Marcos Maturana

In 1818, (at the age of 16) he became a cadet of the Húsares de la Muerte under Manuel Rodríguez, and participated in the Battle of Maipú, during the Chilean War of Independence.

During the War of the Confederation he fought at the battles of Portada de Guías (1838) and Yungay (1839), and in the capture of Lima.

On April 20, 1851, during the Urriola mutiny, he successfully defended his barracks against the attack of a full regiment and decisively contributed to the restoration of the public order.

President José Joaquín Pérez named him Minister of War and Navy, a position he held between July 9, 1862 and January 4, 1865.

In 1864 he was again elected a deputy and in 1866, he became the Senior General Officer (equivalent to Army Commander-in-chief) and a Councilor of State.