Could these very stones whisper tales of soldiers and shifting loyalties? The Cuartel de Blandengues stands as a silent witness to Uruguay’s complex history. It embodies bravery and also division. Let’s delve into the story of this significant place.
The Cuartel de Blandengues owes its existence to a need for defense. In 1796, the Viceroy of the Río de la Plata, Pedro Melo de Portugal y Villena, established the Cuerpo Veterano de Blandengues de la Frontera de Montevideo. He assigned them a headquarters. It was initially the Cuartel de Dragones de Maldonado.
These Blandengues were not just any soldiers. They were local militias. They were tasked with protecting the Río de la Plata region. They defended it against indigenous people of the Pampa and Chaco. They also defended against Portuguese incursions in the Banda Oriental. This region includes present-day Uruguay.
Interestingly, the name “Blandengues” has a curious origin. It is said that when reviewed by a governor, they brandished their lances. This was a sign of homage to the authorities. Their uniform was distinctive. It consisted of a short blue jacket and breeches. It also had red lapels and a narrow gold braid. In winter, they wore ponchos for warmth.
The ranks of the Blandengues were filled in an unusual way. In 1797, Governor Antonio Olaguer Feliú offered pardons. These pardons were for smugglers, deserters, and criminals. The exception was murderers. They could join the unit. They had to present themselves voluntarily with at least six horses. They also had to serve for eight years.
King Charles IV of Spain approved the creation of the Cuerpo de Blandengues de la Frontera de Montevideo. This happened on May 12, 1797. By September, the regiment was formed. Sergeant Major Cayetano Ramírez de Arellano became its first commander in October.
The unit comprised eight companies. Each company had one hundred men. The Cabildo of Montevideo financially supported them. Officers came from veteran corps of Buenos Aires. They also came from militias of the Banda Oriental.
José Gervasio Artigas, a key figure in Uruguayan history, has strong ties to the Cuartel de Blandengues. In 1797, Artigas joined the Cuerpo Veterano de Blandengues as a soldier. He rose through the ranks. Eventually, he became its leader on June 30, 1811.
One of Artigas’s first tasks was recruiting soldiers. He excelled at this. He quickly brought fifty skilled men into the Blandengues. As the Regimiento de Blandengues took shape, so too did the future leader of Uruguay.
The Blandengues demonstrated their courage in various missions. They defended Montevideo’s borders. Their finest hour was during the defense of Montevideo. This was against the British invasions in 1807.
By 1811, Captain José Artigas began his quest for independence. Many Blandengues followed him. They chose the patriotic cause. During the war of independence, the unit divided. Some supported the royalists. Others supported the revolutionaries.
After the second siege of Montevideo, the Blandengues dwindled. The exact date of the unit’s dissolution is unknown. The corps disappeared completely before Artigas went into exile in Paraguay in 1820.
Today, the Regimiento Blandengues de Artigas de Caballería N° 1 carries on the legacy. It serves as the presidential escort. Its members form the honor guard. In 1910, the Regimiento Escolta N° 1 de Caballería was renamed Regimiento Blandengues de Artigas N° 1 de Caballería.
The modern regiment is divided into two groups of squadrons. These squadrons bear names. They are Federación, República, and Independencia. There is also an Escuadrón de Honor called Ayuí. Finally, there is a Escuadrón de Comando y Servicios called Purificación.
So, as you stand before the Cuartel de Blandengues remember its vital role. Remember its role in shaping Uruguay. Consider the soldiers who passed through its gates. They helped to forge a nation.