Battle of Chacabuco
Battle of Chacabuco
| date | February 12, 1817 |
|---|---|
| place | near Colina in Chile |
| output | Victory of the South American freedom fighters |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
|
South American freedom fighters |
Spanish royalists |
| Commander | |
|
Coronel Rafael Maroto |
|
| Troop strength | |
| 4,000 men | 1,500 men |
| losses | |
|
100 dead and wounded |
500 dead / wounded |
Rancagua - Chacabuco - Chalchuapa - Cancha Rayada - Maipú
The Battle of Chacabuco took place on February 12, 1817 near the city of Colina in Chile . Here, Argentine and Chilean independence fighters defeated the Spanish royalists.
prehistory
Since the Battle of Rancagua in 1814, Chile was again under Spanish control. The period from 1814 to 1818 is called the Reconquista .
The leaders of the independence movement Bernardo O'Higgins and José Miguel Carrera had to flee. In exile in Mendoza , Argentina , José de San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins planned a new campaign against the Spaniards.
Andes crossing
In January 1817 around 4,000 men crossed the Andes from José de San Martín to surprise the Spaniards. The extremely high Andean passes took their toll; many of the soldiers died and around half of the horses perished. The army consisted of Argentines and Chileans .
Course of the battle
Bernardo O'Higgins had his own division. In a risky maneuver, he attacked the Spanish troops near Chacabuco, they were commanded by Coronel (Colonel) Rafael Maroto. The Spaniards had around 1,500 soldiers. The Spanish were able to successfully repel the first attacks. Eventually, O'Higgins and General Soler attacked with cavalry and infantry with bayonets . The Spaniards had to admit defeat to the superior force.
The way to Santiago de Chile was now free. On February 14, 1817, José de San Martín was able to move into Santiago.
On the way to independence in Chile
Still, the Spaniards weren't completely defeated. The former Spanish governor Mariano Osorio raised new troops and was able to defeat Bernardo O'Higgins at the Battle of Cancha Rayada on March 16, 1818. O'Higgins was wounded in the arm. The battle of Maipú on April 5, 1818 brought the final victory for the Chilean independence fighters.