Gregorio Albarracín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gregorio Albarracín
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| Nickname(s) | El Centauro de las Vilcas |
| Born | May 30, 1817 Tacna, Department of Tacna, Peru, Spanish Empire |
| Died | October 2, 1882 (aged 65) Héroes Albarracín District, Tacna, Peru |
| Buried |
Crypt of Heroes, Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro, Lima, Peru
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| Allegiance |  Peru |
| Branch |  Peruvian Army |
| Years of service | 1842 – 1882 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Peruvian-Bolivian War of 1841-1842 Chincha Islands War
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| Spouse(s) |
María Berríos
(m. 1848–1882) |
Gregorio Albarracín Lanchipa was a brave Peruvian Colonel and a hero of many wars. He fought in the Peruvian-Bolivian War of 1841-1842, several Peruvian Civil Wars, and the War of the Pacific. People called him El Centauro de las Vilcas (The Centaur of the Vilcas). This nickname came from his famous act of using a vilca tree, common in Tacna, as a flagpole to raise the Peruvian flag during a time when Chile controlled the area.
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Early Life and Family
Gregorio Albarracín was born on May 30, 1817, in Tacna, Peru. His parents were Melchor Albarracín and Tomasa Lanchipa Saco. When he was young, he worked as a muleteer with his brothers. They transported goods between Arica, Tacna, and La Paz. He loved being outdoors and was known for his excellent horse riding skills.
In August 1848, he married María Berríos. They had several children, including Ramón, Rufino, María Dominga, Ruperto Domingo, and Alejandro.
Early Military Service
Gregorio Albarracín began his military career in 1841 during the Peruvian-Bolivian War of 1841-1842. He joined a group of fighters who fought against the Bolivian army. He helped defeat a Bolivian company in the Sama Valley. Later, he helped push Bolivian forces out of Moquegua. He fought in the battles of Montón and Orurillo in April 1842.
After this war, he continued to serve Peru. In November 1845, he became a "Police Commander," a role he held for many years.
Peruvian Civil Wars
Peru faced several internal conflicts during the mid-1800s. Gregorio Albarracín played an important role in these civil wars, always fighting for the constitutional government.
Fighting for Ramón Castilla
In the 1840s, Peru had a lot of political changes. Gregorio Albarracín often supported Ramón Castilla, a key leader who later became president.
In September 1842, Albarracín fought in the Battle of Intiorko. His cavalry unit helped Castilla's forces win. For his bravery, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
Later, in 1843, a new president, Justo Figuerola, was removed from power by Manuel Ignacio de Vivanco. Albarracín joined Castilla's forces to fight against Vivanco. He helped retake the port of Arica from Vivanco's supporters. He was wounded during one of these battles but continued to fight.
He was promoted to Captain after defeating Vivanco's forces in Arica in August 1843. He also became a Captain in the National Guard of Tacna after the Battle of San Agustín de Pachía.
In December 1843, Albarracín became the Commander of the Lluta guerrilla fighters. He led his men to victory in the Battle of Poconchile, which allowed them to retake Arica again. This earned him the rank of "Major."
By March 1844, he was leading the Curaceros de Tacna squad. He successfully recovered Iquique from Vivanco's forces. The civil war ended in July 1844 with Castilla's victory in the Battle of Carmen Alto. Albarracín was promoted to "Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard."
Against José Rufino Echenique
In 1854, Ramón Castilla led an uprising against President José Rufino Echenique. Castilla wanted to make changes like ending slavery. Gregorio Albarracín supported the existing government and fought against Castilla's forces. He participated in the Battle of Locumba and the Battle of Arica, where his side won. He was promoted to "Lieutenant Colonel of the Army."
However, Castilla's side eventually won the war in January 1855. After this, Albarracín organized some smaller uprisings in Tacna against Castilla's government. When Castilla's presidency ended in 1862, Albarracín returned to his farm.
Chincha Islands War
In 1863, Gregorio Albarracín was appointed "Lieutenant Colonel" of the Tacna Shooter regiment. He supported Mariano Ignacio Prado's revolution in 1865.
Albarracín also fought in the Battle of Callao during the Chincha Islands War. This war was fought between Peru and Spain. After his brave actions in this battle, he was promoted to "Graduate Colonel." From 1870 to 1872, he served as the subprefect of the Arica Province.
Civilian Life and Return to Service
In 1873, Albarracín left his military post. He was later accused of working against the government because he supported Nicolás de Piérola. He had to hide in Tarapacá, where he organized a group of fighters.
In 1876, with a new government, Albarracín was given a military position in Lima. He held the rank of "Graduate Colonel." In April 1879, he returned to Tacna just before the start of the War of the Pacific.
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific was a major conflict between Chile and the allied forces of Peru and Bolivia. Gregorio Albarracín played a crucial role in defending Peru.
Tarapacá Campaign
When the war began, Albarracín quickly formed the Tacna Squad, a group of fifty brave horsemen, including his son Rufino.
In November 1879, Albarracín and his squad joined Bolivian forces. They marched towards Tarapacá. Even when the main Bolivian general decided to turn back, Albarracín chose to continue, seeking out the Peruvian army.
On November 18, 1879, Albarracín's small group encountered Chilean troops. He used a clever trick: he organized his 50 horsemen into two columns, far apart, to make it look like a much larger army. This created a huge dust cloud, making the Chileans think a big army was approaching. This action, known as the action of Tana, allowed Albarracín to pass through enemy lines.
He then joined the main Peruvian army and informed them about the Bolivian retreat. His horsemen were famous for their daring night raids on Chilean camps. They also attacked the enemy from behind. His company fought bravely in the Battle of San Francisco and the Battle of Tarapacá. After the Battle of Tarapacá, Albarracín's squad was the last to leave the area.
Tacna and Arica Campaign
Albarracín returned to Tacna and reorganized his forces. His new group, called the Flankers of Tacna, had 150 horsemen.
When Chilean troops landed, Albarracín and his Flankers were sent to scout and harass the enemy. A Chilean soldier's diary noted that Albarracín "prowled around" with his cavalry, aiming to destroy supplies and lure the Chileans into traps.
On April 1, 1880, Albarracín learned about a Chilean column in Chironta. He decided to attack them in the town of Locumba. In the Battle of Locumba, Albarracín's forces defeated the Chileans, capturing many of them.
This victory made the Chileans send a large force of 600 soldiers to find Albarracín. He cleverly retreated and moved his forces.
On April 18, 1880, Albarracín gathered local residents in Sama to fight the Chilean forces. In the Battle of Buenavista, Albarracín attacked first, then retreated to Tacna. Many unarmed locals were sadly lost in this battle.
Albarracín then participated in the Battle of Alto de la Alianza. He first captured Chilean scouts to gather information. Then, he commanded the Peruvian cavalry, leading several squadrons. After the Peruvian-Bolivian forces lost this battle on May 26, 1880, Albarracín went to Tarata.
He later returned to the mountains of Tacna. Along with other Peruvian heroes like Leoncio Prado, he fought in the Battle of Palca and the Battle of Tarata in July 1880.
Campaign of the Breña and Final Battle
In 1881, Albarracín went to Lima. He was appointed subprefect of Huarochirí and continued to fight against Chilean forces.
In July 1881, he joined the government of Nicolás de Piérola in Ayacucho, along with his sons Moisés and Miguel. He defended Piérola's government until Piérola resigned in November 1881.
In 1882, Albarracín returned to Tarata and organized a group of about a hundred fighters. The Chilean command knew he was back in Tacna. They sent a large force to ambush him.
On October 2, 1882, Albarracín and 11 of his fighters, including his son Rufino, went to scout the Chilean position in Saucini. They were ambushed by Chilean soldiers. During the fight, a Chilean officer told Albarracín to surrender. Albarracín bravely replied, "A Peruvian colonel never gives up!"
In this fierce battle in Saucini, Gregorio Albarracín and his son Rufino were killed. They died fighting for their country. Their bodies were taken to the town of Chucatamani. In 1908, their remains were moved to Lima and buried in the Crypt of Heroes at the Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro.
Images for kids
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Gregorio Albarracín
See also
In Spanish: Gregorio Albarracín para niños
