826), San Martín was interviewed by the First Triumvirate. They appointed him a lieutenant colonel of cavalry, and asked him to create a cavalry unit, as Buenos Aires did not have good cavalry. He began to organize
3441-488: The Spanish Absolutist Restoration . San Martín was initiated in the Lodge of Rational Knights in 1811. They met at the house of Carlos María de Alvear , other members were José Miguel Carrera , Aldao, Blanco Encalada and other criollos , American-born Spaniards. They agreed to return to their home lands and join the local revolutionary movements. San Martín asked for his retirement from
3534-559: The Spanish army, for controversial reasons , and moved to South America, where he joined the Spanish American wars of independence . Historians propose several explanations for this action: the common ones are that he missed his native land, that he was in the employ of the British and the congruence of the goals of both wars. The first explanation suggests that when the wars of independence began San Martín thought that his duty
3627-612: The Supreme Director Antonio González de Balcarce the full military plan of operations. San Martín proposed that the country declare independence immediately, before the crossing. That way, they would be acting as a sovereign nation, and not as a mere rebellion. He had great influence over the Congress of Tucumán , a Congress with deputies from the provinces, which was established in March 1816. He opposed
3720-645: The Tucumán Congress, San Martín urged a declaration of independence, to legitimize the government and the military actions. The Chilean Declaration of Independence was issued on 18 February 1818, one year after the battle of Chacabuco. San Martín, Las Heras and Balcarce met in Curicó , and the royalists in Talca , in a plain known as "Cancha rayada". As the patriots had a numeric advantage, 7,000 against 4,600, Osorio tried to avoid open battle, and tried instead
3813-712: The afternoon. O'Higgins, still injured by the wound received in Cancha Rayada, arrived during the final action at the hacienda. He claimed "Glory to the savior of Chile!", in reference to San Martín, who praised him for going to the battlefield with his unhealed wound. They made an embrace on their horses, now known as the "Embrace of Maipú". The battle of Maipú secured Chilean independence. Except for Osorio, who escaped with 200 cavalry, all top royalist military leaders were captured. All their armed forces were either killed or captured, and all their artillery, weapons, military hospitals, money and resources were lost. The victory
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3906-400: The afternoon. The tide turned for the Army of the Andes as Soler captured a key royalist artillery position. At this point, the royalists set up a defensive square around the Chacabuco Ranch. O’Higgins charged the center of the royalist position, while Soler moved into position behind the royalists, cutting off any chance of retreat. O’Higgins and his men overwhelmed the royalist troops, and when
3999-426: The appointment of José Moldes , a soldier from Salta who was against the policies of Buenos Aires, as he feared Moldes would break national unity. He rejected proposals to be appointed Supreme Director himself. He supported his friend and lodge member Juan Martín de Pueyrredón for the office. Pueyrredón resumed the military aid to Cuyo. The Congress of Tucumán declared independence on 9 July 1816. Congress discussed
4092-464: The army, as it would hurt the soldiers' morale. However, the supreme director Gervasio Posadas (who replaced the triumvirate in government) insisted, and San Martín acted as instructed. San Martín stayed only a few weeks in Tucumán , reorganizing the army and studying the terrain. He also had a positive impression of the guerrilla war waged by Martín Miguel de Güemes against the royalists, similar to
4185-455: The battle is fiercely debated. O’Higgins claimed the royalists had stopped retreating and began advancing toward his troops. He argued that if he had ordered his men to retreat back up the narrow path, they would have been picked off one by one. San Martín, noticing O’Higgins' premature advance, ordered Soler to charge the royalist flank, relieving pressure on O’Higgins and allowing his troops to hold their ground. The ensuing firefight lasted into
4278-630: The campaign to Peru. He did not receive a good reception, as Pueyrredón thought that Chile should compensate Buenos Aires for the money invested in their liberation, as the support to San Martín reduced the support to Belgrano, and the Portuguese-Brazilian invasion of the Eastern Bank menaced Buenos Aires. Incapable of financial support, Buenos Aires sent lawyer Manuel Aguirre to the United States, to request aid and acknowledge
4371-704: The common understanding, the crossing of the Andes was not the first time that a military expedition crossed the mountain range. The difference from previous operations was the size of the army, and that it had to be ready for combat right after the crossing. The army was divided in six columns , each taking a different path. Colonel Francisco Zelada in La Rioja took the Come-Caballos pass towards Copiapó . Juan Manuel Cabot , in San Juan , moved to Coquimbo . Ramón Freire and José León Lemos led two columns in
4464-473: The country. This museum is known for having one of the best pre-Columbian exhibits in the world. It offers incredible Paracas textiles and a huge collection of pottery . In the history section of the museum, it documents of the brutality of the Spaniards in the country and of the challenges it has faced since its independence. The district has a total land area of 4.38 km. Its administrative center
4557-407: The decision, ordering Maroto to prepare for battle at Chacabuco. The night before the battle, Antonio de Quintanilla , who would later distinguish himself in the defense of Chiloé , privately expressed his doubts about the strategy. He suggested that given the insurgents' position, the royalist forces should retreat a few leagues toward the hills of Colina . "Maroto overheard this conversation from
4650-522: The declaration of independence. However, the envoy failed, as the United States stayed neutral in the conflict as they were in the process of negotiating the Adams–Onís Treaty for the purchase of Florida from Spain. The Chilean José Miguel Carrera had obtained his own ships after the disaster of Rancagua which he intended to use to liberate Chile, however, as this had already been achieved by San Martín, he subsequently refused to place his fleet under
4743-538: The defeat, the soldiers were received as heroes in Santiago. Thanks to Las Heras, a potential disaster for the patriot armies turned into a minor setback. The army was reorganized again, but the deaths, injuries and desertions caused by the defeat at Cancha Rayada reduced its size to 5,000 soldiers, which was closer to the royalist forces. They took position next to the Maipo River , near Santiago. San Martín made
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#17327756049234836-465: The enemy ships from the top of the convent during the night. The royalists disembarked at dawn, ready to pillage and the regiment charged into battle. San Martín employed a pincer movement to trap the royalists. He led one column and Justo Bermúdez the other. San Martín's horse was killed during the battle, and his leg was trapped under the corpse of the animal after the fall. A royalist, probably Zabala himself, attempted to kill San Martín while he
4929-412: The entirety of Chile. Royalist forces still resisted in southern Chile, allied with local Mapuche chiefs. Las Heras occupied Concepción , but failed to occupy Talcahuano . The royalist resistance lasted for several months, and Talcahuano was only captured when most of the continent was already free. San Martín left O'Higgins in charge of the Army, and returned to Buenos Aires to request resources for
5022-541: The first step would be to drive them out of Chile, and with this in mind, he began recruiting and equipping an army. In under two years, he had assembled a force of approximately 6,000 men, 1,200 horses, and 22 cannons. On January 17, 1817, San Martín set out with this force and commenced the challenging crossing of the Andes . Thanks to his careful planning, the royalist forces in Chile were misled into defending against threats that didn’t exist, allowing his crossing to go unchallenged. However, despite this strategic advantage,
5115-558: The governorship of the Cuyo province, which was accepted. He took office on 6 September. The absolutist restoration in Spain and the growing influence of Artigas generated a political crisis in Buenos Aires, forcing Posadas to resign. Alvear became the new Supreme Director, but had to resign after three months. San Martín's plan was complicated as well by the Disaster of Rancagua , a royalist victory that restored absolutism in Chile, ending
5208-581: The home of aristocrat Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson , with San Martín also attending, but there is no documentary evidence of that. The lyrics of the new anthem included several references to the secessionist will of the time. Although they were still allies, San Martín began to distance himself from Alvear, who controlled the Assembly and the lodge. Alvear opposed the merchants and the Uruguayan caudillo José Gervasio Artigas , San Martín thought that it
5301-528: The ideas outlined in the Operations plan , drafted by Mariano Moreno at the beginning of the war. A combination of incentives, confiscations and planned economy allowed the country to provision the army: gunpowder, pieces of artillery, mules and horses, food, military clothing, etc. Mining increased, with increased extraction of lead, copper, saltpeter, sulfur and borax, which had several uses and improved local finances. Hundreds of women wove clothing used by
5394-492: The main columns to gather at Aconcagua valley , meeting at the slopes of Chacabuco. Royalist commander Rafael Maroto converged his armies on that location as well. Maroto had 2,450 men and 5 pieces of artillery, San Martín had 3,600 men and 9 pieces of artillery. The misdirection that concealed the path of the bulk of the Army allowed San Martín this advantage, as other royalist forces were scattered in other regions of Chile. The battle began on 12 February. San Martín organized
5487-525: The mediation, as he did not recognize Artigas as an equal to negotiate with him. Although Artigas was defeated by the Luso-Brazilian armies, his allies Estanislao López and Francisco Ramírez continued hostilities against Buenos Aires for its inactivity against the invasion. Pueyrredón called the Army of the Andes and the Army of the North (led by Belgrano) to aid Buenos Aires in the conflict. Guido noted to San Martín that if both armies did that,
5580-469: The military, and moved to Britain. He stayed in the country for a short time, and met many other South Americans at a lodge held at the house of Venezuelan general Francisco de Miranda at 27 Grafton Street (now 58 Grafton Way), Bloomsbury , London (the house now has a blue plaque with Miranda's name). Then he sailed to Buenos Aires aboard the British ship George Canning , along with the South Americans Alvear, Francisco José de Vera and Matías Zapiola, and
5673-427: The mountain. The right contingent was led by Miguel Estanislao Soler , and the left by O’Higgins. The plan was for Soler to attack the royalist flanks while simultaneously surrounding their rear guard to prevent a retreat. San Martín anticipated that both leaders would launch their attacks simultaneously, forcing the royalists to fight on two fronts.. San Martín sent his troops down the mountain starting at midnight on
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#17327756049235766-434: The national fervor of his army and promote desertion among the royalists. Although the Congress of Tucumán had already formalized the flag of Argentina , the Army of the Andes did not use it, choosing a banner with two columns, light blue and white, and a coat of arms roughly similar to the Coat of arms of Argentina . The army did not use the flag of Argentina because it was not exclusively an Argentine army. Contrary to
5859-466: The north of Argentina and Chile would be easily reconquered by the royalists. San Martín also knew that most of the soldiers of the Army of the Andes would not be willing to aid Buenos Aires in the civil war, as most were from other provinces or from Chile. San Martín had doubts as well about the projected arrival of a large military expedition from Spain, as the absolutist restoration of Ferdinand VII had met severe resistance in Spain. San Martín finally kept
5952-421: The original complement. Manuel Rodríguez had returned to Chile before the crossing, and began a guerrilla war in Santiago de Chile against the royalists, in support of the upcoming army. He was supported in the south of the city and the countryside. The strategy was to occupy nearby villages, seize the royalists' weapons and flee. The attacks on Melipilla and San Fernando, and a failed one at Curicó, demoralized
6045-442: The other shore of the Río de la Plata , was still a royalist stronghold. Argentine general José Rondeau laid siege to it, but the Montevidean navy eluded it by pillaging nearby cities. San Martín was sent with the new Regiment to watch the activities in the Paraná River shore. The Regiment followed the navy from a distance, avoiding detection. They hid in the San Carlos Convent , in San Lorenzo, Santa Fe . San Martín watched
6138-419: The patriot left wing, mainly composed of emancipated slaves, and took 400 lives. San Martín ordered the mounted grenadiers led by Hilarión de la Quintana to charge against the regiment. The firing suddenly ended and royalists began to fight with sword bayonets, under the cries "Long live the king!" and "Long live the homeland!" respectively. Finally, the royalists ended their cries and began to disperse. When
6231-417: The position, calling for a new assembly, which appointed O'Higgins as Supreme Director of Chile. This marked the beginning of the " Patria Nueva " period in Chile's history. The Battle of Chacabuco, fought on February 12, 1817, was a pivotal event during the Chilean War of Independence, resulting in a decisive victory for the independence forces led by General José de San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins over
6324-556: The primary leader of the southern and central parts of South America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire who served as the Protector of Peru . Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , in modern-day Argentina, he left the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata at the early age of seven to study in Málaga , Spain. In 1808, after taking part in the Peninsular War against France, San Martín contacted South American supporters of independence from Spain in London. In 1812, he set sail for Buenos Aires and offered his services to
6417-560: The regiment of Burgos realized that their line was broken, they stopped resisting, and the soldiers began to disperse. The cavalry pursued and killed most of them. At the end of the battle, the royalists had been trapped among the units of Las Heras in the west, Alvarado in the middle, Quintana in the east and the cavalries of Zapiola and Freire. Osorio tried to fall back to the hacienda "Lo Espejo" but could not reach it, so he tried to escape to Talcahuano. Ordóñez made his last stand at that hacienda, where 500 royalists died. The battle ended in
6510-419: The resources needed. San Martín resigned from the Army, but it is unclear whether his decision to resign was sincere or was to apply pressure to his backers. The government of Buenos Aires still considered San Martín vital to the national defense, so Pueyrredón agreed to pay the 500,000 pesos requested, and encouraged San Martín to withdraw his resignation. San Martín proposed to mediate between Buenos Aires and
6603-441: The royalists attempted to flee, Soler's forces cut them off and pushed toward the ranch. Hand-to-hand combat ensued in and around the ranch until every royalist soldier was either killed or taken captive. Five hundred royalist soldiers were killed and 600 were taken prisoner. The Army of the Andes lost only twelve men in battle, though an additional 120 died from wounds sustained during the fighting. Maroto managed to escape, thanks to
6696-513: The royalists. The columns that crossed the Andes began to take military actions. The column in the north led by Cabot defeated the royalists in Salala, seized Coquimbo and then Copiapó. In the south, Ramón Freire captured Talca . Las Heras routed royalist outposts in Juncalito and Potrerillos. Bernardo O'Higgins, who came from Los Patos pass, defeated the royalists at Las Coimas. This allowed
6789-417: The ships and interrupted the correspondence with Bowles for some months. He returned to Chile; his wife Remedios stayed in Buenos Aires with her daughter Mercedes because of her health problems. Unable to get help from either Buenos Aires or foreign powers, San Martín promoted a more decisive commitment from Chile to finance the navy. The failure to liberate Talcahuano was followed by naval reinforcements from
6882-679: The side of Spain in the War of the Oranges in 1801. He was promoted to captain in 1804. During his stay in Cádiz he was influenced by the ideas of the Spanish Enlightenment . At the outbreak of the Peninsular War in 1808, San Martín was named adjutant of Francisco María Solano Ortiz de Rosas . Rosas, suspected of being an afrancesado , was killed by a popular uprising which overran the barracks and dragged his corpse in
6975-418: The soldiers. Father José Luis Beltrán headed a military factory of 700 men, which produced rifles and horseshoes. San Martín stayed on good terms with both the government of Buenos Aires and the provincial caudillos , without fully allying with either one. He was able to receive provisions from both. He considered that the war of independence took priority over the civil wars . The army was not ready as of
7068-612: The south. The bulk of the armies left from Mendoza . San Martín, Soler and O'Higgins led a column across the Los Patos pass , and Juan Gregorio de Las Heras another one across the Uspallata Pass . The whole operation took nearly a month. The armies took dried food for the soldiers and fodder for the horses, because of the inhospitable conditions. They also consumed garlics and onions, to prevent altitude sickness . Only 4,300 mules and 511 horses survived, less than half
7161-562: The speed of his horse, though he was slightly injured. The remaining royalist troops retreated to the southern tip of Chile, where they established a small enclave, forming what was essentially a mini Spanish Chile. They were reinforced by sea and continued to pose a threat to the Chilean nation until they were ultimately forced to withdraw by sea to Lima. Interim governor Francisco Ruiz-Tagle presided over an assembly that initially designated San Martín as governor. However, San Martín declined
7254-408: The streets. San Martín was appointed to the armies of Andalusia , and led a battalion of volunteers. In June 1808 his unit became incorporated into a guerrilla force led by Juan de la Cruz Mourgeón . He was nearly killed during the battle of Arjonilla , but was saved by Sergeant Juan de Dios. On 19 July 1808, Spanish and French forces engaged in the battle of Bailén , a Spanish victory that allowed
7347-401: The summer of 1815, delaying the crossing. Given the harsh conditions on the mountains, the crossing could only be done in the summer season, when there is less snow. Buenos Aires did not send more provisions after the ousting of Alvear. San Martín proposed to resign and serve under Balcarce, if they would support the campaign. San Martín and Guido wrote a report in the autumn of 1816, detailing to
7440-563: The throne, began the absolutist restoration and began to organize an attack on the rogue colonies. After an interview with Tomás Guido , San Martín came up with a plan: organize an army in Mendoza, cross the Andes to Chile, and move to Peru by sea; all while Güemes defended the north frontier. This would place him in Peru without crossing the harsh terrain of Upper Peru, where two campaigns had already been defeated. To advance this plan, he requested
7533-598: The type of government of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (modern Argentina). General Manuel Belgrano, who had made a diplomatic mission to Europe, informed them that independence would be more easily acknowledged by the European powers if the country established a monarchy. For this purpose, Belgrano proposed a plan to crown a noble of the Inca Empire as king (the Sapa Inca dynasty had been dethroned in
7626-694: The vote of three deputies and thus achieving a majority. As this caused a commotion, San Martín and Alvear intervened with their military force, and the Buenos Aires Cabildo disestablished the triumvirate. It was replaced by the Second Triumvirate of Juan José Paso , Nicolás Rodríguez Peña and Antonio Álvarez Jonte . The new triumvirate called the Assembly of the Year XIII and promoted San Martín to colonel. Montevideo , on
7719-647: Was a real Masonic lodge , or a lodge with political goals. It had no ties to the Premier Grand Lodge of England . In September 1812, San Martín married María de los Remedios de Escalada , a 14-year-old girl from one of the local wealthy families. The lodge organized the Revolution of 8 October 1812 when the terms of office of the triumvirs Manuel de Sarratea and Feliciano Chiclana ended. Juan Martín de Pueyrredón promoted antimorenist new members, Manuel Obligado and Pedro Medrano , by preventing
7812-481: Was also imprisoned and then killed in prison; this death may have been decided by the Lautaro lodge. San Martín could not have taken part in it, as he was already on the way to Buenos Aires. San Martín was not well received in Buenos Aires. Pueyrredón initially declined to give further help, citing the conflicts with the federal caudillos and the organization of a huge royalist army in Cádiz that would try to reconquer
7905-484: Was born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , an Indian reduction of Guaraní people . The exact year of his birth is disputed , as there are no records of his baptism. Later documents formulated during his life, such as passports, military career records and wedding documentation, gave him varying ages. Most of these documents point to his year of birth as either 1777 or 1778. The family moved to Buenos Aires in 1781, when San Martín
7998-720: Was born in the town of Cervatos de la Cueza , in the current Province of Palencia (former Kingdom of León , in Spain) and was lieutenant governor of the department. He served as a military man to the Spanish Crown and in 1774 he was appointed Governor of the Yapeyú Department, part of the Government of the Guaraní Missions, created to administer the thirty Guaraní Jesuit missions . After the order he
8091-561: Was expelled from Hispanic America by Carlos III in 1767 based in Yapeyú reduction. His mother Gregoria Matorras del Ser was Spanish born 1738 in Paredes de Nava , Palencia , a few kilometres from where Juan de San Martin was born and the daughter of Domingo Matorras and María del Ser. In 1806 she eventually settled after the death of her daughter Elena and died in Orense , Galicia in 1813. He
8184-403: Was officially declared on 28 July. On 26 July 1822, after a closed-door meeting with fellow libertador Simón Bolívar at Guayaquil , Ecuador, Bolívar took over the task of fully liberating Peru. San Martín unexpectedly left the country and resigned the command of his army, excluding himself from politics and the military, and moved to France in 1824. The details of that meeting would be
8277-593: Was praised by Güemes, Bolívar and the international press. San Martín made a new request for ships to Bowles, but received no answer. He moved again to Buenos Aires, to make a similar request. He arrived to Mendoza a few days after the execution of the Chileans Luis and Juan José Carrera , brothers of José Miguel Carrera. The specific initiative of those executions is controversial. Chilean historian Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna indicts San Martín, while J. C. Raffo de la Reta blames O'Higgins instead. Manuel Rodríguez
8370-535: Was risky to open such conflicts when the royalists were still a threat. The Army of the North , which was operating at the Upper Peru , was defeated at the battles of Vilcapugio and Ayohuma , so the triumvirate appointed San Martín to head it, replacing Manuel Belgrano . San Martín and Belgrano met at the Yatasto relay . The army was in poor condition, and San Martín initially refused to remove Belgrano from
8463-565: Was three or four years old. Juan requested to be transferred to Spain, leaving the Americas in 1783. The family settled in Madrid , but as Juan was unable to earn a promotion, they moved to Málaga . Once in the city, San Martín enrolled in Málaga's school of temporalities, beginning his studies in 1785. It is unlikely that he finished the six-year-long elementary education, before he enrolled in
8556-490: Was to return to his country and serve in the military conflict. The second explanation suggests that Britain, which would benefit from the independence of the South American countries, sent San Martín to achieve it. The third suggests that both wars were caused by the conflicts between Enlightenment ideas and absolutism, so San Martín still waged the same war; the wars in the Americas only developed separatist goals after
8649-436: Was trapped under his dead horse where he suffered a saber injury to his face, and a bullet wound to his arm. Juan Bautista Cabral and Juan Bautista Baigorria of San Martín's regiment intervened and saved his life; Cabral was mortally wounded, and died shortly afterwards. The battle did not have a notable influence on the war and did not prevent further pillage. Montevideo was finally subdued by Admiral William Brown during
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