Manuel Baquedano González

Victor of the War of the Pacific
1823-1897

Descended from a military family, he joined the army at the age of 15. In 1851, he had to confront the forces of his own father at the Battle of Loncomilla, fighting for the cause of Manuel Montt, who rewarded him with the rank of Major Sergeant of the Government Escort. After that, he took a break from service for a few years, returning to military life in 1859. In 1866, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he participated in the Malleco and Reinaco campaign in Araucanía.

Years later, as Colonel, he was the escort chief of J. J. Perez, and in 1876, he was promoted to brigadier general and in September of the same year, to commander general of arms in Santiago. In the War of the Pacific, he was the Commander in Chief of the army, with his participation in Chorrillos and Miraflores being decisive, leading to his appointment as Generalissimo of the Army upon returning from Peru.

Politically, he was close to the Conservative Party without being a member, was a presidential candidate, and after the Civil War of 1891, as a Major General, served as Interim President, as well as being elected senator in two parliamentary terms.

Source: National Congress Library of Chile