The Road to Maipo

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The Road to Maipo describes the events in the process of Chilean Independence between the Battle of Cancha Rayada and the Battle of Maipú in 1818.

March 20th am

After the Battle of Cancha Rayada, Colonel Las Heras marched north reaching Camarico with the Army's 1st Division which saved from the action. The rest of the Army were disbanded.

March 20th pm

The Royalists pursued the enemy up to the Lircay river. The bulk of the disbanded Patriots were gathering in the north at San Fernando as Las Heras arrived at Quecherebuas by 5pm.

March 21st

Las Heras resumed his march north to Chimborango. Brigadier General Mariano Osorio returned to Talca with his Army sending Brigadier Ordoñez in pursue up to Quechereguas. General José de San Martin inspected the troops gathered at San Fernando.

March 22nd

The First Division arrives at San Fernando where it is inspected by San Martin. The 8th Battalion is reorganizing at Pelequen as the artillery marched to Santiago. Ordoñez forces stop at Quechereguas where they wait to the rest of the Army.

March 23rd

The First Division marches to Pelequen while Colonel Bueras with two cavalry squadrons covers the rearguard

March 24th

Osorio leaves Talca with his army reaching Camarico. Las Heras continues to march north. Meanwhile the Fatherland Infantry Battalion marches from Valparaiso to Santiago.

March 25th

Las Heras reaches Graneros while Bueras with two cavalry squadrons protects his back. The royalists advances only 10 kilometers (6 miles) but its cavalry reaches Qechereguas. General Gonzalez Balcarce assumes command of the Liberation Army's column.

March 26th

The Libertation Army's column vivouacs at Hospital ranch. The reinforcements from Valparaiso arrive at Santiago. The whole Royalist Army resume its march reaching the Lontue river.

March 27th

San Martin ocuppies the Maipo plain with the Fatherland Infantry Battalion. General Balcarce reaches the Maipo river, while Osorio moves north up to Chimborango.

March 28th

The Liberation Army's column corsses the Maipo river gathering with San Martin's forces at the Maipo plain. Bueras continues to patrol the Pelequen area. Osorio arrives at San Fernando with his Army where he gets news that the enemy is reorganized.

March 29th

Osorio continued his march north but at a slower pace. The United Army's command was not aware of the enemy's position, but suspecting they were retreating south.

March 30th

A clash of cavalry took place between the rearguard commanded by Colonel Bueras and the Royalists advanced parties. Bueras reported San Martín the enemy's position. Osorio camped with his Army at Rancagua.

March 31st

Osorio continued his march cautiously.

April 1st

Osorio continued his march without any resistance and camped at the Mendoza Ranch. He was informed that the enemy was gathered south of Santiago

April 2nd

Osorio deployed his strategy marching north to Lonquén, where he crossed the Maipo river to reach the Mirador del Tagle.

April 3rd

The Royalist Army marched to La Calera where the scout parties of both armies exchanged fire. Osorio received a report of the enemy's position and decided to march north to secure the road to Valparaíso as a retreat route. San Martín sent cavalry parties commanded by General Balcarce to slow down the enemy's advance.

April 4th

Osorio put in action his plan advancing under the fire of the enemy's patrols. His army arrived to the Lo Espejo Ranch where a war council was celebrated. A decision to combat San Martin forces there was arrived and instructions were dispatched to the artillery train to join the army as it have been advancing at a lower pace.

The Battle of Maipú was about to begin.

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