Gaspar de Vigodet surrenders Montevideo (1814)

Gaspar de Vigodet, the last Royalist Governor of Montevideo, surrendered the city to independence forces in June 1814. The siege, initiated in 1811, ended after naval victories cut off supply routes, leading to starvation and capitulation to General Carlos María de Alvear.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Montevideo, a key port on the Río de la Plata, competed with Buenos Aires for maritime dominance. In 1811, forces from the Junta Grande and Artigas began besieging the city, which refused to obey the May Revolution's authorities. By October 1812, rebels controlled the region, leaving only the city under siege.

Siege Conditions. The city held out due to supplies arriving from over the sea. However, naval victories by Admiral William Brown on May 17, 1814, cut off these supply routes. Consequently, the city faced starvation, creating conditions that forced the Royalist Governor to capitulate to independence forces.

Aftermath. Vigodet, a Spanish military officer who had previously served in the Great Siege of Gibraltar and battles in Spain, surrendered Montevideo to General Carlos María de Alvear. This event marked the end of Royalist control in the city, though Vigodet later went into exile in France following the restoration of King Ferdinand VII.

People involved

Sources

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