The Battle of Piribebuy was fought on 12 August 1869 in the Paraguayan town of

Piribebuy Piribebuy (in Guaraní, ''Pirĩvevúi'') is a town and district in the Cordillera Department of Paraguay. It is of spontaneous origin, though some attribute its founding to Martin Ledesma de Valderrama in 1636. Since its founding documents were b ...

, which was then serving as a temporary capital of the Paraguayan government. The Paraguayan defenders, who were poorly armed and included children, fought the attacks of the Allied forces, led by French-born Brazilian general prince Gaston of Orleans, the Count of Eu, son-in-law of

Emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...

Pedro II of Brazil Don (honorific), Dom PedroII (2 December 1825 – 5 December 1891), nicknamed "the Magnanimity, Magnanimous" ( pt, O Magnânimo), was the List of monarchs of Brazil, second and last monarch of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. ...

. The town refused two peace envoys calling for surrender, sent by the Count of Eu. At 0400, the Brazilian batteries surrounding the town started a bombardment which lasted until 0800, when the infantry charged. General

João Manuel Mena Barreto João Manuel Mena Barreto was a Brazilian Brigadier throughout the Uruguayan War and Paraguayan War. He was known for his service at the Battle of São Borja, rescuing the civilian populace from the Paraguayan forces before getting killed at the ...

was mortally wounded leading a cavalry charge against the Paraguayans. The battle lasted for five hours, with the Allies, who had overwhelming numerical advantage, capturing the town. The town's hospital was burned and official documents were lost in the resulting fire.Margaret Hebblethwaite (2010).
Paraguay
'. Guilford: Bradt Travel Guides, pp. 138. .

Galery

File:Esboço Memorial da Praça de Piribebuy. Atacada e tomada a viva força a 12 de agosto de 1869.jpg, Sketch of the battle of Piribebuy.

References

Bibliography

Efraím Cardozo Efraím Cardozo (1906–1973) was a Paraguayan politician and historian. Childhood and studies Born in Villarrica, Paraguay, he was a son of a teacher and bureaucrat Salto del Guairá, guaireño Ramon Indalecio Cardozo and Juana Sosa. His father ...

(1970). ''Hace 100 años. Crónicas de la guerra de 1864-1870''. Tomo III. *

Juan Bautista Rivarola Matto Juan Bautista Rivarola Matto (1933 – October 14, 1999) was a Paraguayan journalist, narrator, essayist and playwright who made a great contribution to the culture is spite of living in the times of the dictatorial government in Paraguay, time in ...

(1986). ''Diagonal de sangre''.

External links

Paraguay.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piribebuy Conflicts in 1869 Battles involving Paraguay Battles involving Brazil Battles of the Paraguayan War August 1869 events 1869 in Paraguay