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The 'Battle of Maipú' was a battle fought near Santiago, Chile on April 5 1818 between South American rebels and Spanish royalists, during the South American wars of independence. Victory came to the rebels commanded by José de San Martín, leader of the resistance to Spain in southern South America, and it completed the independence of Chile from Spanish domination.

Contents

Background

The battle

Results

Order of Battle

Sources

External link

Background

Main articles: The Road to Maipo

In 1817, the Argentine General José de San Martín led an army across the Andes and defeated the Spanish at the battles of Chacabuco and Chalchuapa and captured Santiago. The Spanish viceroyalty sent a Spanish army to Santiago under General Mariano Osorio, which defeated San Martin at the battle of Cancha Rayada. The drive for independence never diminished, however, and the following year San Martin launched a final offensive, which was to decide the outcome of the war.

The battle

In April 1818, marched his army out from Santiago and scaled the Andes Mountains, some rising as high as 13,000 feet (4,000 m). Near the Maipù River high in the rugged terrain of the Andes, San Martin caught the Spanish army under General Osorio off guard. The Royalists formed up on a ridge, but with their left flank separated from the main body. San Martin attacked this flank, driving off the Royalist cavalry with his own elite Horse Grenadiers, and isolated it, securing his right flank. He then attacked the Royalists in the centre, and was initially repulsed, but a Royalist counter-advance was met by effective artillery fire, and also driven back. At this point, General Osorio deserted the field, leaving the Royalist army under the command of Colonel Ordonez. San Martin committed his reserve to the attack, and the Royalists retreated, some making a stand at a nearby farm.

Results

The victory produced tremendous results. The victory ended the struggle for Chilean independence and so demoralized the Spanish army in South America that San Martin was able to easily sweep through and conquer Peru. The battle left 2,000 Spaniards dead and 3,000 captured; the patriots lost about 1,000 men.

Order of Battle

'Patriots' Commander: General José de San Martin

★ ''Las Heras' Division'' (Colonel Las Heras)
:
★ 11th Infantry Battalion (Argentinian)
:
★ ''Cazadores de Coquimbo'' (Chilean)
:
★ Battalion ''Infantes de la Patria'' (Chilean)
:
★ 4 Squadrons of Horse Grenadiers (Argentinian)
:
★ 8 Field Pieces

★ ''Alvarado' Division'' (Colonel Alvarado)
:
★ 2nd Infantry Battalion (Chilean)
:
★ 8th Infantry Battalion (Argentine)
:
★ ''Cazadores de los Andes'' (Argentine)
:
★ 4 Squadrons ''Cazadores a Caballo de los Andes''
:
★ 9 Field Pieces

★ ''Reserve Division'' (Colonel de la Quintana)
:
★ 1st Infantry Battalion (Chilean)
:
★ 3rd Infantry Battalion (Argentine)
:
★ 7th Infantry Battalion (Argentine)
:
★ 2 Squadrons Escort Cavalry
:
★ 4 Field Pieces
'Total:' 5,000 men with 21 guns
'Royalists' Commander: General Mariano Osorio

★ 1st Brigade (Colonel Ordoñez)
:
★ Battalion ''Concepción''
:
★ Battalion ''Infante Don Carlos''
:
★ 1 Company Sappers
:
★ Squadron ''Lances del Rey''
:
★ Squadron ''Arequipa Dragoons''
:
★ 4 guns

★ 2nd Brigade (Colonel Morla)
:
★ Battalion ''Arequipa''
:
★ Battalion ''Burgos''
:
★ ''Chillan Horse Dragoons''
:
★ 2 Squadron ''Frontier Dragoons''
:
★ 4 guns

★ 3rd Brigade (Colonel de Rivera)
:
★ Amalgamated battalion (Grenadier and Cazadores Companies from Battalions ''Burgos'', ''Concepción'', ''Infante'' and ''Arequipa'')
:
★ 4 guns
'Total:' 5,000 men with 12 guns

Sources

★ http://historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=642

★ ''Compton's Home Library: Battles of the World'' CD-ROM

External link

★ Maipú a su servicio journal