Battle of Chacabuco
Chacabuco Valley, north of Santiago, Chile
What happened
The Army of the Andes under José de San Martín, with Bernardo O'Higgins and Miguel Estanislao Soler, fought a Spanish royalist force under Rafael Maroto. San Martín led his army from Mendoza, in Argentina, over the high passes of the Andes in about three weeks, at an average height of about 3,000 metres. In the Chacabuco valley a royalist force blocked the road to Santiago. San Martín split his army into two columns that attacked the royalists from both sides and won.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The patriots entered Santiago, and the expulsion of Spanish forces from Chile began. It made O'Higgins the leader of Chile.
What came next
San Martín refused to lead Chile and named O'Higgins Supreme Director instead.
Did you know?
San Martín learned the royalists' plans from a spy disguised as a poor Chilean peasant.
Timeline
- 19 January 1817The Army of the Andes leaves Mendoza.
- 12 February 1817The patriots win at Chacabuco.
- 13 February 1817The army enters Santiago.