José María Bruguez was a Paraguayan general during the

Paraguayan War The Paraguayan War, also known as the War of the Triple Alliance, was a South American war that lasted from 1864 to 1870. It was fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. It was the deadlies ...

. He was one of the most prominent Paraguayan generals of the war, being known for his artillery services during naval engagements of the war. He died during the 1868 San Fernando massacre after President

Francisco Solano López Francisco Solano López Carrillo (24 July 1827 – 1 March 1870) was President of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870. He was the eldest son of Juana Pabla Carrillo and of President Carlos Antonio López, Francisco's predecessor. ...

accused Bruguez of conspiring against him.

Early Military Career

Bruguez was born on 1827 at

Asunción Asunción (, , , Guarani: Paraguay) is the capital and the largest city of Paraguay. The city stands on the eastern bank of the Paraguay River, almost at the confluence of this river with the Pilcomayo River. The Paraguay River and the Bay of ...

. He enlisted in the Paraguayan Army in 1845 and was assigned within the artillery regiments. He was promoted to Lieutenant from 1852 to 1854 as he was in professional military classes taught by

João Carlos de Villagran Cabrita João Carlos de Villagran Cabrita (1820-1866) was a Brazilian military engineer who was known for his participation and sacrifice in the Battle of Purutué Bank in the Paraguayan War. Biography He was born on 30 December 1820 in Montevideo, Cis ...

and was reported to be his best student.Lieutenant Colonel Villagran Cabrita – Engineering - Patrons
/ref> He was in charge of the railway systems within Paraguay and promoted to Major along with being assigned to the chief of the Central Station on 1862.

Paraguayan War

Upon the outbreak of the

, Bruguez participated in the Capture of the steamer Marquês de Olinda, directly ramming his artillery batteries against the ship which caused it to capsize. He then participated in the

Battle of Riachuelo The Battle of Riachuelo was a large and decisive naval battle of the Paraguayan War between Paraguay and the Empire of Brazil. By late 1864, Paraguay had scored a series of victories in the war, but on 11 June 1865, its naval defeat by the Brazi ...

and would harass the

Imperial Brazilian Navy The Imperial Brazilian Navy (Portuguese: ''Armada Nacional'', commonly known as ''Armada Imperial'') was the navy created at the time of the independence of the Empire of Brazil from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. It exis ...

with his artillery, managing to kill 12 men. He was awarded the Commander of the National Order of Merit on June 17, 1865 for his services in the battle. He continued his service during the Corrientes campaign during the

Battle of Paso de Mercedes The Battle of Paso de Mercedes was fought on 11 August 1865 during the Paraguayan invasion of the Argentine province of Corrientes. The battle took place at Bella Vista along the Paraná River, west of Mercedes. History Following the Battl ...

where he attempted to block the Imperial Brazilian Navy from passing the

Paraná River The Paraná River ( es, Río Paraná, links=no , pt, Rio Paraná, gn, Ysyry Parana) is a river in south-central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina for some ."Parana River". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Br ...

. After losing the battle, he attempted to prevent the Allied forces from cutting off Paraguayan supplies at the

Battle of Paso de Cuevas The Battle of Paso de Cuevas was fought on 12 August 1865 during the Paraguayan invasion of the Argentine province of Corrientes. Following losses after the Battle of Riachuelo, and running the gauntlet set up by José María Bruguez at Bella Vi ...

. Already a Colonel by 1866, he would participate in the battles of Estero Bellaco and

Tuyutí Tuyutí ( pt, Tuiuti), "white mud" in guaraní, is a marsh with a pond located in the southwest corner of Paraguay. It became famous during the Paraguayan War, while the allied army bivouacked on it for two years. The Battle of Tuyutí in 1866 was ...

, being promoted to General on May 25. It was also reported that during the

Battle of Purutué Bank The Battle of Purutué Bank (also called Redemption Island, Itapirú Bank, Carayá Island, Carvalho Island, Cabrita Island or Vitória Island) took place on 10 April 1866, during the Paraguayan War. Preparation Almost in the middle of the Pa ...

, Bruguez killed his former teacher Villagran Cabrita with a grenade that was fired at him. After fighting in the battles of Boquerón and the

Second Battle of Tuyutí The Second Battle of Tuyutí was fought on 3 November 1867 between the Paraguayan Army and a smaller allied Brazilian-Argentine force. The Paraguayans lost twice as many soldiers as the allies and were defeated.Rolón Medina, Anastasio (1964). ...

, Bruguez was executed on August 26, 1868 during the 1868 San Fernando Massacre by President

along with several other officers who Solano López thought were planning to overthrow him.

Legacy

The district of General José María Bruguez is named after him.

References

Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bruguez, José María 1827 births 1868 deaths People from Asunción Paraguayan generals Paraguayan military personnel of the Paraguayan War Paraguayan military personnel killed in action