Casimiro Alegre was a Argentine military, rancher, alcalde, commander in the Regiment of Blandengues of the Frontier.
Background
Alegre was born on 19 January 1741 in Buenos Aires, was the son of Matias Alegre (born in Asuncion) and Francisca Sosa. His father Matias, was devoted to livestock, had a ranch in Zárate northeast of the province of Buenos Aires. Casimiro Alegre was married to Anastacia Espinosa, daughter of Francisco Antonio Espinosa (descendant of Antón Higueras de Santana) and Francisca Ramírez.
Career
The Espinosa family was originally from Burgos Mountains. Casimiro Alegre was a descendant of Esteban Alegre, who arrived at Río de la Plata in the expedition of Juan de Garay, also a descendant of Luis Alegre (expeditionary of Pedro de Mendoza). The Alegre family were all farmers of the province of Buenos Aires, linked to other important Argentine families as López Osornio, Sosa, De la Rosa and Andrada.
They had large land possessions in the towns of San Vicente and Cañuelas.
Military He began his military career at the age of fourteen or fifteen, fighting against the Querandís Indians on the ranch of his father. In 1777, he was responsible for the construction of the barracks on the shores of Laguna of Monte area populated by rebellious Indians.
In 1779, he was promoted to Lieutenant of militia and appointed Captain in 1780. The night of August 27, 1780 there had been an Indian attack (composed of thousands of warriors) on Luján, the Consejo de guerra of Buenos Aires had appointed of the Captain Alegre, to lead the punitive expeditions against raids.
This military expedition had flintlocks, carbines, pistol, lances and sabers.
As an officer, Alegre was appointed alcalde de la hermandad in the towns of Almirante Brown, San Vicente, Magdalena 1780, and Louisiana Matanza three times-1790, 1795, 1796. As alcalde of Louisiana Matanza, Alegre was commissioned by the viceroy, Pedro Melo de Portugal to make the appraisal of a land located in the current territory of Marcos Paz. Alegre also participated in the defense of the Banda Orienta del Uruguay against Portuguese invasion in 1811.
In 1817, Alegre retired as commander of the 1st Company of urban militias of San Vicente, province of Buenos Aires.