Battle of Ingavi

The Battle of Ingavi occurred on November 18, 1841, during the Peruvian-Bolivian War of 1841-1842 , in the town of Ingavi, Bolivia. There the Bolivian Army commanded by Jose Ballivian met an invading Peruvian Army commanded by Agustín Gamarra who would later die during the battle.

Battle of Ingavi
Part of Peru-Bolivian War

Battle of Ingavi
DateNovember 18, 1841
Location
Ingavi, Bolivia
Result Bolivian victory
Belligerents
Republic of Peru Republic of Bolivia
Commanders and leaders
Agustín Gamarra † José Ballivián
Strength
Peruvian Army 5,143 Bolivian Army 4,788
Casualties and losses
Estimated 180 killed Estimated 265 killed

History

With the dissolution of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, the President of Peru, Agustín Gamarra, made the controversial decision to invade Bolivia, utilizing the political chaos occurring in the Bolivian government as an excuse.[1] Gamarra, from the beginning, supported a union between Peru and Bolivia, but preferred it to be completely dominated by the Peruvian government, rather than to form a confederation between the two nations.

Immediately, Jose Ballivian assumed power in the chaotic state of Bolivia, and proclaimed himself President. During this period there were three different governments attempting to rule Bolivia; a legitimate government headquartered in Chuquisaca headed by José Mariano Serrano, another headquartered in Cochabamba headed by José Miguel de Velasco, and that of Ballivian headquartered in La Paz.

Faced with the danger of a Peruvian invasion, the three governments joined under Ballivian and readied their armies, which in Ingavi, repelled the Peruvians.

Result

On November 18, 1841, with Agustin Gamarra being dead, the Peruvian Army left Bolivia. The news generated chaos in Lima, where the vice-president, Manuel Menéndez struggled to maintain his authority. He was soon deposed, with Juan Crisóstomo Torrico assuming power, allowing order to return to the country. This would be the last attempt of Peru to try to assume control of Bolivia.

The Bolivian Army did not have enough troops to maintain the occupation. In the battle of Tarapacá (1842), Peruvian montoneros formed by Major Juan Buendía, from Iquique, defeated on January 7, 1842 the detachment led by Colonel José María García, who dies in the confrontation. Thus, Bolivian troops vacate Tacna, Arica and Tarapacá in February 1842, retreating to Moquegua and Puno.

In the battle of Arica the Peruvian militias expel Bolivian troops who wanted to take over the port of Arica.

Motoni and Orurillo batlles evict and subsequently initiate the withdrawal of Bolivian forces that occupied Peruvian territory, again threatening Bolivia to suffer an invasion.

Notes
  1. Biografías de Bolivianos Célebres Archived September 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine

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