The Guatemalan D'Artagnan: How a Diplomat-Soldier Became a Legend of the National War

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: José Víctor Zavala was a man of contradictions: a soldier who hated law school, a close friend of a dictator, and a hero of the National War of Nicaragua. Known as the Guatemalan D'Artagnan, he famously sprinted under heavy fire to capture an enemy flag, cementing his reputation for tactical brilliance.

Born in 1815 in Guatemala City, José Víctor Zavala was groomed for a legal career, but his temperament proved ill-suited for the courtroom. Instead, he found his calling in the military, beginning his service by suppressing peasant uprisings led by Rafael Carrera. Ironically, this initial opposition blossomed into a lifelong friendship and professional alliance. Zavala served under Carrera through decades of regional conflict, including the pivotal 1851 Battle of La Arada and the 1853 expedition against Honduras, where he helped secure Fort San Fernando de Omoa.

Zavala’s most defining moment arrived in 1856 when Carrera dispatched him to Nicaragua to combat the forces of William Walker. As a Sergeant Major, he quickly distinguished himself among the Allied Army Central. During the 1856 destruction of Granada, he performed a daring feat, crossing a square under intense fire to seize an enemy flag. His leadership grew as he assumed command of the Guatemalan contingent following the death of General Mariano Paredes. By the time Walker surrendered in 1857, Zavala had earned the rank of Colonel and the moniker 'Guatemalan D'Artagnan' for his tactical cunning.

Following Carrera’s death in 1865, the political landscape shifted dramatically. Though widely considered a successor to the presidency, Zavala was bypassed in favor of Vicente Cerna. He later stood as the Liberal candidate in the 1869 elections, which were marred by allegations of fraud in Cerna's favor. Despite the subsequent 1871 Liberal Revolution, Zavala remained a respected figure, serving as deputy Secretary of War and later as Chief of Staff during the 1885 Campaign for Central American Union. He retired after the death of Justo Rufino Barrios and passed away in 1886, leaving behind a legacy honored today by the Mariscal Zavala Brigade.

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