Battle of Mata de la Miel: Páez and his riders crushed the realist army

José Antonio Páez's military career has recorded glorious feats for the Fatherland. Of these, the brilliant triumph in the Battle of Mata de la Miel, the serene night of February 16, 1816, stands out.

The day before the battle, the patriotic troops stationed in Guasdualito learned that the enemy was coming, so the commander of the patriots, General Joaquín Ricaurte, held an assembly with the officers to announce his decision to order the withdrawal of the troops to the Province of Casanare.

Páez refused to comply with this resolution, as he was determined to defend the inhabitants of Guasdualito with his sword. Thus, with Ricaurte retreating to Casanare, the fierce ranger was left in command of 500 cavalry and marched to meet the enemy.

As the sun went down, Páez arrived at a place called Mata de la Miel, where he caught a glimpse of the dust that warned of the proximity of the Spanish troop, under the command of Colonel Francisco López, who had 800 horsemen and 650 infants. Páez was warned by his officers about the danger of engaging in combat at night. But nothing could stop him, the chief lanero prepared his troops in two lines and ordered the attack.

The front line attacked and put many of the realists to flight. However, the second line was repulsed by the enemy. Páez intervened and attacked with his cavalry in a new charge, deploying his famous “Vuelvan Caras” strategy, thus defeating López's riders, who could not resist the onslaught of the lancers.

With the victory in hand, the Páez riders set out to pursue the royalists until nine o'clock in the evening. Although López was able to flee, 500 of his men were taken prisoner and 400 died in combat.

Mazo News Team