Jose de San Martin & His Journey across the Andes

Born in Yapeyu, in the Argentine province of Corrientes, on February 25, 1778, Jose de San Martin was the first and only son of Don Juan de San Martin and Dona Gregoria Matorras. At the age of thirty-nine he became the second greatest leader of the South American wars. He realized that the revolutions of independence would never be won as long as the Spanish remained entrenched in Peru.

In 1786 he moved to Spain with his family, where he studied in the Noble Seminary of Madrid. In 1789 he initiated his military career in the regiment of Murcia. Ther

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With 5,423 men, mules, horses, 18 pieces of artillery, and provisions his journey began. He prepared for the long haul by taking along masons, a baker, many lanterns, water wagons, a wheat wagon, and a carriage full of maps. He sent spies into Chile and spread rumors to fool the Spanish into believing something other than his true plan.

In getting ready for this attack he wrung shirts and ponchos from the poor, jewelry from the rich, cornets from old soldiers, and horses from land estates. By the end of 1816, San Martin had organized a war of economy in the city of Mendoza, which allowed him to be far enough away from the troubled government of Buenos Aires to concentrate on the task at hand. This crusade demonstrated that they were capable of organization and that they could act with excellent timing, courage, and fortitude against tremendous odds. Following this battle 200 royalist lay dead, yet only 12 of San Martin's own men had fallen during this conflict.

The government of Buenos Aires drove him to exile in France. He never returned to the land that he helped liberate. He made his own gunpowder as well as the uniforms for his troops. He then received 2,000 swords and sabers from the president of Argentina. This was an amazing feet for Spanish Americans.

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**Bibliography**

At dawn on February 13th San Martin swooped down on the Spanish forces for the decisive battle of Chacabuco. e he served the army of Spain during the wars against the French and in 1808 he fought in the battle of Baylen against Napoleon's army.

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