Page "Battle of Cajamarca" Paragraph 12

The first target of the Spanish attack was Atahualpa and his top commanders.

Pizarro rushed at Atahualpa on horseback, but he remained motionless.

Some of the Inca, however, flinched, and Atahualpa immediately had them put to death despite being under attack.

The Spanish later severed the hands or arms of the attendants carrying Atahualpa's litter to force them to drop it so they could reach him.

The Spanish were astounded that the attendants ignored their wounds and used their stumps or remaining hands to hold it up until several were killed and the litter slumped.

However, the Spanish noticed that Atahualpa was drunk and so left him sitting on the litter while they fought a large group of Inca, at which time a large number of Inca rushed to place themselves between the litter and the Spanish, deliberately allowing themselves to be killed.

While his men were killing these Inca, Pizarro rode through them and pulled Atahualpa from the litter.

While he was doing so, several soldiers also reached the litter and one attempted to kill Atahualpa.

Recognizing the value of Atahualpa as a hostage, Pizarro defended him and received a sword wound to his hand.