Juan Antonio Álvarez de Arenales
Juan Antonio Álvarez de Arenales was an Argentine general of Spanish origin that fought in the war for the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, Chile and Peru.
Early life
It is believed he was born in Spain in the town called Villa de Reinoso, in Castile, in 1770, although others say that he could have been born in Salta. Son of Francisco Alvarez Arenales and Maria Gonzalez.In 1784 he came with his family to Buenos Aires, where he was educated to follow an ecclesiastical career. Arenales chose a military career.
Fights in Upper Peru
After completing his studies he was sent to Upper Peru, where he was part of the Chuquisaca Revolution of May 25, 1809, first movement against Spanish rule held in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata.With the victory in the Battle of La Florida, he received many wounds and almost lost his life, protected the entrance to the High Peru of the Northern Army, in his third attempt to incorporate the Upper Peru to the revolution, led by José Rondeau, and reoccupied the city of Cochabamba.
Peruvian War of Independence
There he was promoted to general and confronted Martin Miguel de Guemes, leader by the way he was carrying on the Guerra Gaucha, successful defensive strategy of defending northern border, but very expensive for the province, especially for high classes.In the mid-1817 he was named provincial commander of the army of Cordoba in almost permanent struggle with small groups of rebels gauchos, no positive results against the feds.
Sierra Campaign
In 1819 Arenales joined the Army of the Andes in Chile. General José de San Martín orders Arenales to command an expedition as part of the Freedom Expedition of Peru, sending him to Pisco, Peru on 5 October 1820, beginning the Sierra Expedition. After his arrival, at the destination, he took over the two major campaigns to the mountains.On 6 December 1820, Arenales led troops into the Battle of Pasco, using thick snowfall to launch a surprise attack. Arenales defeated the royalist troops commanded by Diego O'Reilly, capturing O'Reilly and incorporating prisoners into his own forces. Upon news that royalist forces were defeated by Arenales' expedition, the city of Huánuco called for a town meeting on 9 December 1820. Don Eduardo Lúcar y Torre, a colonel of the royalist army, allowed the citizens of Huánuco to vote on whether or not to join Arenales' cause, with the majority voting to join the patriot movement. On 15 December 1820, Huánuco declared independence and because of their assistance, Lúcar y Torre was named Mayor of Huánuco and José Figueroa was named the commander of arms. On 8 January 1821, Arenales regrouped with General San Martín.