Event of 1814: Battle of Las Tres Acequias ends in victory for the forces of Jose Miguel Carrer (1814)

The Battle of Las Tres Acequias occurred on 26 August 1814 near San Bernardo during the Chilean War of Independence. It was a confrontation between the factions of José Miguel Carrera and Bernardo O'Higgins. The engagement resulted in a defeat for O'Higgins, which subsequently contributed to the nationalist defeat at Rancagua a month later.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. José Miguel Carrera seized power in Chile on 23 July 1814 after dismissing Supreme Director Francisco de la Lastra and installing a new junta. Unable to retreat to Argentina, Carrera consolidated control. O'Higgins intended to advance rapidly on Santiago to defeat Carrera, but he initially failed to realize the size and disposition of Carrera's forces, setting the stage for the confrontation.

Pre-Battle Dispositions. On the eve of the battle, O'Higgins encamped at the Mardones property south of the Maipo River, overnighting at Pérez farm. Luis Carrera deployed his forces with infantry to the right, artillery to the center, and cavalry to the left, supported by eight hundred cavalry militia from Aconcagua under Colonel José Maria Portus. The bulk of Carrera's 3rd division was positioned on the suburbs of Santiago.

Aftermath. Following the engagement, O'Higgins sent a representative to José Miguel Carrera to convey news of the situation and his intentions. On the following day, O'Higgins left the capital to assume leadership of the 1st division, consisting of his old forces, under the overall command of José Miguel Carrera. The defeat for O'Higgins led to the nationalist defeat at Rancagua a month later.

People involved

Sources

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