[2] The Spanish garrisons reacted with panic after learning of Tristan's defeat and effected a massive withdrawal of their troops from Jujuy and Potosi towards Oruro, in central Upper Peru.

[5] The vanguard of the republican army advanced gradually from Potosi through the villages of Yocalla, Las Leñas, Tolapaca and Vilcapugio, before establishing their headquarters in the native hamlet of Ancacato, which had been partially destroyed by the royalists.

[6] On 17 June, forced by the lack of supplies in Ancacato, a small detachment of Dragoons was sent to Challapata, some 12 km to the southwest, in search of food and other provisions.

[7] Zelaya appointed one of his officers, Juan Francisco Zamudio, to lead a mounted company to face the advancing royalists, who had seized the small town of Pequereque, at the opposite end of the ravine.

[12] Zelaya was later replaced by Colonel Juan Ramón Balcarce[13] and sent by Belgrano to Cochabamba to recruit a bigger cavalry force from local volunteers.