Battle of Tuyutí

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Battle of Tuyutí
Part of the War of the Triple Alliance

Detail from larger painting by Cándido López
Date May 24, 1866
Location Tuyutí, a few miles north of Paraná River
Result Allied victory
Combatants
Paraguay Uruguay,
Argentina,
Brasil
Commanders
José E. Díaz, Isidoro Resquin and Vicente Barrios Bartolomé Mitre
Strength
23,000 to 24,000 men 32,000 to 35,000 men
Casualties
6,000 dead, 6,000 to 7,000 wounded 996 dead; 2,935 to 3,068 wounded
War of the Triple Alliance
Mato Grosso – Rio Grande do Sul – Corrientes – Riachuelo – Jataí – Tuyutí – Curupaity – Piquissiri – Campaign of the Hills

The Battle of Tuyutí was a Paraguayan 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"[1].

The Paraguayans attacked in three columns, soon the battle turned into "a series of charges and countercharges, a Latin American version of Waterloo"[2]. 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 proportion would die subsequently. The Paraguayan military was cut into pieces.

The May 24, 1866 battle of Tuyutí is known as the First Battle of Tuyutí; the second battle occurred on November 7, 1867, an indecisive and less consequential battle in which each side lost about 2,400 men.[3]

[edit] Battle description

From a small hill, with President Lopéz himself commanding the troops, the Paraguayans prepared for a decisive battle. Twenty four thousand Paraguayans hoping for the destruction of the allies attacked in the noon of May 24 at the sign of a rocket: the battle of Tuyutí was beginning. Lopéz tried to circle the allies with two strong wings as his center forced them to hold positions. His left faced the Argentinians, the Uruguayans were in the center with the Brazilians that also engaged the right wing. The ground was miserable for movement.

The attack began in the center, where the Uruguayans were forced back by surprise with some Brazilian Volunteers Battalions. On the left of the allied encampment, Captain Emilio Mallet had ordered the construction of a big moat in front of his artillery pieces. When the Paraguayan onslaught reached it, they were into 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. Sampaio had resisted to the best Paraguay could offer. At this point, Osório launched the reserves and repelled the Paraguayan center.

In the allied left, the Paraguayans forced back the few Brazilian units, almost reaching the Allied camp. Osório reinforced with various units, finally committing the 2nd cavalry division (Gen. Mena Barreto). The Paraguayans continued to attack until they were circled 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 12,000 to 13,000, while the allies lost 4,000 mostly being only injuries. The largest battle in South America had just been fought. Lopéz's flanking had failed, but if it was not for a few good commanders on the allied side and their troops' strong resistance it could have worked. In fact, the Allies were unable to pursue the enemy due to the few horses they had. They needed to regain strength and rebuild.[4]

Entrenched Uruguayan troops and their backing artillery were devastating in the battle of Tuyuti
Enlarge
Entrenched Uruguayan troops and their backing artillery were devastating in the battle of Tuyuti

[edit] Notes

  1. ↑  Williams, The battle of Tuyuti: "A swamp of blood".
  2. ↑  Williams, The battle of Tuyuti: "A swamp of blood".
  3. ↑  Byron Farwell, The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, New York: WW Norton, 2001. Page 831.
  4. ↑  Fragoso, Augusto Tasso. História da Guerra entre a Tríplice Aliança e o Paraguai, Vol II. Rio de Janeiro: Imprensa do Estado Maior do Exército, 1934.

[edit] Sources

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