Félix María Calleja del Rey, 1st Count of Calderón (Spanish: Félix María Calleja del Rey, primer conde de Calderón) (November 1, 1753, Medina del Campo, Spain—July 24, 1828, Valencia, Spain) was a Spanish military officer and viceroy of New Spain from March 4, 1813 to September 20, 1816, during Mexico's war of independence. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 1753 ( MDCCLIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Geography Medina is situated in the southwest of the province of Valladolid, 45km from the capital of the same name Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. The year 1828 ( MDCCCXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Valencia ( Valencian: València, Valencia Spanish phonology --> is the capital of the Spanish autonomous The Viceroyalty of New Spain (Virreinato de Nueva España was a name given to the Viceroy -ruled territories of the Spanish Empire in North America, Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1816 ( MDCCCXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
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Before the insurrection of 1810
Captain Calleja del Rey accompanied Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo, conde de Revillagigedo to New Spain in 1789, when Güemes took up the position of viceroy. Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo 2nd Count of Revillagigedo ( Spanish, with variant name Juan Vicente de Güemes Pacheco de Padilla y Horcasitas Calleja became commander of an infantry brigade in the intendencia of San Luis Potosí. San Luis Potosí is the name of both a state in Mexico and that state's capital city Under the government of Viceroy Miguel José de Azanza he fought with severity and cruelty to subdue the Indians. Miguel José de Azanza Duke of Santa Fe (Miguel José de Azanza duque de Santa Fe (1746 Acoiz Navarre &mdash June 20, 1826, Bordeaux Mexico, in the second article of its Constitution, is defined as a "pluricultural" nation in recognition of the diverse ethnic groups that constitute it He also fought against Anglo-American filibusters who were encroaching on the distant and now nearly abandoned Spanish territory of Texas. A filibuster is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution Among the officers under his command was Ignacio Allende, who was later to become a hero of Mexican independence. Ignacio José de Allende y Unzaga ( January 21, 1769 &mdash June 26, 1811) was a captain of the Spanish Army in Mexico who came
Calleja married Francisca de al Gánara, a very rich Criolla and owner of the hacienda of Bledos.
As general in the war with the insurgents
With the Grito de Dolores of Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1810, supporters of independence rose in many places in New Spain. The Grito de Dolores ("Cry of Dolores" was the Battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence, uttered on September 16, 1810 by Miguel Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mondarte Villaseñor ( May 8 1753 &ndash July 30 1811) also known as Miguel Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 1810 ( MDCCCX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Within a month many large cities in the central part of the country fell to the rebels — Celaya (September 21), Guanajuato (September 28), Zacatecas (October 7), Valladolid (October 17), and Guadalajara (November 11) among them. Celaya is a city and its surrounding municipality in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, located in the southeast quadrant of the state Guanajuato is the name of a state in Mexico and that state's capital city as well as a river in the area Zacatecas is one of the 31 constituent states of Mexico. It is located in the north-central region and it is bounded to the northwest by Durango Morelia is the capital of the Mexican state of Michoacán de Ocampo. Guadalajara (ˌgwɑːdləˈhɑːrə Spanish pronunciation) is the capital city of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality
At Monte de las Cruces, at the gates of Mexico City, 80,000 insurgents under Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende defeated the royalists on October 30, 1810. Ignacio José de Allende y Unzaga ( January 21, 1769 &mdash June 26, 1811) was a captain of the Spanish Army in Mexico who came Events 637 - Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge. Year 1810 ( MDCCCX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year There was panic in Mexico City. However, in a moment of apparent indecision, Father Hidalgo ordered a retreat toward Vallodalid. The reason for this has never been adequately explained.
After the retreat of the insurgents, Viceroy Francisco Javier Venegas ordered Calleja, now a brigadier in command of a cavalry division, to march from San Luis Potosí to the aid of the capital. Francisco Javier Venegas de Saavedra marqués de la Reunión y de Nueva España (1760 Bujalance, Spain &mdash1838 Spain was a Spanish military officer and San Luis Potosí is the name of both a state in Mexico and that state's capital city On the march between Querétaro and Mexico City, Calleja met the insurgents in the plains of San Jerónimo Aculco, where he decimated them on November 7, 1810. Querétaro (former formal name Querétaro Arteaga) is a state in central Mexico. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Year 1810 ( MDCCCX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year He then retook Guanajuato on November 25 and Guadalajara on January 21, 1811. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year
Calleja defeated the insurgents again, decisively, in the Battle of the Bridge of Calderón on January 17, 1811. The Battle of Calderón Bridge (Batalla del Puente de Calderón was a decisive battle in the Mexican War of Independence, fought on the banks of the Calderón River Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The insurgents were on the point of victory when a grenade ignited a munitions wagon in their camp, sowing confusion. The royalists took advantage, and routed the insurgents. A remnant of the rebel forces, including Hidalgo and other leaders, began retreating toward the United States. The leaders were captured by the royalists and executed.
Calleja's 4,000 troops became the basis of the royalist Ejército del Centro (Army of the Center) that fought Hidalgo, Ignacio López Rayón and Father José María Morelos. Ignacio López Rayón ( July 31, 1773, Tlalpujahua Michoacán, New Spain &mdash February 2, 1832, Mexico City José María Teclo Morelos y Pavón ( September 30, 1765, Valladolid now Morelia Michoacán – December 22, 1815, San Cristóbal
Calleja retired to Mexico City after an unsuccessful 58-day siege of Morelos in Cuautla. Cuautla ( kwau-tlah) officially La heroica e histórica Cuautla de Morelos, ( The Heroic and Historic Cuautla of Morelos) or H In his home in Mexico City he received those of the royalist party discontented with Viceroy Venegas's inability to suppress the insurrection. The Audiencia and others of the Spanish party complained to the Junta of Cádiz. For the modern court see Audiencia Nacional of Spain. The Royal Audiencia and Chancellery ( Spanish: Real audiencia y chancillería Cádiz ( Spanish:) is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the province of the same name, a province which is one of eight
As viceroy, still at war with the insurgents
Calleja received the nomination to replace Venegas as viceroy on January 28, 1813, but did not actually take up the post until the following March 4. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common His initial assessment of the state of affairs was not encouraging. The government coffers were empty, and it was in debt. More than two million pesos were owed to the troops. There were units almost without uniforms or boots. Armament was in a bad state and there was a shortage of horses.
With his characteristic energy, he threw himself into remedying the situation. He confiscated the property of the Inquisition, which had been abolished by the constitution of 1812. The term Inquisition can refer to any one of several institutions charged with trying and convicting heretics within the Roman Catholic Church and He solicited a loan of two million pesos from the commercial sector. He farmed out the alcabala (sales tax). The alcabala (or alcavala) was a 10% Sales tax traditionally levied in Castile, Spain. He reorganized the public treasury and required strict accounting of the viceroyalty's income and expenses. He reestablished commerce and the postal service, which had been interrupted by the insurgents.
With the money he raised he formed a powerful army, well equipped, paid, armed and disciplined.
In late 1813 an epidemic of fever killed tens of thousands of people. Morelos captured Acapulco on April 20, 1813. Acapulco (Officially Acapulco de Juárez) is a City and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On November 6, 1813 the rebel Congress of Anáhuac, meeting in Chilpancingo, proclaimed the independence of Mexico. Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Congress of Chilpancingo (aka Congress of Anáhuac) (Congreso de Chilpancingo was a meeting held in Chilpancingo, in what is the modern-day Mexican On October 22, 1814 the rebel Congress of Apatzingán proclaimed a constitution. Events 202 BC - Hannibal Barca, leader of the Carthaginians, is defeated by the Roman legions under Scipio Africanus Year 1814 ( MDCCCXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
Meanwhile in Spain, Ferdinand VII had returned to the throne. Early life In his youth he occupied the painful position of an heir apparent who was jealously excluded from all share in government by his parents and the royal favorite He abrogated the constitution of Cádiz on May 14, 1814 and reestablished government institutions as they had been in 1808. Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Year 1814 ( MDCCCXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common By a decree of July 21, 1814 he reestablished the Inquisition. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1814 ( MDCCCXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On May 19, 1816 he authorized the Jesuits to return to Mexico. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1816 ( MDCCCXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
Calleja had been exiling many insurgents to Cuba, and now he began exiling them to the Philippines. With the capture and, on December 22, 1815, the execution of Morelos, the insurrection again seemed to be at an end. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year But it soon broke out anew with the revolt of Vicente Guerrero in the south. Vicente Ramón Guerrero Saldaña ( August 10 1782 &ndash February 14 1831) was the 2nd President of Mexico and one of the Calleja's rule became more dictatorial.
Calleja was a determined, unscrupulous, cruel ruler who tolerated the numerous abuses of his commanders, someone to be feared. He was feared, and also hated, even by some of the royalists. They blamed his brutal methods for causing more rebellion after the death of Morelos. The complaints against his dictatorial methods were received in Cádiz, and on September 20, 1816 he was relieved of his position. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1816 ( MDCCCXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
His return to Spain
He returned to Spain, where he was given the title of conde de Calderón and the grand crosses of Isabel the Catholic and San Hermenegildo. He was military commander in Andalucía and governor of Cádiz. Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area He was charged with organizing an expeditionary army to America. He took Rafael Riego, a rebel against Ferdinand VII, prisoner. Rafael del Riego y Nuñez ( 9 April, 1784 - 7 November, 1823) was a Spanish general and liberal politician
He was commander in Valencia at the time of his death in 1828. Valencia ( Valencian: València, Valencia Spanish phonology --> is the capital of the Spanish autonomous
References
- (Spanish) "Calleja del Rey, Félix María," Enciclopedia de México, v. 2. Mexico City: 1996, ISBN 1-56409-016-7.
- (Spanish) García Puron, Manuel, México y sus gobernantes, v. 1. Mexico City: Joaquín Porrua, 1984.
- (Spanish) Orozco L. , Fernando, Fechas Históricas de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1988, ISBN 968-38-0046-7.
- (Spanish) Orozco Linares, Fernando, Gobernantes de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1985, ISBN 968-38-0260-5.
| Preceded by Francisco Javier Venegas |
Viceroy of New Spain 1813 - 1816 |
Succeeded by Juan Ruiz de Apodaca |