Who was José Gálvez, the Minister of War who died heroically defending Callao in the Battle of May 2?

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Gálvez’s transition from his liberal roots to his crucial role in repelling the Spanish siege demonstrates his commitment to homeland and freedom. (Wikipedia)

It is known that the Independence of Peru was consolidated with important battles such as those of Junín and Ayacucho, however, Spain’s ambitions to recover the city that for a long time was its most important bastion of power and wealth remained for a few more years.

The highest point of these tensions was the remembered Battle of May 2, a date that marked the last confrontation against the royalist forces and a new victory for Peru and the continent that was already leaving the last traces of the Spanish monarchy. However, as in every confrontation, there were lives that were lost and heroes that went down in the annals of history, as is the case of the then minister José Gálvez, who embodied the spirit of fighting and love for the country on that emblematic day.

José Gabriel Gálvez Egúsquiza was born in Cajamarca in 1819, a time when Peru was experiencing its emancipation and the winds of freedom were sweeping the entire continent. His family was also part of this patriotic feat and from a young age he was inherited the thought of acting in favor of the country and its interests.

From a young age, José Gálvez was influenced by liberal and patriotic thought. (issuu.com)

Later, he attended the San Carlos Convictory in Lima, which was directed by Bartolomé Herrera and the conservative ideas that accompanied him. He received his law degree from the Superior Court of Justice of Lima in 1845 and joined the Bar Association, where he would later be dean.

He married, had three children and worked as a teacher at the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe National School, where he taught moral philosophy and then the Psychology, Logic and Theodicy course. There he was also director, counteracting the conservatism that had prevailed since times of yore.

Gálvez always expressed his liberal ideas and did not hesitate to respond to the call of Ramón Castilla, whose proposals on the abolition of slavery of the Afro-Peruvian population and the indigenous tribute were in line with his ideals. He participated in the National Convention of 1855, the constituent assembly that made the new constitution of that time.

However, his political activities alongside illustrious figures such as Ricardo Palma had an unexpected end, as they participated in a plot to assassinate Castilla when he called a Congress for a new constitution.

The assassination failed and Gálvez went into exile to Europe. Despite this, he would later return to Peru and be exiled again to Chile after criticizing President Juan Antonio Pezet’s passive attitude towards the Spanish forces who had not yet recognized Peru’s independence.

Combat of the Second of May (Víctor Jacobo, 1960. Reproduced in the Naval Museum of Callao)

With the arrival of Mariano Ignacio Prado to power, the so-called ‘Cabinet of Talents’ was consolidated, which among other illustrious figures had in its ranks Dr. José Gálvez as president of the Council of Ministers and Minister of War and Navy, according to Congress. of the Republic.

In the midst of tensions, some countries confronted Spain again and the Quadruple Alliance was formed to defend freedom. Only some time later, El Callao was threatened by the Spanish squadron under the command of Admiral Casto Méndez Núñez, who secured the bomber from the first port.

In this context Gálvez assumed the direction of the defense, using the strategic position, the national ships and the town’s famous cannon.

As they had anticipated, the Spanish forces bombarded Callao on May 2, 1866, however, the resistance was such that after five hours of heated combat, the invaders retreated.

Unfortunately, the fire reached the Torre de la Merced, where Gálvez was with other soldiers, who left their lives that day heroically serving the country where they were born. Since then, this character is considered a civil hero who from a young age ensured freedom and democracy in the country.