Artigas, Jose Gervasio, << ahr TEE gahs, hoh SAY hehr VAH syoh >> (1764-1850), was a leader in Uruguay’s struggle for independence. In the early 1800’s, he raised an army to free Uruguay from Spain. In 1814, however, troops from Argentina captured Montevideo, Uruguay’s chief city. In 1815, Artigas gained control of Montevideo for Uruguay. For a short time that year, he governed most of Uruguay and parts of Argentina. But Portuguese troops from Brazil captured Montevideo in 1817, and Artigas fled to Paraguay in 1820. Uruguay did not gain its independence until 1828. Artigas was born on June 19, 1764, in Montevideo. He died on Sept. 23, 1850. See Uruguay (Independence) .
