SOLANO MASTER'S PORTRAIT BY DANIEL prestigious history DON EDUARDO PEREZ Tandil THE DIPLOMAT PAMPAS Rufino SOLANO There characters in the rich history of our area that have been of great value to achieve a coexistence that otherwise might be called peaceful, between whites and aborigines in the difficult years of the nineteenth century and yet only have a small mention. This is the case of Don Rufino Solano.
Not far from Tandil, in payment of the Blue, was born in 1837, son of Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment
Patrician Dionisio Solano (1776/1882) , a soldier in the British invasions of the National Independence and acted together to General Manuel Belgrano during the campaigns to Paraguay and Northern, and later became the head of the caravan of the city's founding families of Blue, in 1832, where as mayor for more than thirty years and died there one hundred and six years. Rufino
lived in his hometown until his death on July 20, 1913. It fell to act on the internal border no less than between 1855 and 1880, during which he met and dealt personally with the highest authorities of the Federal Government: Urquiza, Sarmiento, Avellaneda, Mitre, Marcos Paz, Adolfo Alsina, and finally of his career, Julio A. Roca. Served in the military and fought under the command of Colonel Alvaro Barros, Francisco Elias, our landmark Benito Machado and Gen. Ignacio Rivas, among others. He was also the military link the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, in the figure of Archbishop Federico León Aneiros, called "The Father of the Indians." This last task took him to act closely with Father Jorge María Salvaire, mentor and founder of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. Omar Alcantara
states that Solano was in possession of an admirable poise and great power of persuasion, was also associated with all the Chieftains, and Capitanejo Caciquejos of the pampas, penetrating even his own tolderías to contact them. Through these actions, managed to free hundreds of people, including captives, children, exchange of prisoners, even through its informal efforts, were released and military officials.
Your task mediator and peacemaker, managed to avoid confrontations and contain countless attacks on incipient populations, an activity that was commissioned by the national authorities. This is why the renowned historian Raul. Entraigues states that "for nearly twenty years Solano Captain managed to keep peace in their confines (sic). Alsina himself as Minister of War, in 1875, before a large crowd gathered at the Riviera, he acknowledged: "Captain Rufino Solano, you in your office is so useful to the country as the best warrior."
His personal qualities, his loyalty, sincerity and honesty in the deal, "says Alcantara- was a virtue that allowed him to enjoy the highest prestige and confidence of both sides. It added that since his childhood and youth was in constant contact with the indigenous people, especially Catriel, where he learned the language and tame, to make weapons to hunt, track, to follow and survive in the vastness pampas and allowed him to understand what were the feelings and needs of Aboriginal people.
His deft handling of critical situations, prevented more bloodshed and so, in all fairness, he was known as "The diplomat of the pampas." Not participate in the Rock Campaign. In fulfilling its task mediator, was seen accompanying delegation of Indians much closer to Buenos Aires to parley with the national authorities. When I came along with these embassies, used to stay with them at the Hotel Hispano Argentino or any of that city, and at other times Barracks says Retiro-Alcántara, and completed the negotiations, returning with them, riding towards the border.
His conduct both their employer and to the Indian leaders was always the same: to achieve even-handed and that agreements were to meet. This honesty in their behavior, let him be respected and always welcome in tolderías.
His performance was extended beyond our region, and this was recognized in 1873, at a crowded event, which was given in Rosario, a gold medal as a reward for their services rescuing prisoners and captives in that city residents. That mission was accomplished with complete success. In that event also gave him a scroll of gratitude which states among other words: "... in its present this testimony of affection and gratitude for your gracious selflessness and generosity with which penetrated to the tolderías of the Indians of the Pampa the rescue of Christian captives, leading to plausible results in difficult and dangerous mission entrusted to the Commission Rosario rescue. This society does not may forget so precious services and resolved those feelings credit you with this weak but honorable testimony. " For his part, March 14, 1873, the newspaper El Nacional, Buenos Aires, prominently reflected what happened:
After finishing his struggles, the Indians continued to hunt for Don Rufino to help them obtain land live and many of them got through their great influence and prestige, leading to President's Office, General Julio A. Roca, to make their just petitions, doing so with the Chiefs Sayhueque Valentine, Manuel Namuncurá, Lorenzo Paine-Mile, Queen of the Indians Catrieleros Bibiana Garcia among many others. Solano
also participated in many battles in defense of border towns, among whom was our Tandil with his friend and former chief Machado, San Carlos de Bolivar, Blue, Olavarria, Tapalqué, Bahía Blanca, Tres Arroyos, etc., Speaking Blanca Grande in command of Colonels and Alvaro Benito Barros Machado, laying the foundations of the modern city of Olavaria. Since 1868, remained with Blue Col.. Francisco Elías. Under the command of General Ignacio Rivas, and with the rank of captain, participated in the Battle of San Carlos, against the hosts of Calfucurá, on March 8, 1872, opening the foundation of which is Today the city of San Carlos de Bolivar, in the latter contest, which lasted all day, the Indians, recognizing him, shouted "Jump" Captain "It served as head of the body of cowboys and their intervention prevented him soon this decisive battle, nine in the cacique Juan Calfucurá toldería his vanquished opponent. This episode is unique and unforgettable, "says Alcantara," because Calfucurá, feeling die, on the night of July 3, 1873, and seeing Captain Solano vigil at his bed, touched by this gesture, he indicated that he should retire immediately after his death because they were going to run along with all the captives. " So did the captain, and immediately after the death of the chief, went in pursuit and rode all night, finally Rufino captives were saved and arrived the next day to a safe place. Solano Rufino thus would have been the target last seen alive in this legendary chief, who, in his last moments of life, made this gesture of greatness and humanity. For this feat, Captain Solano was received with admiration and gratitude in Buenos Aires by Archbishop Aneiros and the President of the Nation and his cabinet. Bishop sent Aneiros place in the Archbishop's Palace, a commemorative plaque this unique event.
About the Archbishop said, called the "Father of the Indians," on numerous occasions, turned to Captain Solano who acted as liaison and interpreter with several visits by indigenous leaders with whom the priest had meetings remembered in that Hotel Hispano Argentine Buenos Aires and in other occasions at the headquarters of the Archdiocese.
The Church had previously tried an approach to Aboriginal. In January 1859, Father Guimón, assisted by Fathers Harbustán and Larrouy, Bayonne, had been admitted to Azul to meet with the chief Cipriano Catriel, holding three meetings with the boss, can not that would convince him to teach the catechism in the tribe.
Fourteen years later, on January 25, 1874, came to Blue Father Jorge María Salvaire (Lazarus) with the same intentions of its predecessors, but this time it was this priest advocate the invaluable presence of Don Rufino Solano, prudence and cautious of this remarkable priest advised his speech and said so: "... Captain Rufino Solano, experienced man in frontier life, which on several occasions and had the same purpose for Salinas Grandes participated, earning the trust of capitanejos chiefs and whose language he knew perfectly. "
Is certified for their active participation and its beneficial influence by the existence of friendly letters to them during the talks, by the chiefs and Bernardo Alvarito Reumay Namuncurá, the "scribe of the Pampas," both from 1874. The latter was the one who saved the Father Salvaire when I was about to be killed by his brother, the chief Manuel Namuncura. Solano
captain and helped paved the way in mission postponed nearly fifteen years, Father Salvaire, called "The mission of the desert and the Virgin of Luján", thus the Church have a much more frequent contact and fluid as witnessed by the chiefs exchanged notes by Manuel Namuncurá and Archbishop Aneiros, noting that the presence of Captain Chief Solano leading the delegation was to meet the distinguished prelate.
Salvaire was the Father who later laid the foundation stone of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, 15 May 1887, then was his parish priest and died in the city of Luján on February 4, 1899. His remains were deposited in the crypt located in the right transept of the Basilica, on the other hand, the remains of Archbishop Aneiros rest in a mausoleum located in the right wing of the Cathedral of Buenos Aires, in the chapel dedicated to St. Martin of Tours .
other hand, is a real injustice the half-ruined tomb of the outstanding military azuleño is located in the farthest corner, abandoned and forgotten cemetery Azul, in a place without assistance, it could be difficult to locate.
For his work done with these figures of the Church, there are many religious historians have referred to it as a sign of appreciation for the valuable collaboration, as evidenced by the concern of the noted historian Dr. John G. Bishop Duran, (member of the National Academy of History and Director of the Department of Church History, Faculty of Theology, Catholic University of Argentina, who spoke on the occasion of the centenary Tandil Santa Ana in 2009 -), while in 2001, went to Riviera to photograph the grave of Captain Solano, publishing full-page in his book "In the Shade and Railef Catriel. Authors and foreign universities also have valued his career, such is the case, among others, by Susan Rotker of Rutgers University (USA). Solano
captain who served the country throughout its long life and sacrificed poor border, where they rarely got a salary from Buenos Aires.
In his hometown, Blue, was honored by the Honorable City Council on December 14, 2009, in enacting the Ordinance which imposed its name from a passage in the urban sector as Captain Don Rufino Solano "The Peacemaker of the Pampas. " References
protagonist's biography can be found in the works of Antonio G. del Valle, D. Abad de Santillán, A. Sarramona, Ricardo Piccirilli, Enrique Udaondo, Vicente Durán Cutolo and JG Bishop, but corresponding to Omar Horacio Alcantara most interesting research on this exceptional character, work published between 2007 and 2008 in El Tiempo, Everything is History, Federal and literature has been fundamental to this report.
times and wanted to join in remembering the life of this man, who combined the sword with the word conciliatory in such difficult stages of our history.
Author: Daniel Eduardo Pérez. Texto extraído del blog
http://historicus-daniel.blogspot.com/
El autor de este artículo es oriundo de la ciudad de Tandil, vecina localidad de Azul, es Historiador e investigador de historia argentina, preferentemente historia regional. Ha publicado 15 títulos y premiado en varias oportunidades. Como periodista ha escrito desde hace 15 años en
TIEMPOS TANDILENSES entre otros medios. Se desempeñó como
Director de Cultura de la Municipalidad de la Ciudad de Tandil , es Presidente de la
Junta de Estudios Históricos de Tandil . Se desempeña como Secretario
Administrative Faculty of Humanities, under the National Central University of Buenos Aires Province (UNICE) based in the city of Tandil .-
