Chacho Peñaloza
Encyclopedia
Peñaloza won victories in La Rioja and entered the city of Córdoba
on June 14, 1863. His refusal to fight within city limits led to his defeat on June 28, however, and he was later routed in Los Gigantes, San Juan Province, by Colonel Pablo Irrazábal.
Peñaloza retreated to La Rioja, and manage to depose a military junta
installed during his absence. Confronted again by Irrazábal at Olta
, he was defeated and on November 12, surrendered, relinquishing a facón
that remained as his only weapon. Irrazábal, however, killed Peñaloza with a tacuara, and his body was then riddled with gunfire. His severed head was displayed on a pike at Olta, and his wife, Victoria Romero was forced into servitude, sweeping the streets of San Juan in chains.
. His supporters in the hinterland provinces, however, highlighted his role as a bulwark against what they saw as Buenos Aires hegemony over national affairs. Both celebrated and notorious in life, Peñaloza was commemorated by writer José Hernández
, who wrote Vida del Chacho within weeks of Peñaloza's death, and by poet Olegario Víctor Andrade. His dagger was put on display at the La Rioja Historical Museum.
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
on June 14, 1863. His refusal to fight within city limits led to his defeat on June 28, however, and he was later routed in Los Gigantes, San Juan Province, by Colonel Pablo Irrazábal.
Peñaloza retreated to La Rioja, and manage to depose a military junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
installed during his absence. Confronted again by Irrazábal at Olta
Olta
Olta is a municipality and village in La Rioja Province in northwestern Argentina.-References:...
, he was defeated and on November 12, surrendered, relinquishing a facón
Facón
A facón is a fighting and utility knife widely used in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay as the principal tool and weapon of the gaucho of the South American pampas...
that remained as his only weapon. Irrazábal, however, killed Peñaloza with a tacuara, and his body was then riddled with gunfire. His severed head was displayed on a pike at Olta, and his wife, Victoria Romero was forced into servitude, sweeping the streets of San Juan in chains.
Legacy
Peñaloza represented barbarism to Domingo Sarmiento and a threat to national unity to Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre
Bartolomé Mitre Martínez was an Argentine statesman, military figure, and author. He was the President of Argentina from 1862 to 1868.-Life and times:...
. His supporters in the hinterland provinces, however, highlighted his role as a bulwark against what they saw as Buenos Aires hegemony over national affairs. Both celebrated and notorious in life, Peñaloza was commemorated by writer José Hernández
José Hernández
José Hernández was an Argentine journalist, poet, and politician best known as the author of the epic poem Martín Fierro....
, who wrote Vida del Chacho within weeks of Peñaloza's death, and by poet Olegario Víctor Andrade. His dagger was put on display at the La Rioja Historical Museum.