The Combat of Monte de Urra ( es, Combate de Monte de Urra) was a

military engagement A military engagement is a combat between two forces, neither larger than a division nor smaller than a company, in which each has an assignor perceived mission. An engagement begins when the attacking force initiates combat in pursuit of its missi ...

that took place on 19 November 1851, between the forces of President

Manuel Montt Manuel Francisco Antonio Julián Montt Torres (; September 4, 1809 – September 21, 1880) was a Chilean statesman and scholar. He was twice elected President of Chile between 1851 and 1861. Biography Montt was born in Petorca, Valparaíso R ...

, under the command of General

Manuel Bulnes Manuel Bulnes Prieto (; December 25, 1799 – October 18, 1866) was a Chilean military and political figure. He was twice President of Chile, from 1841 to 1846 and from 1846 to 1851. Born in Concepción, he served as the president of Chile bet ...

, and the Revolutionary Army of the South, led by General

José María de la Cruz General José María de la Cruz Prieto ( Concepción, March 25, 1799 – November 23, 1875) was a Chilean soldier. The son of Luis de la Cruz and of Josefa Prieto Sotomayor, and was a cousin of future presidents José Joaquín Prieto and Manuel ...

. The battle occurred at a property known as Monte de Urra, located approximately "nine blocks" away from the outskirts of

Chillán Chillán () is the capital city of the Ñuble Region in the Diguillín Province of Chile located about south of the country's capital, Santiago, near the geographical center of the country. It is the capital of the new Ñuble Region since 6 Sept ...

(along the old road to

Coihueco Coihueco () is a Chilean commune and city in Punilla Province, Ñuble Region. It is located near Chillán, the provincial capital. Coihueco borders San Carlos and San Fabián on the north, Argentina on the east, Pinto on the South, and Chillán ...

, now Andrés Bello Avenue). The conflict began at one o'clock in the afternoon. Due to a flawed maneuver executed by Colonel Ignacio García, acting under Bulnes' orders, the

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...

became dispersed as they pursued a group of revolutionaries. Seizing the opportunity, the revolutionaries launched attacks and counterattacks, closely mirroring the movements of Bulnes' forces. Eventually, the revolutionaries were forced to disperse. The combat lasted for about two hours, resulting in 23 casualties on Bulnes' side and 11 among the revolutionaries.

References

Conflicts in 1851 1851 in Chile Battles involving Chile History of Ñuble Region es:Combate de Monte de Urra {{chile-hist-stub