Jose Antonio Costa (Montevideo, c.1817 - Ib., May 1877), Uruguayan military man, who participated in the Brazilian War, the civil wars in his country - especially in the so-called Great War - and in the War of Paraguay. Biography
Born in the Banda Oriental, he emigrated with his parents to Buenos Aires as a child.
Enrolled in a regiment of Hussars to fight in the War of Brazil, during which he participated in the battles of Sarandí, the site of Colonia, Bacacay, Ituzaingó, Camacuá and Padre Filiberto. He was incorporated into the Uruguayan army, at the service of which he fought against the revolution of 1832, led by General Lavalleja.
He supported the revolution of Fructuoso Rivera in 1836, and fought in the battles of Yucutiyá, Yí and Palmar. He also participated in the battle of Cagancha, in which the governor of Entre Rios Pascual Echagüe was defeated. He participated in the invasion of Rivera to Entre Rios in 1842, and fought in the battle of Arroyo Grande. He joined the defense against the siege of Montevideo established by Manuel Oribe, and made some campaigns for the Uruguayan interior as chief of staff of Rivera's army. He fought in the combat of Los Molles and in the battle of India Muerta, after which he emigrated to Brazil.
He returned to Montevideo in 1846, accompanying Rivera, who occupied the government of the besieged city and was his minister of war until he was expelled the following year. He returned to exile.
In some sources he is cited as a combatant in the Battle of Caseros, but he does not appear in most of the officer lists, nor in the campaign parts. He returned after that date to Montevideo, and supported the first presidency of Venancio Flores, who promoted him to the rank of general and appointed him chief of staff of the Uruguayan national army.
In 1863 he supported Flores's campaign against the constitutional government of Berro, but did not participate in any battle. Two years later he was the commander of the Uruguayan troops in the Paraguay War, participating in the battle of Yatay and in the site of Uruguayana. Shortly afterwards he went to retirement.
He died in Montevideo in May 1877. Bibliography
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