Battle of Ingavi

The Battle of Ingavi occurred on November 18, 1841, during the Peruvian–Bolivian War of 1841–42, in the town of Ingavi, Bolivia. The Bolivian Army, commanded by José Ballivián, there met an invading Peruvian Army commanded by Agustín Gamarra, who later died during the battle.

Battle of Ingavi Battle of Incahue
Part of Peruvian–Bolivian War
Battle of Ingavi
Date November 18, 1841 Location Ingavi, Bolivia 16.7567°S 68.330°W / -16.7567; -68.330 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 175 killed	estimated 265 killed
Location within Bolivia Show map of Bolivia Battle of Ingavi (South America) Show map of South America Battle of Ingavi (America) Show map of America

Background

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

Immediately, José Ballivián assumed power in the chaotic state of Bolivia and proclaimed himself president. There were three different governments attempting to rule Bolivia: a legitimate government headquartered in Chuquisaca and headed by José Mariano Serrano, another headquartered in Cochabamba and headed by José Miguel de Velasco, and that of Ballivián headquartered in La Paz.

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

Result

On November 18, 1841, with Agustín Gamarra being dead, the Peruvian Army left Bolivia. The news generated chaos in Lima, where Vice-President Manuel Menéndez struggled to maintain his authority. He was soon deposed, with Juan Crisóstomo Torrico assuming power, which allowed order to return to the country. That 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 Siege of Tarapacá, Peruvian montoneros, formed by Major Juan Buendía, from Iquique defeated on January 7, 1842 the detachment led by Colonel José María García, who died in the confrontation. Thus, Bolivian troops vacated Tacna, Arica and Tarapacá in February 1842 and retreated to Moquegua and Puno.

In the Battle of Arica the Peruvian militias expelled Bolivian troops who sought to take over the port of Arica. With the battles of Motoni and Orurillo Peru evicted and subsequently initiated the withdrawal of the remaining Bolivian forces that occupied Peruvian territory, again threatening Bolivia to suffer an invasion.