Luis Germán Astete | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Luis José Germán Astete Fernández de Paredes |
| Born | (1832-05-28)28 May 1832 Lima, Peru |
| Died | 10 July 1883(1883-07-10) (aged 51) Huamachuco, Peru |
| Allegiance |  Peru |
| Branch | Peruvian Navy |
| Years of service | 1853–1883 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles / wars | Chincha Islands War War of the Pacific |
| Spouse | Peregrina Guerrero y Álvarez Calderón |
| Children | 6 |
| Relations | Pedro de Astete Núñez (father) María Manuela Fernández de Paredes y Noriega (mother) |
Luis Germán Astete (Lima, 28 May 1832 –Huamachuco, 10 July 1883) was a Peruvian politician and sailor, hero of theWar of the Pacific. He died fighting in theBattle of Huamachuco.
He was the son of Pedro de Astete Núñez and María Manuela Fernández de Paredes y Noriega[1] (granddaughter of the Marquises of Salinas). Baptized in theGovernment Palace, his godfather wasMarshal Gamarra, president of the Republic.
He studied at theReal Convictorio de San Carlos inLima. Then he entered as amidshipman at the Military School in 1850, and that same year he embarked on the frigate Algerie and later on the Serieuse, on which he was sent toFrance.[1]
In 1853, with the rank ofEnsign, he joined the crew of the newly built frigateAmazonas, on his trip to Peru from England. In 1854 he was appointed commander of the schoonerHector, but he mutinied along with the political prisoners he had on board, who were banished to Mexico. Captured by the Vigilante, he was prosecuted and banished toChile.[1] Soon he returned to Peru, residing inArequipa, where he remained until theBattle of La Palma, victory of the rebels that put an end to the government ofJosé Rufino Echenique, in early 1855.[1]
In 1856, he married Peregrina Guerrero y Álvarez Calderón,[2] niece of the Count of Álvarez Calderón. The couple had six children.[3]
He ascended to second lieutenant in March 1855, and served on the ships Liberty and Guise, being discharged again by his support during thePeruvian Civil War of 1856–1858 to generalVivanco, in January 1857.
Elected deputy forHuaraz in the legislature of 1860–1864, he resigned his promotion to corvette captain considering it incompatible with his political function. On board the steam Sachaca, he participated in theBattle of 2 May, 1866 against the Spanish Squadron of the Pacific.
Once the constitutional government was restored in 1868, he was promoted to frigate captain. In 1871 he obtained his indefinite license, and in that state, he had active participation in the uprising in favor ofNicolás de Piérola against PresidentMariano Ignacio Prado. Then he took command of theHuáscar ironclad, on board which he was appointed commander of the National Regenerative Squadron. In that position, he faced theRoyal Navy shipsShah andAmethyst in theBattle of Pacocha, on May 29, 1877. After this battle, which ended inconclusively, the rebels surrendered in Iquique to the forces loyal to president Prado.
At the outbreak of theWar of the Pacific, and already with the rank of captain, he was commissioned to acquire weapons and a ship in the United States,[2] a task that was interrupted due to political swings. Back to Peru, he was named prefect ofCallao and commander of the batteries during thedefense of the port before the blockade of the Chilean squadron. He fought in the battles ofSan Juan andMiraflores, and had to order the destruction of several ships as well as Peru's firstsubmarine,Toro Submarino, to prevent them from falling into enemy hands (January 1881).[2]
AfterLimawas occupied by the Chileans, he marched to the Sierra and was elected deputy from Alto Amazonas to the National Assembly meeting inAyacucho, but he did not join it and preferred to take up arms, joining theresistance of the Sierra led byAndrés A. Cáceres. He participated in the battles ofMarcavalle and Pucará, andConcepción. In thebattle of Huamachuco he had under his command the 4th Army Division of the Center and died as a result of a shot that pierced his forehead.[1]
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