Ángel Pacheco (April 13, 1793 – September 25, 1869), was an Argentine military officer trained by José de San Martín who later became one of the top commanders in the Confederacy during the dictatorship of Juan Manuel de Rosas. He never lost a battle in which he was in command.
In November 1813, he was transferred to the Northern Army, and on December 4 was again promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.[citation needed] He covered the withdrawal of Cuban troops after their defeat at Ayohuma Vilcapugio and participated in the actions of then Keeper of the Marquis, and Sipe Sipe, in which he received a large wound in the arm. In 1815 he was promoted to Adjutant.[citation needed]
He later commanded a battalion of cavalry in the War of Brazil, and excelled in the victory of Ituzaingó. He became the second Chief of the No. 3 Cavalry Regiment whose previous chief, Colonel Frederick Brandsen, had died in combat, after taking command of the regiment during the battle in the aftermath of Brandsen's death. He also fought in a few final minor battles of the war, including the Camacuá. On the May 1, 1827, he received shipments of cash, and on September 7 was appointed Commander in Chief of the Northern Department of the province of Buenos Aires.[citation needed]
Pacheco later headed the campaign of 1831 against the League of Interior led by General Jose Maria Paz and Stephen Pederson. His victory was due to his good tactics, but more importantly to the defection of many enemy soldiers, many of which were former soldiers of Facundo Quiroga that had been forcibly incorporated into the League's army. With that victory began the fall of the League, which led Pacheco to occupy the city of Cordoba. Following his victory in Fraile Muerto he was promoted to Colonel.[citation needed]
In 1833 he made the desert campaign as Chief of Staff to Rosas, and they reached what is now the city of Neuquén. On his return he was promoted to General. During the later years of crisis he was elected Governor, but denied the office.[citation needed]
In the following years he was made the Deputy Provincial Minister of War several times, and the Inspector of War. Rosas was a personal friend, and Pacheco became a major landowner in large part due to awards from the Rosas government.[citation needed]
The Campaign Within
In August 1840 General Lavalle invaded the province of Buenos Aires, landing in San Pedro. Pacheco did not have enough forces to face him, so they scattered their horses and surrounded them. Lavalle rode near Buenos Aires, but was trapped between the forces of Pacheco and Rosas, resulting in Lavalle's eventual defeat. Pacheco gave chase to Santa Fe under the command of General Manuel Oribe, former President of Uruguay, and the army fought at the Battle of Quebracho Herrado with Pacheco as head of the cavalry. Their federal action decided the victory.[citation needed]
When Lavalle came back to La Rioja, Mendoza sent Colonel Vilela their best forces. Pacheco, with a smaller force, chased and defeated him during a surprise night attack in San Cala.[citation needed]
Pacheco returned to Cordoba for a few months until he went to Cuyo, then to the army unit of Lamadrid. After taking San Juan, he retired to Mendoza. Pacheco took command of an army that included José Félix Mendoza Aldana and Nazario Benavides, with whom Lamadrid tore apart in the bloody Battle of Rodeo del Medio. There ended the civil war which had started more than two years earlier.[citation needed]
Uruguayan Civil War, Frontier Centre, and Election to Provincial Legislature
In the Battle of Arroyo Grande on the December 6, 1842, Pacheco ordered the army infantry affiliates of the Confederation and the "White" Uruguayan forces (whose Commander in Chief was the deposed former President Manuel Oribe) under his command east, against the forces of the "Red" Uruguayan and Argentine unit led by Fructuoso Rivera. Pacheco's command of the troops was decisive, destroying the center and the artillery of the enemy. In 1843 and 1844 Pacheco participated in yet another siege against the city of Montevideo, this one later being known as the Great Siege of Montevideo.[citation needed]
In 1845 he was appointed head of the Frontier Centre Buenos Aires province, fought off raid attempts by ranqueles Indians, and ordered to form a strong Mulitas in Bragado.[citation needed]
In 1851, Justo José de Urquiza took the lead in opposition to Rosas which later culminated in the forming of the Grand Army from a coalition of Argentine Rebel, Uruguayan Liberation, and Brazilian Allied forces which started a two front war against both the Uruguayan and Argentine governments. After invading and overthrowing the Uruguaian President Oribe, Urguiza then focused his forces on Argentina by invading Santa Fe, and from there moving on to Buenos Aires.[citation needed]
For the first time, Pacheco and Rosas disagreed on strategy in regards to what steps they should take next to deal with the threat of the Grand Army, and the Governor became wary of his General. Feeling left out of key decision making from that point, Pacheco retired to his quarters. Rosas then assumed direct command of the army. On February 3, 1852, Rosas was defeated at the Battle of Caseros and forced to resign and go into exile in Britain.[citation needed]
Pacheco also left and traveled the Americas, in particular spending much time in Havana.
He returned to Buenos Aires after the Revolution of 11 September 1852, when Buenos Aires was dominated by his old unit and separated from the rest of the country. Pacheco organized the defense of the capital during the siege imposed by General Hilario Lagos.[citation needed]
Pacheco formally retired from the military in mid-1853. During the following years he was Minister of War of the State of Buenos Aires, and Special Envoy to the government of Brazil.[citation needed]
According to Ernesto Quesada, Pacheco "asked not to be political either before, during or after Rosas. His badge of honor, glory, was to have been a soldier of St. Martin. He did not aspire to something else. Born with the military vocation, he died without having given up once in his life. He was a man of the world's legendary gallantry with the ladies, being known for his deep respect for women in general."[citation needed]
1. This year of birth would be more consistent with his record of military service, and that would be correct sitting position as a cadet at age 17 Patricios.
Bibliography
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