José María Torres

José María Torres (1794–1835) was an officer of the Argentine Army of Uruguayan origin.[2] He had an active participation during the War for the Independence, serving like Capitan in the army of José de San Martín.[3]

José María Torres
Birth nameJosé María Torres Mascareñas
Born1794
Montevideo, Uruguay
Died1835
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Allegiance Argentine
Service/branchArgentine Army
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitArmy of the Andes.[1]
Battles/warsBritish invasions of the River Plate
Spanish American wars of independence
Cisplatine War
Argentine Civil Wars

Biography

José María was born in Montevideo, son of Cayetano Torres, born in Spain, and Manuela Mascareñas y Bustamante, belonging to a patrician family from Buenos Aires.[4] He began his military career at the age of 13 participating in the defense of the City against the British, being prisoner on February 3, 1807 during the Battle of Montevideo.[5] During the events of May 1810, Torres who at that time served as lieutenant, had adhered to the patriot cause, moving to render his services in Buenos Aires.[6]

José María Torres accompanied General San Martín during the Crossing of the Andes, and take part in almost all the actions produced during the war of Independence. Later with the Degree of Major he had participated in the War of Brazil, being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Argentine army in January 1828.[7] He was also involved in civil wars, serving under the orders of the General, Juan Ramón Balcarce, he fought in Córdoba against the forces of José María Paz.[8]

He was retired from the army with the rank of Colonel, being recognized (post mortem) by the Uruguayan State for his services to the South American emancipation.[9]

José María Torres was married to María del Carmen Alfaro Maciel, born in Córdoba, Argentina, daughter of Manuel Alfaro, born in Seville, and María Dolores Maciel Fernández Valdivieso.[10] His wife belonged to a distinguished family from Santa Fe and Montevideo, among whose ancestors were General Baltasar Maciel de la Cueva (1640-1701)[11] and Manuel Cabral de Alpoim, a noble of Portuguese origin of outstanding performance in Buenos Aires and Corrientes.

References
  1. Registro nacional de la República Argentina que comprende los documentos expedidos desde 1810 hasta 1891 ..., Volume 1, República Argentina, 1879
  2. Archivo Artigas, Volume 20, Comisión Nacional Archivo Artigas (Uruguay), 1950
  3. Selección de documentos del Museo Histórico Nacional, Volumen 1, Museo Histórico Nacional, 1952
  4. Orientales en la emancipación americana, Aníbal Barrios Pintos, Washington Reyes Abadie, 1981
  5. Los orientales en la emancipación americana, Homero Martínez Montero, 1982
  6. Historia de la artillería argentina, Comisión del Arma de Artillería "Santa Barbara", 1982, 1982
  7. Registro nacional de la República Argentina 1822/1852., República Argentina
  8. Reseña histórica y orgánica del Ejército Argentino, Volumen 2, Círculo Militar, 1972, 1972
  9. Diario de sesiones de la Cámara de Representantes, Volumen 18, Uruguay. Asamblea General. Cámara de Representantes, 1897
  10. Revista de estudios históricos, Volumes 16-19, 1971, 1971
  11. Boletín, Volume 25, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas, 1941
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