Battle of Salta
Plains of Castañares, north of Salta, Argentina
What happened
The Army of the North of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, under Manuel Belgrano, fought the Spanish royalist army under Pío de Tristán. In the Argentine War of Independence, Belgrano's army marched north toward Salta. A local captain guided it along a high route that avoided the guarded mountain pass. The royalists were caught on steep ground, Belgrano's troops broke into the city streets, and Tristán surrendered in the main square.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It secured independence forces' control over most of the northern lands of the former Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. It was the first battle fought under Belgrano's new flag, which became Argentina's national flag.
What came next
Belgrano gave his reward money to build schools, though they were never built. His army marched on into Upper Peru (Bolivia), where it was defeated at Vilcapugio and Ayohuma.
Did you know?
The grave for the dead of both sides was marked by a wooden cross reading 'To the victors and the vanquished'.
Timeline
- 27 February 1812Belgrano first raises his new flag at Rosario.
- September 1812Belgrano wins at Tucumán.
- 20 February 1813Belgrano wins at Salta.
- 20 June 1820Belgrano dies; the date is now Argentina's Flag Day.