Antonio González de Balcarce Antonio González Balcarce Antonio González de Balcarce ( June 24 , 1774 - August 15 , 1819 ) was an Argentine military commander in the early 19th century . González de Balcarce was born in Buenos Aires . He joined the armed forces as a cadet in 1788 . In the battle for Montevideo in 1807 , he was captured by the British forces and taken to England . After his release , he fought in Spanish service in the Napoleonic Wars . After his return to Buenos Aires , he participated in the May Revolution in 1810 . Subsequently , he was named second commander for the military campaign of the independentist forces in the Viceroyalty of Perú , where he won the battle of Suipacha on November 7 , 1810 , the first victory over the Spanish royal forces . Eventually , he was called back and became the governor of Buenos Aires in 1813 . In 1816 , he served as the Supreme Director of the country ad interim , and became the Major General of the armed forces the following year under the government of Pueyrredón . He died of ill health in Buenos Aires in 1819 . See also List of Presidents of Argentina External link Biography - Appletons Encyclopedia Categories : 1774 births | 1819 deaths | Argentine military personnel | South American wars of independence people | Argentine governors | Supreme Directors of Argentina In other languages : Español 