By Alberto Ezcurra Medrano *
In 1845, the Confederation Argentina was in conflict with France and England, because the claim that these powers would not continue the war with the government holding of Rivera in the Banda Oriental. This war had been declared by Rivera with the support of France, and did not worry the powers referred to as developed in Argentina. Began to judge harmful to "humanity" when, following the victory of Arroyo Grande, Oribe besieged Montevideo. Was at stake, moreover, the supposed right of those great powers to free navigation of our rivers. And above all, the claim of France and England to establish its influence and dictate its will on the Rio de la Plata.
The first episode of this conflict took place on 2 August. What was the unspeakable outrage of abduction of the Argentina squad under the command of Brown blocked Montevideo. The event took place without a declaration of war, still pending negotiations with the ministers mediators and Deffaudis Ouseley, and could be fairly described as an act of piracy. The robbery followed the distribution of vessels, which were wooded with the flag and put East in command of the international adventurer José Garibaldi. Allies immediately set out to impose by force the free navigation Argentine rivers, and between 7 and 11 August saw some of their boats doing survey work in the mouth of the Paraná Guazú.
at the turn events were taking, Rosas took several measures. On August 13, write a letter to the Commander in Chief of the Department of the North, General Lucio Mansilla. This general had to his credit a brilliant service record, having fought in the British invasion, Chacabuco, Maipú, Camacuá and Ituzaingó, commanding the division as well as Argentina boss who won the famous Brazilian general Ombú Bentos Manuel. In his note, Rose makes her see the need to "build as before, firm coast of Paraná, a battery in the most apparent "and berthing of vessels all combined for a simultaneous resistance, so that the enemy's fleet" can not go below "indicates the desirability of the place destined for defense was in the province of Buenos Aires and Santa Fe, which gathered more abundance of resources that Entre Rios, offers warships and other elements that are under the command of Colonel Francisco Erézcano with 4 officers and 100 sailors. All this is interesting because it reveals how Rose, who was not involved directly in the Vuelta de Obligado ", was the inspiration and soul of the resistance against the foreign invader.
Fortunately, the fear that Rose was attacked by the Paraná, was not performed with the promptness that was expected. The allies feared his squad throwing a river that was unknown to them. And Rose helped foster this fear. He spread the false news that four of Paraná had sunk ships loaded with rocks to block the channel. The news came to the attention of allied leaders, who on August 23 did stop a whaling Argentina, requiring your employer to report where they had been scuttled vessels, which of course ignored. Idle and full precautions with later invaders sailing the Parana, the scheme shows that Rose had their effect.
The truth is that the Allied war effort took a different course. On August 31 the Anglo-French and Garibaldi occupied, burned and looted the colony. On September 5, presented in Martín García. Rosas, taught by the barren but glorious defense of 1838, had previously been evacuated, leaving only a token garrison composed of 10 elderly soldiers and a child and the Argentine flag hoisted on top of the mast as a sign of sovereignty. A quota Garibaldi's heroic feat of such a conquest, praised as such by the press in Montevideo. On September 20, I emphasize the date-the same Garibaldi sacked Gualeguaychú, "shockingly," according to Rivera's own secretary. It should be recalled more often than for us, Argentina, on 20 September is the anniversary of the looting of Gualeguaychú.
While such abuses are perpetrated under the protection of the squadrons of France and England, the ministers called mediators of these powers, which in reality were ministers inspectors, declared, on 17, the blockade of ports and coasts the Province of Buenos Aires. "Great Britain and France," says rightly Saldías- by way of mediators, Argentina took against the Confederacy as much as they refused to recognize as emanating from the latter, as a belligerent, with the square of Montevideo. "
The real war was beginning. "The Argentine government," wrote "La Gaceta Mercantil" - is because in the case forced to repel an abominable war Anglo-French conquest of the American nationalities. "
Needless to say, except the small group that, in the words of Lavalle before imitate, had "turned the eternal laws of patriotism, honor and good sense, "all Argentines, without distinction of social classes, joined Rose in this crusade for sovereignty. As the highest expression of that feeling, Don Vicente López y Planes, who had sung in "El Triunfo Argentino" the epic of the English invasions, and the "National Anthem" of Independence, wrote an "Ode Patriot", where name and Argentines to defend freedom for the third time:
"Interposed ambitious overseas
The Argentine law aims to give
and abuse of their craft than to trample our
country and its flag,
agglomeration forces and forces on alert
That the intention of conquering
Dying before Argentine
heroic freedom That
fall this temple We'll give the top American example
That show to defend freedom! "
Interestingly, American opinion, expressed through the press, widely understood meaning and importance of the struggle that was being prepared. would be long and heavy on quotes abound. As an example, just two. "El Grito Amazon, Brazil, said: "We call rosistas! We are Americans! All Rio de la Plata and its tributaries, only a miracle will be crossed by the Gallo-British. Ye, Argentina, finish with honor. Do not back before the bombing that amenazándoos today because you represent weak, they forget the humiliation of Whitelocke and Mackau treaty. " And "The New York Sun stated:" We are pleased to see the Argentine government firm in its determination to defend the integrity of the Union. Uruguay's rebellion was put up by France in the hope of obtaining the domain of the Prince of Joinville, brother- the emperor of Brazil. Submission to the vile alliance Guizot, would signal a division of Argentina between the Allied powers, but our confidence in the General Rosas and his administration does not allow us to fear about it. "
While these reactions occurred in domestic and foreign opinion, General Mansilla is actively devoted to fulfilling orders Rosas. Had chosen this place known as Vuelta de Obligado, in the district of San Pedro. There the river narrows and curves steep. Its width is about 600 meters and its depth in the main channel, 15. The canyon is very suitable for battery installation.
After some hesitation, that made him temporarily leave this place to move to the place called "The Sisters", located six miles above, Mansilla definitively resolved by the Vuelta de Obligado, where we found it installed on 17 September .
Let's see how organized the defense of that position, according to data supplied by Manson himself in his report of 20 December. On the coast four batteries were installed. On the right, called "Restoring Roses", was in command of the assistant Marine greater Alvaro de Alzogaray and consisted of six guns, two 24 and four to 16. Second, one hundred ten yards above, was the "General Brown, under the command of Marine Lt. Edward Brown, son of the admiral, and had five guns, one 24, two on 18, one of the 16 and one to 12. At fifty yards it was the third, "General Mansilla, commanded by Lt. Felipe Palacios artillery and composed of three guns, two on 12 and one to 8, in line with the river flush. The fourth, "Manuelita" was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Juan Bautista Thorne artillery, was far from the last 160 yards and had seven carriages of the sea, to 100 and to 8, crudely built-in logging logs. These batteries were served by 160 gunners and 60 replacement.
Battery "Restoring Roses" was garrisoned on their right flank with 500 infantry militia, the bodies of Patrick's Buenos Aires, under the command of Colonel Rodriguez, and four guns of a 4-in-command of Lieutenant José Serez. The left flank was defended by 100 militiamen under the command of Lieutenant John Gaines.
batteries "General Brown" and "General Mansilla" were guarded by 200 militants in the North, under the orders of Lt. Col. Laureano Anzoátegui and Marine Capt. James Maurice.
Bet on a hill, 100 feet away, served 600 men reserve infantry and two squadrons of cavalry under the command of Assistant Julián River and Lieutenant Facundo Quiroga, son of the chief Rioja, both under command of Lieutenant Colonel José María Cortina.
These forces must be added the residents of San Pedro on the orders of Benito Urraca; of Baradero, those of Juan Magallanes, and San Antonio de Areco, Tiburcio to Lima, which in total 300 are joined at the last moment patriotic worthwhile effort.
complete this list and the escort of General Mansilla, composed of 70 men under Lieutenant Cañete Cruz.
In the left flank of General Mansilla battery in an isolated hillock, were supported by the anchors that held a line of 24 decommissioned ships, of which made the navigation of the Paraná and probably some of the war, with three channels runs from the bow, center and aft. The opposite end of these chains was supported by the brig "Republican" with six to ten pieces on starboard, and Marine Captain Tom Craig. For if the enemy tried cut, mystics "Restorer" and "Lakes" with a piece of a 6 each, stood guard next to "Republican." They had the chains mentioned twofold: hinder the passage of the enemy and show symbolically that the navigation of the river was not free and it only achieved by force.
In a cove on the left bank, 14 rowing boats with 200 infants were ready to go to any part of the chain or the opposite bank. Finally, we have prepared two lines of a 5 barges tied together, with incendiary materials on board, for long to drift.
From all this follows the success of the defense have Mansilla. The main enemies were the first leaders to recognize. There were failures, no doubt. The artillery was scarce, even more ammunition. He had in Buenos Aires. There was late to order them and send them. Lt. Col. Juárez Ramírez, in the "Checks" late in his interesting book "diplomatic and military conflicts in the Río de la Plata," said well this negative aspect of the Vuelta de Obligado. But all this was understandable given the lack of experience in this kind of war, not in any way diminishes the glory of battle, but somehow the increases, since in its course the human element was able to overcome the deficiencies and material hardship.
Let Mansilla installed on your batteries and get back to the enemy.
Rosas was not wrong to expect the main attack by the side of the Paraná. Existed in Montevideo strong British trading company, whose head was Samuel Lafone. That company had purchased the product from customs income Montevideo, giving an assignment to the Eastern usurious, and also benefited from the proceeds of looting of Rivera. It had some members of government actions Rivera, Vázquez Minister and succeeded Ministers also interest-mediators, or supervisors in England and France, Ouseley and Deffaudis. Had obtained from the "generosity" of Rivera's government the privilege of navigation of the River Uruguay. But she wanted the same thing in the Parana, to trade with Paraguay and the province of Corrientes, revolted against Rosas. To this end prepared a "convoy" of merchant ships, which would be protected by the Anglo-French.
On 1 November, the British Packet "we learn that we speak formally on an expedition to the Río Paraná. The 6 focus boats against Caramel. Then he interned in the Delta are going up in the mighty Paraná Guazú exploration. On 10 Baradero pass. They stop in front of the mouth of Ibicuy in the right place at the infantry training. 17, the expedition continues journey in search of the threat that there are reports inaccurate. On 18 at sunset anchored a league from the Vuelta de Obligado, in view of the positions of Mansfield. "The margins-expressed in a message, are covered with people dressed in red, and against the obstruction across a schooner of war, five armed boats and two mystics."
The invasion fleet was composed of the following vessels:
English:
1) Steam frigate "Gorgon", flagship of Captain Hotham, with six guns of 64 and 4 of 32.
2) Steam frigate "Firebrand", with equal arms.
3) Corvette "Camus", with 18 guns of 32.
4) Brig "Philomel, with 10 guns 32.
5) Brig Dolphin, with 3 guns 32.
6) Brig "Fanny", with a barrel 24.
French:
1) Cajor Frigate "Fulton", with 2 guns 80.
2) Corvette "Expeditive" with 16 guns, 8.
3) Brig "San Martín", won to Argentina when the kidnapping of the fleet and constituted the flagship of Captain Trehouart, with 2 guns of 26 and 16, 16.
4) Bergantín Pandour, with 10 Paixhans 30 pounds.
5) brigantine schooner "should" with 3 guns, 24.
total of 11 warships with 101 guns, most Paixhans caliber and explosive bullets, which faced the 35 small pieces of the Argentina defense.
Accompanying this fleet vessels that supplied coal. In the Paraná Guazu Ibicuy just before a convoy of 20 merchant ships, laden with foreign goods and for the cities along the inside waiting for the outcome of the battle.
The first skirmish takes place on 18, at five in the evening, when recognizing Mansilla sends three barges, which are forced to retreat before the shooting of "Dolphin." For the first time he thundered in the barrel Paraná invaders. Mansilla for battle and proclaims to his soldiers. "Consider the insult made to the sovereignty of our country to navigate, without more titles that force, the waters of a river that runs through the territory of our country. But do not get away with. We will resist with the ardent enthusiasm of liberty. And the gun sounds! Flicker in the Parana river and on shore blue and white flag, and we all die rather than lose him where flames! ".
On 19, we are on the eve of battle. General Mansilla Corvalán sent to the next part, which retain original documents in my library Historical:
"Please VE raise the supreme knowledge of HE. Lord Governor and Captain General of the Province, Brigadier Don Juan Manuel de Rosas, who until now are seven in the morning, the enemy has not made the slightest movement, remaining anchored to cannon fire, no fire hacérsele batteries because they with only the anchor will pick the better shot to take the bullets wisely throw them. The link below will impose on its SE of vessels that make up the Anglo-French invasion force.
"Last night was dropped in a little sailor's Brig national war "Republican", and joining the enemy.
"God keep you many years, Lucio Mansilla."
curious episode of the sailor, who on the eve of the battle is passed to the enemy, giving back to glory. Would it be one of those addicted to certain line Argentine history, that does not happen, precisely because of the Vuelta de Obligado? We prefer not to believe. According to Mackinnon, there were some foreigners, and even English, in the forces of Rosas. And Juárez Ramírez attributes the knowledge that the Allies seemed to have the positions of Mansilla, without making any prior determination of some desertions produced in these elements.
The 20 is the glorious day. Sunrise with mist, but it dissipates at 8 and begins to blow a breeze from the south, favorable to the attack. At 8 and 20 the front moves slowly enemy batteries. At 9 disrupts the fire. Immediately, the band of Buenos Aires Patricios vocal chords of the national anthem, whose last stanza is greeted with a Viva la Patria! and crowned with the first defense guns Argentina.
begin to move in the first place, the "Philomel" the "appropriate", the "Fanny." But it does with impunity. Suffer serious damage as they try to take positions. Once all vessels anchored, the fight is general and remains strong for two hours.
Recio is the fire of the batteries. The "San Martín" where Captain flies Trehouart logo is the most punished. With 28 casualties, including two officers, and more than 120 impacts, is forced to retire, and must Trehouart tree its logo on the "Expeditive." The "Fulton", who had come to his aid, also suffered a serious punishment, receiving more than 100 impacts and being removed one of its mighty canyons 80. Also the "Dolphin" and "Pandour" are temporarily out of action, must return downstream to urgent repairs.
However, the deadly fire of the Allies, especially the grenades paixhans, manage to make a dent in the battery. Furthermore, after two hours of intense fighting, become scarce ammunition. At noon he had exhausted the brig "Republican." Commander Craig at the inability to defend it, resolves to fly to avoid falling into enemy hands, and goes with his people to swell the battery Thorne.
Free and this obstacle and after several unsuccessful attempts, the Allies get cut the chains. Performs this operation, Captain Hope, in a boat protected by the "Fulton", which is the first to cross the passage. Forced it, the powerful guns of the fleet get dumped her shrapnel on the side of the batteries, wreaking havoc on them. The trenches are filled with dead and wounded, impossible to replace the shortage of staff. Why not cease the fire of the brave defenders, which are multiplied in order to meet those who fall. The tragedy is the lack of ammunition. Callan's second and third battery. The other two are left only hear from time to time, at long intervals. At 4, Alsogaray triggers his last shrapnel. Thorne is the only on which is concentrated enemy fire. At 4 and 50 has its ammunition. He has only 8 shots. Personally directs his last shots, without missing any, not for nothing is the best scorer in the Confederation. In making the final, at 5 pm, an enemy grenade, which explodes near him, ground him down, fracturing his arm and took away your hearing forever. On it went down in history as the deaf Obligado.
Combat may be considered decided. It only remains to consolidate the destruction allies by a landing. First do the English under the protection of the guns of the fleet. Mansilla, in formidable bayonet charge, challenging the enemy shrapnel, wind them up to get the same boat. But is wounded by a grenade bounce. What replaces Col. Crespo, who directs the Chief of Buenos Aires Patricios, Colonel Rodriguez, continue the resistance. Meanwhile the French have landed well, reinforcing the attack. Rodriguez tries a new charge, but is stopped by the terrible fire of the "Expeditive", the "reciprocity" and "Philomel" who have managed to place only 150 meters. So great are low, which forced to retreat to the height of the cliffs, where it offers a stubborn resistance, contesting every inch of the land to the invaders until 8 pm. Only then is removed, saving the flying artillery and camp two miles away, on the road to San Nicolas.
Such was the battle of the Vuelta de Obligado. Eleven hours the struggle lasted. As part British allies had 28 dead and 85 wounded. According to the Argentine side, signed to replace Crespo Mansilla, advocates amount to 150 dead and 101 wounded. Chances are, in fact, have been more casualties on both sides. The difference against the Argentine is logical, given the nature of combat and the superior quantity and quality of armaments abroad.
Note that the allies recognized the value of the Argentina defense. The part of Captain Hotham, although at various points distorts the truth-making include, for example, 10 Argentine warships that did not exist, prompting a challenge to a duel of General Mansilla, recognizes, moreover, that " valiantly defended enemy "and that" men who fell were immediately replaced. "
difficult to do without incurring unjust omissions, individual praise Forced heroes because they were all fought there. That said before, we can not fail to mention some of them, which is particularly distinguished.
First the commander in chief, Lucio Mansilla, whose praise makes Hotham himself, recognizing that "a great military skill had been deployed, both in choosing the field and in the defense plan adopted," that , according to the "British Packet" - "throughout the fight was drinking mate with the greatest coolness," and ended the day wounded by enemy shrapnel.
Special Mention deserve the Colonels Juan Bautista Thorne and Ramon Rodriguez. Let your praise, which incurs an error, then rinse, Admiral Sullivan:
"In the battle of Bound, he says an officer who commanded the main battery caused the admiration of the British officers that we were near him, by the way he encouraged his men and kept them in their place, at the foot of the guns, during a heavy crossfire under which this battery was more particularly exposed. For more than 6 hours went around the parapet of the battery exposing your entire body, without any interruption other than when he put on time to time the aim of a cannon.
"For prisoners wounded a regiment was learned later that Colonel Rodriguez Patricios Regiment of Buenos Aires. When the sailors and British soldiers landed in the afternoon and took the battery, he, with the remains of his regiment only, and no other competition for the defending forces, maintained its position in the rear, despite the heavy cross-fire of all vessels who were behind the battery, and was the last to leave.
"The flag of the battery, which had so nobly defended, was taken by one man under my command, and I was given by the senior British officer, Captain Aotham. When lowered, the flag fell on some of the bodies of the fallen and was stained with his blood. "
Sullivan incurred here in a confession. The head of the drummer, who was walking exposed to enemy fire, it was Rodriguez, but Thorne. Yes, it was on the other hand, Colonel Rodriguez who heroically resisted the landing forces. Praise, therefore, belongs to both. The banner referred to Sullivan, the knightly returned to the Argentine Consulate in London in 1883. Today it is, without a legend in the National History Museum. Was battle flag captured only in bonds, as it did note the "British Packet" on December 20, 1845, is not really the official flag of Argentina, but a badge of the regiment, with bonnets and inscriptions. The flags that were displayed at the Invalides in Paris as trophies Obligado, flags were not of war but of merchant vessels that held the chain, or the tents of the soldiers.
Following the endorsement of the heroes of Obligado, remember to heroin nicoleña Simonino Petrona, who with a group of dedicated women, some of whom died under enemy fire, assisted the injured and infused encouragement to the defenders, getting health care to save the park at times to be flanked battery "Manuelita."
And do not forget those who gave their lives for their country in such a memorable occasion. Unable to list them all, it is estimated their number at 250 - must at least mention the name of the officers, Navy Lieutenant José Romero, Marcos lieutenants and Faustino Rodriguez Medrano, and alféceres Martinez and Sanchez.
, despite being technically, the episode itself, an Allied victory was not final, nor practical consequences, or its significance moral.
The Argentine army, though decimated, had not been dissolved. It was soon rebuilt. Allied forces landed at Obligado were dashed in the months of December and January by Colonel Thorne, who commanded the line of sight on the coast. On February 2, tried a new landing, and again forced to re-embark Thorne. It was no use having forced the pace. The Allied objective was to dominate the river to trade with Paraguay and Corrientes. But it overlooks the river when the coast is still in enemy hands. From the boats, the Anglo-French were followed and observed by the Creoles riders poncho and red cap, which "sailed the plain in every way, taking immense troops of horses and cows for use and consumption, while starving sailors from scurvy were imprisoned, despite the vegetable garden that had settled on a small island. " They saw, moreover, back up batteries on the coast blasted forever. "Rosas is building batteries along the cliffs between us and Bound," wrote Lt. Robins, of the frigate "Firebrand", adding: "If there is a strong division down with ground forces to take the men of the Canyon, they scuttle some of the ships of the convoy and probably will hurt the war. We are boarding up the river soon. We have taken a position that can not sustain without a lot of fortified positions. " And Lieutenant Marelly, confessed: "We are very concerned Rosas batteries up against us in San Lorenzo."
soon became clear that such fears were not unfounded. The boats that ply the river began to be subjected to repeated attacks. On 9 January, the convoy is harried Acevedo. 16 at San Lorenzo and Quebracho, with great damage and 50 men out of action. On 10 February, the "Alecto" and the "Firebrand" are attacked on the Cooper. On 2 April the "Philomel" is pursued in the Quebracho. 6, in the same place, the "Alecto" was quite a bust. On 19 Mansilla is take a little revenge with the English flag recapturing the schooner "Federal", one of the vessels that held the string in the Vuelta de Obligado and had been taken, armed and renamed by the English under the name of that combat . 21, Thorne riddled with bullets to "Lizzard", causing 4 deaths and many injured. On May 11 the scene is repeated with the "Harpy", being wounded its commander. And as the crown, on 4 June when the convoy returned to Montevideo loaded with goods from Paraguay and Corrientes, suffered a disaster in the Quebracho was forced to fire several ships and to take an embarrassing leak. Since then, sending the convoy was not repeated and stopped Allied ships sail the waters of the Parana. Where had been the domain of the river, the main objective of the Vuelta de Obligado?
If from the practical point of view this battle was a Pyrrhic victory, from a moral standpoint was a triumph of Argentina.
What was the demoralization that was the enemy. They understood that this was a war and not a ride. We glimpse in your correspondence. "No one is declared in our favor ... Let them be disgorged each other, limiting the blockade unless others come to complete the work ... We've gotten a lot ... We have too much or too little. " In view of this, the auditors requested reinforcements. Asking 10,000 French soldiers, as many British and sending a new team. But the governments of Britain and France did not have such a war. Easy company had believed to dominate the Argentine, the "gauchos cowards" he said Thiers in the French parliament. The reality proved them otherwise. Argentina was not Algeria or Tunisia, or a wren African Roses. It was a country that knew how to do honor to his noble lineage and defend the independence that had conquered. We had to open peace negotiations with him. The duel ended Forced guns launched in a few years later to save England and France with relief to the flag.
For the Argentines, however, the Vuelta de Obligado them retemper spirit. Gave them, as once the resistance to British invasion, the consciousness of his own worth. It was the manly reply to the infamous attack of the theft of the squad and his memory remained, and will remain, as a salutary lesson to the whims of foreign interference. It was, and remains for us, although it has not yet officially declared, Sovereignty Day.
energy and heroism of the combatants was admired around the world. Especially the U.S. press, Chile and Brazil abounded in highly complimentary reviews. Rio de Janeiro newspapers were expressed as follows: "Triumph Confederation Argentina or end with honor. Rosas, despite the epithet of despotism to defame him, posterity will be respected as the only South American who has resisted bold violence and aggression of the two most powerful nations of the Old World. One day, Americans North and South enthusiastically repeated their children these strong words and directed by the famous Argentine general pirates of Gaul and Britain: Do not give in while I had a soldier ... Whatever were the faults of this extraordinary man, no one sees it but the illustrious defender of the American cause, the main representative of American interests. Whether you succeed or succumb to the giant real struggle in which it is engaged, Rosas will be on you this time the great man of America. "
turn, "The Journal of Commerce" New York, said: "We are not apologists of Governor Rosas, but we want our fellow citizens to know their true character, as described by Ridgley Commodores, Morris and Turner and all the citizens of the United States who has visited Buenos Aires. Actually he is a great man and in his hands that country is the second republic of America. "
While thus spoke outside, the only discordant note, sad to say, the press gave the Argentines emigrated to Montevideo and Chile. Noble blood was shed on Forced ignobly insulted by it, while encouraged foreigners to continue the struggle, under the pretext that they had to fight the people to men "whom he regarded as liberators." For this reason, Pinto, former president of Chile, wrote the plenipotentiary of Argentina: "We continue with the deepest interest the adventures of the war against Buenos Aires, because we hope that sooner or later be applied to all States of America the same principles invoked government intervention to create slaves to put the country at the mercy of England and France. That s all we are ashamed that Chileans in Chile has two newspapers that defend the legality of the betrayal of his country, and you know who their editors. "
Fortunately, not all the enemies of Rosas fell so deep. Don Manuel stood protesting against such attitudes as follows: "For the press of Montevideo, France and England have all the rights, all justice. Even more, they can give a stab back, take a square, burning merchant ships entering the river with cannon fire, destroying our coastal ... all this and more is still missing, is allowed to ... the French civilizing driver crossed falling by a bullet is pitiable, and go down 400 head from Argentina and shows no feeling for his own blood. Montevideo press is completely French and English. " Chilavert Martiniano Colonel reacts even more energy. "I set myself," he says of the outrageous conditions that seek to hold my country as powerful controllers and wicked as he had made the squad. I saw propagated doctrines that must sacrifice the honor and the future of my country. The solution itself establishes the principle of nationality. Forced cannon answered so insolent provocation. His roar echoed in my heart. From that moment only encourages me a good wish: to serve my country in this struggle for justice and glory for her. " Chilavert kept his word. He could not fight this war, because after Quebracho was virtually complete. But Home defended their country against another foreign intervention. Urquiza made him pay with life the terrible crime have fought to the end against the Brazilian invader.
Alberdi himself, with all its errors was more clear than others, wrote at that time: "Today more than ever, who was born in the beautiful country located off the Andes and the River de la Plata, is entitled to say with pride: I am Argentine. Rose is not just a tyrant, in my eyes. If your hand is a bloody iron rod, I also see in your head the insignia of Belgrano. Simon Bolivar as the world took its name as the current governor of Buenos Aires. " And no less than Sarmiento, was forced to acknowledge that Rose "should the Republic Argentina in recent years have filled their name, their struggles and the discussion of their interests the civilized world, and puéstola more in touch with Europe. "
If even some among the enemies of Rosas were able to understand the significance of the Vuelta de Obligado, presumably the impression to be produced in the greatest spirit of the Argentine General San Martin, who was able to provide Rosas and understand since its advent, and that he had already offered their services during the French blockade of the year 38. In a letter to Rose in March 1846, says: "I knew Forced action, auditors have seen that Argentines are not pies to be eaten without more work than open your mouth ... This war, in my opinion, is as significant as that of our emancipation from Spain. " His confidence in Argentina's victory is absolute, as it manifests the General Guido: "I attended the confident assurance that despite the imbalance of forces and resources, the General Rosas triumph over all obstacles." And signed the peace of 49, he again wrote to Rose: "You I will do justice to believe that their achievements are a great comfort to my ailing old age. "
What is less known is that because of Obligado, San Martín was about to send his sword to Rosas. The explicitly stated when he said: "Above all it is for me to General Rosas who has defended with the utmost vigor and at all times the national flag. Therefore, after forcing, was tempted to send the sword with which I helped to defend American independence, by that act of courage in which, with four guns, made known to the Anglo-French, few or many, without count the items, the Argentines know always defend their independence. "
This intention was made concrete in the famous clause 3 of his will, which bequeathed his sword to Roses "as a satisfaction test that as an Argentine I had to see the firmness with which he has held the honor of the Republic against the injustices pretentious foreigners who tried to humiliate her. "
best prize ever received.
* Published in Issue XVIII of the Journal of Historical Research Institute of Juan Manuel de Rosas n ° 18, Buenos Aires, 1958.
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