Justo Arteaga

Justo José Arteaga Cuevas (1805-1882) was a Chilean Major General who participated throughout Chile's conflicts during the 19th-century as well as being the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from 8 April to 18 July 1879.

Early years Justo was the son of Domingo Arteaga Rojas, who was later a lieutenant colonel in the Chilean Army, and Ana Josefa de las Cuevas. His father, who was a great friend and aide to the liberator Bernardo O'Higgins, made him enter the Army with the rank of cadet when he was just 9 years old. However, his military career was suspended by the royalist triumph at the Battle of Rancagua, resulting in the return of the colonial system, thus beginning the Reconquest.

During the period known as the Patria Vieja, he finished his youth training and in 1819 he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of the "Grenadiers of the Honor Guard" Regiment which was in charge of escorting the supreme director. In 1820 he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and the following year, to first lieutenant.

Pronouncement against the Government On 28 January 1823 the pronouncement of his unit against the government of Bernardo O'Higgins broke out. Meanwhile, the officers and the troops disavowed their boss and continued the fight until 31 December 1851, when they withdrew to Copiapó, where the revolution had broken out under the command of the merchant Bernardino Barahona.

A portion of stragglers was intercepted by a squad of Argentine mercenaries. Among them was a Chilean priest who interceded between the sides, managing to lay down their arms. Once, deprived of them, the gauchos slaughtered more than forty miners, until a Chilean cavalry patrol managed to stop them. Among the Argentine leaders were Carlos Tejedor, Chacho Peñaloza, Juan Crisóstomo Álvarez and Felipe Varela.

Chincha Islands War He was reinstated again in the Army in 1862, as a colonel. In 1865 he was appointed by Supreme Decree Commander General of Engineers. In 1866 he commanded the I Division of troops that defended Valparaíso in the Chincha Islands War.

War of the Pacific In 1874 he was promoted to Major General, and on 8 April 1879 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army in the Field during the War of the Pacific.

However, his performance during his tenure in office until 18 July 1879 had been a source of controversy. The appointment of him at 74 years of age was unusual and Arteaga was considered by W. Sater to be "senescent". At this point, he was described as florid, overweight, senile, and had no other qualities but strong political backing. Erasmo Escala Arriagada succeeded Arteaga after he resigned in July 1879.