Manuel Baquedano
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Manuel Jesús Baquedano González (January 1, 1823 - November 30, 1897) was a Chilean army officer and national hero, who served as commander-in-chief of the expeditionary army that defeated the combined Peru-Bolivian armies and captured Lima during the War of the Pacific.
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Early Life and Military training
He was born in Santiago to a family with a long military tradition, the son of Coronel Fernando Baquedano and Teresa González. He did his early studies at the school of Juan de Dios Romo and in the Instituto Nacional de Chile (Chilean National Institute). He began his military career in 1838, at the age of 15. In that year started the conflict against the Peru-Bolivian Confederacy. When the army embarked for Peru, Manuel fled from his home and hid in a boat holding the Cazadores a Caballo Regiment (Cavalry Regiment) commanded by his father. After several days at sea, he was finally discovered, and since it was too late to sent him back to Chile, he was recruited. He then participated in the battles of Portada de Guías, Huaraz, Matucana and Yungay, and was promoted to lieutenant in August of 1838 and lieutenant graduated in March of 1839, at the age of 16 years. After returning to Chile, he completed his military training and in January of 1845 was promoted to effective lieutenant of a mountain infantry regiment. In December of the same year, he was transferred as a lieutenant to the regiment of Granaderos a Caballo (Mounted Grenadiers). In December of 1846 he was named adjutant, and in January of 1850, effective captain of Grenadiers.Separated father and son of the revolution
In April of 1851 the company of Manuel Baquedano was trimming at the Palacio de la Moneda (The house of government), since he played a decisive role in the confrontation with the troops that rebelled, on the 20th of that month, against the ascent of Manuel Montt like President. These were to the control of colonel Pedro Urriola, supported by liberal young people, between those who he was his friend Eusebio Lillo. The revolution was followed by the armed uprising in Concepción, by troops under the control of general Jose Maria de la Cruz. Baquedano was named assistant of general Manuel Bulnes, participating next to the forces of the government in the battle of Loncomilla, in December of 1851. There he faced his father and his Eleuterio brother, to those who he helped after finished the confrontation, in spite of being in opposite sides. Manuel Montt awarded its services promoting him in January of 1852 to sergeant major of the government escort.Retirement to agriculture
In April of 1854, Baquedano was involved in a confused riot of quarter, after which he was separated from his position and envoy to a city of La Frontera (the Border) like seat head. He resigned from active service, and with his savings and credits he acquired a home near the city of Los Ángeles, to whom Santa Teresa called. The government did not accept his resignation and he was named assistant of the separate military command of Arms of Valparaiso in March of 1855. Before a request of the same Baquedano, in April he was transferred to an equilvalent position to the command of Arms of Arauco, so that it was near his home. In August of that year commander of the Escuadrón Cívico Nº 3 (Civic Swarm) of Arauco was designated. Between 1855 and 1869 he dedicated himself to transform his home into a productive agricultural property, and within 5 years this gained him a fortune.Return to military life
Baquedano returned to military life in 1859, when the government called him to face the revolution that exploded in Conception; by his services he was ascended to effective sergeant major in June of that year. Seven years later, in October of 1866, again colonel was promoted to lieutenant, happening to act as in the city of the Angels, those that combined with their agricultural workings. By the end of 1868 were required again in the Army, to oppose to the indigenous rebellion headed by Quilapán and other caciques. Under the orders of general Jose Manuel Pinto, commander of the forces of the high border, he participated in numerous confrontations in Malleco and Renaico, from January to May of 1869. By his services, September of that year, the control of the regiment Cazadores a Caballo (Hunting to Horse) was trusted to him, the same position that his father had held.Following his ascent in Santiago
The control of the regiment Cazadores a Caballo, was transferred to Santiago. Their military services in the Araucanía and his personality opened with the civil world, allowed him to gain a prestige in the liberal governments and the santiaguina population. In 1870 July he was promoted to colonel and two years later effective colonel by the government of Federico Errázuriz Zañartu was named. In 1875 he was designated, in temporary form, chief inspector of Guardia Nacional (National Guard) and commander-in-chief of Arms of the capital city.The In 1876, Baquedano was promoted to brigadier general. This was his rank when the war with Peru broke out in April of 1879. His participation in the war began in the Campaign of Tarapacá, like commander of the Cavalry, when in November of 1879 he disembarked in Pisagua under the orders of the general and commander of Infantry Erasmo Escala. Soon he followed the campaign on Tacna and Arica, disembarking in February of 1880 in Ilo. To the control of a division, faced the Peruvian Army in the Cerro de los Ángeles (the Angels hill) in March of that year. One stood out by his decision for the military resolutions, thus was promoted in June to major general. He participated in the battles of Tacna and Arica.
Military reputation
The military reputation of Baquedano was enhanced by his outstanding direction and participation in the battles of Chorrillos and Miraflores in January of 1881. There, thanks to the efforts of the men under his command, the Peruvian capital was occupied in less than a month. Baquedano returned to Chile when the government of Aníbal Pinto decided that most of the Army he had to return, due to the high cost of maintaining troops. He arrived at Valparaiso in March of 1881 and was received by a large crowd; the celebration was repeated in Santiago. In the official banquet that President Pinto offered to him in Santiago, Baquedano said ': "a formed army, like ours, by the self-denial, the patriotism, the great civic virtues, could not be overcome; it was an army of citizens transformed into lions and pledges safe with victory. If we have won, we must it to the soldiers and to the citizens."Presidential candidacy
He was twice offered a presidential candidacy, but on both occasions the campaign did not prosper. By means of a law passed in August of 1881, the government of Domingo Santa Maria granted - by the rest of his life honors, pays and allowances to him like commander in chief in campaign. The following month he was named advisor of State, and was chosen as a senator by Santiago during 2 periods, between 1882 and 1888, and by Colchagua for another 2, between 1888 and 1894. From these positions he participated in the reorganization of the Army and cooperated in the commissions so that the Academy military and the General Staff were based. In April of 1889 he was sent on a mission to Europe, from which he returned in November of 1890.Final military service
During the presidency of Jose Manuel Balmaceda, Baquedano did not decide publicly on any political side. But, given his prestige, one asked for - the 29 to him of August of 1891, when the troops of the Congress defeated to those of the government in Placilla and they were directed towards Santiago that took control of the nation to protect order in the capital, while Balmaceda was put in a home in the Embassy of Argentina. It gave to the position the 31 of the same month to the Governing body, and one retired definitively to the private life.External link
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