The Hero of Rancagua
But Spain was not going to permit Chile to hoist a Flag of Independence. She despatched armed frigates and war vessels along the Pacific coast, for she was determined to crush the Patriot uprising once and for all.
From her stronghold, Lima, she sent out fresh troops seasoned in European wars. This strong Spanish force marched down through Chile upon helpless Santiago City. The Patriot Army, very small and badly equipped, took its stand bravely near the town of Rancagua hoping to keep the Spanish from passing.
Unfortunately, there were political quarrels among the Patriots. The Carreras—three brothers—were trying to gain control of the Government and Army. Their personal ambition was greater than their love of Country.
The Patriot forces at Rancagua were in part commanded by two of the Carreras, and in part by O’Higgins of whom they were jealous.
The Spanish attacked. A stiff battle took place. Neither Army would give quarter. Each side hoisted a black flag as a signal of war to the death.
Suddenly, without warning, the Carreras fell back and abandoned O’Higgins and his troop to their fate, leaving them trapped as it were. But O’Higgins and his men retreated into the town and defended themselves courageously. For hours, without cessation, the Spanish attacked. Finally, O’Higgins withdrew his men to the plaza, and fought from behind hastily thrown-up barricades built of carts, bricks, furniture, and parts of houses.
Then a Chilean magazine exploded. The Patriots’ ammunition began to give out. The buildings around them went up in flames. O’Higgins was shot in the leg. But he and all of his little band, of whom scarcely two hundred men were left, tortured by fatigue, thirst, and heat, still gallantly fought on.
Destruction seemed certain. But O’Higgins was not a man to yield to despair. He ordered his men to collect all the horses, mules, and cattle they could lay hands on. He placed himself at the head of his men, and driving the herd before him, plunged through the Spanish lines, cutting fiercely on every side as he went.
So he and his soldiers retreated in safety to Santiago.
But that city was doomed. The Spanish marched upon it and took it. All was terror. Many people fled from the city. Patriots who remained were seized by the Spanish, and imprisoned or murdered. A number of men, some quite old, were banished to the lonely island of Juan Fernandez—Robinson Crusoe’s desert island.
As for Bernardo O’Higgins, he barely escaped with his life. He led a party of miserable shivering refugees, men and women, across the Andes into Argentina. After terrible sufferings from cold in the high mountain passes, they reached Mendoza. There they were welcomed and sheltered by San Martin, the General whom God had called to carry Liberty into Chile.