Battle of Boyacá
Ventaquemada, Boyacá
What happened
Simón Bolívar, with Francisco de Paula Santander and José Antonio Anzoátegui commanding his divisions, led the Patriot army against the Spanish royalist army of Colonel José María Barreiro. During the wars for independence from Spain, Bolívar led his army over the high, cold Andes mountains to free New Granada, today's Colombia. He moved to block the royalist army as it marched toward the capital, Santa Fe (Bogotá). At a bridge over the Teatinos River, Patriot soldiers attacked from the front and sides, and in about two hours the royalist army broke and Barreiro was captured.
Why it matters
Result: Patriot victory. Leaders: Simón Bolívar / Francisco de Paula Santander against José Maria Barreiro. Why it matters: The victory opened the way to Bogotá. August 7 is a national holiday in Colombia.
What came next
Bolívar entered Bogotá on 10 August 1819. In December 1819 Gran Colombia was created.
Did you know?
Volunteers from Britain and Ireland, known as the British Legion, fought alongside Bolívar's army at Boyacá.
Timeline
- July 1819Bolívar's army crosses the Andes by the Páramo de Pisba.
- August 7, 1819Bolívar defeats the royalists at Boyacá.
- August 10, 1819Bolívar enters Bogotá.
- December 1819Gran Colombia is created.