Manuel Baquedano took part in the War of the Confederation, the revolutions of 1851 and 1859, the Occupation of Araucania, and the War of the Pacific.
24 Facts About Manuel Baquedano
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Manuel Baquedano served as Senator for Santiago and for Colchagua.
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Manuel Baquedano was instrumental in reorganizing the Army and establishing the Military Academy.
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Manuel Baquedano was born in Santiago, the son of cavalry colonel Fernando Baquedano and of Teresa Gonzalez de Labra y Ros.
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Manuel Baquedano studied at the school of clergyman Juan Romo and at the Instituto Nacional of Chile.
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Manuel Baquedano fled his home in July 1838 to join the troops leaving for the War.
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Manuel Baquedano participated in the Battle of Yungay in 1839, being promoted on the field to Lieutenant at the age of 16.
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Manuel Baquedano returned to Chile and completed his military training.
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Manuel Baquedano was promoted to regular Lieutenant on January 23,1845, served as Adjutant in the Grenadiers, and was promoted to full Captain in January 1850.
10.
Manuel Baquedano Montt promoted him sergeant-major of the government bodyguard in January 1852.
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At the beginning of 1854, Manuel Baquedano lost his commission as military commandant of the city of Angol over a confused barracks mutiny incident in which his real involvement was never clarified.
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Manuel Baquedano then resigned from active service, and with his savings acquired the small Santa Teresa hacienda at La Laja, near the city of Los Angeles.
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Manuel Baquedano returned to military life in June 1859, when the government called him up to suppress the revolution that occurred in Concepcion.
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Manuel Baquedano rose to the rank of colonel in July 1870, to full colonel in April 1872, and to brigadier-general in June 1876.
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Manuel Baquedano took part in the first three land campaigns: Tarapaca, Tacna and Arica, and Lima, and planned the Battle of Los Angeles.
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The military reputation of Manuel Baquedano was enhanced by his outstanding direction and participation in the battles of Chorrillos and Miraflores, in January 1881.
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Manuel Baquedano returned to Chile when the government of President Anibal Pinto decided to bring home most of the Army, due to the high cost of maintaining troops.
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Manuel Baquedano arrived at Valparaiso in March 1881 and was received by a large crowd; the celebration was repeated in Santiago.
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Manuel Baquedano was a strict disciplinarian: he had a soldier shot for cowardice at the Battle of Chorrillos.
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The historian Francisco Encina, while recognizing Manuel Baquedano's courage, described him as having a "poverty of ideas" and a poor command of tactics.
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Manuel Baquedano was twice offered a presidential candidacy, but on both occasions the campaign did not prosper.
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Manuel Baquedano was elected as a senator for Santiago for two terms, between 1882 and 1888, and by Colchagua for another two terms, between 1888 and 1894.
23.
Manuel Baquedano died at his home in Santiago on 30 September 1897, at the age of 74.
24.
On March 12,2021, the statue in Plaza Manuel Baquedano has been removed in order to be restored after several acts of violence and defacement against it.