SANDOVAL, Gonzalo de, Spanish soldier, born in Medellin, Spain, about 1496; died in Moguer, Spain, near the close of 1528. He was the youngest of the lieutenants of Ilernan Cortes, who, after the subjugation of Montezuma, placed him in command at Villa Rica de Vera Cruz. He seized the messengers of Narvaez, who demanded the surrender of the town, and sent them as prisoners to Cortes, to whom he rendered effective aid in overcoming his rival. He conducted operations against the Aztecs from a post called Segura, near Tepeaca, until the vessels were b, filt for the attack by lake on the capital, when he went to Tlaseala to direct their transportation. In the investment he occupied the eastern approach, and in the first assault he supported Alvarado in an attempt to gain the market-place. He met Cristobal de Tapia, who was sent to relieve Cortes, in December, 1521, and in a council of officers obtained a delay. He was the ablest and most conspicuous officer of Cortes in his southern conquests, and accompanied him on his return to Spain to confront his enemies, but died immediately after landing.