José Trinidad Muñoz

Muñoz was the son of a Spanish military man, Jorge Trinidad Muñoz. He studied military affairs at the Heroic Military Academy in Mexico and later headed the Military Academy in Nicaragua. He was given the title "Pacificador de las Segovias" during an asymmetric war against the indigenous peoples of northern Nicaragua and signed the "Acta de San Juan de Limay" with other Nicaraguan military officials.

In October 1838, the Honduran government under Francisco Ferrera informed the Central American government that auxiliaries from Nicaragua could no longer cross Honduran territory.

Fruto Chamorro ordered Muñoz, who commanded the Honduran troops, not to obstruct the passage of the troops. Muñoz disobeyed the order, and when the Nicaraguan troops reached Choluteca on 17 August, they were forced to leave Honduran territory. When they failed to do so, Muñoz attacked them and they were defeated in a three-hour battle on 19 August. According to Muñoz, 156 Nicaraguans were killed and many captured, as well as over 200 muskets.

Bust of President Francisco Malespín in the University of El Salvador

On 25 October 1844, Salvadoran President Francisco Malespín, handed over the presidency to his Vice President, Joaquín Eufrasio Guzmán, and began leading his troops towards Nicaragua with support from the Honduran Government under Ferrera.

On 26 November 1844, the invading forces reached León, and on 27 November began a 59 day siege. On the same day, at 3 p.m., the first attack was initiated and ended disastrous for the attackers, however, the attack continued until 4 p.m. when allied troops ran out of ammunition and scores of their officers were killed or injured. Disorder ensued and the Honduran troops began to withdraw, but Malespín convinced them to stay in combat and the attack continued, under the command of Muñoz. The following night, Muñoz entrenched, and by the morning of the next day, the allied troops were ready for an effective attack.

In October 1854, Francisco Castellón entered into a contract with US military contractor Byron Cole to supply 200 men led by William Walker in June 1855. Muñoz became commander-in-chief of the troops of the Democratic Party, which had power in León under Castellón against the presidency of Ponciano Corral and José María Estrada.[4][5]