Eleuterio Ramírez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eleuterio Ramírez
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Ramírez c. 1879
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| Birth name | Eleuterio Ramírez Molina |
| Born | 18 April 1837 Osorno, Chile |
| Died | 27 November 1879 (aged 42) Tarapacá, Chilean Peru |
| Buried |
Playa Ancha, Valparaiso
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| Allegiance | Chile |
| Chilean Army | |
| Years of service | 18??–1879 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Commands held | 2nd Infantry Regiment "Maipes" |
| Battles/wars |
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| Other work | Founded the Foro Militar military newspaper |
Eleuterio Ramírez Molina (born April 18, 1837 – died November 27, 1879) was a brave Chilean military officer. He reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Chilean Army. He was also known for starting a military newspaper called Foro Militar in 1871. Ramírez is remembered for his courage and sacrifice during the War of the Pacific.
The Battle of Tarapacá
During the War of the Pacific, Eleuterio Ramírez was a lieutenant colonel. He was in charge of the 2nd Infantry Regiment "Maipo," which had 1,117 soldiers. This was during the Battle of Tarapacá.
Ramírez was part of a battle plan. He led about 880 soldiers from his regiment. Their mission was to fight against enemy forces in the Tarapacá gorge. Ramírez had doubts about the plan. He even said, "They are sending me into a slaughterhouse," meaning he felt it was a very dangerous mission.
The battle began when the enemy forces, from Bolivia and Peru, fired at the Chilean soldiers. Ramírez sent two groups of his soldiers to attack from the sides. He then led another attack directly into the town. There was intense fighting in the streets and the main town square. Both sides lost many soldiers.
Because his men were very tired, Ramírez ordered them to pull back to a place called Guarasiña. By this point, his group was half its original size and had used almost all their ammunition.
Later, the enemy forces received more soldiers and attacked again. Some Chilean soldiers had only bayonets (knives attached to rifles) and digging tools to fight with. By 3:30 P.M., Ramírez had been wounded twice. With only his revolver left, he bravely led his men in a third charge using their bayonets.
He was wounded again and died next to a house. When help arrived, nearly half of Ramírez's soldiers were either killed or wounded. His body was found months later. His death became a symbol of Chilean bravery. A newspaper article, based on what people said, described his final moments as him firing his last shots. This story helped create a narrative of brave Chilean devotion.
Tributes and Memorials
A statue honoring Eleuterio Ramírez was unveiled in 1915 in Santiago, the capital of Chile.
His ashes are kept in the "Infantry Regiment No. 2 Maipo" building in Valparaíso. This is the same regiment he commanded. His special tomb, called a crypt mausoleum, was opened in 1937 by President Arturo Alessandri Palma. People can visit his resting place.
See also
In Spanish: Eleuterio Ramírez para niños
