Battle of Millarapue

Battle of Millarapue
Part of Arauco War
DateNovember 30, 1557
LocationVicinity of Millarapue, Arauco, Chile
Result Spanish Victory
Belligerents
Spanish Empire Mapuche
Commanders and leaders
García Hurtado de Mendoza Caupolicán
Turcupichun[1]
Strength
more than 600 Spaniards [2] more than 20,000 Mapuche [3]
Casualties and losses
Some wounded and many horses dead.[2] 3,000 killed, 800 captured most badly injured.[2]

The Battle of Millarapue that occurred November 30, 1557 was intended by the Toqui Caupolicán as a Mapuche ambush of the Spanish army of García Hurtado de Mendoza that resulted in a Spanish victory when the ambush failed.

History

After the victory of the Spanish arms in the Battle of Lagunillas, Mendoza went into the hostile territory of Arauco looking for a decisive battle. The Spanish royal forces encamped at Millarapue on November 29. The Mapuche army under Caupolicán tried an ambush at dawn on November 30, attempting to surprise the enemy camp. That day was the day of San Andres celebrated among the Spaniards and a celebratory morning call of trumpets was interpreted by the Araucanians as an alarm. Believing their ambush detected Caupolicán ordered his army to advance to the attack. Leading some Mapuche warriors from the front was Galvarino, with his handless arms urging on his comrades. The battle was brutal and fierce. The Battle of Millarapue lasted from dawn to early afternoon. Finally the Mapuches were defeated, losing 3,000 dead and 800 captured. Captured leaders were hanged, and Galvarino, captured again, was thrown to the dogs.[4] Following the victory the Spanish advanced to Tucapel and settled down to build the fort of Cañete, not very far from where Valdivia's old fort of Tucapel had been located.

Additional informations

References

  1. ↑ Diego de Rosales, “Historia General del Reino de Chile”, Flandes Indiano, Tomo II, Capitulo XII, XIII, XIV. This would seem to imply that Lautaro Turcupichun was the toqui of the northern Butalmapu of the Mapuche, as Ainavillo had been before him.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lobera,Crónica del Reino de Chile, Libro 2, Capítulo IV.
  3. ↑ Lobera,Crónica del Reino de Chile, Libro 2, Capítulo IV. According to Marmolejo, Historia, Cap. XXVI, only 10,000 Mapuche in two divisions were actually engaged, a third division marching to attack the Spanish rear did not arrive in time.
  4. ↑ Vivar, Crónica, Capítulo CXXXIII

Sources