Battle of Chacabuco
1817 · Chacabuco hacienda, about 55 km north of Santiago (present-day Chile) · World · Modern
The royalists were routed; two days later the Army of the Andes entered Santiago, and O'Higgins became Supreme Director of Chile.
Belligerents
Army of the Andes (United Provinces of the Río de la Plata and Chilean patriots)
- Commanders
- José de San Martín, Bernardo O'Higgins, Miguel Estanislao Soler
- Strength
- c. 3,600 (engaged forces)
Spanish royal army
- Commanders
- Rafael Maroto
- Strength
- c. 1,500–2,000
Background
After the Battle of Rancagua in 1814, Spanish rule was restored in Chile, and O'Higgins and others fled to Mendoza. In Mendoza San Martín painstakingly built up the Army of the Andes for about three years, and in January 1817 crossed the Andes in several columns, the main force going through the Los Patos and Uspallata passes, with feints to divert the attention of the Spanish garrison.
Course of the battle
- Crossing the AndesThe Army of the Andes crossed passes over 3,000 meters high in several columns and joined up in the Aconcagua valley in early February.
- Plan for a converging attack on both wingsSan Martín ordered O'Higgins to pin down the royalists from the front and Soler to outflank them on the right, aiming to catch the royalists holding Chacabuco in a pincer attack.
- O'Higgins charges earlyO'Higgins's troops launched their charge too early and for a time were caught in hard fighting.
- Soler's flank attack wins the daySoler's troops arrived on the flank just in time, the royalist line collapsed, and the survivors fled south.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1817 |
|---|---|
| Place | Chacabuco hacienda, about 55 km north of Santiago (today Chile) |
| Result | The royalists were routed; two days later the Army of the Andes entered Santiago, and O'Higgins became Supreme Director of Chile. |
| Winner | Army of the Andes |
| Casualties | According to records, about 500 royalists were killed and about 600 captured; the Army of the Andes suffered lighter casualties |
| Territorial change | Central Chile returned to patriot control, and the remaining Spanish forces retreated to Concepción and Valdivia in the south |
Impact
The Battle of Chacabuco proved the feasibility of San Martín's strategy of "crossing the Andes and attacking Peru by sea from Chile," and was a turning point in the wars of independence in southern South America.
See the world in 1817 on the map →