The Pisagua line of operations had been abandoned at once, and the military forces of the congress had been moved by sea to Iquique, whence, under the command of Colonel Estanislao del Canto, they had started inland.
The battle of Pozo Almonte, fought on the 7th of March, is desperately contested, but Del Canto is superior in numbers, and Robles is himself killed and his army dispersed.