What happened at the Battle of Rancagua in 1814?

The Battle of Rancagua, which took place on October 1 and 2, 1814, was a pivotal engagement during the Chilean struggle for independence. During this battle, republican troops led by Bernardo O’Higgins mounted a heroic defense of the city against Spanish royalist forces.123

Ultimately, the patriot forces were defeated, allowing Spain to reestablish its military supremacy in the region. This defeat effectively ended the period known as la patria vieja ("the old fatherland"). Following the loss, key patriot leaders, including O’Higgins and the Carrera brothers, were forced to migrate to Argentina. This exile proved significant, as it led O’Higgins to join forces with José de San Martín, who was organizing an army to liberate Chile and eventually secure independence from Spanish rule.123