page_title: José Víctor Zavala
section_title: War against William Walker
hierarchical_section_title: José Víctor Zavala / Biography / War against William Walker
caption_attribution_description: Portrait drawing of United States filibuster William Walker
context_page_description: José Víctor Ramón Valentín de las Ánimas Zavala y Córdova was a Guatemalan Field Marshal who participated in the wars of Rafael Carrera and the National War of Nicaragua against the invasion of William Walker. After the death of President Carrera in April 1865, Zavala -who was a close friend of the late President - was proposed as the next president, but instead Field Marshal Vicente Cerna y Cerna was appointed. A military brigade headquarters in Guatemala City is named "Mariscal Zavala Brigade" in his honor.
context_section_description: 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. 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.
  During the conflict came into contention with the general commander of the Allies, the Salvadoran Ramon Belloso. 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. Once Walker surrendered, received the city of Rivas under his authority, on May 1, 1857. 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". 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.
caption: William Walker, American filibuster
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