SAAVEDRA, Cornelio (sah-vay'-drah), Argentine soldier, born in Potosi, Bolivia, in 1760; died in Buenos Ayres in 1829. In 1767 his family removed to Buenos Ayres, where he obtained his education. He filled different posts under the Spanish government, and on 6 September, 1806, was appointed chief of a battalion. When Montevideo was taken by the English troops, 2 February, 1807, Liniers marched with a division of 2,500 volunteers to protect the city, and Saavedra took part in the expedition at the head of 600 patricians. He took possession of all the arms and ammunition of Colonia, and carried them to Buenos Avres. On 5 July, 1807, he took an active part in the reconquest of the latter city, at the head of his battalion. On 25 May, 1810, after the revolution, of which he was one of the chiefs, he was appointed president of the governing junta. Against the advice of Mariano Moreno (q. v.) he admitted the deputies of the interior provinces into the junta in December, 1810, and by this and other measures caused discontent, and when the patriotic army under Belgrano was defeated, 20 June, 1811, at Huaqui, Saavedra left for upper Peru to take command of the army. On 23 September the revolution that overthrew the junta took place, and Saavedra was ordered to deliver the forces under his command to General Pueyrredon. In 1814 he was accused of being the leader of the mutiny of 5 April, 1811, took refuge in Chili, and was excluded from the amnesty that was granted afterward. When, in 1816, the congress of Tucuman was established, he presented himself for trial, and was acquitted and occupied his former place. When Balcarce passed to the army of San Martin in 1817, Saavedra was appointed his successor as chief of staff, which place he occupied till 1818. He served in the Argentine army till 1821, when he retired with his family to a country-seat.