The Chileans Land at Pisco

Even with the approach of the Chilean troops, Nicolás de Piérola showed no disquiet. "I have my plan" he would say, "and in whatever happens, we have before up the example of Bolognesi." (Colonel Bolognesi perished in the defense of the port at Arica in June of 1880.)

Piérola relied heavily on military officers and technical assistance from foreign countries, such as France and Germany. Possibly because of the way in which he took control, he held a certain distrust of Peruvian officers under his command. While rejecting the strategic ideas of some of these trained officers, except for one reconnaissance through the Atocongo Pass, he remained behind the lines of his forward guard.

The foreign fleets moved their ships further north. On November 20, 1880, General Baquedano with 23,000 Chileans landed at Pisco, known for its grape vineyards and Pisco brandy. With the cry of "On to Lima!", his army marched north, burning towns and destroying property.