Argentine War of Independence Chile, allied with the Mapuches. On April 4, Argentine Colonel Juan Gregorio de Las Heras had occupied Concepción, but the Royalists retreated to Talcahuano. In early 1818, Royalist reinforcements from the Viceroyalty of Peru arrived, commanded by general Mariano Osorio, and advanced towards the capital. San Martín then turned to scorched earth tactics and ordered the evacuation of Concepción, which he thought was impossible to defend. On 18 February 1818, the first anniversary of the battle of Chacabuco, Chile declared its independence from the Spanish Crown. On March 18, 1818, Osorio led a surprise attack on the joint Argentine-Chilean army,
Jerónimo Bernardo de Quirós Jerónimo Bernardo de Quirós Jerónimo Bernardo de Quirós, O. Praem. (died 1617) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Pozzuoli (1604–1617) and Bishop of Castellammare di Stabia (1601–1604). Jerónimo Bernardo de Quirós was born in Spain and ordained a priest in the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré. On 28 January 1601, he was consecrated bishop by Antonmaria Sauli, Cardinal-Priest of Santo Stefano al Monte Celio, with Agostino Quinzio, Bishop of Korčula, and Giovanni Battista del Tufo, Bishop of Acerra, serving as co-consecrators. On 15 February 1601, he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Clement VIII