Agustín Agualongo facts for kids
Agustín Agualongo (1780–1824) was a brave military leader. He fought for the King of Spain during Colombia's fight for independence. He was born in the Andean town of San Juan de Pasto. He was from an indigenous background.
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Who Was Agustín Agualongo?
Agustín Agualongo was a key figure in the wars for Colombian independence. These wars happened in the early 1800s. He chose to fight for the royalist side. This meant he wanted Colombia to remain part of the Spanish Empire. Many people at that time wanted to create an independent country.
Early Life and Military Service
Agualongo was born in 1780. In 1811, he joined the royalist army. He served under several commanders. These included Colonel Basilio García and Colonel Francisco González. He quickly showed his skills as a soldier.
Fighting for the King
By 1822, Agustín Agualongo was a lieutenant colonel. He was known for stopping the progress of the republican forces. These were the groups fighting for Colombia's independence. This happened during the Southern Campaign. In 1823, he was promoted to colonel. He led his troops in the Battle of Ibarra. This battle took place in Ecuador. His forces lost this battle to Simón Bolívar's army. It was Bolívar's only battle on Ecuadorian soil.
The End of His Journey
Agustín Agualongo was captured in 1824. He was executed in Popayán. He did not know that he had been promoted to the rank of general. His last words were "Viva el rey!" which means "Long live the king!" His remains were buried in a church in Popayán. Later, in 1987, his remains were moved by a group. They were returned in 1990.
See also
In Spanish: Agustín Agualongo para niños
