Giuseppe Rondizzoni (14 March 1788 – 24 May 1866) was an Italian army officer who contributed to the independence of

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...

Early life and Napoleonic Wars

He was born in Mezzano Superiore on 14 March 1788. Rondizzoni joined the French Imperial Guard in 1807. As a part of Napoleon's army he took part in the Spanish campaign in 1808 and the Austrian one in 1809. In 1812 he participated in the campaign of Russia and the year following in that of Germany. He fought with

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

until his end in 1813 and 1814 in Germany (the battles of Lutzen, Bautzen, Dresden, Leipzig, Magdeburg). In 1815, with the rank of captain, Rondizzoni gave evidence that was of great value in Waterloo. The Napoleonic Wars caused him a total of four wounds and earned him twenty mentions in dispatches for his courage. He also received the Legion of Honor.

Chile

Returning to Italy after Waterloo, Rondizzoni was admitted to the Regiment of the Duchy of Parma which was then ruled by

Marie Louise of Austria Marie Louise (12 December 1791 – 17 December 1847) was an Austrian archduchess who reigned as Duchess of Parma from 11 April 1814 until her death. She was Napoleon's second wife and as such Empress of the French and Queen of Italy from their ...

. Later he moved to

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

in the United States, and it was in this city, that he met the Chilean General Jose Miguel Carrera. In February 1817 he traveled with him to

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...

on the schooner ''Clifton''. In July 1817 he joined the Chilean army and took part in ''Sorpresa de Cancha Rayada'' battle. He left the army after the shooting of the Carrera brothers, but came back in 1823 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Rondizzoni participated in the expedition for the liberation of

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

from the Spaniards earning the rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...

. Then he took part in the expedition of Chiloe in 1824 and 1826. He participated in the civil war of 1829–1830, fighting with

Ramón Freire Ramón Freire Serrano (; November 29, 1787 – December 9, 1851) was a Chilean political figure. He was head of state on several occasions, and enjoyed a numerous following until the War of the Confederation. Ramón Freire was one of the pr ...

in the battles of Ochagavía and Lircay. The defeat suffered in the last battle forced him going into exile, first in Peru and then in El Salvador. He returned to Chile in 1839, where he was appointed governor of Constitución on 12 April 1842 and governor of

Talcahuano Talcahuano () (From Mapudungun ''Tralkawenu'', "Thundering Sky") is a port city and commune in the Biobío Region of Chile. It is part of the Greater Concepción conurbation. Talcahuano is located in the south of the Central Zone of Chile. Geo ...

on 29 August 1849. In 1843 he was promoted to

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

. He remained loyal to the government during the Revolution of 1851, fighting in the Battle of Loncomilla. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff in 1851. That same year he became ''intendente'' of Concepción and ''intendente'' of Chiloe in January 1853. In 1861 he took leave of the Army and retired in

Valparaíso Valparaíso (; ) is a major city, seaport, naval base, and educational centre in the commune of Valparaíso, Chile. "Greater Valparaíso" is the second largest metropolitan area in the country. Valparaíso is located about northwest of Santiago ...

where he died on 24 May 1866. Appointed a Member of the Legion of Merit of Chile, General Rondizzoni is still living in the memory of his adopted country, which has named streets, squares and monuments and even a fortified work in the port of Talcahuano in his honour.

Sources

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rondizzoni, Giuseppe 1788 births 1866 deaths Italian military personnel of the Napoleonic Wars Italian emigrants to Chile Military personnel from the Province of Parma People from Mezzani Chilean Army generals People of the Chilean War of Independence People of the Chilean Civil War of 1829–30