Battle of Las Piedras (1811)
Battle of Las Piedras | |||||||
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Part of the Spanish American wars of independence | |||||||
Surrender of Posadas at Las Piedras, by Juan Manuel Blanes | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
José Posadas (POW) |
José Gervasio Artigas Manuel Francisco Artigas | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
638
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The Battle of Las Piedras was fought on May 18, 1811 as part of the Uruguayan struggle for independence.
Background and development of events
In 1810, the
The Governor of Montevideo, Francisco Javier de Elío, appointed frigate-captain José Posadas as the head of the forces loyal to Spain. Posadas installed his headquarters at San Isidro Labrador de Las Piedras near Montevideo, to provoke a decisive battle against the revolutionaries.
Meanwhile, José Artigas was camped near Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe with an army of a thousand men. The army of Posadas counted 1230 men, of which some 200 would defect to Artigas in the midst of battle.
The battle happened on May 18 at Las Piedras, and resulted in a total victory for the revolutionaries. José Posadas capitulated. It was at this occasion that Artigas pronounced his famous sentence "Curad a los heridos, clemencia para los vencidos" (Cure the injured, mercy to the vanquished), an unusual decision in those times, referring to the Spanish wounded and prisoners. One of the casualties on the revolutionary side was Manuel Artigas, nephew of José Artigas.
Both armies fought in the name of King
Importance of the battle
Some historians consider the victory in the Battle of Las Piedras as crucial for the survival of the revolution in Uruguay and Argentina, after the defeats of General
After the battle, the
The day of the battle, May 18, is now an official holiday in Uruguay. The date is also commemorated in the military and civilian honour, the 18 May 1811 Medal.
See also
- First Siege of Montevideo
External links