¿Cómo Peru logró su independencia? - La Batalla de Ayacucho

The Climax of the Peruvian War of Independence

Context of the War

• By 1822, the Peruvian War of Independence had been ongoing for 13 years, reaching a critical point after José de San Martín captured Lima and much of northern Peru.

• Despite these gains, most of Peru remained under royalist control, particularly in the south and east where Viceroy José de la Serna held power from Cusco.

San Martín's Challenges

• San Martín faced a crisis as his troops were unpaid for months and living conditions deteriorated; some soldiers resorted to eating spoiled food.

• Financial difficulties arose when Buenos Aires, his main sponsor, ceased funding. Additionally, debts to the British fleet supporting his campaign compounded his problems.

Meeting Between Revolutionaries

• In July 1822, San Martín met with Simón Bolívar in Guayaquil to strategize on defeating royalists in Peru.

• Following their meeting, San Martín resigned from command and returned to France while Bolívar took over leadership for the liberation efforts.

Bolívar's Immediate Crisis

• Upon assuming command, Bolívar inherited 2,500 former soldiers from San Martín; however, three-fourths defected to the royalists due to unpaid wages.

• Bolívar urgently evacuated remaining forces from Lima just before 3,000 royalist troops occupied it.

The Loss of Lima

• The loss was catastrophic for Bolívar; he retreated northward to regroup but faced dire circumstances with only a fraction of resources compared to the royalists' 16,000 professional soldiers.

• Desperate measures included conscripting local men aged 12 to 40 and threatening local leaders with execution if they did not comply.

Shifts in Power Dynamics

• A turning point occurred as internal strife among royalists emerged due to political turmoil in Spain following King Ferdinand VII's return to absolute power.

• Viceroy de la Serna sympathized with recently overthrown liberal government while General Pedro Antonio Olañeta rebelled against him seeking control over Peru.

Revolutionary Advances

• This division within royalist ranks provided an opportunity for Bolívar who mobilized nearly 10,000 troops into enemy territory aiming at José de Canterac’s forces near Junín.

• Canterac avoided battle initially but was pursued by Bolívar’s cavalry leading to a small victory that weakened Canterac’s infantry significantly.

Consolidation and Supply Issues

• After securing victories but facing supply shortages in mountainous terrain, Bolívar decided to return to Lima for provisions leaving Antonio Sucre temporarily in charge.

Battle of Ayacucho: The Turning Point

Context and Prelude to Battle

• Bolívar's absence from the battlefield is noted; had he been aware of the situation, he might have stayed. The forces of Cantera and Valdés united, gaining strength and pursuing the rebels.

• For several days, both armies engaged in a tactical game, with Sucre refusing to engage as ordered. Eventually, near Ayacucho, the realists cornered the rebels, forcing Sucre into battle.

• The responsibility for defeating the realists fell not on Bolívar but on his apprentice Sucre.

Initial Engagement

• At 8 AM, a realist general approached the rebel camp proposing a salute between officers before battle. Many commanders had personal ties due to previous campaigns together.

• Sucre organized his forces into four divisions:

• Left flank: 1,600 men led by General José de la Mar.

• Center: Cavalry division led by William Miller.

• Reserve: 1,700 men under Jacinto Lara.

• Right flank: Largest division with 2,300 men led by José Córdoba.

Key Figures in Command

• William Miller was a veteran of Napoleonic wars and played crucial roles in earlier battles. He suffered numerous injuries throughout his life.

• Jacinto Lara had over ten years of experience fighting for Bolívar since Venezuela's independence war.

• José Córdoba participated in significant battles like Boyacá but later condemned Bolívar’s dictatorship and would lead a rebellion against him.

Realist Forces Overview

• The realists were also divided into four divisions:

• Right flank: 3,000 men under Jerónimo Valdés with four cannons.

• Left flank: Division of Juan Monet with around 2,000 troops.

• Third Division: Led by Valentín Ferraz with cavalry troops experienced from previous conflicts.

Tactical Maneuvers Before Combat

• Despite having more soldiers and artillery (10 cannons), realists faced challenges due to terrain features that hindered direct attacks across a large trench separating both armies.

• Realist strategy involved two phases; first securing positions before launching an all-out frontal assault once fully deployed across the trench at approximately 10 AM.

Battle Commencement

• The initial phase began successfully for realists as they repelled cavalry harassment and secured their position. However, confusion arose when one battalion misinterpreted signals leading to premature advances against superior numbers.

Chaos on the Battlefield

Battle of Ayacucho: A Turning Point in the Independence Movement

Initial Engagements and Reinforcements

• The left flank of Sucre is under significant pressure, with the lower division being bombarded by cannons but maintaining its lines. Sucre sends reinforcements from the Ara division.

• Realist forces, led by De la Serna, are struggling to avoid a complete defeat on their left flank. He dispatches two battalions from Gerona while also ordering an attack in the center against Monet's division.

Struggles and Tactical Maneuvers

• Monet's division faces immediate gunfire upon emerging from the trench, suffering greatly due to low morale; some historians suggest Monet lacked commitment to the realist cause.

• As the realist left flank collapses, De la Serna joins the fight to rally his troops but ultimately fails. He himself is wounded and captured during this chaotic engagement.

Outcome of the Battle

• The Valdés division realizes they have lost when they see Colombian flags raised; 2,000 realist soldiers are killed and 300 captured. The battle reflects contrasting fortunes on both flanks.

• While rebels struggle in the north, they achieve victory in the south due to Córdoba's determined fighting, earning him recognition as a hero of Ayacucho.

Aftermath and Surrender

• General Canterac considers regrouping for further combat but ultimately agrees to surrender after his officers express fatigue. They meet with Sucre to negotiate terms.