Passagem de Humaitá
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Humaitá was a naval battle
and later siege
which occurred at the fortress of Humaitá
, on the Paraguay River
beginning on February 19, 1867, as a part of the War of the Triple Alliance
, and ending on July 25, 1868.
It is also the name of a picture painted by Victor Meirelles
in 1868, depicting this event.
commanded the Brazilian imperial fleet
to secure a passage through Curupaiti and Humaitá
. On August 15, two divisions of five battleships passed without incident at Curupaiti, but artillery fire forced them to stop at Humaitá. This news caused conflict in the Allied high command. The Brazilian commanders determined that attacking the fortress from the river would be futile, and withdrew their fleet pending a land-based attack which began on August 18.
From Tuiu-Cuê the allies headed north and took the villages of São Solano, Vila do Pilar and Tayi, and finally laid siege to Humaitá itself, isolating it from Asunción
. In February 1868 Commander Joaquim José Inácio de Barros again ordered the fleet to cross the river by Humaitá, which was done on the 19th. There were few casualties and minimal damage to any of the ships. This was done four more times until the fortress fell on July 25 of that year.
Naval battle
A naval battle is a battle fought using boats, ships or other waterborne vessels. Most naval battles have occurred at sea, but a few have taken place on lakes or rivers. The earliest recorded naval battle took place in 1210 BC near Cyprus...
and later siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
which occurred at the fortress of Humaitá
Humaitá
Humaitá is a town on the Paraguay River in southern Paraguay. During the War of the Triple Alliance, it served as the main Paraguayan stronghold from 1866 until its fall in August 1868. During that time, it housed as many as 24,000 troops...
, on the Paraguay River
Paraguay River
The Paraguay River is a major river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina...
beginning on February 19, 1867, as a part of 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...
, and ending on July 25, 1868.
It is also the name of a picture painted by Victor Meirelles
Victor Meirelles
Victor Meirelles de Lima was a 19th century painter. He studied art in Paris but painted most of his works in and about his native Brazil. His religious and military paintings helped him become one of the most popular and celebrated Brazilian painters...
in 1868, depicting this event.
History
On August 1, 1867 the Argentine general Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre
Bartolomé Mitre Martínez was an Argentine statesman, military figure, and author. He was the President of Argentina from 1862 to 1868.-Life and times:...
commanded the Brazilian imperial fleet
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
to secure a passage through Curupaiti and Humaitá
Humaitá
Humaitá is a town on the Paraguay River in southern Paraguay. During the War of the Triple Alliance, it served as the main Paraguayan stronghold from 1866 until its fall in August 1868. During that time, it housed as many as 24,000 troops...
. On August 15, two divisions of five battleships passed without incident at Curupaiti, but artillery fire forced them to stop at Humaitá. This news caused conflict in the Allied high command. The Brazilian commanders determined that attacking the fortress from the river would be futile, and withdrew their fleet pending a land-based attack which began on August 18.
From Tuiu-Cuê the allies headed north and took the villages of São Solano, Vila do Pilar and Tayi, and finally laid siege to Humaitá itself, isolating it from Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
. In February 1868 Commander Joaquim José Inácio de Barros again ordered the fleet to cross the river by Humaitá, which was done on the 19th. There were few casualties and minimal damage to any of the ships. This was done four more times until the fortress fell on July 25 of that year.