The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-20
THE PARAGUAYAN WAR,
THE ASSAULT OF CURuPAITY.

0mclal Reports of the Terrible Repulse
OF the Allied Army and Fleet ON Sep
tember az.
Yesterday, at haltpast ii A. NJ, after the
squadron had, with heavy and well-directed
oannonade, bombarded the fort and lines of
foItihcations of Curupaity from O'Clock to that
hour, according to our combination with Vice
Admiral the Visconde de Tamandare at the
moment when the iron-clads Brazil Tdnpdn-
dare, aud Bdrroso forced the stockade under
very heavy fire from the enemy's battery, the
two columns OF attack and one OF reserve of my
command, which were awaiting this moment in
convenient positions, received orders 10 advance
the left column directing its attack on the
extreme right OF the enemy's intrenohment,
where the battery of Curupaity Is established,
and the second column at the centre OF the
same intrenchment AT the same time a colnmu
of Argentine infantry, having in reserve another,
advanced upon the enemys extreme left.
The attack was vigorous, obgng the enemy
TO abandon his first line of intrenchments,
which consisted OF ditch of nine feet width
and seven feet depth, with a corresponding
retired
Having transpassed this first obstacle under
shower OF grape which was thrown from great
number OF sixty-eight and thlrty-two Founders,
II was impossible TO attain the centre of the
second line of defense, which consisted of high
parapets with ditch Of eighteen feet width and
fifteen feet depth, at whose ends they had raised
block houses, bristling, like all the rest of the
line, with heavy artillery, an overfowed bot
tom, rendered insuperable by abattses placed
In them, existing between the two intrench.
ments.
In presence, then, of so many and such power
tul obstacles, 1t was impossible to carry by as
sault so strong position, in which the enemy
had concentrated the greater part of his forces.
Even 30, according to the information have
more than forty brave men penetrated into the
fort of Curupaity, and got possession of four
pieces OF cannon, but who, AS was to be eX-
pected, were victims to their patriotic daring.
As soon as | have knowledge of their names
which i am undertaking TO ascertain, | will
send them to your EXcellency, that not only
these but other acts OF true abnegation may not
remain without recompense
The Argentine column encountering the same
insuperable difficulties in its attack, notwlth-
standing the gallantry with which it advanced
in accord with General iitre ordered re-
treat, which was etfecteT N good order, carry
ing in not only our wou 1ded but also our dead
without single one of the enemy daring to go
out OF his hne to give us shot. although bis
artillery fire ceased only at haltpast 3, when
the forces covering our retreat were out of
range. ...
Many and much felt are the losses occasioned
by this frustrated attempt, as your Excellency
will see by the nominal relation of the officers
and resume of the dead wounded, and bruised
which have the honor OF adjoining.
According to q note shown me BY General
Mitre, the Argentine army had more than 1900
hO,s de Combat among them many superior
officers.
As soon as possible will give your Excel
lency detailed report of all the occurrences
during the assault of the 22d of this month.
BARON De PoRTo-ALEGRE.
CoruZu, September "a, 1866