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1537 - Flight to Vilcabamba Competing relief forces Two separate Spanish relief forces were marching on Cuzco at the beginning of 1537. Alonso de Alvarado had been sent out from Lima by Francisco Pizarro and was heading towards Cuzco with over 500 men and 100 horses. He was also supported by many of the local tribes who still hated the Incas more than they did the Spanish.  Meanwhile, Almagro's forces in Chile had given up their search for treasure and fertile lands, and were marching northwards towards Cuzco. Nobody still knew whether Cuzco lay within his or Francisco Pizarro's territory but, having failed to find any wealth in Chile, Almagro was desperate to claim Cuzco as his by right.Almagro therefore held little sympathy for Hernando and the besieged Spaniards in Cuzco. Instead, he sent messages to Manco sympathising with "the abuse the Christians have done to your person, the robbery of your property and house, and the seizure of your beloved wives". He also offered Manco his support and a pardon if the native forces would join with Almagro's. Manco was initially receptive towards this show of diplomacy but was ultimately unable to trust himself to yet another Spanish force. Manco's brother, Paullu, who had journeyed with Almagro to Chile, may have sabotaged the negotiations, hoping to win himself a position of authority with the Spanish. After Almagro's forces injured some natives at Calca, Manco was finally provoked into an attack and drove the Spanish forces back. Almagro now marched on Cuzco and seized it with relative ease, imprisoning Hernando and Gonzalo Pizarro. He then turned his attention to Alvarado's nearby relief-force and, after a short skirmish, succeeded in winning them over to his side. The growing rift between Manco and Paullu prevented the natives from exploiting this moment of Spanish tension to their advantage. Manco flees to the Vilcabamba valley  Faced with such large numbers of Spanish reinforcements, Manco decided to leave Ollantaytambo and flee to the inaccessible jungles of the Vilcabamba valley. The retreating natives destroyed the roads and bridges behind them to slow down the 300 hundred pursuing conquistadors. The Spaniards pursued the Inca as far as Vitcos, where the distractions of treasure and mamconas (holy women) allowed Manco to escape with a few followers.Manco was no longer the ruler of a vast native army or rebellion. His army had been captured by the Spanish at Vitcos and were eventually released to return gratefully to their villages. From his exile in the jungles of Vilcabamba, Manco implored his brother Paullu to join him. However Paullu was enjoying success and prestige as the newly appointed puppet-Inca in Cuzco and "replied that he must always retain his friendship for the Christians, who were so valiant that they could never fail to be victorious". |
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