[2] Zavala y Córdoba was born in Guatemala City and was educated on sound moral principles that he would always hold in high esteem and were decisive for his formation, making him a good friend among those who knew him.

[3] Zavala began his military career when he joined the Army to put out the peasant uprisings commanded by Rafael Carrera who -ironically- eventually would be his loyal collaborator and friend; likewise attended numerous expeditions, among which may be mentioned, fighting against Serapio Cruz in action Patzún in July 1848, also participated in the historic Battle of La Arada, on 2 February 1851 and subsequent action against Honduras in 1853, so he was considered as one of the winners of Fort San Fernando de Omoa.

He led his troops through Nicaraguan territory and then joined the column under General Mariano Paredes with whom he went to Cojutepeque, achieving a landslide victory.

[7] On October 12, 1856, during the destruction of Granada, Zavala performed an act of courage: he crossed the square of the city to the house where the pirates took shelter; under heavy fire, he made it to the enemy's flag and carried it back with him.

A few weeks later, Field Marshall Serapio Cruz started a rebellion which ended with the victory of liberal forces led by Miguel García Granados and Justo Rufino Barrios in 1871.

During the Campaign for Central American Union in 1885 he was General Barrios Chief of Staff, serving at old age but held in high regard by his experience and education.