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Battle of Moquegua
The Battle of Moquegua (or Moquehua) took place during the Peruvian War of Independence on 21 January 1823 around the city of Moquegua, between the Liberation Army of Peru, under command of Argentinean General Rudecindo Alvarado, and the Royal Army of Peru under General José de Canterac. The army of the Patriots was almost completely destroyed. PreludeAfter José de San Martín had abandoned Peru in September 1822, command of the United Peruvian army fell to General Rudecindo Alvarado, under whose command the United army was ordered to defeat the bulk of the Royalist troops that were still intact in the south and the country's mountains. In the first days of October, Alvarado's expedition, composed of approximately 4,300 troops and 10 pieces of artillery, sailed from Callao and on 6 December, landed in Arica. After the battle of Torata, the Patriot army retreated to the town of Moquegua with the intention of reorganizing its forces. But the Royalists, knowing that reinforcements under command of General José de Canterac were very close, did not plan to let victory, that was considered certain, slip away. After the arrival of the division of General Canterac, the Royalist army went on the offensive.[2] the BattleGeneral-in-Chief José de Canterac divided the Royalist army into two divisions. The first under the orders of Brigadier Valdés was to march hiding behind a hill on the enemy's right. The second divisions, under the command of Brigadier Manuel Monet, was to execute a frontal attack. On 21 January, Canterac advanced and met the Patriots in the Tombolombo pampa, adjacent to the Moquegua River. At 10 in the morning the forces were face to face only separated by the river. Canterac gave the sign for a simultaneous frontal attack by Monet and an enveloping attack by Valdés on the right flank. The patriot defense was overwhelmed and dispersed, giving up the battlefield. As a result, about 700 Patriots were killed, and 1,000 taken prisoner. On the other hand, Royalist casualties totaled 150 dead and 250 wounded.[3] AftermathThe surviving Patriots retreated to Iquique, where they were attacked by General Olañeta, and lost an other 100 men, before being able to embark at Ilo to return to Lima. The campaign had been a total disaster. Of the initial 4,300 men, only around 1,000 returned to Lima. Many elite troops from Chile had been lost. ReferencesLinks |
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