Triple Alliance War: The Honor of the 1st of the Line

"I am not worthy of being your Boss" - By Esteban D. Ocampo

Escuadrón De Caballería Histórica

I remember a time of Glory where the Battalion Chiefs marched in front of their men to show themselves as examples, and not to remain in orders... Time in which together with the last of their soldiers they suffered the Battle; where they bled with them; where his heart broke when he saw his boys fall to the enemy's fire... A time where each of them was like a father to his men.

"The 1st of the Line and the 1st of the National Guards of Corrientes, attacked by an infernal fire of rifles and rockets, were soon surrounded by two Paraguayan infantry battalions and a regiment of cavalry that, determined and impetuous, forced them to retreat. However, recovered from the initial surprise and despite the heavy casualties suffered, the 1st of the Line managed to gain footing and stop the enemy's overwhelming advance, barely holding on, awaiting the sending of reinforcements with which they would resume the offensive. They do not arrive, on the contrary, they receive an unexpected order: to withdraw the battalion! This meant abandoning the field to the enemy, and what was even worse, leaving the wounded and the dead there.
Colonel Rosetti, head of the 1st Line, citing these reasons, requested that protection be sent to him to save those and also the honor of the battalion. But the response was confirmation of the previous order.(...)
Naturally, the movement towards the rear that was carried out encouraged the enemy who, undertaking the advance and reaching the abandoned field, fell with ferocious violence to kill the wounded with bayonets and collect their loot from the victory.
Moments before, one of the wounded who was left abandoned, 2nd Sergeant José María Abrego, who had a leg fractured by a bullet at thigh height (and who was later bayoneted to death), stood up and, raising his rifle, shouted in a loud voice. energetic:

-"Is it possible, comrades, that you withdraw and let us take prisoners? Come, comrades!"

Soldier Alejandro Sider, who had a bullet wound to his ankle, shouted that they should not abandon him, and other calls were heard. The battalion had moved 80 steps away when these events occurred. Colonel Rosetti, as brave as he was a noble soldier, hearing this, could not bear it and determined to disobey the order at any price, addressing his battalion he expressed:

-"It is the first time that the 1st of the Line retreats in the face of its enemies," and letting himself be carried away by this cruel idea, he tore off one of the rank loops and, throwing it at the Paraguayans, added: "I am not worthy of being their chief", and turning around he charged the enemy alone.

His words and his action made the shattered ranks of the 1st react, and upon seeing the heroic desperation of his leader, he faced the enemy and launched into combat shouting: "Long live the 1st Battalion." Infantry!"

Thus, as if obeying a mandate from history, the 1st of the Line faced the enemy and counterattacked.

His troops were dismembered, there was no order and groups of soldiers led by officers and non-commissioned officers stood out in different directions, running to meet the Paraguayans (...)
After collecting the fallen, the battalion formed a column and marched to their field and although everyone's face could clearly see the sadness that overwhelmed their spirits for the loss of so many companions, they carried in their hearts the conviction of having fulfilled their mission. word pledged by his boss, Colonel Rosetti, to the President of the Republic, when answering the speech that he addressed to the battalion when marching to the Paraguay campaign and which he concluded, saying:

"You are the first in glories and the first to appear on the battlefield to wave that flag that you have covered with glories so many times..."

To which his brave leader replied:

"Your excellent sir, you can be sure that the battalion will know how to fulfill its duty in the position assigned to it."

And so it was." (1)

There was a time of glory where people fought for the country with reckless courage, courage and camaraderie... where when one fell, it was like a sure blow to the heart, because one of the sons of the country was giving up the most sacred thing that a man has: its own life.
A time of Glory, where the Chiefs thought they were not worthy of their brave boys, and that is why they charged for Glory alongside them... alongside their men...

A time where everyone knew that:

"To perish where the freedom and independence of the country rise is the most glorious grave for the brave..."

Even if they were not leaders worthy of their men...
Although today, given their example, I am not worthy of being called ARGENTINE like they were...

Esteban D. Ocampo


(1) Giunti, Luis Leopoldo "Páginas de Gloria", Círculo Militar, pag. 88