Juan Vidaurre-Leal
Juan Vidaurre-Leal Morla (1802 – 18 September 1859) was a Chilean Army general and politician who participated in the Chilean War of Independence, the War of the Confederation and the Chilean civil conflicts of 1851 and 1859.
He served as an intendant in several provinces, was elected to the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and briefly served as Commander General of the Chilean Navy in 1859.
Biography
Vidaurre-Leal was born in Concepción in 1802, the son of Juan Fermín Vidaurre and Josefa Morla. He entered military service at a young age and, as a cadet, participated in the siege and assault of Talcahuano and the actions at Quechereguas and Cancha Rayada. In 1818, he was assigned to the Military Academy in Santiago and participated in the Battle of Maipú.
He later participated in the campaign that resulted in the incorporation of Chiloé into Chile, including the Battle of Bellavista in 1826. He was promoted to sergeant major in 1830 and became commander of the artillery brigade at Valparaíso the following year.
In 1837, Vidaurre fought against the forces involved in the Quillota mutiny, led by his cousin Colonel José Antonio Vidaurre. He participated in the fighting at the heights of Barón under Manuel Blanco Encalada. Following these events, he was authorized to use the designation "Leal" with his surname in order to distinguish him from his cousin. In 1838, he joined the Chilean forces in the campaign against the Peru–Bolivian Confederation and participated in the actions at Portada de Guías and the Battle of Yungay.
During the following decade, Vidaurre held several military administrative positions. He was a member of the commission responsible for drafting the Military Code in 1843 and of the commission that revised infantry tactics in 1844. He subsequently served as sub-inspector of the National Guard, inspector of military units in Valparaíso and northern Chile, and Commander General of Arms of Santiago.
During the Chilean Revolution of 1851, Vidaurre was appointed commander of the government forces operating in northern Chile. On 14 October 1851, his forces defeated the revolutionary troops at Petorca. He subsequently took part in operations against the insurgents at La Serena.
Vidaurre was appointed Intendant and Commander General of Arms of Chiloé in 1852. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1853 and became Intendant and Commander General of Arms of Atacama Province in 1854.
He was elected substitute deputy for Osorno for the 1855–1858 legislative term, although there is no record that he took his seat. He was subsequently elected deputy for Lautaro for the 1858–1861 term and served on the Permanent Commission of War and Navy.
During the Chilean Revolution of 1859, Vidaurre commanded government forces against the army led by Pedro León Gallo. On 29 April 1859, he commanded the government troops at the Battle of Cerro Grande, which ended with the defeat of Gallo's forces.
On 3 September 1859, Vidaurre was appointed Intendant and Commander General of Arms of Valparaíso and also assumed the position of Commander General of the Navy. His tenure lasted fifteen days. On 18 September, an armed mutiny broke out in Valparaíso. Vidaurre was shot while confronting the disturbance and died from his wound that day.