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 and unique military exploits of the Venezuelan and South American Independence: The Battle of The Middle Queseras, a leading military action campaign call Apure.
Battle of Middle Queseras occurred after Simon Bolivar after the battle of Gamarra on 27 March, withdrew into the Potreritos Marrereños, to the right of the Arauca River, where the English leader Pablo Morillo decided to attack.
José Antonio Páez aware of the objectives of Morillo, the head of 153 horsemen to swim and the unseen Arauca River on April 2, 1819 and heads three columns against the realist camp, after having crossed the river the last horse, the Republican advance on the camp.
Morillo before the attack 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 posted an infantry unit. Given the apparent withdrawal of the forces of Paez, Morillo ordered a squad under the leadership of Narciso López paecista surround the army.
Meanwhile, Paez Juan José Rondón instructed that attacked Lopez to make it his squad gather in a single column, as this occurs, Paez ordered back faces and the attack on the forces of Narciso López. The effect of this paecista cavalry maneuver was to sow chaos and confusion in the royal army.
The action of the Lancers of Paez was facilitated by the fact that the police Lopez dismounted to make use of their rifles.
Before the attack of the royalist cavalry patriotic forces withdrew in haste and fell on his own infantry, which was not overwhelmed by the choice of moving it Morillo quickly to a nearby forest, where they took refuge.
The balance of forces clash between patriots and royalists, is estimated at 2 dead and 6 wounded for the first, against 400 casualties of the latter.
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 the army of liberation is installed in Marrereños Potreritos. 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. Joseph Silva returns to Camp Patriot, but until this is to know the reasons.
received the motion information, Morillo orders from two columns of cavalry to wrap the 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.
When trotting 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, retired after being wounded along with five other colleagues.
Tactical
The triumph of the cheese environment is unique. Congratulated Bolívar Páez and his men: "You just run the most extraordinary feat that can hold the military history of nations. What you have done is merely a prelude. We have the victory that bear on the tips of your spears and of your bayonets "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 entitled "For the Army Bravos de Apure", which culminates 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. "/.
