Degollado, Santos, 1811-1861

Military and political leader. Born 1811 in Guanajuato; died 1861 on the plains of Salazar, Mexico state. Scribe for a notary and for the Haceduría of the Cathedral in Morelia (1828-?). Imprisoned twice for insurgency (1836-1839?). Secretary of the Junta Subdirectora de Estudios of Michoacán (1844) and President of the Junta Directiva de Fomento de Artesanos (1846). Secretary of the Colegio de San Nicolas. Governor of Michoacán after Melchor Ocampo. Fought against Santa Anna and became a general. Deputy for the District of Michoacán at the Constitutional Congress of 1856-57. Governor of Jalisco (1857). Fought on the side of Benito Juárez in defense of the 1857 Constitution. Minister of War and Navy, General-in-Chief of the Federal Army (1858). Noted for his great organizational skill but not his military strategy, Degollado suffered many military defeats. His armies finally were victorious under the direction of Jesús González Ortega. Involved in the confiscation for military purposes of some funds being sent out of the country by businessmen, Degollado was discharged from military command. Obtained reinstatement to avenge the execution of Melchor Ocampo. Ambushed by the forces of Leonardo Márquez and killed on June 15, 1861.

Military and political leader. Born 1811 in Guanajuato; died 1861 on the plains of Salazar, Mexico State. Scribe for a notary and for the Haceduría of the Cathedral in Morelia (1828-?). Imprisoned twice for insurgency (1836-1839?). Secretary of the Junta Subdirectora de Estudios of Michoacan and President of the Junta Directiva de Fomento de Artesanos (1846). Secretary of the Colegio de San Nicolas. Fought against Santa Anna and became a General. Deputy for the District of Michoacan at the Constitutional Congress of 1856-57. Governor of Jalisco (1857). Fought on the side of Benito Juarez in defense of the 1857 Constitution. Minister of War and Navy, General in Chief of the Federal Army (1858). Noted for his great organizational skill but not his military strategy, Degollado suffered many military defeats. His armies finally were victorious under the direction of Jesús González Ortega. Involved in the confiscation for military purposes of funds being sent out of the country by businessmen, Degollado was discharged from military command. He obtained reinstatement to avenge the execution of Melchor Ocampo and was killed in ambush by the forces of Leonardo Márquez on June 15, 1861.