Battle of Mataquito

Battle of Mataquito
Part of the Arauco War
DateApril 30, 1557
Location
Vicinity near the foot of the Cerro Chiripilco northeast of the modern town of La Huerta, Chile, in Hualañé on the north bank of the Mataquito River
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Spanish Empire Mapuche
Commanders and leaders
Francisco de Villagra Lautaro †
Strength
120 Spanish soldiers and a number of indios amigos 700 Mapuche and 500 allied warriors, from the provinces of "Itata, Nuble and Renoguelen"
Casualties and losses
1 Spaniard, over half of the indios amigos 250 – 500 Mapuche

The Battle of Mataquito was fought in the Arauco War on April 30, 1557, between the forces of the Spanish governor, Francisco de Villagra, and Mapuche headed by their toqui Lautaro. It was a surprise attack, carried out at dawn, on Lautaro's fortified camp between a wooded mountain and the shore of the Mataquito River. The battle is notable for ending Mapuche designs on Santiago, while also avenging the death of former governor Pedro de Valdivia, who had been killed by Lautaro's warriors four years earlier.

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