Candelaria Pérez Explained

Candelaria Pérez
Birth Date:1810
Birth Place:Santiago, Viceroyalty of Peru
Death Place:Santiago, Chile
Nickname:"La Sargento Candelaria"
Allegiance: Chile
Branch:Chilean Army
Serviceyears:1837–1840
Rank:Ensign
Battles:War of the Confederation

Candelaria Pérez (1810 – 28 March 1870) was a Chilean soldier who served in the War of the Confederation (1836–39) against the Peru–Bolivian Confederation. She took up a rifle and fought alongside the troops she served with. She was considered the hero of the Battle of Yungay, during which she led an assault against the entrenched Confederate troops. She was given official recognition and the rank of sergeant after the battle.

She was made a commissioned officer before she left the army in 1840, with the rank of Alférez (translated as ensign).

References