MONAGAS, Jacinto, South American soldier, born in Venezuela in 1785 ; died in Boyaca, New Grenada, 8 August, 1819. When Francisco Miranda and Simon Bolivar raised the standard of independence, he was one of the first to join their cause. After their capitulation in July, 1812, he assisted in organizing in the provinces north of New Grenada bodies of mounted guerillas, which were known as the "Tartars of America." The rapidity and force of their movements dismayed the royal army, of which they captured entire detachments. In 1815 Monagas surrounded Angostura and drove the royalists from Guiana and Cumana, but was afterward defeated by Cevallos, governor of Coro, Venezuela. He escaped by leaving his horse and jumping from the rocks. After receiving re-enforcements he participated in the bloody campaigns of 1817-'18, contributing to the defeat of the Spaniards, but was mortally wounded in the battle of Boyaca, which secured liberty to Colombia.