José Víctor Zavala

William Walker, American filibuster

Walker's flag of 19th century American-occupied Nicaragua

William Walker's house in Granada. On October 12, 1856, during the siege of Granada, Guatemalan officer Zavala ran under heavy fire to capture the flag and bring it back to the Central American coalition Army trenches shouting Filibuster bullets don't kill! Zavala came out of this adventure unscratched.[5]

At the age of 42, he accomplished his greatest military achievement: still a Sergeant Major, Carrera sent him to Nicaragua in 1856 to participate in the National War of Nicaragua against William Walker as part of the Allied Army Central. 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.[3] He commanded the contingent of Guatemala after the death of General Paredes, and as Lieutenant Colonel, who had been appointed commander of the Guatemalan forces by Carrera. Frederic Rosengarten Jr. named him as the "sliest" of the leaders who attended the campaign.[6]

During the conflict came into contention with the general commander of the Allies, the Salvadoran Ramon Belloso.[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.[8] Once Walker surrendered, received the city of Rivas under his authority, on May 1, 1857.[5] After the war was over, he returned home and six years later took part in an expedition against President of El Salvador, Gerardo Barrios. He was known as the "Guatemalan D'Artagnan".[8] On his return from the campaign against the freeboosters, Zavala was awarded a commemorative medal and the rank of Colonel Army. He continued serving under Captain General Rafael Carrera, with whom he reached the rank of Field Marshal.[3]

After the death of president for life Rafael Carrera on April 14, 1865, there was a period of political accommodation in Guatemala where it was thought that Marshal Zavala would be the new president. Instead, Marshal Vicente Cerna was appointed acting President and, finally, called for elections in January 1869. The Conservatives postulated Marshall Vicente Cerna, who had continued as Acting President; while the Liberals postulated Zavala. Under heavy allegations of fraud, Cerna won. 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.[4] In the new government, served as deputy Secretary of War. 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.[3]