Battle of Huanta (1827) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Huanta (1827) |
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| Part of the Iquicha War of 1825–1828 | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Peru |
 Iquicha |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Narciso Tudela |
Antonio Huachaca |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 175 men | 1,500 men | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 10–12 killed | 60 killed | ||||||
The Battle of Huanta was an important fight in Peru. It happened on November 12, 1827, in the town of Huanta. This battle was part of the Iquicha War of 1825–1828.
The fight was between Peruvian soldiers and a group called the Royalists. These Royalists were from the Iquicha region. They were fighting to support King Ferdinand VII of Spain.
Why the Battle Happened
Before this battle, there was another uprising by local people. A leader named Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz stopped it. His actions caused a lot of anger among the local people. Many towns were burned, and people lost their animals.
Because of this anger, the local people rose up again in October 1827. They wanted to bring back the Spanish king. People from the highlands near Huanta marched towards the city. About 1,500 people joined this march. They were led by Brigadier General Antonio Huachaca.
The Battle Begins
In early November, the Iquicha fighters took control of the hills around Huanta. They set up their positions a few miles from the town. They were organized into groups led by officers like Lanchi Curo and Tadeo Chocce.
These fighters used different weapons. Some had rifles, while others used spears and slingshots. Only a few Spanish officers were with them.
On November 12, the rebels attacked Huanta at dawn. They tried to surround the Peruvian soldiers. About 175 Peruvian soldiers were defending the town hall. They were led by Sergeant Major Narciso Tudela.
The Peruvian soldiers tried to fight back in the streets. But they were forced to retreat into the main church. The Iquicha fighters chased them and kept them trapped all day. The Peruvian soldiers finally escaped when night fell.
In the battle, the Iquicha rebels lost about 60 men. The Peruvian soldiers lost 10 to 12 men. Many Peruvian soldiers, about 80 to 90, managed to escape to Ayacucho.
What Happened Next
After the battle, most of the town's residents stayed. However, many people chose to flee to Ayacucho. The rebels did not loot the town much, but they did burn the main army buildings. Some Peruvian soldiers tried to hide in churches.
Antonio Huachaca, the rebel leader, worked to fix the town. He organized people to repair bridges and roads. He also helped bring back order and collect taxes.
A few days later, from November 22 to 24, both sides tried to talk. But they could not agree on anything. After these talks failed, Huachaca decided to march his forces towards Ayacucho.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Huanta (1827) para niños
