Battle of Moquegua

Overview

The Battle of Moquegua took place during the Peruvian War of Independence on 21 January 1823 around the city of Moquegua, between the Liberation Army of Peru, under command of Argentinean General Rudecindo Alvarado, and the Royal Army of Peru under General José de Canterac. The army of the Patriots was almost completely destroyed.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Moquegua was a severe defeat for the Liberating Expedition of Peru, fought near the city of Moquegua on 21 January 1823. The patriot force under Argentinean General Rudecindo Alvarado, numbering approximately 2,800, suffered roughly 1,000 casualties against a Royal Army of Peru force of around 2,522 men under General José de Canterac. The patriot army was described as almost completely destroyed, representing a significant reversal for the independence cause in Peru. The battle demonstrated that royalist forces under Canterac and Valdés retained the capacity to inflict decisive tactical defeats on the Liberation Army, prolonging the struggle for Peruvian independence and undermining the strategic momentum the patriot expedition had sought to establish in the region.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)