Martiniano Chilavert
Martiniano Chilavert was a 19th-century Argentinian military officer who took part in the country's civil wars between the Unitarians and the Federales. Originally a Unitarian opponent of Federalist leader of Juan Manuel de Rosas, Chilavert turned to the Federalists after the Battle of Vuelta de Obligado. Chilavert was motivated by Rosas' resistance to the British and French and the other Unitarian leaders' alliance with foreign powers like the Empire of Brazil. The day after the Federalist defeat in the Battle of Caseros, which brought about the fall of Rosas regime, Chilavert was taken in custody. He was set for execution by shooting on the charge of treason upon direct orders of Unitarian leader Justo José de Urquiza. He had instead to be stabbed and killed with bayonets by the members of the firing squad after resisting to be shot in the back, a punishment commonly reserved for traitors.
