Henri La Fayette Villaume Ducoudray Holstein facts for kids
Henri Louis La Fayette Villaume Ducoudray Holstein (born Heinrich Ludwig Villaume, on 23 September 1772 in Schwedt/Oder, Uckermark, Brandenburg, Prussia – died on 23 April 1839 in Albany, New York) was a soldier who fought in France and Venezuela. He later became an author in the United States.
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Life Story of a Soldier and Author
Henri Ducoudray Holstein started his military career in the French Army. He served under the famous leader Napoleon. During his time as a soldier, he was captured in Cádiz, Spain.
In 1813, Ducoudray Holstein traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He wanted to join the U.S. Army, but he was not allowed to.
Joining the Fight for Freedom
In 1814, he arrived in Cartagena de Indias, a city in what is now Colombia. There, he joined Simón Bolívar, a very important leader. Bolívar was fighting for the freedom of South American countries from Spanish rule. Ducoudray Holstein became an officer in Bolívar's army. As a colonel, he saw many key events between 1814 and 1816. These were important years in the fight for independence.
In Cartagena, he first worked with French privateer Louis Aury. A privateer was like a sailor who had permission to attack enemy ships. Ducoudray Holstein and Aury became friends. Later, he joined the army of General Manuel del Castillo y Rada. This general was fighting against the royalists near Santa Marta. Royalists were people who supported the Spanish king. These battles were part of the wars to free the land along the Río Magdalena.
In January 1815, there were many changes in the government. Ducoudray Holstein helped General del Castillo y Rada bring peace back. During this time, he married María del Carmen, a woman from the region.
Defending Cartagena and Leaving Bolívar
From August to December 1815, a Spanish general named Pablo Morillo attacked Cartagena. Ducoudray Holstein helped defend the city. He was a general defending the Boca Chica fortress. This fortress was on Tierra Bomba, at the harbor entrance.
The day before Cartagena surrendered, Ducoudray Holstein escaped. He went to Haiti with other officers on his friend Louis Aury's ship. In January 1816, he met Simón Bolívar again in Port Au Prince, Haiti. He joined Bolívar's plan to free Venezuela from Spain. This plan was called the Les Cayes Expedition.
They landed at Margarita Island in May 1816. Bolívar was made the main commander. Bolívar's army surprised the Spanish by taking Carúpano. However, Ducoudray Holstein saw that Bolívar's army would have to retreat soon. On June 23, he left Bolívar's army. He sailed back to Haiti.
Ducoudray Holstein was not happy with Bolívar. He felt Bolívar acted like a dictator and had run away from battles. So, in 1816, he resigned from the army. He moved to Aux Cayes, Haiti. There, he worked as a bookseller and music teacher.
Life in the United States
Later, Henri Ducoudray Holstein moved to the United States. He settled in Albany, New York. He became a language teacher there. He also worked as an editor for a newspaper called The Zodiac.
Family Life
Henri Ducoudray Holstein married Maria del Carmen. She was born around 1800 in Colombia and passed away on May 1, 1855, in Albany, New York. They had one son together. Their son was named Lafayette Ducoudray Holstein. He was born on August 1, 1826, in New York and died on April 7, 1864.
Written Works
Ducoudray Holstein wrote a book about his experiences.
- Recollections of an Officer of the Empire
See also
In Spanish: Henri Louis Villaume Ducoudray Holstein para niños
- Ducoudray Holstein Expedition
