Military Officer. Born in Nicaragua when it was still part of the Spanish empire, Estrada first entered military service as a proponent of independence in 1811. A veteran of the many conflicts and wars that developed in Nicaragua in the years that followed, he subsequently rose up the ranks of the military. After the arrival and takeover of the government by filibuster William Walker in 1855, Estrada was promoted to the rank of Colonel and participated in the Filibuster Wars to expel Walker. On September 14, 1856, he came to national prominence when he led his force of about 160 men to successfully repel a much larger force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Byron Cole at the Battle of San Jacinto. The day of the battle is still commemorated in Nicaragua today as a national holiday. After the expulsion of Walker and the end of the war, Estrada was promoted to Brigadier General and Commanding General in 1857. Additionally he was given the rank of Major General by El Salvador. In 1863 he became an opponent of President Tomás Martínez’s plan to remain in office, which resulted in his being stripped of his military rank as a traitor and forced into exile. He was later granted amnesty and reinstated to the rank of Major General by President Fernando Guzman in 1868. In 1971 he was officially proclaimed a National Hero in Nicaragua by President Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Originally buried at the Cathedral in Managua, he was reinterred in his native Nandaime in 1999.
Military Officer. Born in Nicaragua when it was still part of the Spanish empire, Estrada first entered military service as a proponent of independence in 1811. A veteran of the many conflicts and wars that developed in Nicaragua in the years that followed, he subsequently rose up the ranks of the military. After the arrival and takeover of the government by filibuster William Walker in 1855, Estrada was promoted to the rank of Colonel and participated in the Filibuster Wars to expel Walker. On September 14, 1856, he came to national prominence when he led his force of about 160 men to successfully repel a much larger force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Byron Cole at the Battle of San Jacinto. The day of the battle is still commemorated in Nicaragua today as a national holiday. After the expulsion of Walker and the end of the war, Estrada was promoted to Brigadier General and Commanding General in 1857. Additionally he was given the rank of Major General by El Salvador. In 1863 he became an opponent of President Tomás Martínez’s plan to remain in office, which resulted in his being stripped of his military rank as a traitor and forced into exile. He was later granted amnesty and reinstated to the rank of Major General by President Fernando Guzman in 1868. In 1971 he was officially proclaimed a National Hero in Nicaragua by President Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Originally buried at the Cathedral in Managua, he was reinterred in his native Nandaime in 1999.
Bio by: G.Photographer
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