Battle of Tuyutí
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Tuyutí was a Paraguay
an offensive in the War of the Triple Alliance
. The allied
victory added to the Paraguayan troubles that began with a failed offensive and continued with the loss of its fleet in the Battle of Riachuelo
.
In early May 1866, a Paraguayan attack at a marsh called Estero Bellaco failed. As the allies camped for over two weeks before resuming their advance, Paraguayan leader Francisco Solano López
ordered a May 24 surprise attack on Tuyutí, a "a swampy, scrub-brush savannah".
The Paraguayans attacked in three columns, and soon the battle turned into "a series of charges and countercharges, a Latin American version of Waterloo". The Paraguayan columns continued to attack, but never could overcome the allied firepower.
Tuyutí was the last major Paraguayan attack. Ultimately, it was a devastating Paraguayan defeat: Of the 6,000 men wounded after the battle, a large percentage would die subsequently. The Paraguayan military was decimated.
The May 24, 1866 battle of Tuyutí is known as the First Battle of Tuyutí; the second battle occurred on November 7, 1867, and was an indecisive and less consequential battle in which each side lost about 2,400 men.
himself commanding the troops, the Paraguayans prepared for a decisive battle. Twenty-four thousand Paraguayans, hoping for the destruction of the allied forces, attacked at midday on May 24 after a rocket announced the order, and the battle began. Lopéz tried to circle the allies with two strong wings as his center forced them to hold positions. His left faced the Argentinians, while the Uruguayans were in the center with the Brazilians and engaged the right wing. The terrain was not suitable for movement.
The attack began in the center, where the Uruguayans were forced back by surprise with some Brazilian Volunteer Battalions. On the left of the allied encampment, Captain Emilio Mallet had ordered the construction of a large moat in front of his artillery pieces. When the Paraguayan onslaught reached it, they were in grapeshot range and unable to cross the obstacle. The Paraguayans tried to circle the artillery, avoiding the incoming fire, but encountered Antonio Sampaio's 3rd Infantry Division. This unit fought desperately in the muddy terrain with its commander dying in the process, having fought stubbornly. At this point, Osório ordered his reserves to attack and repelled the Paraguayan center.
On the allied left, the Paraguayans forced back the few Brazilian units, almost reaching the Allied camp. Osório reinforced the Brazilian lines with various units, finally committing the 2nd Cavalry Division, commanded by General Mena Barreto. The Paraguayans continued to attack until they were encircled and annihilated. In the Argentinian sector, the Paraguayan cavalry routed the dismounted Argentinian cavalry that faced them. Soon, the Argentinians had to engage all of their units and even then barely held the enemy.
The Paraguayans fled, losing about 12,000 or 13,000 men, while the allies took about 4,000 casualties, mostly wounded. The largest battle ever fought in South America had just ended. Lopéz's flanking maneuver had failed, but it had been very close to succeeding. In fact, the Allies were unable to pursue the enemy due to the few horses they had remaining. They needed to regain strength and rebuild.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an offensive in the War of the Triple Alliance
War of the Triple Alliance
The Paraguayan War , also known as War of the Triple Alliance , was a military conflict in South America fought from 1864 to 1870 between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay...
. The allied
Treaty of the Triple Alliance
The Treaty of the Triple Alliance was a treaty which allied Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay in the Paraguayan War. Signed at the beginning of the war, its articles prescribed the allies' actions both during and after the war.- Legal Restrictions :...
victory added to the Paraguayan troubles that began with a failed offensive and continued with the loss of its fleet in the Battle of Riachuelo
Battle of Riachuelo
The naval Battle of Riachuelo was a key point in the War of the Triple Alliance. By late 1864, Paraguay had scored a series of victories in the war; on June 11, 1865, however, its naval defeat by Brazil began to turn the tide in favor of the allies....
.
In early May 1866, a Paraguayan attack at a marsh called Estero Bellaco failed. As the allies camped for over two weeks before resuming their advance, Paraguayan leader Francisco Solano López
Francisco Solano López (politician)
Francisco Solano López Carrillo was president of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870. He was officially the eldest son of president Carlos Antonio López, whom he succeeded...
ordered a May 24 surprise attack on Tuyutí, a "a swampy, scrub-brush savannah".
The Paraguayans attacked in three columns, and soon the battle turned into "a series of charges and countercharges, a Latin American version of Waterloo". The Paraguayan columns continued to attack, but never could overcome the allied firepower.
Tuyutí was the last major Paraguayan attack. Ultimately, it was a devastating Paraguayan defeat: Of the 6,000 men wounded after the battle, a large percentage would die subsequently. The Paraguayan military was decimated.
The May 24, 1866 battle of Tuyutí is known as the First Battle of Tuyutí; the second battle occurred on November 7, 1867, and was an indecisive and less consequential battle in which each side lost about 2,400 men.
Battle description
From a small hill, with President LopézFrancisco Solano López (politician)
Francisco Solano López Carrillo was president of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870. He was officially the eldest son of president Carlos Antonio López, whom he succeeded...
himself commanding the troops, the Paraguayans prepared for a decisive battle. Twenty-four thousand Paraguayans, hoping for the destruction of the allied forces, attacked at midday on May 24 after a rocket announced the order, and the battle began. Lopéz tried to circle the allies with two strong wings as his center forced them to hold positions. His left faced the Argentinians, while the Uruguayans were in the center with the Brazilians and engaged the right wing. The terrain was not suitable for movement.
The attack began in the center, where the Uruguayans were forced back by surprise with some Brazilian Volunteer Battalions. On the left of the allied encampment, Captain Emilio Mallet had ordered the construction of a large moat in front of his artillery pieces. When the Paraguayan onslaught reached it, they were in grapeshot range and unable to cross the obstacle. The Paraguayans tried to circle the artillery, avoiding the incoming fire, but encountered Antonio Sampaio's 3rd Infantry Division. This unit fought desperately in the muddy terrain with its commander dying in the process, having fought stubbornly. At this point, Osório ordered his reserves to attack and repelled the Paraguayan center.
On the allied left, the Paraguayans forced back the few Brazilian units, almost reaching the Allied camp. Osório reinforced the Brazilian lines with various units, finally committing the 2nd Cavalry Division, commanded by General Mena Barreto. The Paraguayans continued to attack until they were encircled and annihilated. In the Argentinian sector, the Paraguayan cavalry routed the dismounted Argentinian cavalry that faced them. Soon, the Argentinians had to engage all of their units and even then barely held the enemy.
The Paraguayans fled, losing about 12,000 or 13,000 men, while the allies took about 4,000 casualties, mostly wounded. The largest battle ever fought in South America had just ended. Lopéz's flanking maneuver had failed, but it had been very close to succeeding. In fact, the Allies were unable to pursue the enemy due to the few horses they had remaining. They needed to regain strength and rebuild.
Sources
- Doratioto, Francisco. Maldita Guerra: Nova história da Guerra do Paraguai. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2002.
- Dupuy, Trevor N. The Harper Encyclopedia of Military History: From 3500 BC to the Present, Fourth Edition. New York: HarperCollins, 1991.
- Kolinski, Charles J. Independence or Death: The Story of the Paraguayan War. Gainesville: University of Florida Press, 1965.
- Leuchars, Chris. To the Bitter End: Paraguay and the War of the Triple Alliance. London: Greenwood, 2002.
- Murad, Abid. A Batalha de Tuiuti e Uma Licao de Civismo. Rio de Janeiro, Biblioteca do Exercito, 1957
- Thompson, George. The War in Paraguay. London: Longmans, Green & Co, 1869.
- Scheina, Robert L. Latin America’s Wars Vol. 1: The Age of the Caudillo, 1791-1899. New York: Potomac, 2003.
- Williams, John Hoyt. “A Swamp of Blood: The Battle of Tuyuti.” Military History 17.1 (2000): 58-64.
External Links
- Battle of Tuyuti animated battle map by Jonathan Webb