Why did Chilean patriots such as Bernardo O’Higgins flee to Argentina after 1814?

Chilean patriots, including Bernardo O’Higgins, fled to Argentina following their decisive defeat by Spanish royalist forces at the Battle of Rancagua in October 1814.123

This defeat marked the end of the period known as la patria vieja ("the old fatherland") and allowed the Spanish to reestablish military control over Chile for the next three years. By crossing the Andes into Argentina, O’Higgins and other leaders sought refuge and the opportunity to organize a new military campaign. In Argentina, O’Higgins successfully aligned himself with José de San Martín, who was then preparing an army to liberate the region from Spanish rule. This collaboration eventually led to the successful expedition across the Andes and the victory at the Battle of Chacabuco in 1817, which initiated the liberation of Chile.1234