The Battle of San Lorenzo was José de San Martín's first engagement in South America and the baptism by fire of the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers.
Key Facts
- Date
- 3 February 1813
- Patriot unit
- Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers
- Royalist commander
- Militia Captain Antonio Zabala
- Patriot commander
- José de San Martín
- San Martín's only battle in Argentina
- Yes — his sole engagement on modern Argentine soil
- Royalist base
- Montevideo
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Montevideo, a royalist stronghold under siege by José Gervasio Artigas, was unable to obtain supplies overland. Royalist militiamen from the city began raiding population centres along nearby rivers. San Martín, having recently arrived in Buenos Aires and formed the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, tracked the royalist ships to San Lorenzo to intercept them.
On the morning of 3 February 1813, grenadiers concealed overnight in the San Carlos Convent launched a surprise pincer attack at dawn. One column was led by San Martín, the other by Justo Germán Bermúdez. San Martín was unhorsed and nearly killed before soldiers Juan Bautista Cabral and Juan Bautista Baigorria rescued him. The royalist force was defeated in the engagement.
Despite their defeat at San Lorenzo, royalist forces continued raiding riverside villages for some time. The battle became the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers' first combat action and established San Martín's military reputation in South America. The battle is commemorated in the San Lorenzo march and in memorials maintained by the city of San Lorenzo.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
José de San Martín, Justo Germán Bermúdez.
Side B
1 belligerent
Antonio Zabala.