At 0700 on 3 March, Elorreaga sent an ultimatum to Spano to surrender Talca within fifteen minutes, or face destruction.

Elorreaga, knowing he had to take the town before Patriot reinforcements arrived, launched a ferocious attack.

Spano was killed in the fighting and by the time Bascuñán arrived, the Royalists were in control of Talca.

Bascuñán managed to save the money and materiel which Spano had sent with him originally, sending it to Curicó by the way of the coast.

With the loss of Talca, O' Higgins and Mackenna had lost their key supply base, with both commanders divided and now surrounded by the enemy.