Meanwhile, the Chileans quickly reorganised themselves and launched a massive bayonet counter-attack against the outnumbering Peruvian lines. Cáceres' Peruvians soldiers, who lacked bayonets, and with almost no ammunition by then, could only defend themselves with the butts of their rifles; their montoneras allies at least had spears to defend themselves with. The Chilean downhill counter-attack broke the Peruvian lines.
At this point, the Chileans quickly reorganized and launched a powerful bayonet counter-attack against the Peruvians. Cáceres' Peruvians, who lacked bayonets and had almost no ammunition left, could only defend themselves by using the butts of their rifles; their montoneras allies at least had spears to protect them. The Chilean downhill counter-attack broke through the Peruvian lines.