Battle of Caseros

Part of the Platine War and the Argentine Civil Wars

Lithography of the Brazilian 1st Division during the battle

Date

February 3, 1852

Location

Between Caseros and El Palomar, Argentina

Result

Decisive Allied victory

Overthrow of Rosas regime
Juan Rosas exiled to Southampton, England

Belligerents

Ejército Grande

Entre Ríos Province (Argentina)

Corrientes Province (Argentina)

Unitarian Party (Argentina)

Colorado Party (Uruguay)

Empire of Brazil

Argentine Confederation

Commanders and leaders

Justo José de Urquiza

Juan Manuel de Rosas

Strength

24,000-28,000 (3,500 Brazilian and 1500 Uruguayan troops)
50 guns

22,000-23,000
60 guns

Casualties and losses

600 dead and wounded

1,500 dead and wounded
7,000 prisoners

Decisive Allied victory

The Battle of Caseros was fought near the town of Caseros, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on 3 February 1852, between the Army of Buenos Aires commanded by Juan Manuel de Rosas and the Grand Army (Ejército Grande) led by Justo José de Urquiza. The forces of Urquiza, caudillo and governor of Entre Ríos, defeated Rosas, who fled to the United Kingdom. This defeat marked a sharp division in the history of Argentina. As provisional Director of the Argentine Confederation, Urquiza sponsored the creation of the Constitution in 1853, and became the first constitutional President of Argentina in 1854.

Rosas had declared war on Brazil in 1851, which led to the signing of a treaty, on 21 November 1851, among the governments of Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Uruguay and the Brazilian Empire. In compliance with the treaty, Urquiza led a joint army and crossed Morón creek, positioning his forces in Monte Caseros. The Brazilian Empire contributed with 3,500 troops, and were the only professional soldiers, but the bulk of the Brazilian Army remained out of the battlefield.

Rosas' forces comprised 10,000 infantry troops, 12,000 cavalrymen and 60 guns. Among his captains were Jerónimo Costa, who defended Martín García island from the French in 1838; Martiniano Chilavert, a former opponent of Rosas who defected when his fellows allied themselves with foreigners; Hilario Lagos, veteran from the campaign against the Indians of 1833.

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