| Battle of Piribebuy | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Paraguayan War | |||||||
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Paraguay |
 Empire of Brazil | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Pedro Pablo Caballero | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
1,600 men 12 guns[1]: 103 |
20,090 men 47 guns[1]: 103 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
1,600:[1]: 103 730 killed 700 wounded 170 captured |
610:[1]: 103 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]