Ignacio Allende

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Ignacio José de Allende y Unzaga (January 21, 1769—June 26, 1811) was a captain of the Spanish Army in Mexico who came to sympathize with the Mexican independence movement. He attended the secret meetings organized by the Corregidor of Querétaro and his wife, where the possibility of an independent New Spain was discussed. He fought next to Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the first stage of the struggle, eventually succeeding him in leadership of the rebellion. Allende was captured while he was in Chihuahua and executed shortly after. During the rebellion Allende was renowned for his ethics and polite leadership. He commanded his troops to maintain respect for the civilian population and did not punish or execute his prisoners.

[edit] Biography

Allende was born on January 21, 1769 to a wealthy Spanish family in San Miguél el Grande (today San Miguel de Allende, in his honor) in Guanajuato. His father was Domingo Narciso de Allende, a rich trader.

In 1802, he joined the Viceregal army of New Spain, serving under Félix María Calleja. In 1806, he started to favor the possibility of independence from Spain. His attendance at a conspiratorial meeting in Valladolid (today Morelia) was discovered, in 1809, by the Spanish and luckily went unsanctioned. Regardless, Allende kept supporting the underground independence movement. He was eventually invited by the Corregidor of Querétaro (equivalent of Mayor) Miguel Domínguez and his wife Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez to discuss further plans for independence at the Corregidor's home. It was during one of these meetings where Allende met Miguel Hidalgo and his Captain Juan Aldama.

Originally, the independence movement was to be lead jointly by Allende and Aldama. A change of plans prompted by the discovery of the conspiracy forced Hidalgo to start the rebellion earlier than agreed. The famous Grito de Dolores by Hidalgo signaled the beginning of the fight, after which the conspirators rallied behind him. The rebel army quickly captured the town of Dolores Hidalgo and marched towards San Miguel el Grande, where Allende obtained the support of his cavalry regiment. On September 22, 1810 Hidalgo was officially made Captain General of the Insurgente army while Allende was made Lieutenant General. After the famous capture of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, in Guanajuato, and his victory in the Battle of Monte de las Cruces Allende suggested Hidalgo to march toward Mexico City and capture it. As a consequence of the rebels' defeat in the Battle of Puente Calderón, the leadership of the Insurgentes demanded the replacement of Hidalgo as their leader. Allende took this new responsibility and, with a decimated army, he decided to march north, hoping to gather more money, weapons and troops. The rebels were ambushed in Acatita de Baján due to the betrayal of Ignacio Elizondo, leading to the capture of Allende and several other rebel commanders. Allende's illegitimate child Indalecio was killed during this ambush.

Allende was taken to the city of Chihuahua where he was tried for insubordination and executed by firing squad in June 26, 1811. His body was decapitated and his head taken to the Alhóndiga de Granaditas where it was shown to the public inside a cage hung from one corner of the building. His remains were moved in 1925 to the Independence Column in Mexico City.