Battle of Pavón
1861 · Pavón (in today's Santa Fe Province, Argentina) · World · Modern
The Confederation cavalry had the upper hand at first, but Urquiza suddenly led his troops off the field, and Mitre seized the initiative
Belligerents
Buenos Aires Province
- Commanders
- Mitre
- Strength
- c. 15,000 men
Argentine Confederation
- Commanders
- Urquiza
- Strength
- c. 17,000 men
Background
After the fall of Rosas, Buenos Aires Province refused to join the Argentine Confederation led by Urquiza, and the two faced off for nearly a decade.
Course of the battle
- A decade of standoffBuenos Aires and the Confederation were separate; they reconciled temporarily after the Battle of Cepeda in 1859, but the settlement soon broke down
- The armies clashThe Confederation cavalry routed both cavalry flanks of Buenos Aires
- Urquiza withdrawsUrquiza did not commit his reserves and led his troops off the field; his reasons are still debated
- UnificationThe Confederation government then dissolved, and in 1862 Mitre was elected president of the unified country
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1861 |
|---|---|
| Place | Pavón (in today's Santa Fe Province, Argentina) |
| Result | The Confederation cavalry had the upper hand at first, but Urquiza suddenly led his troops off the field, and Mitre seized the initiative |
| Winner | Buenos Aires Province |
| Casualties | Casualties unknown; several hundred on each side |
| Territorial change | Argentina unified under the leadership of Buenos Aires |
Impact
The Battle of Pavón ended Argentina's long division and laid the foundation for national unification centered on Buenos Aires.
See the world in 1861 on the map →