Santiago de Compostela in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)
El Batallon Literario
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The Literary Battalion Memorial
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 13, 2023
1. El Batallon Literario / The Literary Battalion Memorial Marker
Los Escolares Compostelanos de 1896 y los Ayuntamientos de 1822 1865 y 1896.
(English translation:) In honor of the heroes of the Literary Battalion of 1808
From the Compostela schoolchildren of 1896 and the town councils of 1822, 1865 and 1896.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US.
Location. 42° 52.828′ N, 8° 32.608′ W. Memorial is in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, in A Coruña. It is on Praza da Quintana de Vivos, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Santiago de Compostela, Galicia 15704, Spain. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, on the Atlantic Arc, in Europe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, in the Schengen Area, in a coastal Mediterranean country, and in the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, a Spanish colony, and the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ramón Piñeiro López (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rosalía de Castro (about 90 meters away); Casa da Concha / House of the Shell (about 90 meters away); Luís Porteiro Garea (about 90 meters away); Casa do Deán, Oficina do Peregríno / House of the Dean, Office of the Pilgrims (about 90 meters away);
this page online
Also see . . . Literary Battalion (Wikipedia).
The 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 Compostela. 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".(Submitted on September 14, 2023.)
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 areunited."Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 13, 20232. El Batallon Literario / The Literary Battalion Memorial - wider viewThe 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). - Wikipedia
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 A 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 14, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
