This section lists those actions that occurred in Southwestern South America. It includes the battles fought by Andean forces under San Martin in Chile. It also includes the final campaign against the Royalist bastion of Peru by veterans of both San Martin’s Andean force and Bolivar’s Venezuelan army that was now commanded by Sucre. Numerous skirmishes were fought between rival Creole factions in Chile.

March 1814. Creole operations under O’Higgins in Chile capture El Quilo. A simultaneous Creole holding action is conducted by Mackenna at Membrillar.

1-2 October 1814. Battle of RANCAGUA. Royalist-Loyalist forces under Osorio inflict a major defeat on Creole forces under O’Higgins and the Carrera brothers. Poor support between the Creole factions with each leader commanding a separate division. Led to their easy defeat. The loss forced to Creoles to evacuate Chile and flee to Argentina.

7 February 1817. San Felipe. Royalist troops skirmish with leading elements of San Martin’s Andean Expedition.

12 February 1817. Battle of CHACABUCO. Andean forces under San Martin cross the Andes. The Andean troops defeat a Royalist force.

1817. Creole forces under Las Heras are beaten in several small battles in the area south of Santiago including Talca and Talcahuano. The area remains under Royalist control.

Feb-March 1818. Port Talcahuano. a Royalist stronghold, repulses several probes and attacks launched by O’Higgin’s Chilean troops.

19 March 1818. Battle of Cancha-Rayada. Royalist forces (6,000)defeat the Creole forces (4,,300 inf + 1,700 Cav) The Creoles camped in a rugged area unsuitable for cavalry. The Royalist took advantage of this poor deployment and launched a hasty night assault. Many viewed this rout as a death kneel for the Creole cause in Chile. 5 April 1818. Battle of MAIPO (Aka Maipu). Creole forces under San Martin defeat Royalist forces. Considered the battle that secured Chile for the Creole cause.

1819-1826. The area south of Santiago remains a strong area of Loyalist support. Numerous probes and minor campaigns are conducted to isolate the area. January 1820. Raid on Valdivia. Four forts on the Western shore, one fort and a castle on the eastern side and an island fortress guard the Royalist controlled port in southern Chile. A Chilean expedition under Cochrane of 250 infantry and 70 sailors and marines from three ships conducts a raid by landing on an isolated beach and attacking the forts from land approaches. Three forts a captured in an assault and the others either surrender or are evacuated after falling for a reinforcement ruse.

6 August 1824. Battle of JUNIN. A joint command of Bolivar’s troops and San Martin’s Creole forces attempt to liberate Peru. While both infantry and cavalry units are present, only cavalry units fought. It was known as the battle where “not a shot was fired… all that was heard were the clashes of sword and lance...” The Creole forces won and the Royalist infantry withdrew in good order

9 December 1824. BATTLE OF AYACUCHO. Creole forces under Sucre (6,000) defeat Royalist troops (9,300). The victory liberates Peru.

18 January 1826. Battle of Chiloe. Creole forces capture the last Royalist base in South America. This ends Spanish rule in South America.

Latin American Wars of Independence

Background Data
Key Terms and Definitions
Organization and Character of the Armies
Operations in Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela
Operations in Upper Peru (Bolivia) and Argentina
Operations in Chile and Peru
Key Leaders
Bibliographic Appendix