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Battle of Piribebuy
	Part of the Paraguayan War
Date	12 August 1869
Location	Piribebuy, Cordillera Department, Paraguay
Result	Brazilian victory
Belligerents
Paraguay	Empire of Brazil
Commanders and leaders
Pedro Pablo Caballero	Count of Eu; João Mena Barreto †;
Strength
1,600 men; 12 guns	20,090 men; 47 guns
Casualties and losses
1,600:; 730 killed; 700 wounded; 170 captured	610:; 68 killed; 542 wounded

The Battle of Piribebuy was fought on 12 August 1869 in the Paraguayan town of Piribebuy, 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 Pedro II of Brazil. 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 was mortally wounded leading a cavalry charge against the Paraguayans.^[1]^: 103

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.^[2]

Gallery

Sketch of the battle of Piribebuy.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Hooker, T.D., 2008, The Paraguayan War, Nottingham: Foundry Books, ISBN 1901543153
^ Margaret Hebblethwaite (2010). Paraguay. Guilford: Bradt Travel Guides, pp. 138. ISBN 978-1-84162-315-3.