Alfonso Ugarte

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Alfonso Ugarte y Vernal
Peruvian hero during the War of the Pacific
Born	July 13, 1847 Tarapaca, Tarapaca, Peru
Died	June 7, 1879 Arica, Tarapaca, Peru

Alfonso Ugarte (July 13, 1847 - July 7, 1880) was a Peruvian military commander during the War of the Pacific, between Peru and Bolivia against Chile. He ultimately rose to the rank of Colonel.

Ugarte was born in Tarapacá, Peru, the son of the rich tarapaqueños retailers Don Narciso Ugarte and Doña Rosa Vernal. At an early age, he was sent by his parents to the Chilean port of Valparaiso where he was educated, finishing his studies in 1868. On his return to Peru, he settled in Iquique, where he administered the family business.

At the beginning of the War of the Pacific, Ugarte decided to organize a battalion using his own money. This unit was recruited from the workers and craftsmen of Iquique. It was named "Battalion Iquique N° 1", and it consisted of 429 enlisted men and 36 officers.

He fought at the Battle of Tarapacá, where he was injured. The Peruvian forces retreated following this battle, and was merged with the Army of the South, commanded by Major General Juan Buendía; the combined force marched from Tarapaca to Arica.

Ugarte was head of the Eighth Division in the defence of the city of Arica. In Arica, he participated in the two military councils held by Colonel Francisco Bolognesi, where the agreement was made to defend the bastion "until burning the last cartridge".

Ugarte died fighting at Arica. According to legend, he rode his horse over the cliff in order to avoid the peruvian flag, which he was carrying, from being captured by the Chilean troops.

Ugarte is today considered a Peruvian national hero.