Literary Battalion
Encyclopedia
The Literary Battalion was a military company
composed of students from the University of Santiago de Compostela
in Spain. Although there were a number of different incarnations of the group, the most notable fought in the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1814).
, after the revolt of Portugal against Spain in 1640. It formed again in 1665, 1808 and in 1846 (during the Solís Uprising
). However, the 1808 unit is by far the most famous.
. In 1808, Juan Ignacio de Armada Caamaño Ibáñez de Mondragón y Salgado de Sotomayor (Marquis of Santa Cruz de Rivadulla) agreed to lead the unit and provide financial support. According to Alfonso Armada Comyn, the marquis at the time, "In order to be able to lead the university students he was made a doctor in all the faculties".
The unit's colours (which are today preserved in the Assembly Hall of the Faculty of Law of the university) were the blue and white of the Flag of Galicia
and carried two shields: that of the ancient Kingdom of Galicia
and the coat of arms of the university. This was surmounted by a royal crown and an inscription. The soldiers also carried a scroll containing a brief poem: "To rescue Fernando (King Fernando VII) and to put an end to Bonaparte Minerva
and Mars
are united."
On 18 July 1808, the battalion left to join the troops of General Joaquín Blake, where the Navarrese volunteers were joined by the vanguard. Among the multiple recorded exploits was that of entering incognito the city of La Coruña, taken by French Marshal Michel Ney
, to reconnoitre the batteries.
In 1810, General Francisco Javier Castaños ordered the disbandment of the Literary Battalion, promoting the few survivors to the rank of officer in the military corps.
bears the inscription:
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
composed of students from the University of Santiago de Compostela
University of Santiago de Compostela
The Royal University of Santiago de Compostela - USC is a public university located in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. A second campus is located in Lugo, Galicia....
in Spain. Although there were a number of different incarnations of the group, the most notable fought in the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1814).
History
The Literary Battalion was first formed in 1663, in the face of the Portuguese attacks on the town of MonterreyMonterrei
Monterrei is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain....
, after the revolt of Portugal against Spain in 1640. It formed again in 1665, 1808 and in 1846 (during the Solís Uprising
Solís Uprising
The Solís Uprising was an unsuccessful military uprising in Galicia in 1846. The soldiers executed after the defeat became known as the Martyrs of Carral .-Context:...
). However, the 1808 unit is by far the most famous.
1808 campaign
The unit was formed in 42 days, after a meeting held in the cloisters of the university presided over by Rafael Múzquiz, Archbishop of CompostelaSantiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
. In 1808, Juan Ignacio de Armada Caamaño Ibáñez de Mondragón y Salgado de Sotomayor (Marquis of Santa Cruz de Rivadulla) agreed to lead the unit and provide financial support. According to Alfonso Armada Comyn, the marquis at the time, "In order to be able to lead the university students he was made a doctor in all the faculties".
The unit's colours (which are today preserved in the Assembly Hall of the Faculty of Law of the university) were the blue and white of the Flag of Galicia
Flag of Galicia
The flag of Galicia was created in the 19th century as a copy of the flag of the Galician maritime province of A Coruña.-Legend:During the 19th century many thousands of Galicians emigrated to the Americas; A Coruña was the main Galician port from which they departed...
and carried two shields: that of the ancient Kingdom of Galicia
Kingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
and the coat of arms of the university. This was surmounted by a royal crown and an inscription. The soldiers also carried a scroll containing a brief poem: "To rescue Fernando (King Fernando VII) and to put an end to Bonaparte Minerva
Minerva
Minerva was the Roman goddess whom Romans from the 2nd century BC onwards equated with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic...
and Mars
Mars (mythology)
Mars was the Roman god of war and also an agricultural guardian, a combination characteristic of early Rome. He was second in importance only to Jupiter, and he was the most prominent of the military gods worshipped by the Roman legions...
are united."
On 18 July 1808, the battalion left to join the troops of General Joaquín Blake, where the Navarrese volunteers were joined by the vanguard. Among the multiple recorded exploits was that of entering incognito the city of La Coruña, taken by French Marshal Michel Ney
Michel Ney
Michel Ney , 1st Duc d'Elchingen, 1st Prince de la Moskowa was a French soldier and military commander during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He was one of the original 18 Marshals of France created by Napoleon I...
, to reconnoitre the batteries.
In 1810, General Francisco Javier Castaños ordered the disbandment of the Literary Battalion, promoting the few survivors to the rank of officer in the military corps.
Remembrance
A commemorative plaque in Quintana Plaza in the city of Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
bears the inscription:
- A LOS HEROES DEL BATALLON LITERARIO DE 1808
- LOS ESCOLARES COMPOSTELANOS DE 1896 Y LOS AYUNTAMIENTOS DE 1822 1865 Y 1896