Battle of Quebracho Herrado

Battle of Quebracho Herrado
Cavalry fight in the age of Rosas (c. 1840) by Carlos Morel
Date 28 November 1840 Location Quebracho Herrado, Córdoba 31°33′00″S 62°13′30″W / 31.55°S 62.225°W / -31.55; -62.225Coordinates: 31°33′00″S 62°13′30″W / 31.55°S 62.225°W / -31.55; -62.225 Result Decisive Federal victory
Belligerents
Federalist forces	Unitarian forces
Commanders and leaders
Manuel Oribe	Juan Lavalle
Strength
Total: 4.250-4.600 350 infantry 4.250 cavalry (1.200 dismounted) 4 cannons	Total: 6.500 1.600 infantry 4.900 cavalry 5 pieces of artillery
Casualties and losses
36 killed and 50 wounded	500-1.500 killed 500-1.000 prisoners
Location within Argentina

The Battle of Quebracho Herrado, fought on 28 November 1840 in the east of Córdoba Province, Argentina, was a victory for the Argentine federal army, led by former Uruguayan president, Brigadier Manuel Oribe over the Unitarian army led by Brigadier Juan Lavalle, during the Argentine Civil Wars.

In 1840, a revolt against the dictatorial rule of Juan Manuel de Rosas began in the interior of Argentina. Brigadier Juan Lavalle assembled about 4,000 men, mostly from Corrientes Province but with some exiles from Buenos Aires Province. He invaded Entre Ríos Province with this force. He fought a Federal army of about 5,000 men under the command of the Governor, Brigadier Pascual Echagüe at the Battle of Don Cristóbal (10 April 1840) and the Battle of Sauce Grande (16 July 1840).

About the same time, the Unitarian Coalition of the North was formed by the governments of five provinces opposed to Rosas. The Coalition forces numbered about 2,000 men under the command of Colonel Major Gregorio Aráoz de Lamadrid. Lamadrid managed to stop an attack led by the governor of San Juan Province, Colonel Nazario Benavídez, and the governor of Santiago del Estero Province, Brigadier Juan Felipe Ibarra. Lamadrid later held Córdoba Province, helping to install a liberal government there as a coalition ally.

After Sauce Grande, Lavalle was expelled from Entre Ríos by Echagüe. He moved down the Paraná River and invaded Buenos Aires Province with 2,500 men, but failed in his attempt to defeat Rosas due to federal resistance from Buenos Aires and the lack of French support. He therefore returned to Santa Fe Province, pursuing the federal forces of that province commanded by Brigadier Juan Pablo López, who had gone down to Buenos Aires to support Rosas. He occupied Rosario and the capital city of Santa Fe. He was held up for a month by indecision and by the tenacious defense of López and his deputy, Lieutenant Colonel Jacinto Andrada. He became surrounded by the Federal army led by General Oribe, whom the government of Buenos Aires had placed in command of their army. Lavalle agreed with Lamadrid, who already occupied Córdoba Province, to move to that province and join forces.