Candelaria Pérez (1810 – 28 March 1870) was a Chilean soldier who served in the War of the Confederation (1836–39) against the Peru–Bolivian Confederation. She took up a rifle and fought alongside the troops she served with. She was considered the hero of the Battle of Yungay, during which she led an assault against the entrenched Confederate troops. She was given official recognition and the rank of sergeant after the battle.

Candelaria Pérez
Nickname(s)"La Sargento Candelaria"
Born1810
Santiago, Viceroyalty of Peru
Died (aged 59 or 60)
Santiago, Chile
Allegiance Chile
Service / branchChilean Army
Years of service1837–1840
RankEnsign
Battles / warsWar of the Confederation

She was made a commissioned officer before she left the army in 1840, with the rank of Alférez (translated as ensign).

References

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  • Valdivia, Francisca (4 July 2011). "La importancia de la mujer en la guerra de 1879 a 1884" (in Spanish). Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  • "La sargento del Ejército chileno Candelaria Pérez: 1810–1870". Icarito (in Spanish). Copesa. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  • "Sargento 2º Cantinera Candelaria Pérez" (in Spanish). Ejército de Chile. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.