Cosme Pacheco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cosme Pacheco
Portrait by Jose Gil de Castro in 1831 (stating 28 years of age in the upper left inscription)
Personal details
Born	c. 1803, 1804 Villa Quiquijana, Viceroyalty of Peru
Died	c. 1851 Cusco,
Resting place	General Cemetery of La Almudena
Spouses	Juana Gamboa Manuela Arrambide
Children	Nicanor Pacheco Gamboa Fernando Pacheco Arrambide Justina Pacheco Arrambide Feliciano Pacheco Arrambide
Occupation	Military, Sub-Prefect
Military service
Branch/service	Army of Peru
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Independence of Peru Peruvian Civil War of 1834

Cosme Pacheco (born around 1803 – died around 1851) was a brave Peruvian military officer. He was a Lieutenant Colonel who played a key role in Peru's fight for independence from Spain. He also helped bring peace during difficult times in Peru after independence.

Pacheco was a cavalry officer in the Army of Peru. He served in famous regiments like the Hussars of Junín Province and the Lancers of Cusco. He fought in many important battles that led to Peru becoming a free country. He even earned medals for his courage in the Battle of Junin and the Battle of Ayacucho.

After independence, he continued to serve Peru. He fought in other military campaigns and civil wars. He was known for helping to calm down conflicts in the central highlands of Peru. Cosme Pacheco is remembered as a hero who dedicated his life to his country.

Cosme Pacheco's Early Life

Cosme Pacheco was likely born in Quiquijana District, in the Department of Cusco region, around 1803 or 1804. We don't have exact records of his birth or death dates. A portrait painted in 1831 shows him as 28 years old at that time. He spent most of his life in Cusco, where he also passed away.

Joining the Fight for Freedom

Pacheco began his military career on January 2, 1821. He joined the Liberating Army of the Andes as a second-lieutenant. This army was fighting to free South American countries from Spanish rule.

He first served in a small squad and then as an escort for General José de la Riva Agüero, who was the Prefect of Lima. On November 1, 1821, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He joined the First Squad of the Regiment of Hussars of Peru. This regiment later became famous as the Hussars of Junín.

The Hero of Junín

Cosme Pacheco's squad played a very important part in the Battle of Junin on August 6, 1824. This battle was a major step towards Peru's independence.

At first, the Spanish forces seemed to be winning. They attacked the patriot cavalry, causing a lot of confusion. Many patriot soldiers were wounded or captured. The Spanish army started celebrating, thinking they had won.

However, Pacheco's First Squad of Hussars of Peru had not yet joined the fight. They were hidden behind a hill. Their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Isidoro Suarez, received an order to attack. This order was actually a mistake, but it changed everything.

Lieutenant Pacheco and his squad bravely charged the Spanish cavalry from behind. The Spanish soldiers were completely surprised and became disorganized. This sudden attack allowed the rest of the patriot cavalry to regroup and rejoin the fight. Because of this, the Spanish army suffered a huge defeat at Junín.

After this heroic victory, Simón Bolívar, the leader of the independence movement, renamed the Hussars of Peru to the Hussars of Junín. This was to honor their bravery.

Victory at Ayacucho

Just before the final battle for independence, Cosme Pacheco was promoted to Captain on December 3, 1824. Six days later, on December 9, 1824, he fought in the decisive Battle of Ayacucho.

In this battle, the patriot forces defeated the Spanish army led by Viceroy José de la Serna, 1st Count of the Andes. After being badly wounded, the Viceroy surrendered. This surrender officially ended Spanish rule in Peru and all of South America.

Even though many Peruvians fought bravely, their contributions were not immediately recognized. It wasn't until September 18, 1829, that the Peruvian government, led by Agustín Gamarra, officially honored Pacheco and other heroes of the Battle of Junín. They were awarded a special gold medal.

This medal was given to "the brave who attended that memorable day" to remember their courage.

Continuing to Serve Peru

After the independence wars, Cosme Pacheco continued his military service. He left the Hussars of Junín in September 1825. He then joined the Lancers Squad of Cusco, becoming a Captain there in December 1828. By August 1831, he was promoted to Sergeant Major of Cavalry.

During the Peruvian Civil War of 1834, Pacheco supported President Luis Jose de Orbegoso. He served under General Guillermo Miller. He showed great courage in the Battle of Huaylacucho on April 17, 1834. In this battle, Sergeant Major Pacheco led a small group of 12 lancers. His job was to protect the army's supplies and prevent them from falling into enemy hands. He succeeded, even when the rest of the army was scattered. His actions helped the patriot troops regroup and continue fighting.

A Peacemaker for Peru

Cosme Pacheco also worked closely with General Domingo Nieto to bring peace to Peru. This was during a time of much political and military unrest between 1830 and 1850. Pacheco and Nieto had become friends during their time in the Hussars of Junín.

Because General Nieto trusted him completely, Pacheco often acted as an emissary. In early 1834, he carried important messages from General Nieto to President Luis Jose de Orbegoso. These messages were about plans to defend the Province of Ayacucho from uprisings. General Nieto described Pacheco as an "active and heroic soldier" who could provide detailed reports.

Pacheco was called back to active military service as a Lieutenant Colonel on July 15, 1835. This was at the request of the Supreme Provisional Government Board of Peru, led by President Luis José de Orbegoso.

His friendship and collaboration with General Nieto lasted for over ten years. Pacheco often worked from the central highlands of Peru, helping to stabilize the region. Even when he was retired from the military, he continued to work for the country's peace. A letter from General Nieto in 1844 shows this:

(translated from Spanish)
"Yes, my friend, we have worked for the country as soldiers, it remains for us to do it as good citizens. You, like us, are also obliged on your part to ensure the maintenance of order and tranquility, without which we will have done nothing but suffer without reporting the only desirable advantage: the real good of Peru."

For some time before his death, Cosme Pacheco served as the Sub-Prefect of the Province of Cotabambas. This area is now part of the Department of Apurímac. He passed away around 1851. We know this because in October 1851, the Peruvian Congress approved a pension for his widow, Manuela Arrambide. Cosme Pacheco was buried with military honors in the General Cemetery of Almudena in Cusco.

In 1953, there were efforts to formally recognize Cosme Pacheco as a hero of Peru's independence. The Municipality of Cusco even asked for his remains to be moved to the Pantheon of the Heroes in Lima.

Cosme Pacheco's Campaigns and Battles

Cosme Pacheco participated in many important military actions throughout his career:

• Campaign of Ica in 1822.
• Battle of Mamacona, April 7, 1822.
• Intermediate Campaign in 1823.
• Campaign of the South in 1823.
• Surprise of Azapa in Arica on June 16, 1823.
• Campaigns of the United Liberation Army of Peru in 1824.
• Battle of Junin, on August 6, 1824.
• Battle of Ayacucho, December 9, 1824.
• Campaign of Upper Peru in 1825.
• Campaign of Bolivia in 1828.
• Battle of Huaylacucho in Huancavelica, on April 17, 1834.

Honors and Awards

Cosme Pacheco received several important recognitions for his service:

• Medal of Junin.
• Medal of Ayacucho.
• Official recognition for his sacrifice and courage from Agustín Gamarra, the Provisional President of Peru.

See also

In Spanish: Cosme Pacheco para niños

• Independence of Peru
• Battle of Junin
• Battle of Ayacucho