The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-21
SOUTH AM ERICA.
THE WAR ON THE RIVER PLATE.
Official Report of the Late
Great Battles.
ETC., ETC., Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc
Letter of General Mitre to the Vice-Presi-
dent of the Argentine Confederation.

Letter of General Mitre to the Vice-Presi-
dent OF the Argentine Confederation.
HEADQUARTERS, July 26, ls66.-Esteemed
Friend:-TO this moment, A. NJ, | have been
expecting the steamers news, which should
have come from Corrientes on the 24tn. As
nothing appears, and the steamer goes today, /
commence writing to give you the news of
those days, not having done it previously for
want of time.
On the l4th the enemy's forces appeared on
our lett flank following the thick wood which
surrounds us there, through which they have
prolonged the tortihcations of their right, and
bringing some cannon. Immediately | put
myself IN accord with Marshal Osorio to disodge
the enemy from tn at position. because that flank
was covered by the Brazilian army. The slc6-
ness of General Osoro and other circumstances
retarded this operation until the 10th.
On the 10th the 4th Division, commanded
by General Guilherme, attacked the first gap
in the wood where the enemy had fortified him
self, taking the trench with the bayonet, and
pursuing the enemy to bis second fortified line
on that side, he leaving the tield covered with
corpses The second position was not taken that
day because part of the combination failed;
we limited ourselves then to maintain at all haz-
ards the position conquered, which the enemy,
aware OF IFS Importance, attempted all. the
time TO dispute.
Having established ourselves in the works of
tbe hill taken from the enemy, he commenced
vigorous fire upon IT. which lasted during fifteen
bours; Tor, favored by the Toughness of the
ground he could cover a great part OF his forces,
but as we vigorously beat them back in two
Ill hrlng MS parque, we remained definitely
masters
The 18th Division, commanded by General Gull
nerme, was relieved in the defense OF the tren-
ches by General Argolo and his division, aided
by the Buenos Ayres I'd Division. under Colonel
COnesa and later by the Vlctorino Division
which remained there until the 18th, when the
combat was begun anew by us to occupy the
| oher position still in power of the enemy.
On that day (lSth) the second line of works
| was taken from the enemy, TIE Sd Argentine
| Division, under command of Colonel Domin-
| gueZ, which had relieved the I'd Division enter
| ing decidedly INTO the fire.
General Victorno. with the Brazilian troops
he commanded, as also General Flores, with his
Or1entals and BrazillanS, whom l advanced by
| the centre and right OF our line to the attack,
| took the aforesaid line of redoubts OF the right
| OF the enemy, which they reached by marrow
defles, and which forms what / call the third
| line OF the enemy at that part.
In this third line battery of seven l2-
| FOUNDERS was taken with the bayonet by the
Argentine battalions, aided by the Oriental bat
talon Florida, commanded by Colonel Palleas.
Having pushed his attack too much, and the
enemy having collected all his reserves upon
his right fank, the conquered position became
difficult 10 maintain, especially the enemy
| annoyed our forces with firing, covered by the
surrounding woods. hiding his deienses on the
| right.
The death OF Colonel Palejas. which took
| place within the battery, owing to this fire, and
| the consequent retirement of the Florida bata-
| lion, determined that of the other troops after
| two Brazilian battaions lent effective assistance
| Oy charging gallantly to keep back the enemy.
| Following this / sent General Emilio Mtre
with the 4th Division of I'd Corps to reinforce
the attack, the I'd Battalion Of the line, and the
| Sd of the Buenos Ayres National Guards, COM
manded by Mateo Martinez, entering imme.
| diately into action.
Both battalions, as well as those of the Sd
| Division, bore the Argentine flags to the enemy's
| works, where both color.men fell wounded.
Afterwards, as we bad obtained the principal
| end, and it was not possible for the time to
| obtain more profit from more advanced posi-
| ton, both corps commenced their retreat bring
| ing their wounded, and without being annoyed
| bv the enemy.
In this attack Colonel Agneuro was killed
| neae the enemys works, and Commander Mateo
| Martinez had his horse killed by grape al the
| cannonl&mouth, he being the only chief OF the
| corps engaged who had not been wounded in
| the attacks on this side,
| At this moment perceived firing to our right,
| and directed my attention towards column
| OF cavalry OF about 1900 men, which, with In
| fantry mounted behind them, and covered by
the palm grove, attacked our advanced posts.
Commandant Ayola received them at the
| lagoon with infantry squares, beating back an
| enemy's battalion which attempted to force the
| fold in front OF the cavalry which protected
| them. Burying himself then in the palm grove
| tie enemy fell upon the San Nicolas battalion
which, formed in square, covered its retreat
| The enemy charged them twice, but was vic
toriously repelled by both battallons, without
need ofthe aid of the other battalions which |
moved to their support He left OIL the field, in
this attack, elghty-six bodies, the number found
| up to to-day, among them the chief of the
column and various officers.
l have not time to give you more details.
| The loss Of the enemy is considerable, and,
| although 1t is not possible at this moment TO
ascertain It exactly, the deserters and prisoners
confirm this.
deserter, come at night, gives the news of
| the death of Barrlos IN the attack of the 18th,
as well as that OF other field officers, amoug
| them Colonel Marco
On our side / compute the losses of the armies
| in the various combats at fifteen hundred men,
| between killed and wounded. five hundred OF
which, about fourth killed, BELONGED 10 the
| Argentine army.
AS have saio, we have almost all the chiefs
| OF the corps engaged. Wounded-0rna Borgess.
| lvanosky Guitfra, Cabot, Palacios. do not
remember the others. Commandant Carase
| Nho entered the first line with the Entre-R -Rian
| Battalion, was not wounded.
The consequence of all is that we have ad-
| vanced and improved our position on the left,
uncoyering great part of the hidden defences
| OF the enemy's right. after dislodgng him from
| the works with which he intended to cover and
crush our left flank.
iencral Pohdoro received the command of the
| Brazilian army, and he directed the movements
| OF the Imperial forces In the prominent part
| have not time for more, and l say farewell,
| calling myself as your affectionate friend
| RARToIOMEO MITRR.