RONDEAU, Jose (ron-do'), Argentine soldier, born in Buenos Ayres in 1773; died there in 1834. He was educated in Montevideo, entered the military service in 1793, and when Montevideo was captured by the British, 7 February, 1807, he was taken prisoner and sent to England, but he was liberated in July of that year. Going to Spain, he served in the peninsula against the French invasion, but in August, 1810, he returned to Buenos Ayres, and joined the patriots soon afterward, lie succeeded in April, 1811, to the command of the Argentine forces that were operating against Montevideo, gained the victory of Las Piedras, 18 May, 1811, and in June began the siege of that city, which was raised on 23 October of that year by a treaty with the Spanish general Elio. After the hostilities against Montevideo had begun again, Rondeau, in command of the vanguard, gained, on 31 December, 1812, the victory of Cerrito, and in January, 1813, superseded Sarratea in the command of the Argentine forces, and began the second siege of Montevideo, but in 1814 he was superseded by Alyear, and promoted to the command in upper Peru. in December of that year he refused obedience to Alyear, who intended to deprive him of his command, and when that general was removed, 15 April, 1815, Rondeau was chosen supreme director; but he remained in command of the army, routing General Pezuela at Puesto del Marquez, 14 April, 1815, and occupying Potosi, but suffering defeat at Sipe-Sipe, 28 November, 1815. On 10 June, 181!), he was elected director of the republic, but was deprived of office, 12 February, 1820, when the supreme power was vested in a commission of the municipal body, and the separation of the different provinces was virtually consummated. Rondeau retired to private life, but took part in the campaign for the liberation of Uruguay, and on 17 September, 1828, was elected provisional president, resigning on 25 April, 1829.