Battle of Vargas Swamp
The Battle of Vargas Swamp (Spanish: Batalla del Pantano de Vargas) fought on July 25, 1819, was fought during Bolívar's campaign to liberate New Granada. The battle involved a joint Venezuelan and New Granadan army commanded by General Simón Bolívar fighting against the III Division of the Spanish Royalist Army commanded by Colonel José María Barreiro. The Battle of Vargas Swamp constituted one of most important battles during the Colombian War of Independence as it cleared the path for the Patriot army to advance towards Santafé, as well as demoralizing the Royalist troops. Vargas Swamp was the bloodiest battle of the 1819 New Granadan liberation campaign, if we take into account the estimated number of deaths in both sides.
| Battle of Vargas Swamp | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Bolívar's campaign to liberate New Granada and the Colombian War of Independence | |||||||
Battle of Vargas Swamp by Luis Rengifo | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of Spain |
Venezuela
New Granada | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
José María Barreiro Francisco Jimenez Sebastian Diaz |
Simón Bolívar José Antonio Anzoátegui Francisco de Paula Santander | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
1,800 1,300 infantry 500 cavalry |
2,400 2,000 infantry 400 cavalry | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 140 - 500 dead | 183 - 400 dead | ||||||
The battle came as a result of Bolívar trying to prevent Spanish forces from arriving at Santafe de Bogotá, which was lightly defended, before they did. However the Royalist commander Barreiro had detected Bolívar's move and placed his forces on favorable ground near a chokepoint between the towns of Tibasosa and Paipa. The battle lasted some 6 hours with Royalist army having the advantage of being on higher ground as well as better equipment and better training. This battle was difficult for Bolivar's forces who by 5pm look liked they would lose, with the Royalists almost encircling the Patriots. However a cavalry attack by a force of Llanero Lancers under the command of Colonel Juan José Rondón coupled with an infantry attack by the British Legion under Colonel James Rooke were able to break the Spanish lines and force them to withdraw. These actions turned defeat into victory for the Patriots.
Bolívar's army narrowly bested the royalist army in spite of the exhaustion of the troops after climbing the Páramo de Pisba, and crossing the swamp. This battle and the next victory over the Spanish by the Boyacá Bridge secured the independence of New Granada.
The battle was fought in an area between the towns of Paipa and Tibasosa known as Vargas swamp, which now no longer exits.