The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-08
BRAZIL.
Bloody Defeats Of the AIlies-G0ld Rising
Peace Hoped for-Gcneral Webb's Ultima.

Bloody Defeats Of the AIIies-GOld Rising
Peace Hoped for-Gcneral Webb's Ultima
tun.
I Rio JANEIRo, July 81, 1868.
The British steamer Parana, OF the Liverpool and
Valparaiso line having just arrived after touching at
Montevideo, and leaving to-day for Europe, take
advantage to send by her some account OF the very
disastrous defeats which the allies experienced in
Paraguay upon the 10th inst. The accounts brought
by her are extremely meagre and confused, but in
the az sence Of the official news expected tomorrow
or next day will try to pick out what has really
occurred; Tor the government newspapers, with the
utmost shamelessness, trying to dstort the de-
Keats experienced into virtual victories, and the
farana did not bring details OF the failure before
huiiiaita, Caxias as ia well known, taking every
means TO prevent the truth from becoming known
W us iuii extent. 1t would appear that Caxias
who seems to be possessed OF monomanIa-
cal idea That the Paraguayans In Humaita--
VINO are commanded by o determined and
able general Alen) an Irisnman, who have abun-
dance of food and have river full of fish running
past them, are 80 scared by that do nothing Old hum
bug that they only want to run away II they could
get away-had received information on the evening
OF the 18th that boats were passing briskly between
Humaia and the Chaco or opposite side OF the Para
quay. Immediately his monomania made him be-
heve that Humaita was being evacuated, and that
he had nothing to do but to walk IN and take possess
sion.
Accordingly all night he had the unfortunate troops
hard at work getting ready for the walk over into
Humati; and he telegraphed about three A. NJ to the
Argentine general stationed at the north side OF Hu
malta to advance at daybreak and effect an entrance
from his side. while O5orio, with eight thousand
men, cavalry and Infantry, would advance upon the
eastern Notifications. The Argentines advanced ac-
cording to orders but on nearing the works-they
being received with ball, shell and grape showing
that the Paraguayans were still alive and on hand
they wisely refraned from an assault; and on tele-
graphing the state OF affairs Caxas replied, ordering
them to hold their ground and keep up fire. OsoriO,
with the main force, comprising eight thousand
Brazilians and few Orientas, and including largo
number Of cavalry, started at daybreak, and part
OF the cavalry in the van made gallant dash at
strong redoubt, mounted with two cannon. This
was carried by the cavalry and other troops coming
up the fugtves were pursued sharply. Encouraged
by this success general charge was ordered ana
was made with much vlgor some battalionS succeed
ing In surrounding all obstacles and In reaching the
deep ditch in front of the main line. Up to that tme
the had kept , almost aue 6u5 when
within point blank range OF the artillery tremen-
dous fire of musketry grape and ball was poured
into the assailauts, who, without fascnes other
means of advancing to the assault Of the batteries
were literally moved down in hundreds by the storm
OF missiles which sbOwered upon them, rendering
the retreat sounded nothing short OF complete and
disorderly rout. Osoro had sent for aid earlier In
the day but Caxias had refused and had ordered o
retreat. Under such circumstances nothing could be
done but to get the men as rapidly as possible from
under fire, but battalions that went into battle five
hundred strong came out OF 1t with only eighty to
one hundred, and the killed and wounded are este
mated in the scanty and hasty letters sent on, at at
least Two thousand lnen, two.thirdS OF them killed,
and including the missing, Is supposed that at least
three thousand were lost by the aes In that disas-
on the same morning an attempt was made by the
allies In the Chac0 to disodge the Paraguyans rom
battery they had erected not iar from the position
fire from Hamaita, was making that position too
hot to be agreeable. About thousand Brazians
supported by others IN reserve crossed the stream
In 'front.' beat In Paraguayan outlying party, and
were scharging bravely upon the battery under u
brisk ire when they were suddenly attacked In tho
TANKS by Paragraphs issuing from the woods. Tic
result was not doubtful Tor moment; the allies
broke ranks instantly ana nea pnasea Uy .e
up his reserves In haste 1t was impossible to rally
the broken bataions and all he was able to effect
was to their flight and stop the Paraguayan pu
| hundred killed and wounded.
| Tue news Of these defeats has had O most dis
heartening effect upon the public Of Rio. 1t Is felt
that the capture Of Hamaita il an impossibility at
has lowered TO 17I5d. to the mreis for bank drafts
London, and gold has risen to 14l300 for sover-
eigns; and the rise OF gold and sterling exchange
would be decided Ii not for the belief that
those severe blows TO the allied cause will be the
precursors Of peace; that even the Emperor must be
convinced that no other resort Is left but peace
| General Webb's ultimatum In regard to the pass
ing up Of the Wasp to receive Mr. Waslburn and his
family has proved hard nut to swallow, and yester-
day full Council of State was held 70 decide upon
the matter; but the result is not yet known. The
time given by the General was 10 August n not
accepted he will that day close his relations with
| the government Of Brazil. The result, however, Is
not doubtful. The government must yield. Above
all, IL is not In position to take high hand IN sup
port OF Caxias at time when he mas just received
| one OF the severest blows yet experienced by the
| allies In the Parayuayan campaign.
The ship P0cahontas from Boston for San Fran
cisco, has put In leaky. The Maggie V. Hogg bound
for Maceio has also put back Tor the second tine,
with damage In her spars. rnt
Tho new Ministry Is carrying everything with q
high hand. They have dismissed all the provisional
Presidents Governors OF States) Vice Presidents
Chiefs OF Police, &C., and have cancelled an election
for Senator IN Pernambuco being evidently deter
mined to carry all the next elections by Storm with
the aid Of their st0utest partisans, in all offices by
which votes may DO influenced.