Battle of Ytororó

Battle of Itororó (Ytororó)
Part of the Paraguayan War
Caxias leading the Brazilian Army
Date December 6, 1868 Location Paraguay Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
Empire of Brazil Brazilian Imperial Army	Paraguay Paraguayan Army
Commanders and leaders
Marquis of Caxias	Bernardino Caballero
Strength
13,000	5,000
Casualties and losses
1,800 dead 900 wounded	1,200 dead 3,500 wounded

On the morning of December 6, 1868, Marshal of the Brazilian Army, Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Marquis (later Duke) of Caxias, moved with 13,000 men in two columns to take Villeta, a Paraguayan city, as a plan to make further attacks on the Paraguayan Army rear. Nevertheless, Paraguayan president and commander-in-chief of the army Francisco Solano López was aware of the landing the Allies had made in the rear of his army.

Taking advantage of the Allies' slow march, he sent Colonel Bernardino Caballero to stop the enemy at a narrow passage over a stream called Ytororó. Caballero deployed his troops so that Caxias would have to cross the only passage at disposal (a bridge) under heavy fire. On each side of the crossing, he located four guns. Another battery of four guns was put on the top of a nearby low-lying hill.

The battle started by late morning and was characterized by attacks and counterattacks for control of the bridge. By 1 pm, after a fierce fight, the bridge was taken and the Allies could advance towards Villeta.

Sources

• http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/2523