Battle of Agüi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Agüi
Part of the Chilean War of Independence
Date February 18, 1820 Location Fort Agüi north of Ancud on Chiloé Island Result Royalist victory
Belligerents
Chilean patriots	Royalists
Commanders and leaders
William Miller	Antonio Quintanilla
Strength
60
Casualties and losses
20 killed

The Battle of Agüi was a fight that happened on February 18, 1820. It took place at a fort called Fuerte de Agüi, near Ancud on Chiloé Island. This battle was part of the Chilean War of Independence.

In this battle, Chilean patriots fought against Spanish royalists. The royalists were people loyal to the King of Spain. After a big win at Valdivia, a leader named Lord Cochrane wanted to take over the Chiloé Archipelago. This area was the last place in Chile where the Spanish still had control.

William Miller led a group of patriots to land there. But he was badly hurt in his leg and lost 20 men. His group had to leave the area.

What Happened During the Battle?

The Battle of Agüi was an important part of trying to remove Spanish forces from the Chiloé islands. Some Spanish soldiers were protected inside the San Miguel de Agüi Castle.

When Commander Saturino García arrived to help the Spanish army, he found that Chilean Major William Miller had already started fighting. The patriots felt they needed to act fast. A group of 60 men attacked the fort. However, 38 of these men, including Major Miller, were injured by shots from inside the fort.

Captain Francisco Eréscano then took command. He formed a new line of soldiers. But cannons and guns from inside the castle made it very hard to move forward. The road to the fort was narrow and broken.

Things got even harder for the patriots. A gunboat (a small armed ship) arrived from San Carlos. It was sent by the Spanish governor, Antonio Quintanilla. This gunboat started firing at the side of the patriot group.

The patriot soldiers had to retreat. Captain Eréscano managed this in an organized way. He made sure the wounded soldiers were taken to safety. He also protected the back of his group from the soldiers inside the castle. These castle soldiers were now getting help from Captain García's troops.

Even while retreating, Eréscano's forces had to fight off three attacks from the Spanish. The Chilean soldiers marched along Huechucucuy Beach. They reached the cove where their ships were waiting. By this point, the Spanish had stopped chasing them. They likely feared that a larger group of patriots might surround them.

See also

• In Spanish: Combate de Agüi para niños