Baptism by fire: the Battle of San Lorenzo .28February 3.2C 1813.29 Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers

on february 3, 1813, regiment won battle of argentine war of independence led san martin. regiment had proceeded town of san lorenzo in santa fe on previous day stop advance landing party of 250 spanish troops marching on capital. regiment joined militia company led celedonio escalada. setting camp @ convent in town, remained overnight.

at dawn next day, regiment assembled in front of convent. san martin mounted, addressed troops, , ordered squadrons set off in 2 60-man columns. san martin led 1 column; captain justo bermudez, uruguay, led other. 12 remaining men regiment formed reserve platoon.

san martin s troops charged spanish battalion, followed bermudez bringing second charge. san martin fell horse after wounded, rescued juan bautista cabral , juan bautista baigorria, 2 men regiment. cabral mortally wounded in process , san martín reported cabral s dying words (in guarani) were: die happy, have defeated enemy . moments later, lieutenant bouchard killed spanish flag bearer, completing rout of spanish forces.

the battle lasted 15 minutes, left 40 spanish dead , 16 wounded or captured, , 16 argentine dead , 22 wounded. argentine force seized 2 cannons.

san martin ensured spanish wounded , captured treated humanely. after having breakfast spanish commander, antonio zabala, on february 4, san martin persuaded spanish force defect argentine cause. on return, san martin congratulated eastern bank independence leader josé gervasio artigas on first victory.

the second triumvirate promoted san martin general , gave him command of buenos aires garrison forces.