11 Facts About Juan Lavalle

In 1812 Juan Lavalle joined the Regiment of mounted grenadiers as a cadet.

Juan Lavalle fought against Jose Gervasio Artigas in 1815 and in the Battle of Guayabos under the command of Manuel Dorrego.

In 1816 Juan Lavalle moved to Mendoza to join the Army of the Andes of the "liberator" Jose de San Martin and fought in Chacabuco and the Maipu in Chile.

Juan Lavalle continued along with San Martin on his way to Peru and Ecuador and took part in the battles of Pichincha and the Riobamba, after which he became known as the Hero of Riobamba.

Juan Lavalle then fought in the war against Brazil in command of 1,200 cavalry, with reported episodes of valour in the battles of Bacacay and Ituzaingo in February 1827.

Juan Lavalle's forces defeated General Abreu and he was proclaimed General on the field of battle itself.

The Uruguayan armies split: Rivera returned to defend Montevideo, and Juan Lavalle moved to Entre Rios Province.

Juan Lavalle expected that the local populations would join him against Rosas and increase his forces, but he found severe resistance, so he moved instead to Corrientes Province.

Juan Lavalle didn't find help at local towns either, and there was widespread desertion among his ranks.

Persecuted, his troops suffered constant attacks and Juan Lavalle was forced to move further north, being defeated by Manuel Oribe in La Rioja and Tucuman.

Afraid that his body would be desecrated by the Federales, his followers fled to Bolivia carrying Juan Lavalle's decomposing remains with them.