Battle of Arica

The Chilean victory ended the phase of the conflict known as ''Campaña de Tacna y Arica'' (English: Campaign of Tacna and Arica), resulting in the occupation of the entire Tarapacá and Tacna provinces. After this action, a new stage began named ''Campaña de Lima'' (English: Lima Campaign), which concluded with the fall of the Peruvian capital city seven months later.

The Chilean victory ended the phase of the conflict known as ''Campaña de Tacna y Arica'' (English: Campaign of Tacna and Arica), resulting in the occupation of the entire Tarapacá and Tacna provinces. After this action, a new stage began named ''Campaña de Lima'' (English: Lima Campaign), which concluded with the fall of the Peruvian capital city seven months later.

The city of Arica never returned to Peruvian hands. It was temporarily ceded to Chile after the signing of the ''Treaty of Ancon'', on 1884; the city remained [[Tacna-Arica compromise|occupied]] by Chilean forces until the later signing of the Treaty of Lima in 1929, when it was ceded permanently to Chilean Sovereignty.

The city of Arica never returned to Peruvian hands. It was temporarily ceded to Chile after the signing of the ''Treaty of Ancon'', in 1884; the city remained [[Tacna-Arica compromise|occupied]] by Chilean forces until the later signing of the Treaty of Lima in 1929, when it was ceded permanently to Chilean Sovereignty.

== Prelude ==

== Prelude ==

At the East Fort exactly the same thing happened. This stronghold was taken by the 4th Line Regiment, also outnumbering and obliterating the defenders in a frontal charge. The remaining defenders then retreated to their main defense up the cape, fighting back and trying to reorganize their lines. At this point, Colonel Lagos's idea was to wait for reinforcements of the "Buin" 1st Line Regiment to arrive before finally storming the Cape Fort. At the same time, the Peruvian monitor ''Manco Cápac'', which was defending the Cape from the sea, was attacked by four Chilean warships of the Navy, the ''Huascar'' included. An artillery bombardment between the two armies was exchanged, with the Chilean artillery strikes directed by the 1st and 2nd Artillery regiments.

At the East Fort exactly the same thing happened. This stronghold was taken by the 4th Line Regiment, also outnumbering and obliterating the defenders in a frontal charge. The remaining defenders then retreated to their main defense up the cape, fighting back and trying to reorganize their lines. At this point, Colonel Lagos's idea was to wait for reinforcements of the "Buin" 1st Line Regiment to arrive before finally storming the Cape Fort. At the same time, the Peruvian monitor ''Manco Cápac'', which was defending the Cape from the sea, was attacked by four Chilean warships of the Navy, the ''Huascar'' included. An artillery bombardment between the two armies was exchanged, with the Chilean artillery strikes directed by the 1st and 2nd Artillery regiments.

However, an unidentified soldier shouted '''"''¡Al morro muchachos!''"''' ("To the Cape, boys!"), causing a mass assault. The Chilean officers had nothing to do but to follow their soldiers in a frenetic race for the summit. The infantry had to run up the hill facing the Peruvian men commanded by Colonel Bolognesi. Quickly the Chilean assault degenerated into a confusing pandemonium marked by the explosion of mines placed by the Peruvian defenders. The defenders were overrun and annihilated. Col. Bolognesi's plan was to blow up his gunpowder reserves when the Chileans reached the fort and cause massive casualties among the Chileans. However, he was unable to do this and he fell in combat together with most of his men.

However, an unidentified soldier shouted '''"''¡Al morro muchachos!''"''' ("To the Cape, boys!"), causing a mass assault. The Chilean officers had nothing to do but to follow their soldiers in a frenetic race for the summit. The infantry had to run up the hill facing the Peruvian men commanded by Colonel Bolognesi. Quickly the Chilean assault degenerated into a confusing pandemonium marked by the explosion of mines placed by the Peruvian defenders. The defenders were overrun and annihilated. Col. Bolognesi's plan was to blow up his gunpowder reserves when the Chileans reached the fort and cause massive casualties among the Chileans. However, he was unable to do this, and he fell in combat together with most of his men.

The final assault was directed by the Commander of the 4th Line Regiment, Major [[Juan José San Martín]] (who died in battle) and Sergeant Major [[Felipe Solo de Zaldívar]] who was the first to reach the summit of the Cape. After 55 minutes, the Cape had been taken by Chilean troops.

The final assault was directed by the Commander of the 4th Line Regiment, Major [[Juan José San Martín]] (who died in battle) and Sergeant Major [[Felipe Solo de Zaldívar]] who was the first to reach the summit of the Cape. After 55 minutes, the Cape had been taken by Chilean troops.

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[[Image:Captura arica.gif|thumb|left|Chileans taking possession of Arica Cape after the battle|300x300px]]

[[Image:Captura arica.gif|thumb|left|Chileans taking possession of Arica Cape after the battle|300x300px]]

The Chileans won the battle and Colonel Bolognesi was killed. Some other high-ranking Peruvian officers who also perished were Colonel [[Alfonso Ugarte]] (who drove his horse off the cliff down into the Pacific Ocean to prevent the capture of the Peruvian flag by Chilean forces), and Colonel [[Mariano Bustamante]], his Chief of Detail. These three Peruvian officers belonged to the group that had rejected the offer to surrender to the Chilean army, and prompted Colonel Bolognesi to vow to the Chilean emissary that he was going to defend the garrison to the last shot.

The Chileans won the battle, and Colonel Bolognesi was killed. Some other high-ranking Peruvian officers who also perished were Colonel [[Alfonso Ugarte]] (who drove his horse off the cliff down into the Pacific Ocean to prevent the capture of the Peruvian flag by Chilean forces), and Colonel [[Mariano Bustamante]], his Chief of Detail. These three Peruvian officers belonged to the group that had rejected the offer to surrender to the Chilean army and prompted Colonel Bolognesi to vow to the Chilean emissary that he was going to defend the garrison to the last shot.

One high-ranking officer who survived the battle and its aftermath was Lieutenant Colonel [[Roque Sáenz Peña]], a volunteer officer of the Peruvian Army, who later went on to become President of [[Argentina]].

One high-ranking officer who survived the battle and its aftermath was Lieutenant Colonel [[Roque Sáenz Peña]], a volunteer officer of the Peruvian Army, who later went on to become President of [[Argentina]].{{Cite web |title=Roque Sáenz Peña (1851 - 1914) |url=https://www.casarosada.gob.ar/la-casa-rosada/bustos-presidenciales/50900-roque-saenz-pena-1851-1914 |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Casa Rosada |language=es-es}}

Since the ''Morro de Arica'' was the last bulwark of defense for the allied troops standing in the city, the city was quickly captured.

Since the ''Morro de Arica'' was the last bulwark of defense for the allied troops standing in the city, the city was quickly captured.

[[Image:Arica038.jpg|thumb|Looking down from the cape|300x300px]]

[[Image:Arica038.jpg|thumb|Looking down from the cape|300x300px]]

With the fall of the city, the ironclad ''Manco Cápac'' found herself short on supplies and with the nearest friendly port four days away at [[Callao]]. Faced with an impossible trip, she was scuttled to prevent her capture by the Chilean military. The torpedo boat ''Alianza'' scape of Arica trying to reach [[Mollendo]], but was pursued by the ironclad ''Cochrane'' and the gunned transport ''Loa'' that fired at them, until at noon and at the height of the Sama hill, the ''Cochrane'' returned to Arica, but the ''Loa'' continuing the pursuit alone. In Punta Picata, [[Tacna]], the boat was stranded due to the impossibility of continuing because the engines were overheated and its crew blew it up with a boom torpedo to avoid its capture by the enemy.

With the fall of the city, the ironclad ''Manco Cápac'' found herself short on supplies and with the nearest friendly port four days away at [[Callao]]. Faced with an impossible trip, she was scuttled to prevent her capture by the Chilean military. The torpedo boat ''Alianza scape'' of Arica trying to reach [[Mollendo]], but was pursued by the ironclad ''Cochrane'' and the gunned transport ''Loa'' that fired at them, until at noon and at the height of the Sama hill, the ''Cochrane'' returned to Arica, but the ''Loa'' continuing the pursuit alone. In Punta Picata, [[Tacna]], the boat was stranded due to the impossibility of continuing because the engines were overheated and its crew blew it up with a boom torpedo to avoid its capture by the enemy.

Arica to this day remains part of Chile, and is a constant symbol of friction with its neighbors Peru and Bolivia. For Peru it is commemorated as Flag Day for the heroic stances of both Bolognesi and Ugarte together with the rest of the garrison, while the Chilean Army honors the anniversary as Infantry Day every year, in commemoration of the heroism of the thousands of Chilean infantrymen who fought the battle to its victorious end.

Arica to this day remains part of Chile and is a constant symbol of friction with its neighbors Peru and Bolivia. For Peru it is commemorated as Flag Day for the heroic stances of both Bolognesi and Ugarte together with the rest of the garrison, while the Chilean Army honors the anniversary as Infantry Day every year, in commemoration of the heroism of the thousands of Chilean infantrymen who fought the battle to its victorious end.

==See also==

==See also==