Patricio Lynch
Rear Admiral; Chilean Governor of Occupied Peru
"Order shall be kept in Lima, by mildness if possible and by force if not."
Biography
Of Irish descent and a former officer of Britain's Royal Navy, Patricio Lynch — nicknamed 'the Red Prince' after service in China — led the destructive raiding expedition up the Peruvian coast in 1880 that burned haciendas and levied ruinous contributions to cripple Peru's economy and will. After the fall of Lima he became the Chilean political and military chief of the occupation, governing the defeated country for nearly three years. As governor he combined firmness against the guerrillas of the sierra with efforts to restore order and administration, directing the long counter-insurgency campaign that finally broke Cáceres's resistance and brought Peru to terms. A capable and controversial figure, he is remembered as one of Chile's ablest commanders of the war.
Did you know?
He earned the nickname 'the Red Prince' during his youthful service with the Royal Navy in China, and spoke fluent English from those years.
Key Battles
Battle of Miraflores
Chile victoryJanuary 15, 1881 · 6,000 total casualties
The fall of Lima was the climax of the war, but not its end: rather than surrender, Peruvian patriots under Cáceres carried on a two-year guerrilla resistance in the mountains against the Chilean occupation.
Life Journey
Timeline
December 18, 1825
🌅 Birth
Born in Santiago
1880
⚔️ Battle
Leads the destructive raid up the Peruvian coast
1881–1884
🕊️ Postwar
Governs occupied Peru as Chilean chief
May 13, 1886
✝️ Death
Dies at sea off Tenerife