The combat of May 2 occurred in the year of 1866, at that time, General Juan Antonio Pezet ruled in Peru. In this year, a Spanish war fleet appeared, off the coast of Spain, under the name of a scientific expedition.
After some episodes, this expedition occupied the islands of Chincha, one of the best guano producing islands of that time. Spain argued the taking of possession of this island, for a default by Peru for independence, as prescribed in the Capitulation of Ayacucho.
This fact inflamed the Peruvian people since the independence of Peru was threatened. Peru had to prepare for a warlike confrontation against Spain, a country that had not recognized our independence, despite having spent 42 years since the battle of Ayacucho.
Colonel Bolognesi was commissioned to buy cannons in England.
In the meantime, a treaty was signed, which was considered harmful to national interests. Because of this, General Mariano Ignacio Prado revolted in Arequipa, taking Lima and ordered the exile of Pezet, becoming General Mariano Ignacio Prado in the President of Peru.
THE FIGHT
The entire population of Lima and Callao prepared for the defense of the sovereignty of Peru. Colonel Jose Galvez assumed the responsibility of conducting operations, as Minister of War. In these circumstances the 50 guns arrived at Callao, which were assembled for the defense of the port of Callao.
In this operation, the civilian population participated.
At noon on May 2, 1866, the Spanish squadron consisting of seven warships, equipped with 300 guns, approached the port of Callao.
At 12:15 p.m. the Numancia (Spanish ship) made the first shot, a thousand meters away. At the second shot, Peruvian batteries opened fire.
At 53 minutes there was an explosion at Torre La Merced, Colonel José Gálvez and 27 other people perished.
The combat continued, at 5 p.m. the Spanish squad withdrew from Callao Bay, accepting its defeat.
Their damaged and semi-destroyed ships began to retreat, occupying the western part of San Lorenzo Island, to bury their dead and repair the damage suffered by their ships.