Battle of Ayacucho

BelligerentsPatriots:
Peru
Gran ColombiaRoyalists:

• Kingdom of Spain and the Indies(since 1700)
  • Spain
  • the Indies
    • Viceroyalty of Peru
    • Governorate of Chiloé

Commanders and leadersAntonio de Sucre
Agustín GamarraJosé la Serna/ (WIA)
José de CanteracStrength 5,780–8,500 6,906–9,310
4 cannonsCasualties and losses 979 killed and wounded 2,500 killed and wounded
2,000–3,000 captured
4 cannons captured

The Battle of Ayacucho (Spanish: Batalla de Ayacucho, IPA:) was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence. This battle secured the independence of Peru and ensured independence for the rest of belligerent South American states. In Peru, it is considered the end of the Spanish American wars of independence. However, the campaign of Antonio José de Sucre continued through 1825 in Upper Peru, and the siege of the fortresses Chiloé and Callao eventually ended in 1826.

By the end of 1824, Royalists still had control of most of southern Peru, as well as the Real Felipe Fortress in the port of Callao. On 9 December 1824, the Battle of Ayacucho (Battle of La Quinua) took place between Royalist and Independentist forces at Pampa de Ayacucho (or Quinua), a few kilometers from Ayacucho near the town of Quinua. The Independentist forces were led by Simón Bolívar's lieutenant Antonio José de Sucre. ViceroyJosé de la Serna was wounded, and after the battle second commander-in-chief José de Canterac signed the final capitulation of the Royalist army.

The modern Peruvian Army celebrates the anniversary of this battle.