Battle of Las Piedras

Significance

The Battle of Las Piedras, fought on May 18, 1811, was a decisive engagement in the Rio de la Plata war of independence. The revolutionary forces under José Gervasio Artigas defeated the Spanish force commanded by José Posadas, inflicting casualties that ranged between 100 and 500 on the Spanish side. The two forces were closely matched in size — Spain fielding 1,004 troops against the revolutionaries' 1,076 — making the outcome a meaningful demonstration that patriot forces could overcome organized Spanish resistance in the field. The victory strengthened the position of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata in the broader independence struggle and established Artigas as a significant military commander in the River Plate region.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)