Luis Brión facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luis Brión
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| Birth name | Felipe Luis Brión Detrox |
| Born | July 6, 1782 Plantage Rozentak, Curaçao |
| Died | September 27, 1821 (aged 39) Scharloo, Curaçao |
| Buried | |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars | Venezuelan War of Independence |
Felipe Luis Brión Detrox (born July 6, 1782, in Curaçao – died September 27, 1821, in Curaçao) was a brave military officer. He played a key role in the Venezuelan War of Independence. He became an admiral, a top naval rank, in the navies of Venezuela and the old Republic of Colombia.
Contents
Luis Brión's Early Life and Education
Luis Brión was born in Curaçao. His parents, Pierre Louis Brion and Marie Detrox, were merchants from what is now Belgium. They moved to Curaçao in 1777.
In 1794, when Luis was 12, his parents sent him to the Netherlands. There, he finished his education. While studying, he joined the forces of the Batavian Republic. This was a French-supported republic in the Netherlands. He fought against the British invasion in 1799. He took part in battles like Bergen and Castricum. He was captured by the British but was soon set free. This happened during a prisoner exchange.
Brión's Return to Curaçao and Business Ventures
After his release, Brión returned to Curaçao in 1800. He quickly became involved in a local revolutionary movement. But the British soon occupied the island. Brión escaped to the United States. There, he studied naval science and business.
He came back to Curaçao in 1803. The island was then under the Batavian Republic's control. Brión focused on his business. From 1803 to 1806, he tried to stop the British from taking over the island again. However, the British did reoccupy Curaçao in 1807. Brión then went to live on the Danish island of Saint Thomas. From there, he continued to manage his business and shipping interests.
Brión's Role in Venezuelan Independence
In 1813, Luis Brión decided to support Venezuela's fight for independence. A year later, Simón Bolívar, a famous leader, made him a captain. In 1815, Brión traveled to England. He bought a warship called the Dardo, which had 24 guns. He wanted to help the rebels in Cartagena de Indias.
Brión sailed from London at his own expense. He brought 14,000 weapons and many military supplies. He arrived too late to help Cartagena. So, he sailed to Les Cayes, Haiti. Many Venezuelan patriots had gathered there.
Joining Forces with Simón Bolívar
Meanwhile, Bolívar also went to Haiti. He promised to free the slaves. In return, Alexandre Pétion, the president of Haiti, offered him many supplies. Bolívar met Brión and other patriots at Les Cayes. Bolívar suggested he lead a new expedition to Venezuela. He wanted to combine civil and military power in himself. Most people agreed.
The expedition sailed on April 16, 1816. Bolívar was the commander, and Brión was his captain. On May 2, 1816, Brión won his first naval victory. This was the Battle of Los Frailes against Spanish warships.
On the day of this victory, Bolívar promoted Brión to admiral. At Margarita Island, Brión helped Bolívar gain support. He convinced Juan Bautista Arismendi, the island's commander, to join them. Arismendi had already pushed the Spanish back to one small area. Bolívar promised to call a national congress in Venezuela. Arismendi then held a meeting. He publicly announced Bolívar as the commander-in-chief.
Challenges and Setbacks
On May 31, 1816, Bolívar and Brión landed at Carupano. But generals Santiago Marino and Manuel Piar decided to fight separately. This weakened Bolívar's forces. Brión advised Bolívar to sail to Ocumare de la Costa. They arrived there on July 3, 1816, with 13 ships. Only 7 of these ships were armed. His army had about 650 men. After freeing slaves, his forces grew to about 800.
Bolívar's forces met Spanish General Morales near Ocumare. During a skirmish, Bolívar faced difficulties. He quickly retreated to his ship, leaving his companions. Brión strongly encouraged Bolívar to rejoin the other commanders. After much effort, Brión helped persuade other military chiefs to recall Bolívar. They agreed, but only if Bolívar would assemble a congress and not interfere with civil matters.
On December 31, 1816, Bolívar arrived in Barcelona. He brought weapons and supplies from President Pétion. On January 2, 1817, he joined Arismendi. Bolívar declared martial law and took all powers for himself. But five days later, Arismendi was ambushed by the Spanish. Bolívar then fled to Barcelona. Brión sent him guns and reinforcements. This helped Bolívar gather a new force of 1,100 men.
On April 5, the Spanish took Barcelona. The patriot troops retreated to a fortified building. Bolívar left this post on April 5. He told Colonel Freites he was getting more troops. Freites trusted him and refused to surrender. The Spanish attacked, and Freites and his men were killed.
Conquest of Guayana and Political Tensions
General Manuel Piar planned to conquer Guayana Province. Admiral Brión supported this plan with his gunboats. In January 1817, Brión set up the Admiralty and the Marine Corps. On August 3, 1817, he sailed up the Orinoco River. He fought the Battle of Cabrián. In this battle, he captured 14 Spanish ships and 1,500 prisoners.
Brión helped liberate Guayana on November 5, 1817. He was then named president of the Council of Government. On July 20, the Spanish left the provinces. Piar, Brión, and other leaders formed a congress in Angostura. They created a three-person executive council. Brión made sure Bolívar was part of this council, even though Bolívar was absent. Brión disliked Piar and had invested his own money in Bolívar's success.
When Bolívar heard this, he returned to Angostura. With Brión's support, Bolívar dissolved the congress. He replaced it with a "supreme council of the nation." Bolívar was the chief. Brión led the military section, and Francisco Antonio Zea led the political section.
However, Piar, who had conquered Guayana, criticized Bolívar. Bolívar then accepted a plan to remove Piar. Piar was falsely accused of plotting against Bolívar and the whites. He was brought before a war council led by Brión. Piar was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was shot on October 16, 1817. This event scared Marino, another general. He publicly apologized to Bolívar and pledged his loyalty.
Later Campaigns and Disagreements
In 1819, Brión was back at Margarita. He organized an expedition of 22 ships. Their goal was to attack the coast of New Granada. Colonel Mariano Montilla led the land forces. They captured ports and the mouths of the Magdalena River. They also took the cities of Barranquilla and Santa Marta.
However, Brión and Montilla disagreed on how to continue the operation. Because of these differences, Brión withdrew his fleet. He took his ships to Maracaibo in May 1821.
Admiral Brión's Final Years and Legacy
Luis Brión suffered from tuberculosis, a serious illness. As his health worsened, he decided to return to his home island of Curaçao. He died there in 1821, just one day after arriving.
He was buried on his family's estate with full military honors. Later, his remains were moved to the National Pantheon of Venezuela. This happened on April 10, 1882. He is remembered as a key figure in the independence of Venezuela and Gran Colombia.
Images for kids
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Battle of Los Frailes
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Portrait of Luis Brión, in Papel Periódico Ilustrado (1885).
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See also
In Spanish: Luis Brión para niños
