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San Martin's Legacy

Between 1816 and 1820 the final defeat of Spanish colonial forces in the southern region of the South American continent was achieved, largely through the planning and prowess of criollo general Jose de San Martin, the individual recognized as the national hero of Argentina as well as the liberator of Chile and Peru. As a result of San Martin's military victories, Argentina's freedom from the threat of colonial domination was guaranteed at last.

The crossing of the Andean mountain range from Argentina into territory comprising modern Chile by San Martin's Army of the Andes has been considered one of the most difficult and daring military operations ever conducted. When the army set out on its first campaign in January 1817, it counted among its regular personnel some 3,000 infantry soldiers, 700 mounted grenadiers, and at least 250 artillery troops. This force, in turn, was supported by mule drivers, armorers, and miners who were responsible for keeping the mountain passes open. A volunteer militia of 1,200 to 1,500 men — many, former Blandengues — also took part in the expedition. The army's 20-odd pieces of artillery, including howitzers, were said to have been dragged over 300 kilometers at altitudes up to 3,600 meters.

The initial invasion and attack on Spanish forces posted on the western slopes of the Andes was accomplished as San MartIn divided his troops into four diversionary detachments — composed roughly of 100 men each — and two columns made up of the balance of the force. The first battle between the independence fighters and the royalists took place in mid-February 1817 as the two main columns reunited with extraordinary precision and roundly defeated the surprised Spanish troops. The Battle of Chacabuco, as the first major confrontation became known, marked the turning point for the Spaniards' fortunes in the region.

After the Battle of Maipü in April 1818, in which the colonial forces were again definitively beaten by San Martin's men, the Spanish surrendered, and the independent nation of Chile was created. After the victory, San Martin assembled a new 4,000-man army, which he named the United Liberating Army of Peru, and a naval force of some 1,600 sailors. Using Chile as his base of operations, he proceeded to drive the Spanish from Lima, their last stronghold on the continent, and secure the independence of Peru, a feat he accomplished in mid-1821.