At dawn on April 2, 1819, near the Herradero Mata, south of the River Arauca, one hundred fifty-three men of the patriot army, commanded by General José Antonio Páez, started one of the most heroic military exploits and unique Venezuelan and South American Independence: The Battle for Middle Queseras, a leading military action campaign call Apure.
The battle for Middle Queseras occurred after Simon Bolivar after the battle of Gamarra on 27 March retreated in Marrereños Potreritos to the right of the Arauca River, where the English leader Pablo Morillodecidió attack.
José Antonio Páez aware of the objectives deMorillo, head of 153 horsemen to swim and unseen Elrio Arauca April 2, 1819 and heads against elcampamento realistic 3 columns, after having crossed the river últimocaballo Republicans move against the camp.
Morillo to elataque Paez , moved his army with the cavalry at least a thousand 200 riders in front, so the "Centaur of the Plains " retreated in the direction where Bolívar had bet unaunidad infantry. To the apparent withdrawal of forces dePáez, Morillo ordered a squad under the leadership of Narciso López paecista surround the army.
For its part, instructed Páez Juan José López Rondónque attacked for it unasola gather his squad in column, when that happens, Paez ordered back faces and the forces ataquesobre Narciso López. The effect of this maneuver paecista lacaballería was to sow chaos and confusion in ejércitorealista.
The action of the Lancers of Paez was facilitated by the police hechode Lopez dismounted DeSUS to use rifles.
view forces attack caballeríarealista patriots and retired with precipitation fell on his propiainfantería, which was not overwhelmed by the choice of Morillode taken quickly to a nearby forest, where they took refuge.
Elbalance the confrontation between the patriotic forces and realistic in secalcula 2 killed and 6 wounded for the first, against 400 casualties models seconds.
month and a half before that legendary battle, Simón Bolívar installed the Congress of Angostura (15 February, 1819), where he was awarded the presidency of the Republic and the task of ridding their provinces of English power. With such powers and purposes, the Liberator moves downwards to meet with Paez Apure, which get into Caujaral of Cunaviche, along with three thousand men.
March 27, the headquarters of Liberation Army is installed on Potreritos Marrereños. While across the Arauca River, Pablo Morillo, Captain General of the English army, seven thousand five hundred realistic bet.
Bolívar Páez proposes a surprise attack the enemy. Approved the action, one hundred fifty-five lancers, officers and troops riding across the Arauca river without being spotted. Páez riders organized into seven groups, led respectively by the officers, Francisco Carmona, Francisco Aramendi, Cornelio Muñoz, Juan Antonio Mina, Juan Gomez, Fernando Figueredo and Juan José Rondón. Lt. Jose Silva returned to Camp Patriot, but until this is to know the reasons.
received the motion information, Morillo orders from two columns of cavalry to wrap insurgents. Thousand riders up the columns, including advance two hundred policemen led by Narciso López Caracas officer, who after the emancipation of Venezuela in 1821, as a forerunner and martyr of Cuban Independence deliver life, shield and flag this Caribbean island.
Trot and in perfect order, simulating the Lancers patriots flee towards the infantry unit that Bolívar had bet on the banks of the Arauca. Morillo confident, decided to advance López squad divided into two columns. In reaction, Paez ordered Lt. Col. Juan José Rondón patriot with his group to attack the police realistic vision of bringing together in one column. Lopez joins the riders and send them to use rifles, for which they must dismount from their horses.
immediately, Paez ordered his famous maneuver toward the enemy back with the cry "back faces "(or" go fuck "), which overwhelmed the police and put to flight the rest of the royalist cavalry almost poured over their own infantry, which prevents the outrage by the shelter to get into the nearby forest .
Victory faces stained with the blood of patriots four realistic that supply blood to the battlefield. The winners will return to the patriot camp with only two casualties: Isidro Sergeant and Corporal Manuel Mujica Martinez. The next day, would join those killed Captain Francisco Antonio Salazar, then to be removed along with five others wounded comrades.
Tactical
The triumph of the cheese environment is unique. Bolívarfelicitó Paez and his men: "You just run the exploit másextraordinaria you can celebrate the military history of the naciones.Lo you have done is merely a prelude. Victoriaque Count to bear on the tips of your spears and bayonets your "military action in the Middle Queseras during an operation known as" back face "
The April 3, 1819, Bolívar rewards hundred and fifty lancers Paez with the Cross of the Libertadores, they also drafted a proclamation titled "A Braves Apure Army," which ends with the following call:
"Soldiers! What has been done is but a prelude of what you can do. Prepare to fight and have the victory that bear on the tips of your lances and your bayonets. "/.
