Rufino was born as the son of Manuel Carrasco, sergeant major of the Guides Squadron, he joined the Bolivian Army at a young age, during the Government of Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz.

[2][3] Subsequently, the National Senate, on the proposal of the Executive and Legislative Resolution of November 1, 1888, amounted to Rufino Carrasco to the degree of brigadier general of the Bolivian Army.

[7] After the defeat, which left 9 dead and 11 wounded in the Grenadiers of Chile; Carrasco's men obtained 11 prisoners and a booty of 18 Winchester rifles, 14 swords, 16 beasts, and countless mounts, belts, and ammunition.

We, resolved to sacrifice ourselves for the homeland, we do not omit any means of doing so, but for any failure that may arise in the future, you and only you will be responsible to the Bolivian people, "wrote the colonel, in a letter sent to the Headquarters of the State.

A year later, in 1880, Rufino Carrasco published a Manifesto on the expedition of the Bolivian coast, in which he gives an account of his participation in the conflict.