Luis Fermín de Carvajal Vargas y Brun, born on December 27, 1752 in Lima, Peru, and died on November 20, 1794 in Pont de Molins, Spain, was a prominent Spanish and Peruvian military man and landowner. Son of Fermín Francisco de Carvajal Vargas, I Duke of San Carlos, and Joaquina Ana Magdalena de Brun y Carvajal, Luis Fermín had a significant military career.
He began his military career in 1765 as a cadet in the Spanish royal guards regiment. In 1768, King Carlos III awarded him the title of Count of the Union and the Cross of Santiago. He participated in important military campaigns, including the siege of Gibraltar (1779) and the capture of Mahón (1781) during the American War of Independence. He rose to colonel in 1783, brigadier in 1789, and field marshal in 1791. During the Roussillon War against France, he served under General Antonio Ricardos and distinguished himself in several battles, including that of Truillas in 1793. After death de Ricardos and his successor, the Count of O'Reilly, Luis Fermín de Carvajal was appointed commander of the army of Roussillon and captain general of Catalonia in 1794.
Unfortunately, his leadership faced significant challenges. He suffered defeats at the Battle of Boulou and at Collioure, which considerably weakened the Spanish army. He attempted several times to lift the French siege on different fronts, but was finally killed in action at the Battle of Black Mountain in November 1794. His death marked a critical point in the war, and the Spanish army was forced to withdraw.
Carvajal Vargas y Brun is remembered as a brave and talented general, particularly prominent in the campaign of 1793. However, he was also criticized for being extremely harsh and haughty during his command. His death at the Battle of Black Mountain is seen as a significant moment in the French Revolutionary Wars.
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