Battle of Curapalihue
# Battle of Curapalihue

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 Curapalihue (4 April 1817) fought in Chile, was a minor encounter between South American rebels and Spanish royalists, during the South American wars of independence. The result was a defeat for the royalists.

## Background

After the defeat of Chacabuco and the capture of Santiago by the Army of the Andes, the royalist forces concentrated around Concepción under Colonel José Ordóñez. General José de San Martín ordered Colonel Juan Gregorio de Las Heras to take command of a division and move south. When Colonel Ordóñez heard of the approach of the patriot army, he decided to stage a surprise night attack against them.

## The battle

The Spanish forces, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Juan José Campillo, were composed of 500 infantry and 100 cavalry. They attacked at 1:30 AM, but their surprise was foiled and they had to retreat very soon leaving behind 10 soldiers dead and 7 prisoners, while the patriot forces suffered almost no casualties.

