Turcupichun facts for kids

Turcupichun was a brave Mapuche leader, known as a toqui, who fought against the Spanish in what is now Chile. He led Mapuche groups near the city of Concepcion, Chile and the Bio-Bio River valley from 1557 to 1558.

In June 1557, the Spanish governor, García Hurtado de Mendoza, arrived by ship at La Quiriquina island. He quickly sent messages to the local Mapuche groups, telling them to surrender to the Spanish. Turcupichun called a big meeting, a coyag, where he encouraged everyone to fight to the end. The Mapuche then chose him as their new toqui, taking the place of the great leader Lautaro, who had died.

Fighting the Spanish

Turcupichun led his army to build a strong fort, called a pucara, on a hill named Andalicán. This fort was about five leagues (around 25 kilometers) south of Concepcion. It was built to block the Spanish from moving down the coast towards Arauco, Chile. Turcupichun also placed smaller groups of soldiers to guard the places where people could cross the Bio Bio River.

Governor Mendoza was very clever. He tricked Turcupichun by making it look like his soldiers were building rafts to cross the river at one spot. But secretly, Mendoza used his ships to carry his army across the river closer to the sea.

The Battles

Turcupichun's army then fought Mendoza's army in the Battle of Lagunillas. Sadly, Turcupichun and his forces were defeated. After this loss, his army joined forces with another famous Mapuche leader, Caupolicán, to fight in the Battle of Millarapue.

After the battle, Caupolicán blamed Turcupichun for the defeat. He said Turcupichun's group, which was supposed to attack the Spanish from behind, did not arrive on time. Turcupichun was very angry about this accusation and decided to leave the main army to go defend his own lands.

Turcupichun's Final Stand

After Caupolicán was captured and executed, Turcupichun tried to organize a new uprising. He planned another attack on Concepcion. However, the Spanish leader of the city, Gerónimo de Villegas, found out about his plan.

Villegas quickly sent a soldier named Juan Galiano with some troops to attack Turcupichun first. Galiano moved quietly at night to where Turcupichun was staying. He captured Turcupichun and some of his companions. They were taken back to Concepcion, where Turcupichun was executed in the town square. After his death, the Mapuche army chose Lemucaguin as their new leader.

Sources

• Diego de Rosales, “Historia General del Reino de Chile”, Flandes Indiano, 3 tomos. Valparaíso 1877 - 1878.
  • Historia general de el Reyno de Chile: Flandes Indiano, Tomo II (1554-1625)
    • Capitulo XII Da fondo en el puerto de la Concepción, levanta un fuerte, tiene varios sucessos con los indios y embíale embajada Caupolican.
    • Capitulo XIII. Como passó a Biobio, entró en Arauco, y la victoria que tubo en el camino de veinte mil indios.
    • Capitulo XIV. Batalla que tubo Don Garcia con Caupolican y Turcupichun y insigne Victoria que alcanzó.
    • Capitulo XVII. Embia Don Garcia a reedificar la ciudad de la Concepción. Passa a la Imperial y en su ausencia tiene una gran victoria de Caupolican el Maestro de campo Reynoso, y danle muchos la paz.
    • Capitulo XVIII. Como pobló Don Garcia la ciudad de Osorno y las de Cañete y Villarica; llega hasta Chiloé, y vuélvese a la Imperial.
    • Capitulo XXI. Como los indios aprendieron a disparar arcabuzes y hizieron un fuerte en Quiapo; gánansele los españoles y dan la paz al vencedor Don Garcia.

See also

In Spanish: Turcupichun para niños