Lucio Norberto Mansilla
 | This articlerelies largely or entirely on asingle source.(April 2021) |
Lucio Norberto Mansilla | |
|---|---|
 Portrait byCarlos Pellegrini | |
| Governor ofEntre Ríos Province | |
| In office September 28, 1821 – February 12, 1824 | |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Juan León Sola |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 4, 1792 Buenos Aires |
| Died | April 10, 1871(aged 82) Buenos Aires |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Political party | Federal |
| Other political affiliations | Patriot |
| Spouse(s) | Poloña Durante,Agustina Ortiz de Rozas |
| Profession | Military |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata(1806–1807) United Provinces of the Río de la Plata Argentine Confederation |
| Years of service | 1806–1807/1810–1871 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Vuelta de Obligado |
Lucio Norberto Mansilla(April 2, 1789 – April 10, 1871) was anArgentinesoldier and politician. He was the first governor of theEntre Ríos Provinceand fought in thebattle of Vuelta de Obligado.
Early life
[edit]Lucio Mansilla was born in Buenos Aires on April 2, 1789, son of Andrés Ximénez de Mansilla and Eduarda María Bravo. Lucio Mansilla was the 7th generation of the Mansilla family living in the Americas.[1]
He began his military career in 1806, during theBritish invasions of the Río de la Plata,under the command ofSantiago de Liniers.He was part of theGallegosregiment. He also fought in the 1807 invasions, in the combat of Miserere on June 2, and the actions of July 5 and 6. TheBuenos Aires Cabildoallowed him to run a math school in 1809.[2]
Mansilla, a widower, marriedJuan Manuel de Rosas' sister,Agustina Ortiz de Rozas.They had six children:Lucio Victorio Mansilla,Eduarda,Lucio Norberto, Agustina and Carlos.
War of independence
[edit]Mansilla joined the forces ofJosé Gervasio Artigasin 1812, against the Portuguese armies summoned by the royalistJavier de Elío.When Artigas left the siege before theSecond Banda Oriental campaign,he joinedJosé Rondeau.He was shot on May 12, 1813, during the attack to the fortress "El Quilombo", and joined back the siege when his injury healed. He was rewarded by Buenos Aires for his military actions.[3]
He joined theArmy of the Andesin 1814, and fought in the battles ofChacabucoandTalcahuano,under the command ofJosé de San Martín.He also fought the decisivebattle of Maipúunder the command ofJuan Gregorio de Las Heras.He was rewarded by both Argentina and Chile for his actions, and returned to Buenos Aires.[4]
Entre Ríos
[edit]Francisco Ramírezcalled Mansilla to mediate between him and Artigas. When Artigas invaded Entre Ríos, he joined forces with Ramírez against him. He had an important role at the battle of Las Tunas. The conflict between Ramírez and Artigas led to the exile of Artigas in Paraguay. Ramírez declared the independence of theRepublic of Entre Ríosand incorporated Corrientes and Misiones to it. Mansilla opposed these actions, and denied the help of his army. Ramírez died in an ambush, and the Republic of Entre Ríos was abolished and reincorporated into Argentina. Mansilla was appointed governor, as he was the commander of the only military unit in the area. He ended the hostilities between Entre Ríos and theSanta Fe Province.He ruled for three years and signed theQuadrilateral Treaty.[5]
War with Brazil
[edit]Mansilla became a general in 1826, and marched to theArgentine-Brazilian Warunder the command ofCarlos María de Alvear,operating atRio Grande Do Sul.He led the siege of Montevideo, and played an important role in the battle of Camacuá. He defeated the Brazilian cavalry at thebattle of Ombú,and fought in thebattle of Ituzaingó.[6]
Civil War
[edit]Mansilla refused to join the coup ofJuan Lavalleagainst the governorManuel Dorregoin 1828. Lavalle was ousted from power some time later, andJuan José Viamonteappointed him head of the police of Buenos Aires, once the Federals returned to power. He joined the military again with theWar of the Confederation,and moved to Tucumán. He did not take action during the campaign of Lavalle againstJuan Manuel de Rosasduring theFrench blockade of the Río de la Plata,because Rosas was his brother-in-law (Mansilla married the sister of Rosas, Marina Agustina Dominga del Corazón de Jesús Ortiz de Rozas y López de Osornio on April 2, 1831) and Lavalle his comrade in arms during the War of Brazil.[7]
Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata
[edit]Britain and France began a war against Argentina, on behalf of theColoradosof Uruguay, as Argentina supported inBlancosin theUruguayan Civil War.An Anglo-French navy sought to navigate theParaná River,and Mansilla was appointed to the defense. He prepared the defense at Vuelta de Obligado, closing the river with chains, and prepared several artilleries, defended by 2000 men. However, the artillery had a lower range, precision and reload speed than the cannons of the ships. Thebattle of Vuelta de Obligadoharmed a number of ships, but the navy prevailed after a couple of hours. Mansilla led a charge against French soldiers that tried to land and dismantle the artillery, being hurt in the chest and leaving Juan Bautista Thorne in command. The Argentine cavalry forced the French to return to their ships, but a second attack by both French and British had better success. The battle ended with 250 deaths and 400 injured for Argentina, and 26 deaths and 86 injured for the Anglo-French navy.[8]
Mansilla prepared a new resistance at Quebracho, when the navy attempted to return to Montevideo. This attack gave serious damage to the ships.[9]
Mansilla died in Buenos Aires on April 10, 1871, during an epidemic ofYellow Fever in the city.[10]
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]
- Launay, Luis (2011).Lucio Norberto Mansilla: El héroe de Obligado.Buenos Aires: Fabro.ISBN978-987-1677-41-2.
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