The battle of Pichincha

 BACKGROUND

After the victory achieved in combating Tapi or Riobamba on April 21, 1822 the patriotic forces had a number of disadvantages caused by the last combat that somehow posed a threat to the achievement of the libertarian goal: to occupy Quito and drive royalist forces.

The weakening of the military forces of the army was one of those drawbacks, because in Cañar had been 60 patients in Riobamba another 100 that once arrived in Latacunga would add another 200 more men also delay regarding the incorporation of battalion "Alto Magdalena", lack of supplies, uniforms and other military equipment for the battalion "Yaguachi", the fledgling organization "battalion of the South" and the most important reasons, the possible realistic military aid to Aymerich sent from Pasto .

On April 30 the libertarian army enters the city of Ambato and continues to advance up to Latacunga on 2 May 1822, of course the Colombian vanguard, commanded by Col.. Lugo, remained victorious clashes against some realistic lancers commanded by Spanish Benito Bobes, while this was happening; Tiocajas the knot, the rest of the royalist army remained on the defensive and waiting for a contest with the liberating forces.

In Latacunga population it helped Gral. Sucre to reorganize and replenish the Liberation Army, providing it with men, weapons, food supplies, pack animals and a large quantity of ammunition and gunpowder from the factory in this city.

By joining the battalion "Alto Magdalena" with only 160 soldiers he received once again the latacungueño contingent being ready for combat.

Sucre and his staff begin the analysis and deliberation of the case to determine how and when to enter combat, receive reports Tcrnl. Cestáris and other senior officers in which the following was noted:

Enemy troops that executed intensive work of "organization of land" in the area Tiopullo knot.
The realistic headquarters was located in Machachi and had sent large numbers of troops to Jalupan and Viudita.
And, most importantly, in the Corregidor Realistic Guaranda San Miguel Felix he had revolted and sworn allegiance to King Ferdinand VII, endangering this act communications Guayaquil.
Finally Gral. Sucre receives good news, The Liberator Simon Bolivar had won the Battle of Bomboná (Colombia April 7 of 1,882) Spaniards thus sending auxiliary forces to Marshal Aymerich was difficult.

With this latest report Sucre decided to mobilize its troops towards the Cutuchi River Gorge-river following Limpiopungo Pedregal and Pita- Gorge Guapal- Sangolquí-Puengasí-Turubamba-Chillogallo Quito route with the intention to exploit the lack of realistic shelter on the heights of Rumiñahui.

The Marshal Aymerich had held defensive positions in the knot Tiopullo awaiting the arrival from the North battalion "Catalonia" sent by the Governor of Pasto, Crnl. Basilio García and with the full confidence that the future Marshal of Ayacucho would not try to cross the moors and Rumiñahui Iliniza due to adverse conditions in both areas tornaban postage dangerous any attempt by these sites.

But between 14 and 15 May, Aymerich realizes the series of false moves made by the libertarian forces and orders retract his strength to Machachi and enters the May 16 to Quito where plans and prepares the defense of the city placing three infantry battalions in Turubamba, two squadrons of cavalry on the heights of Puengasí and the rest of its strength as the pillbox booking Panecillo.

Sucre already settled in the Valley of the Chillos and verified information on the output from Pasto battalion "Catalonia", sends the Crnl. Cestáris move north with a platoon of cavalry and a cía. infantry, with a mission to stop the arrival of these reinforcements, Cestáris comply with the order, heading north through the Ilaló, it reaches Tumbaco, addresses Guayllabamba population it up on May 20 and from which issues a statement indicating that the battalion "Catalonia" was already in Otavalo.

In this situation the liberators perform a series of movements and occupy Chillogallo May 22; . The same Gral Sucre writes: "On 22 and 23 provoke them back to combat and desperate to get it, we decided to go at night to put us in the ejido north of the city, which is better ground and put us between Quito and Pasto .. "

The 23th the liberating forces again placed its troops in Chillogallo while the royalists remain on the hill of Puengasí.