Battle of Junin

The Battle of JunÎn was a military engagement of the Peruvian War of Independence, fought in the highlands of the JunÎn Region on 6th August 1824.

The preceding February the Royalists had regained control of Lima. Having regrouped in Trujillo, Simón Bolívar led his rebel forces South to confront the Spanish under Field Marshal José de Canterac. The two armies met on the plains of JunÎn, North-West of the Jauja Valley.

The battle lasted about an hour, and involved hand-to-hand cavalry clashes with lances and sabres. According to accounts, no firearms were used by either side, which is quite remarkable. About 250 Royalists and 150 patriots were killed. Although the Battle of JunÎn was little more than a skirmish, the victory greatly enhanced the morale of the victorious patriots, and the defeated Spanish troops subsequently fled from Lima.

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