On 12 February 1817 the Army of the Andes under José de San Martín, with the Chilean patriot Bernardo O'Higgins leading one of its two divisions, defeated a royalist army under Brigadier Rafael Maroto at Chacabuco, north of Santiago. The victory opened the road to Santiago, and O'Higgins became Supreme Director of Chile.
Battle of Chacabuco
12 February 1817 · 209 years ago
Over the Andes
Early in 1817 San Martín led his Army of the Andes from Argentina over the mountains into Chile, which was then held by Spain. By early February the main body had crossed and was gathering in the valley of the Aconcagua, while the royalists hurried troops north to block the road to Santiago at the Chacabuco hills.1
The plan of attack
San Martín split his army into two divisions, which set out on the night of 11 to 12 February. O'Higgins was to come down the main road and hold the royalists in front without bringing on a full battle, while Miguel Estanislao Soler took a longer path over the hills on the right to fall on their flank and cut off their retreat. The Chilean Academy of Military History, following the historian Diego Barros Arana, gives Soler about 2,000 men and O'Higgins fewer than 1,400; the Argentine historian Bartolomé Mitre gives 2,100 and about 1,500.2
O'Higgins attacks early
O'Higgins reached the enemy first, while Soler's column was still on its long and narrow path. Instead of waiting, he attacked, and his first assault was thrown back.3
Accounts differ on what turned the battle. Mitre stresses San Martín, who sent orders for Soler to charge at once and launched his grenadiers as Soler's vanguard came down on the royalist left. Barros Arana gives the credit to O'Higgins, whose second attack broke the royalist center before Soler's troops arrived to complete the rout. The royalist line collapsed, and by early afternoon the battle was over.4
Losses and what followed
Royalist losses were heavy: about 500 killed and about 600 taken prisoner, according to both Barros Arana and Mitre. Patriot losses were light, though counted differently: Mitre gives 12 killed and 120 wounded, and Barros Arana puts the patriot killed and wounded together at no more than 150.5
The victors entered Santiago. San Martín declined to govern Chile, and O'Higgins was acclaimed Supreme Director. On 12 February 1818, the first anniversary of the battle, Chile's independence was solemnly proclaimed. The war in central Chile was decided later that year at the Battle of Maipú.6 › Battle of Maipú, 1818
Also on this day
Battle of Château-Thierry
12 February 1814 · 212 years ago
Napoleon's army tried to destroy the Prussian corps of Yorck and the Russian corps of Osten-Sacken near Château-Thierry on the Marne, during the Six Days' Campaign. The Allies escaped across the river, but with far heavier losses than the pursuing French.
