GALEANA BROTHERS: WHO WERE THEY, HISTORY - HISTORY - 2024

The Galeana Brothers were prominent fighters during the early years of the Mexican War of Independence. Hermenegildo, Juan Pablo and Juan José were born in the state of Guerrero, the first two in Tecpán and the third in Los Barrancones.

Since the Conspiracy of Valladolid, the Galeanas showed their support for the independence cause, which was increased when Miguel Hidalgo launched the Grito de Dolores. When the armed conflict began, the three enlisted in the army led by José María Morelos.

Hermenegildo Galeana

The brothers, well known in the area, managed to get enough volunteers to join to join the insurgent troops. In addition, Hermenegildo contributed a cannon that was on his property and that was the first of the artillery pieces of this type that the rebels had.

Acting almost always together, the Galeana brothers excelled in the military field. The eldest, Hermenegildo, was the one who acquired the most fame, but the two youngest did not detract from his performance. All of them died in combat against the royalist troops, not being able to see the independence of their country.

Who were?

Hermenegildo Galeana

Hermenegildo Galeana was the one who acquired the most fame of the whole family. He was born in Tecpan on April 13, 1762. His family was Creole, with English ancestors on his paternal side. Not much is known about his childhood, although it is known that he only received primary education.

Hermenegildo resided in the family farm, located in Zanjón. There, like the rest of the country, the news of the Valladolid Conspiracy of 1809 arrived, the first with an independence character and that was defeated.

Despite this defeat, the supporters of independence grew. Creole families, of which Hermenegildo was a part, complained of discrimination against peninsular Spaniards.

When, at the end of 1810, Morelos passed near the hacienda, the Galeanas offered their services. Hermenegildo enlisted in January 1811, eventually becoming the right hand of the insurgent leader.

Juan Pablo Galeana

Like Hermenegildo, Juan Pablo came to the world in Tecpan, Guerrero. Nor are too many details of his life known from his birth, in 1760, until he joined the insurgent ranks.

According to the chronicles, he worked on the family farm, carving out a good position and gaining influence over his neighbors.

When the War of Independence began, Juan Pablo joined the Morelos troops. It was, approximately, in November of 1810, contributing men and arms to the cause against the Spaniards.

Juan Jose Galeana

He is perhaps the least known of the three Galeana brothers, despite the fact that he participated in some important battles in the early years of the war. He was the youngest and the only one who was not born in Tecpan. His place of birth was Los Barrancones, on April 13, 1762.

Like the rest of the family, he worked on his farm until the passage of Morelos through the area changed his life. Juan José came to occupy the position of captain of the militias.

History

The Galeana brothers, from a wealthy Creole family, worked for a long time on the farm they owned. Although they had not received many studies, their work and way of being made them one of the most influential families in the area.

Since the Conspiracy of Valladolid, the Galeanas felt sympathy for the independence cause, propagating the slogans of freedom.

At the end of 1810, Morelos and his troops passed near the hacienda. The brothers did not hesitate to offer themselves, bringing men, horses and weapons. Among these, there was a pipe, the first that the independentistas would have.

From that moment on, they took part in many of the battles of those early years. On many occasions, they fought together. In others, they parted ways. Hermenegildo was the one who achieved the most recognition, but the three of them made a name for themselves within the independence fighters.

Hermenegildo

He was the one who later joined Morelos, in January 1811. At that time, he offered the rebels help and supplies taken from his ranch.

He soon showed his courage. Highlights, for example, his performance during the siege of the Sabana. In that place, the insurgent defenders began to retreat in disorder when the royalist army was about to attack. Hermenegildo led the troops, reorganizing them and defeating the Spanish.

This action earned him being appointed lieutenant by Morelos himself. He began to direct one of the detachments into which the rebel army was divided, receiving the order to take Taxco. After achieving this, he also participated in the taking of Oaxaca, in November 1812 and, later, of Acapulco.

His star began to decline when trying to conquer Valladolid. The failure of the attempt and the subsequent withdrawal undermined their influence. From that moment until 1814 he was defeated on several occasions.

When Morelos lost command of the army, Hermenegildo returned to Tecpan. However, at the insistence of Morelos himself, he returned to the fight.

He died in a combat in Coyuca in the same 1814, after being surprised by the royalist troops.

Juan Pablo

On most occasions, Juan Pablo accompanied his two brothers in the battles for independence. It was of vital importance in victories such as Tixtla or El Veladero, along with Hermenegildo.

Juan Pablo also had a solo military career. The capture of Tepecoacuilco and the mineral-rich areas in Taxco stand out. This earned him the recognition of Morelos, who commissioned him to fortify a water intake in Cuautla. This was vital for the defense of the city.

The siege of that city ended on May 2, 1812, leaving Juan Pablo to Acapulco and Huajuapan, where he showed his worth.

Although it is not confirmed, it is assumed that he died in the same ambush in which Hermenegildo lost his life, on July 26, 1814.

Juan jose

The youngest of the Galeanas also joined Morelos in November 1810. One of his first services was directing, as Captain, the transfer of the cannon that his family had offered to the insurgent troops. He gathered 700 men for this purpose and “el Niño”, the name of the canyon in question, reached its destination without problems.

Among the most important battles in which he participated is that of Zapotillo. There, near El Veladero, he defeated the Spanish Lieutenant Calatayud on November 13, 1810.

Shortly afterwards, in January 1811, it seems that discrepancies arose between Juan José and his commander, who left the camp in protest.

However, he continued in the fight and took part in the conquest of Acapulco in 1813. Due to his merits during that siege, he reached the rank of colonel in the insurgent forces. He died fighting alongside Vicente Guerrero.

References

1. XXI Century Cultural Warrior. Juan José Galeana. Obtained from encyclopediagro.org
2. EcuRed. Hermenegildo Galeana. Obtained from ecured.cu
3. Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Galeana, Hermenegildo (1762–1814). Retrieved from encyclopedia.com
4. BanderasNews. Mexico 2010: Biographies of Independence. Retrieved from banderasnews.com
5. Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Cuautla, Siege Of. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com
6. Revolvy. Hermenegildo Galeana. Retrieved from revolvy.com