Martín Güemes (1785-1821) was one of the major figures in the Argentine struggle for independence against Spain. His particular contribution was as leader of the crucial Gaucho War in northwestern Argentina from 1814 to 1821.

Martín Güemes was born in Salta. There he attended school until the age of 20, when he was transferred as a military cadet to Buenos Aires. Until 1814 his military career, while successful, was somewhat commonplace. In that year he was assigned by Gen. José de San Martín to take charge of the irregular resistance to the Spanish in Upper Peru (modern Bolivia). The base of his subsequent career was again the city of Salta. It was from this command that Güemes acquired real historical importance.

Gaucho War

Prior to the arrival of Güemes in 1814, resistance to Spanish invasions had become a...