Jose de San Martin :

Campaign across the

Andes
BY JACOB SWIDORSKY

Background

San Martin was born on February 25, 1778 in Yapeyu, Argentina

San Martins father was a professional soldier that was stationed at the
northern frontier in Argentina where both San Martin and his father lived
with his mother.

His father and mother were Spanish natives that came to Argentina.

As a young boy, San Martin returned to Spain at the age of six where he
was educated in a seminary before leaving to begin his military training.

For twenty years San Martin would hold his position as a loyal officer to
Spain.

Career

His military career proved successful as he fought against many well known
countries such as the British and Portugal and eventually became a
captain in 1804.

After he was nearly killed in the Battle of Arjonilla, he played a main role in
the Battle of Bailen.

After winning the Battle, he was awarded with a gold medal

In 1808, Napoleon occupied Spain and promoted San Martin to lieutenant

colonel.

San Martin wanted to fight off Spanish royalists that were threatening the
revolutionary government in Argentina that were centered in Peru

Departure from Spain

This began his departure from Spain as he soon after retired his duties from
the Spanish army. Unfortunately, no one exactly knows why he did this but
many say he was recruited by a leader in the independence movement in
South America.

He was the highest ranked Spanish officer to join an independence

movement in South America, as he wanted to gain independence for his
home country Argentina.

This only just began San Martins journey to free Argentina from Spanish rule

The Beginning of the Campaign

After hearing about Spanish royalists harassing settlements near the

Parana River, he went down to push the royalists out of the settlements.

Charging into battle atop his horse, San Martin set his sights for the royalists
until his horse was killed and he became severely injured and trapped
under the horse.

A royalist attempted to kill San Martin but failed in doing so as two of San
Martins men intervened.

However, San Martin suffered a severe saber wound on his face and a
wound in his arm from a gunshot. This battle didnt have a big impact on
the war but it sure was a close call for Jose de San Martin

The Army of the Andes

San Martin became the governor of Cuyo and created an army of 5,000
men with the best weapons they could make and the best training they
could receive at the time.

In the beginning of 1817, his army went mobile and Spanish forces awaited
his arrival. He fooled the Spanish by misleading them and sending them
too far south and crossed the Andes Mountains easily. His army divided
into six columbs and made it across the freeing cold Andes avoiding
contact with Spanish troops.

The Battle of Chacabuco and Maipu

Spanish sent troops to slow down San Martin so reinforcements could arrive,
however that ultimately failed as there were only twelve deaths in the Army of
Andes. The Spanish lost 1,100 men, 600 were killed and 500 were taken
prisoners.

San Martin wasnt satisfied however because he wanted all of Spain out of
Peru as well to deem Argentina and Chile independent.

Both sides gained reinforcements and battled at Maipu where San Martin
again dominated the Spanish army, killing around 2,000 men and capturing
2,200 men.

San Martins army began closing in on Lima Peru. Spain left Lima for San Martin
to walk in and take and the people were more than happy for his arrival

South American independence

On August 3, 1821, Peru declared independence and named San Martin

Protector of Peru. He began setting up a new government for Peru and
gave freedom to all slaves and Indians.

Simon Bolivar cleared up the northern countries such as Ecuador and

Venezuela.

Both men met up to see what they would do moving forward, however,
both had a rough first impression of each other.

Jose de San Martin would step down and let Simon Bolivar claim the
fame of defeating the Spanish out of South America.

Conclusion

Jose de San Martin was one of the most strategic and successful leaders in
the South American independence movement. He was an intelligent man
who used his army with care and intelligence. From being born in
Argentina, to a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish army, to a man fighting
for his homes independence, he is a hero for South America and a well
known historic figure. He may have given the title to Simon Bolivar but he
has proven to be just as successful and has held the hearts of many in
South America.

Works Cited

http://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-de-San-Martin

http://www.robinsonlibrary.com/america/southamerica/history/sanmartin.
htm