Clemente de Lantaño facts for kids
Clemente de Lantaño Pino was an important person in Chile's history. He was born on July 31, 1774, in Chillán Viejo, Chile, and passed away on May 10, 1846. He was a military officer during the Chilean War of Independence. This was a time when Chile fought to become free from Spain.
At first, Clemente de Lantaño fought for the Spanish king. These soldiers were called "royalists." But later, during a time called the "Spanish Reconquest," he changed his mind. He then joined the side fighting for Chile's independence. This meant he fought against the royalist forces he once served.
Early Life and Military Role
Before the war, Lantaño was a wealthy landowner. He owned a large estate in the Ñuble Partido region. He had many important connections.
In 1814, a Spanish general named Gabino Gaínza gave him a big job. Lantaño was put in charge of one of the main groups of guerrilla fighters. He was given the rank of lieutenant colonel.
He took part in several important battles. These included the Battle of El Roble and the Battle of Membrillar. He also fought in the sad event known as the Disaster of Rancagua. But what made him famous was capturing the Carrera brothers in 1814. These brothers were José Miguel Carrera and Luis Carrera, who were important figures in the independence movement.
Changing Sides
After the Battle of Maipú in 1818, Lantaño continued to fight with the royalists. He stayed in the area south of the Bío-Bío River. In 1819, he went with Colonel Juan Francisco Sánchez on a very difficult journey. They retreated all the way to Valdivia, Chile. From there, he traveled by sea to Peru. He wanted to keep fighting for the Spanish king.
In Peru, the Spanish leader, Viceroy Joaquín de la Pezuela, welcomed him. In 1821, rebel forces led by José de San Martín were about to arrive. The viceroy told Lantaño to get ready to defend the Ancash Region. Lantaño organized soldiers in Huaraz. But the rebels sent troops from Supe District under Colonel Enrique Compino. They surprised the city. Lantaño was captured and sent back to Chile.
Once he was back in Chile, Bernardo O'Higgins contacted him. O'Higgins was a leader of the independence movement. He knew Lantaño from before the revolution. They were powerful neighbors in the same area. O'Higgins offered to let Lantaño keep his military rank. He asked Lantaño to join the patriot army. Lantaño seemed to realize that the royalist cause would not win. So, he accepted O'Higgins' offer.
Later Missions and Battles
In the same year, Lantaño was given a special job. He was asked to talk with the Spanish governor of Chiloé, Antonio de Quintanilla. Lantaño spoke for the government in Santiago de Chile. He suggested that the Chiloé islands should join the new Chilean Republic. He tried to convince Quintanilla that Spain would surely lose the war in Chile. However, his mission was not successful. Quintanilla did not agree with Lantaño's view.
After returning to the areas held by the rebels, Lantaño continued to fight. He took part in the Guerra a muerte. This means "War to the Death." It was the final part of the Chilean War of Independence. He fought alongside Captain Manuel Bulnes. In 1821, he helped negotiate the surrender of a royalist camp at Quilapalo. In 1823, he led a mission to stop the Pincheira brothers. They were guerrilla fighters in the mountains of Ñuble.
See also
In Spanish: Clemente Lantaño para niños
