Basilio Urrutia

Basilio José Urrutia Vásquez (14 June 1816 – 3 June 1881) was a Chilean Army general and politician.

He served as the senior general of the Chilean Army from 1876 to 1879 and as Minister of War and Navy during the opening months of the War of the Pacific. He also served as intendant of the provinces of Chiloé and Arauco.

Early life

Urrutia was born in Parral, Chile, on 14 June 1816. He was the son of Mariano José Urrutia y Sepúlveda and Eulalia Vásquez y Villalba.

Military career

Urrutia entered military service during the War of the Confederation, serving as a second lieutenant in the United Restoration Army. He participated in the second Chilean expedition to Peru in 1838 under General Manuel Bulnes and took part in the occupation of Lima.

During the action at the Buin River, Urrutia was assigned with a detachment of his company to cover the Army's withdrawal. After his unit was cut off, it crossed the river to escape the opposing forces. Urrutia subsequently fought at the Battle of Yungay, after which he was promoted to captain and awarded a gold medal.

During the Chilean Revolution of 1859, Urrutia served with government forces in both northern and southern Chile.

In 1864, he was appointed intendant of Chiloé Province, and the following year he served as intendant of Arauco Province.

Urrutia was promoted to colonel in 1866, brigadier general in 1871 and major general in April 1874. That year, he participated in the organization of troops and artillery based at Angol for the establishment of Fort Juan Colipí at Los Sauces.

On 1 January 1876, Urrutia became the senior general of the Chilean Army and also served as General-in-Chief of the Army of the Frontier. He remained the Army's senior general until 7 April 1879, when Justo Arteaga Cuevas assumed command of the Army in the Field following the outbreak of the War of the Pacific.

War of the Pacific

During the opening phase of the War of the Pacific, Urrutia participated in the organization of Chilean forces, including the formation of the Atacama Battalion, which subsequently served as an infantry unit during the conflict.

On 1 May 1879, President Aníbal Pinto appointed Urrutia Minister of War and Navy. He resigned on 20 August following the capture of the Chilean transport ship Rímac by Peruvian naval forces.

On 21 August 1879, following his departure from the ministry, Urrutia assumed command of the Army of the South and concurrently held command of the Army of the Centre.

In 1881, declining health led him to relinquish his command and retire from the Army after more than four decades of military service.

Military ranks

• 1837 – Second lieutenant
• 1837 – Lieutenant
• 1839 – Captain
• 1851 – Major
• 1851 – Lieutenant colonel
• 1866 – Colonel
• 1871 – Brigadier general
• 1874 – Major general