Pedro Grimarest facts for kids

Pedro María Legallois Grimarest (1765–1841) was a Spanish military officer. He served in the Spanish army for many years, taking part in important wars and holding various leadership roles. His career spanned several major conflicts and different parts of the world, from New Spain to Europe and the Philippines.

Early Military Career

Pedro Grimarest began his military journey in 1777. He joined the Regiment of Asturias and traveled to New Spain (which is now Mexico and parts of the USA). In 1779, he was promoted to second lieutenant. He returned to Spain in 1784.

In August 1785, he went to Morocco with the Spanish ambassador. He was promoted to lieutenant that same month. By October 1790, he was part of the army in Oran, a city in Algeria. There, he became a captain and showed great bravery defending the fortress the next year.

Wars and Promotions

During the War of the Pyrenees, Grimarest was stationed in different parts of Spain like Navarra and Aragón. He worked as an aide-de-camp for a major general. He spent eleven months in Jaca. In June 1794, he fought in Urdos and was promoted to lieutenant colonel the following year.

In 1800, he became sergeant major of the Burgos Regiment. He fought in the War of the Oranges in 1801. By 1803, he was promoted twice, first to commander of a battalion and then to colonel.

In May 1804, Grimarest was given an important job. He became the commander of the Provincias Internas in New Spain. He was also the chief inspector of the Texas Tercios, which were military units. In 1805, he sailed with Admiral Federico Gravina's fleet but could not reach his destination. On his way back to Spain, he took part in the Battle of Cape Finisterre in July 1805. During this battle, his ship, the Ferme, was captured, and he became a prisoner. He was taken to England and held on a prison ship.

After returning to Spain, he was promoted to Infantry brigadier. He helped organize the Texas Tercios in Andalusia.

The Peninsular War

The Peninsular War began in Spain in 1808. At the start of this war, Grimarest was made second-in-command of the 2nd Division. This division was led by the Marquis of Coupigny and fought at the Battle of Bailén in July 1808. The next month, Grimarest was promoted to field marshal. He then took command of the 2nd Division of the Army of Andalusia.

Challenges in Command

Grimarest's 2nd Andalusian Division became part of General Castaños's Army of the Centre. This division faced a defeat by Marshal Moncey at Lerín on October 25. When Grimarest retreated, he left behind his vanguard, a smaller group of soldiers led by Colonel Cruz-Murgeon. This group was surrounded by enemy forces.

Colonel Cruz-Murgeon and his new recruits, including a battalion and some volunteers, took shelter in Lerín castle. They defended themselves for two days, hoping Grimarest would come to help. However, Grimarest decided not to. Cruz-Murgeon eventually surrendered after many of his troops were killed or wounded. Grimarest was criticized for his defeat at Lerín. He was also criticized for his actions in November at the Battle of Tudela, where he did not follow orders. During his retreat to Cuenca in December, his division was scattered by enemy cavalry.

Later War Service

In 1809, Grimarest was appointed major general of Infantry and Cavalry for the Army of La Mancha. He was tasked with defending the Puerto del Rey. This was an important mountain pass in the Sierra Morena that connected central Spain with Andalusia. These passes were very important for military movements.

In June 1809, he commanded the 3rd Division of General Venegas's Army of La Mancha, which had 5,544 troops. In July 1809, he was given command of the Army of the Reserve in Écija. However, he was replaced three months later. He protested and got his command back in November, but it was given away again the next month.

In March 1810, Grimarest was transferred to the 3rd Army. At the end of December, he was appointed military governor of Menorca. In January 1811, he was told to either take his new post or be confined to a castle. He finally took up the posting in September 1811.

In February 1812, he returned to Cádiz. In July, he became commander of Niebla. By August, he was made interim governor of Seville. He held this position until February 1813, when he became governor of Ceuta, a role he kept until 1817.

After the War

In September 1819, Grimarest was given command of the Ciudadela of Barcelona. However, he was removed from this command in March 1820. This happened during a time when Spain was becoming more liberal. Because of his strong royalist beliefs, Grimarest was targeted by the liberals. He was confined to barracks in Ibiza, but he managed to escape and was dismissed from the army.

When King Fernando VII returned to power, Grimarest was promoted to lieutenant general. In December 1823, he became inspector general of the provincial militias. Soon after, in January 1824, he was made captain general of Aragón. At the end of that year, he became commander general of Guipúzcoa. In July 1825, he was transferred without a command to Valladolid, then to Seville. There, he became sub-inspector of the Royalist Volunteers.

In August 1833, Grimarest was involved in a plot related to the Carlist movement. As a result, he lost his honors, salary, job, and decorations. He was sentenced to eight years of confinement, first in San Sebastián and then in La Coruña. In April 1835, he was moved to Cádiz. The following year, he was sent to Manila, in the Philippines. He died there in 1841 while being transferred to the Mariana Islands.

See also

In Spanish: Pedro de Grimarest para niños