On February 15, 1825, Simón Bolívar changed the city's name to "Ayacucho", renaming it after the historical Battle of Ayacucho. Upon seeing so many casualties on the battlefield, citizens called the area "Ayakuchu", "aya" meaning "dead" and "kuchu" meaning "corner" in Ayacucho Quechua. The Battle of Ayacucho was the last armed clash between the Spanish Army (formed mostly by Peruvian mestizos and indigenous peoples) and independentists during the Peruvian War of Independence, and the independents' victory ensured independence. The battle developed in the nearby pampas of La Quinua on December 9, 1824. Independentist forces were led by Antonio José de Sucre, Simón Bolívar's lieutenant. Viceroy José de la Serna e Hinojosa was wounded, and after the battle second commander-in-chief José de Canterac signed the final capitulation of the Royalist army. The independent victory sealed the independence of Peru and South America. La Paz, now the seat of government of Bolivia, was similarly renamed "La Paz de Ayacucho" following this battle.