All of the natives from Aconcagua, Santiago, and Cachapoal united under the single command of toqui Michimalonco with the intent of attacking the Spaniards and expelling them from their lands.
Left behind in Santiago were 32 cavalry, 18 men armed with arquebuses,[3] and between 300 and 350 yanakuna under the command of the Lieutenant General, Alonso de Monroy.
Each wounded soldier would withdraw from the front line to be bandaged with a shirt sleeve or rag by Inés de Suarez, and would then return to his post.
The account is given that Pedro Sancho de la Hoz left his prison dragging his shackles behind him and, waving around a spear, took a place amid the defense.
Seeing the death of the seven captive caciques as the only hope for salvation, Inés proposed decapitating them and throwing their heads among the natives in order to cause panic.
Many men thought defeat was inevitable and opposed the plan, arguing that keeping the native leaders alive was their only chance for survival.
Witnesses of the event narrate that de la Torre, upon asking in what manner they should kill the prisoners, received as his answer from Inés, “in this manner.” She then took the sword from the guard and decapitated Quilicanta and subsequently all of the caciques taken as hostages.
The Mapuche expected a fierce punishment from Valdivia once he returned, but he, understanding that prolonging the conflict would be the worst option, tried to reach a resolution.