José María Córdova
| José María Córdova | |
|---|---|
 Hero of Ayacucho |
|
| Born | September 8, 1799 Concepción, Antioquia Colombia |
| Died | October 17, 1829 Santuario, Antioquia Colombia |
| Rank | General |
José María Córdoba also known as the "Hero of Ayacucho", was a General of the Colombian army during the Latin American War of independence from Spain.
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[edit] Biographic data
Córdova was born in Concepción, Antioquia on September 8, 1799. He died in Santuario, Antioquia, on October 17, 1829.[1]
[edit] Military career
In 1814 Córdoba's military career started in the Engineer Corps during the independence of Antioquia as a Republic, State established by Francisco José de Caldas in Medellín. In 1815, Cordoba enrolled in the revolutionary army and was sent to Tunja, where he fought as a subliutenant and under the French Colonel Emanuel Roergas Serviez who became his mentor. Cordoba's battalion helped in the victory of the battle of “Río Palo”.
After the counter offensive by the Spanish troops in 1815, Córdoba was named commander in chief of the Army. His battalion was defeated in 1816, and retreated to the Llanos where his mentor Serviez was assassinated by José Antonio Páez. In 819He was then given a post to command before Simón Bolívar's arrival to Venezuela in 1816. Córdoba was then sent to the Guayana Region in 1817 and Bolivar later incorporated him in his staff. In the Battle of Ayacucho, Córdoba was given command of the first division of the army and because of his distinguished service he earned the nickname "The Lion of Ayacucho".
In 1819, right after the Battle of Boyacá, General Bolívar ascends Córdoba to the rank of General and commissions him to spell the Spanish forces from the province of Antioquia. The Spanish army of General Barreiro had been demolished at Boyacá, and Córdoba’s mission was to prevent the regrouping in northern Colombia. Thus, Córdoba with 190 soldiers arrived in Rionegro on August 25 and in Medellín on August 30.[2]
Córdoba became the Military Chief of Antioquia, while José Manuel Restrepo was named as the Civilian Chief in charge of the public administration. Córdoba organized a small army of 700 volunteers, and on January 12, 1820, he defeated the Spanish army of General Warleta at the “Battle of Chorrosblancos” , in Yarumal, Antioquia. This victory marked the end of the presence of Spanish troops in Antioquia.[2]
[edit] Córdoba's death
Córdoba returned to Antioquia after the military campaign to liberate Perú on September 8, 1829. He had clearly expressed his opposition and discontent with General Simón Bolívar proclamation as Dictator of Colombia and he was under investigation for the conspiracy of the “Noche Septembrina” of September 25, 1828. Thus, Córdoba is set to organize a revolt against Bolívar in Antioquia.[3]
Córdoba died in 1829, after General Bolívar declared himself dictator of the Great Colombia. Córdoba rebelled because that was not the cause they fought for. The ensuing battle took place near Santuario, Antioquia, Córdoba died by the hand of the Irish Commander Rupert Hand. As homage for his actions and in his memory the department of Córdova in Colombia was named after him, the Colombian army's military officer's academy is also named after him.
[edit] References
- ^ Arismendi Posada, Ignacio; Gobernantes Colombianos, trans. Colombian Presidents; Interprint Editors Ltd.; Italgraf; Segunda Edición; Page 73; Bogotá, Colombia; 1983
- ^ a b Melo, Jorge Orlando; Historia de Antioquia, trans. History of Antioquia; Editorial Presencia Ltd.; Primera Edición; Page 96; Bogotá, Colombia; November, 1988
- ^ Melo, Jorge Orlando; Historia de Antioquia, trans. History of Antioquia; Editorial Presencia Ltd.; Primera Edición; Page 98; Bogotá, Colombia; November, 1988
