Santiago Aldunate

José Santiago Aldunate Toro (20 April 1796 – 21 June 1864) was a Chilean Army general and politician who participated in the Chilean War of Independence, the Liberating Expedition of Peru and the Conquest of Chiloé. He later served as Minister of War and Navy, senator and Commander General of the Chilean Navy.

Biography

Aldunate was born at the Hacienda de Huechún in Melipilla on 20 April 1796, the son of José Santiago Aldunate Larraín and Mercedes Toro Valdés. He entered military service as an ensign in the Rancagua militia on 13 October 1810.

During the Chilean War of Independence, Aldunate participated in the campaigns of the Patria Vieja, including the actions at San Carlos and Chillán in 1813 and Quilo and Quechereguas in 1814. He later joined the Liberating Army and fought at the Battle of Cancha Rayada in 1818.

Aldunate subsequently participated in the Liberating Expedition of Peru as commander of its 2nd Battalion. He later took part in the 1825 campaign against the remaining Spanish forces in Chiloé. Following the incorporation of the archipelago into Chile in 1826, he served as Intendant of Chiloé and was responsible for the civil administration of the province.

During the Chilean Civil War of 1829–1830, Aldunate commanded government forces in northern Chile. On 17 May 1830, he and General Benjamín Viel signed the Treaty of Cuz-Cuz, which ended military operations in the area.

Aldunate later held senior military and political positions. He was appointed Minister of War and Navy under President Manuel Bulnes, assuming office on 3 June 1842. After briefly leaving the ministry in March 1843, he returned on 8 April and remained in office until 21 September 1846. During his tenure, he reported on the condition of the Chilean fleet and supported the acquisition and construction of additional warships. He also oversaw measures concerning the Army's infrastructure, including facilities for the Military School and artillery.

He was elected to the Senate of Chile for the 1843–1852 term, where he served on the Permanent Commission of War and Navy. He later served as a substitute senator during the 1858–1867 legislative period.

Aldunate was appointed director of the Military Academy in 1847 and remained in that position until 1849. He subsequently served as Commander General of the Navy from 1861 to 1864.

Aldunate died in Santiago on 21 June 1864.