Battle of Quechereguas (1814)
# Battle of Quechereguas (1814)

vteChilean War of Independence :

Patria Vieja 1812–1814

Yerbas Buenas

San Carlos

Chillán

El Roble

Cucha-Cucha

Talca

El Quilo

Membrillar

1st Cancha Rayada

1st Quechereguas

Las Tres Acequias

Rancagua

Reconquista 1815–1817

Juncalito

San Fernando

Crossing of the Andes

Picheuta

Chacabuco

Patria Nueva 1817–1823

Curapalihue

Cerro Gavilán

Talcahuano

2nd Quechereguas

2nd Cancha Rayada

Maipú

Biobío

Valdivia

El Toro

Guerra a Muerte 1819–1826

Mesamávida

Los Ángeles

Curalí

Píleo

Yumbel

Pangal

Tarpellanca

Vegas de Talcahuano

Alameda de Concepción

Hersilia

Vegas de Saldías

Chiloé 1820–1826

Agüi

Mocopulli

Pudeto

Bellavista

Naval battles

Grenadine coast

Callao :

The battle of Quechereguas occurred on 8 April 1814, during the War of Chilean Independence.

## Background

The Royalists had taken the key Patriot town of Talca in March, 1814, and an army, under the command of Gabino Gaínza, now threatened to advance on the Patriot capital of Santiago itself. Bernardo O' Higgins, the famous Patriot leader, attempted to intervene to prevent this.

## The battle

Gabino Gaínza had crossed over the Maule river with his forces, advancing northwards. O' Higgins was unable to pursue him during the day, because of the size of the Royalist force. During the night, however, O' Higgins secretly made the crossing, marched rapidly to the north and placed himself at the site of Quechereguas, in between the Royalist force and the road to Santiago. Gabino Gaínza responded by attacking the next day; O' Higgins' men firmly repulsed the attack, forcing the Royalists to fall back on Talca once more.

