IGNACIO ALLENDE: BIOGRAPHY - HISTORY - 2025

Ignacio José de Allende y Unzaga was one of the most prominent soldiers in the process of the Independence of Mexico. It was part of the first insurrection that led to the independence processes of the Spanish Colony. He was born in 1796 in San Miguel el Grande (today called San Miguel de Allende), Guanajuato.

His military experience had been forged as part of the viceregal army. He was present from the first meetings of the conspiracy in Querétaro, where he met Miguel Hidalgo. In the first place, it was Allende who would lead the liberation army, but at that meeting Hidalgo stepped forward and declared himself captain.

As the independence movement advanced, the viceroy came to offer 10,000 pesos for the heads of Allende and Hidalgo (10,000 pesos for each head). Ignacio Allende is recognized for his ethics in office, he maintained respect for civil society and did not carry out executions or punishments on his prisoners.

After numerous battles and internal divisions, Ignacio Allende was captured and executed in Chihuahua in 1811. The figure of Allende represents a very important military pillar in the revolutionary processes of independence that Mexico went through between 1810 and 1821.

Early years

Ignacio José de Jesús María Pedro de Allende y Unzaga was born on January 21, 1769 in San Miguel el Grande, Guanajuato. In his honor, that city is known today as San Miguel de Allende.

Son of Domingo Narciso de Allende y Ayerdi, and María Ana de Unzaga, he was born into a wealthy family due to his father's activity as a merchant and farmer.

Ignacio Allende distinguished himself from a young age in the art of cavalry and in his military prowess. He also had an imposing character. This earned him to enter the army on his own in 1795. There, due to his talent and solid training, he was able to obtain the position of captain.

In 1801 Viceroy Félix Berenguer de Marquina appointed him lieutenant of the Corps of Grenadiers. With the orders of General Félix María Calleja, he moved north of what was known as New Spain.

Revolutionary ideals

It would be in the Canton of Jalapa where, through contact with other Creoles, he began to identify with Masonic and liberal ideals. He also developed ties with other officers of the colonial army with the same claims of independence and freedom.

When he returned to San Miguel in 1808, he participated in some conspiratorial meetings to overthrow the viceroyalty. In 1809 the military José Mariano Michelena and José María Obeso organized the conspiracy of Valladolid. This conspiracy was unmasked and its leaders arrested. However, Ignacio Allende escaped.

Allende and Hidalgo

In this conspiracy, Allende and Aldama were expected to be named captains of the insurgent uprisings. However, untimely events led to the proclamation of Miguel Hidalgo, who would start the famous Cry of Independence.

This cry, also known as the Grito de Dolores, is considered the act that began the War of Independence in Mexico. It was a ringing of bells from the parish of Dolores, which today is known as the municipality of Dolores Hidalgo, in Guanajuato.

After meeting the priest of Dolores, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Ignacio Allende began promoting the creation of insurgency centers. One of the most important was the one that was established in Querétaro.

First independence battles

In 1810 the Mexican people were summoned to take up arms for the liberation of the Spanish Colony. Creoles and indigenous people meet to march together with Hidalgo and Allende towards San Miguel. During that journey, priest Miguel Hidalgo adopted the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as the insignia for the banner.

Together with Juan Aldama, they planned an uprising to take place in 1810 and convinced Miguel Hidalgo to lead it.

Because these are discovered, they had to organize quickly. Allende organized a troop of 800 men and was appointed lieutenant general. When he arrived in Valladolid, he already had 80 thousand men.

Taking of Guanajuato

In September of the same year they took Guanajuato, defended by Antonio Riaño, royal mayor. During that capture, the insurgents violently attacked the Granaditas alhóndiga: they murdered the Spanish along with their families. This has already caused some crossroads between the Allende and Hidalgo leaders.

Allende planned the battle of Monte de las Cruces with great strategic capabilities. It achieved what is considered the greatest triumph of the insurgent troops in the first stage of the independence process.

Beginning of friction between Allende and Hidalgo

After the battle of Monte de las Cruces, Ignacio Allende proposed to Hidalgo to carry out the independence process by taking the capital of the viceroyalty. However, Hidalgo rejected the proposal and this causes the relationship to begin to experience friction.

After the failures in the battles of Aculco and Puente de Calderón, Miguel Hidalgo was dismissed. The army was divided into two factions, one led by Ignacio López Rayón and the other led by Allende.

López Rayón's army marched towards Michoacán. Due to the bad conditions of the army, Allende decided to head north to stock up on arms, troops and money. His intention was to reach the United States for help.

Shooting

On the way, precisely in Acatita de Baján, Allende, Hidalgo, Aldama, Jímenez and other leaders of the insurgency, are ambushed and captured by the royalists. This ambush is attributed to Ignacio Elizondo, who betrayed Allende.

They are later transferred to Chihuahua, where a military court judges them for rebellion. Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, Mariano Jiménez and Manuel Santa María are shot on June 26, 1811. Their bodies were beheaded and exposed in iron cages, at each of the entrances to the Alhóndiga de Granaditas.

Transfers and burial

In 1824 his supporters recovered the bodies and buried them in the Cathedral of Mexico City, under the altar of the Kings. They were then taken to the Column of Independence in Mexico City.

In 2010 the bodies were finally taken to the National Museum of History, where they were authenticated and analyzed.

References

1. Alaman, L. (1849). History of Mexico, from the first movements that led to its independence in 1808 to the present time. Mexico: Herrerías.
2. CASASOLA, G. (1976). Six centuries of graphic history of Mexico, volume 12. Mexico: Editorial Trillas.
3. Rivas de la Chica, AF (2013). Ignacio Allende: a biography. Mexico: UNAM.
4. Rodríguez O., JE (2008). The independence of Spanish America. Mexico: History of the Americas Trust.
5. Zárate, J. (1880). The War of Independence. Mexico: Ballescá and company.