After defeating the Royalist garrison at Tarija, Patriot commander Lamadrid directed his troops, reinforced with Upper-Peruvian guerrillas to Chuquisaca, with the purpose of taking it.

They arrived there on 20 May, but the Patriot army had to lift the siege and retreat to the southeast, being pursued by the Royalist division of Brigadier Diego O'Reilly.

In the village of Sopachuy, Lamadrid tried to establish defensive positions with 900 men and 2 cannons, however on 14 June, they were suddenly attacked by a Royalist column.

The attacking forces, led by Colonel La Hera and his second in command Baldomero Espartero, and consisting of the batallón del Centro and a cavalry squadron with a total of 300 men, had advanced on the rest of their division and marched along the right flank of the Patriot column, with the purpose of enveloping them.

Surprised by the sudden volleys of the Royalist troops, Lamadrid barely had time to organize resistance as his men were quickly defeated and dispersed.