Manuela Pedraza
Encyclopedia
Manuela Pedraza was a patriotic woman who fought in the reconquest of Buenos Aires
after the first British invasion
of 1806. Her participation was considered heroic during the last battle, and her role was recognized by the Commander of the Buenos Aires forces, Santiago de Liniers
.
Her full name was "Manuela Hurtado de Pedraza", but she was known to all as "Manuela la tucumanesa" (that is, "Manuela from Tucumán", then part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata
, now Argentina
). Even though her origin is known, the precise location, as well as her date of birth and death, are unknown.
Manuela Pedraza participated in the largest, and last, battle of the reconquest; it took place over three days (August 10-12, 1806) at the very centre of Buenos Aires. She fought alongside her husband (a corporal in the army) with the Liniers
forces that surrounded the Spanish Fortress (now, the Casa Rosada
, seat of the Argentine government on Plaza de Mayo
), at that moment in British hands. On the second day of the battle, August 11, her husband was killed by a British soldier; in turn, Manuela killed that soldier with her own bayonet
. Immediately after, she took her husband’s musket
and continued the fighting, killing another British soldier.
After the battle, Liniers, the commander of the victorious local forces and soon to be appointed Viceroy for the Río de la Plata, names Manuela to the newly-formed Patricios Regiment with a salary and the rank of "alférez" (approximately, second lieutenant
). The report by Liniers is displayed in the Museum of the Buenos Aires Cabildo
, and reads:
There is a street and a school in Buenos Aires named after her. In addition, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires
gives the award "Mención de Honor Manuela Pedraza" in recognition to women involved in social activism in Argentina
. In the citation for the recognition, it is stated: "This award seeks to reclaim a tradition of participation in the battles for liberty and the defense of the interests of the nation and its people, a tradition in which many countrymen gave their lives."
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
after the first British invasion
British invasions of the Río de la Plata
The British invasions of the Río de la Plata were a series of unsuccessful British attempts to seize control of the Spanish colonies located around the La Plata Basin in South America . The invasions took place between 1806 and 1807, as part of the Napoleonic Wars, when Spain was an ally of...
of 1806. Her participation was considered heroic during the last battle, and her role was recognized by the Commander of the Buenos Aires forces, Santiago de Liniers
Santiago de Liniers
Jacques de Liniers was a French officer in the Spanish military service, and a viceroy of the Spanish colonies of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. He is more widely known by the Spanish form of his name, Santiago de Liniers...
.
Her full name was "Manuela Hurtado de Pedraza", but she was known to all as "Manuela la tucumanesa" (that is, "Manuela from Tucumán", then part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata
Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata
The Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, , was the last and most short-lived Viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire in America.The Viceroyalty was established in 1776 out of several former Viceroyalty of Perú dependencies that mainly extended over the Río de la Plata basin, roughly the present day...
, now Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
). Even though her origin is known, the precise location, as well as her date of birth and death, are unknown.
Manuela Pedraza participated in the largest, and last, battle of the reconquest; it took place over three days (August 10-12, 1806) at the very centre of Buenos Aires. She fought alongside her husband (a corporal in the army) with the Liniers
Santiago de Liniers
Jacques de Liniers was a French officer in the Spanish military service, and a viceroy of the Spanish colonies of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. He is more widely known by the Spanish form of his name, Santiago de Liniers...
forces that surrounded the Spanish Fortress (now, the Casa Rosada
Casa Rosada
La Casa Rosada is the official seat of the executive branch of the government of Argentina, and of the offices of the President. The President normally lives at the Quinta de Olivos, a compound in Olivos, Buenos Aires Province. Its characteristic color is pink, and is considered one of the most...
, seat of the Argentine government on Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo is the main square in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is flanked by Hipólito Yrigoyen, Balcarce, Rivadavia and Bolívar streets....
), at that moment in British hands. On the second day of the battle, August 11, her husband was killed by a British soldier; in turn, Manuela killed that soldier with her own bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
. Immediately after, she took her husband’s musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
and continued the fighting, killing another British soldier.
After the battle, Liniers, the commander of the victorious local forces and soon to be appointed Viceroy for the Río de la Plata, names Manuela to the newly-formed Patricios Regiment with a salary and the rank of "alférez" (approximately, second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
). The report by Liniers is displayed in the Museum of the Buenos Aires Cabildo
Buenos Aires Cabildo
The Buenos Aires Cabildo is the public building in Buenos Aires that was used as seat of the ayuntamiento during the colonial times and the government house of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata...
, and reads:
Homage
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
gives the award "Mención de Honor Manuela Pedraza" in recognition to women involved in social activism in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. In the citation for the recognition, it is stated: "This award seeks to reclaim a tradition of participation in the battles for liberty and the defense of the interests of the nation and its people, a tradition in which many countrymen gave their lives."