Manuel Roergas Serviez

Emmanuel Roërgas de Serviez (Cutry (Meurthe-et-Moselle), May 16, 1785 – Apure, November 30, 1816), known by the Hispanicized name of Manuel Roergas de Serviez, was a French soldier and adventurer who participated in the wars of independence in South America.

Born into French nobility, Serviez served in various units of the French Army during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, attaining the rank of lieutenant. In 1809, he deserted and later joined the independence movements in South America. After briefly serving in Venezuela, he fled to New Granada following the fall of the First Republic of Venezuela. There, he was appointed lieutenant colonel in the army of the United Provinces and tasked with training troops using French military doctrine.

In 1813, Serviez was accused of conspiring against General Antonio Nariño but was acquitted in 1814. That same year, he co-founded a military academy in Medellín with Francisco José de Caldas, mentoring future Colombian general José María Córdova. He later participated in the Battle of Bogotá under Simón Bolívar and was appointed chief of staff under General José María Cabal, playing a decisive role in the Patriot victory at the Battle of the Palo River in 1815.

Amid the Spanish reconquest in 1816, President Camilo Torres Tenorio promoted Serviez to brigadier general and commander of the army. Realizing his forces could not withstand the Spanish offensive, he led a strategic retreat to the eastern plains, preserving key military leadership, including Santander and Córdova. His forces joined those of José Antonio Páez and took part in the Battle of Hato Yagual.

Soon after, while seeking rest due to poor health, Serviez was murdered under mysterious circumstances.