Indalicio Téllez

Indalicio Téllez Cárcamo (28 August 1876 – 20 November 1964) was a Chilean Army general, lawyer and writer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from August 1931 to June 1932.

Early life and education

Téllez was born in Puerto Montt, Chile, on 28 August 1876. After completing his secondary education at the Liceo de Hombres de Puerto Montt, he entered the Military Academy on 28 April 1894. He graduated on 11 August of that year as a second lieutenant of infantry.

In addition to his military education, Téllez studied law at the University of Chile, obtaining his law degree in 1921.

Military career

In 1906, Téllez was assigned to the Chilean military mission in Germany and subsequently served with the 20th Infantry Regiment in Wittenberg, where he remained for two years.

After returning to Chile, he taught military history at the Chilean Army War Academy and the Military Academy. He also taught tactics and law at both institutions.

As a major, Téllez was appointed acting commander of the 15th Infantry Regiment Llanquihue in 1916. After his promotion to lieutenant colonel, he was formally appointed commander of the regiment.

In 1924, holding the rank of colonel, Téllez was appointed Chilean military attaché to Czechoslovakia. After his promotion to brigadier general, he served as director of the Chilean Army War Academy from 1925 to 1926. In the latter year, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the I Infantry Division, headquartered in Tacna.

Téllez retired from active military service on 28 January 1928 but continued to serve for several months as Intendant of Tacna.

During the presidency of Juan Esteban Montero, Téllez was recalled to active service. He was promoted to major general on 25 August 1931 and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. He held the position until 11 June 1932.

Téllez subsequently retired permanently from military service in 1932.

Writing and academic activities

Téllez was the author of several works on military organization, tactics, military law and Chilean history. His military writings included Organización del Ejército y del batallón de infantería, La caballería en la exploración y en el combate and Tratado de táctica. He also wrote the legal work Jurisdicción militar and historical works including Epopeyas militares and Historia militar de Chile 1520–1883.

Among his other works were Raza militar and Lautaro, the latter dealing with the Mapuche military leader Lautaro. His Historia de Chile received first prize in a national competition and was subsequently used as an educational text in Chilean schools.

Téllez was also a regular contributor to the newspapers El Mercurio and El Diario Ilustrado, as well as Zig-Zag magazine.

He was a member of the Chilean Academy of Language and of historical academies in France, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Military ranks

• 28 April 1894 – Cadet
• 11 August 1894 – Second lieutenant
• 22 November 1897 – Lieutenant
• 7 February 1911 – Captain
• 21 January 1918 – Major
• 29 October 1924 – Lieutenant colonel
• 26 May 1925 – Colonel
• 1926 – Brigadier general
• 25 August 1931 – Major general
• 1931 – General of the Army

Téllez died in Santiago, Chile, on 20 November 1964, aged 88.

Bibliography

• Archivo General de Guerra. Hoja de vida y actuaciones destacadas.
• Archivo de hombres de armas de Chile. Vol. 3.
• Estado Mayor General del Ejército. Periodo de influencias alemana y norteamericana, 1885–1952. Barcelona, 1987, p. 273.