Battle of Vargas Swamp

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
Date July 25, 1819 Location near Paipa, Tunja Province, Viceroyalty of New Granada 5°44′15″N 73°4′30″W / 5.73750°N 73.07500°W / 5.73750; -73.07500 Result Patriot victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Spain	Venezuela New Granada British Legions
Commanders and leaders
José María Barreiro Francisco Jiménez Sebastian Diaz Nicolás López	Simón Bolívar José Antonio Anzoátegui Manuel Manrique Francisco de Paula Santander James Rooke  (DOW)
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 of Vargas Swamp (Spanish: Batalla del Pantano de Vargas) fought on July 25, 1819, was an engagement of Bolívar's campaign to liberate New Granada. The battle involved a joint Venezuelan and Neogranadine army commanded by General Simón Bolívar against the III Division of the Spanish Royalist Army commanded by Colonel José María Barreiro. The Battle of Vargas Swamp is considered one of the most important battles of the Colombian War of Independence as it cleared the path for the Patriot army to advance towards Santafé de Bogotá, while also demoralizing the Royalist troops. Vargas Swamp was also the bloodiest battle of the 1819 New Granadan liberation campaign.

The battle came as a result of Bolívar trying to outflank Spanish forces by capturing the provincial capital of Tunja through the Toca road, doing this would enable the Patriots to cut off the Spanish army's supply and communication lines to Santafe de Bogotá, while also allowing the Patriots to gain the lead in the race to capture the lightly defended viceregal capital. The Royalists however caught wind of this plan and placed their forces on favorable ground in order to block them near a chokepoint between the towns of Tibasosa and Paipa. The battle lasted 6 hours, with the Royalist army having the advantage of being on higher ground as well as better equipment and better training.

This battle was difficult for Bolívar's forces who by 5pm looked like they would lose, with the Royalists almost encircling and destroying the Patriots. However a cavalry attack by a force of Llanero Lancers under the command of Lt. 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.^[1]

The battle was fought in an area between the towns of Paipa and Tibasosa known as Vargas swamp, which now no longer exits.