Luis de la Cruz (politician)

Luis de la Cruz
Born(1768-08-25)25 August 1768
Concepción, Reino de Chile
Died1828 (aged 59–60)
Santiago, Chile
AllegianceChile Chile
Battles / warsChilean War of Independence
Spouse(s)Josefa Prieto
Children5, including José María de la Cruz

Luis De la Cruz y Goyeneche (Concepción, Reino de Chile, 25 August 1768 –† Santiago de Chile, 1828) was a Chilean politician and military, son of Pablo De la Cruz and Antonia de Goyeneche y Lope de Lara. His father was born in Tabernas (Spain) in 1714 and was a military who came to Chile in 1740.

He married Josefa Prieto and their son (of five) José María de la Cruz Prieto would also have an important military career.

In 1806 he found and explored the shortest way from Concepción, Chile to Buenos Aires.

He began later his military career during the Chilean War of Independence and participated in several battles and he replaced Bernardo O'Higgins in some occasions.

Ruring the Reconquista, the re-occupation of Chile by the royalist Spanish forces 1814-17, he was held prisoner in the Juan Fernández Islands and freed in 1817 after the Battle of Chacabuco.

Media related to Luis de la Cruz y Goyeneche at Wikimedia Commons