In attempts to retain or re-assert control over its colonies in America, the Spanish Empire deployed several expeditionary forces during and after the Spanish American wars of independence. The largest of these forces, known as "the expeditionary army of Costa Firme",[1] and consisting of over 10,000 troops under General Morillo, undertook the Spanish reconquest of New Granada (1815–16).[2] Forces were also sent to New Spain between 1812 and 1817.[3] Later, after Mexican independence in 1821, a Spanish garrison was sent from Cuba to occupy Spain's last Mexican outpost, the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa; this force remained there until surrendering in 1825.[4] Finally, a force under Isidro Barradas Valdés attempted to regain control of Mexico in 1829.[5]
Period | year | Number of men | Units and Commanders (units changed names in 1820) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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European Expeditions 1812 - 1817 |
year 1812 |
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year 1813 |
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Year 1815 |
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Year 1817 |
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Date | Expeditions | Units | |||||||||||
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San Juan de Ulúa |
August 7, 1821 |
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August 1821 |
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October 1822 |
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December 24, 1822 |
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March 1823 |
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August 1823 |
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July 1824 |
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January 1825 |
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Division of Vanguard (1829)
Commander
Units
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(Venezuela and New Granada)
(Perú, Chile and Upper Peru)