Battle of Puente Obligado

Unit/ Formation: Royal Marines

Location: Puente Obligado

Period/ Conflict: 1800's

Year: 1845

Date/s: 20th November 1845

Royal Marines were engaged in South America, where the Spanish Colonies were all in a state of revolt. From 1835 there had been two factions in Uruguay, one under Rosas desiring incorporation with the Argentine Confederation, and the opposition led by a M. Rivera.

Attack and capture of the batteries of Ponto Obligado, November 20, 1845. Oil on canvas. 80x171 cm. Commissioned by Louis-Philippe for the Musée de Versailles in 1846 and exhibited at the Salon of 1847. Signed F.BARRY 1846. Palais du Luxembourg, Paris, France.

The Acting President was a M. Suarez. Rosas, the dictator of Buenos Ayres, favoured the Argentine party and one of his lieutenants - Cribe - in 1843 began the nine years' siege of Monte Video.

British and French boats assaulting the chain line at Obligado

But in 1845 the British and French Governments ordered their squadrons to interfere against Rosas at the moment when his victory seemed assured, and in consequonee an attack was ordered. Admiral Inglefield with 6 British and 3 French ships first proceeded to turn Rosas' men out of Colonia, a town on North bank of the River Plate: these retired after a few shots.

Plan of Battle - Walker and Boutall, engravers - Henry Norton Sulivan: "The Life and Letters of Admiral Sir B.J. Sulivan K.C.B.", John Murray, 1896, 52 - 70

The ships then ascended the River Parana to where powerful batteries had been erected at Puente Obligado, about 100 miles from the mouth.

Larravide, Manuel. "Battle of Vuelta de Obligado".

On 18th November they anchored about three miles below Obligado. The batteries on the right bank were armed with 22 guns and a number of field guns. Twenty-four vessels had been secured with a chain as a boom across the river, protected by a schooner and two gunboats.

Chain links and ammunition used by the Argentine forces during the battle

On 20th the Allies attacked and the leading vessels suffered rather severely, but the chain was cut and the steamers passed through and enfiladed the forts.

Battle of Puente Obligado - See more Royal Marines History here

At 5 pm Captain T Hurdle with Lieutenant Morrison as Adjutant, landed with 145 Marines and 180 Seamen (who had been trained as Light Infantry by Lieutenant Lawrence RMA) and attacked the Uruguayans covering the batteries and drove them out with the bayonet.

They destroyed the guns and re-embarked; next day the destruction was completed. The British loss was 30 killed and wounded.

The squadron then went up the river to Corrientes, opening up the river to trade

References/ Read More:

1. History of the Royal Marines 1837-1914 HE Blumberg