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.

Background

In 1817 José de San Martín had led an army across the Andes Mountains and defeated the Spanish at the battles of Chacabuco and Chalchuapa and captured Santiago. The Spanish viceroyalty send a Spanish army to Santiago under General Osorio which defeated San Martin at the battle of Concha Rayada . The drive for independence never diminished 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. Near the Maipù River high in the rugged terrain of the Andes, San Martin caught the Spanish army under General Osorio off guard. The terrain proved difficult to manuever in, especially for the Spanish cavalry which was rendered usesless for the battle. San Martin divided his force into two columns and attacked from a position leaving no escape route in case of defeat. Using advanced weapons the patriot attacked with such resolve that they thoroughly routed the Spanish forces in a sustained six-hour battle.

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.

Sources

• http://historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=642
• Compton's Home Library: Battles of the World CD-ROM