The New York herald., 1869-02-18
THE WAR IN PARAGUAY.

The Bnfrles Before AnR0stura--Ohstinatc De-
fence OF the Paraguaynns-I.opez's Refusal
20 Ss,rrender-Atfifude Of General SIcNn-
hon, Gnifcd statcs Minister.
ti RIO JAsEiRo Jan. 4, 1862
At aaybreak OF the 2lst the iron-cad squadron
opened its fire on Angostura. division OF 5000
inen under General Menna Barreto was ready 10
assault the lines OF Pquiciri and Angostura Mar
shai Caxias, with 5000 men, lay in observation OF
the key position OF Lopez-the heights OF Lombas
Valentnas-and corps OF 5000 men, chiefly cavalry,
under the command Of the Baron do Triumpho, was
TO 90 round the extreme right Of Lombas Valeninas
beat up the Paraguayan outposts and carry on the
cattle grazing at Potrero Marmore, which. It may
be promised, was successfully DONE 5000 head OF
fat cattle being bagged and brought ina seasonable
arrival 70 the camp OF Caxias
Early in the morning Barreto's division advanced
against the lines OF Piqucir burst through them at
point and then swept along them, capturing about
thirty cannon and large quantities Of munitions. be-
sides inGictng heavy losses on the Paraguayans. He
also captured the advanced works Of Angosura. but
could not effect the reduction OF the principal re-
doubt, supposed to have q garrison OF 800 men and
sixteen heavy cannon.
In the afternoon after the results OF the attack on
Piquicri and Of the raid ON the other end were
known, Marshal Caxias ordered an advance against
the entrenchments ar0ng the brow Of the hill Of
Lombas Valentines. Supported by u bombardment
from the Brazilian cannon the Brazilian cavalry
charged up the Hill and after repeated efforts sue
ceeded In getting the FIRST ditch and entering
found, however that they could effect nothing the
broad hill being covered with groves Of trees and
studded with huts, rendering 1t impossible for cav
airy to operate with hope OF success Caxias,
however, determined not to give up what had been
80 dearly won, and, although night was coming on,
infantry and light cannon were hurried mp, and ali
night bloody and confused battling went on for
the possession OF the entrenchment, IN which the
losses on both sides were extraordinary. Four
times, IT is said, the Paraguayans drove the Brazil
tons out during the night and four times the Brazil
lans recovered 1t at terrible sacrifice and finally
retained 1t. Fourteen cannon were captured by the
A uli followed the battnngs Of the night OF the
2ist. Neither side was IN z state to recommence,
but $50 cattle more were bagged next day, and .
cavalry division sent in the direction OF Cerr0 Leon
found the country unoccupied, and turned back
doned the village OF villeta and were proceeding
into the interior. Another cavalry expedition cut
reconnotre On the I'D ana a5d Caxias was joined
| by 5000 Argentines, Brazians and Orientas from
the camp at Pamas but their cannon did not arrive
On the oath Lopez was summoned to lay down his
arms TO prevent further effusion OF blood, the re-
sponsibllity for which was thrown on him. HIS re-
ply to the somewhat arrogant and abusive commu-
nication Of the allied generals we give ut foot.
Caxas, having recruited hls troops In strength and
numbers, prepared 10 recOmmence operations
against the other works Lofnbas Valentines.
Twenty cannon were planted In their front, with
5000 Argentines and 0rienals under General Gelly
Obes, aud win the Brazilian corps tnat had suf
fered most In previous fights, while Caxias, with
1000 Braziiians and 1000 Argentines, taking with
him Iwenty-four cannon marched early on the 27th
round the Hank OF the Paraguayan position TO attack
the principal redoubt In the rear. The attack was
with storm OF shells and rockets. While Geliy y
Obes' troops attacked from their side Caxas corps
a'seu and succecded @ ln in carving H. as the Para
guayans being demoraIzed by the previous showers
q snel rained on them ito the number OF over 3oOo
did not resist with their usual perseverance and
| were driven from II into wood which seemed TO
! constitute their last defence The victory gave the
allies large capture of food and munitions, and IL
is said the private baggage Of Lopez taken.
Caxfas II IL reported, had various bodies stationed
sfs @ a. " m very M en b
IL IL very likely that the allied accounts greatly ex
ag2erate the condition aud depletion OF the Para
| guayan army and that Lopez will be able TO give
I them trouble yet.
Up to the last daies-six P. M. OF the 27th OF De-
cember, brought direct from Pamas to Rio by the
transport ST. Jose-no attack had been made upon
the wood nor upon ADg0stura: but Caxlas wrote con-
! ndentiy Of capturing Angostura IN day or two as
soon as he w0nd turn his attention to IT after deal
ing with the Paraguayans whom he says he had sur
rounded and shut up in the wood OF Lombas valen-
tinas. very few days more Will decide whether
General Mcmahon appears 70 have been al Lopez's
s ana ne sa % sss 10 Eax
to let his dispatches come to him. he had been
! unable TO get 10 Asuncion.
4 :
| who says that ne knows from good authority tnat
Lopez's cause is favored by General McMahon, who
In requiring Lopez TO leave the country the pre-
liminary 10 negotiations Tor peace. Mcmahon, my
70 this eject and has advised Lopez not 10 cave in
Lopez is said to have still 5000 men, and 70 have
got away from the rat trap All whose holes Caxias
fke following 6 the reply given by Lopez to the
deman1 for surrender
TsSrs.a, ,.aa,s
asSns % % WITH GIVING y wrsS m reply to ne S
he predes over on Of the unusual language en-.
pioyea 20 offensive g mI!i. honor and 70 the supreme
irsinate lay down my within twelve hours
10 throw upon my bead The blood ked and that
yet may now do not scceds TO depose arms, making
The civilized world. No,wiisanding make my duty
reply rendering thus holocaust 10 tna blood shed
soproisey BY part Of troop. and q those who Fought
with them also 70 the sentn,enis Of religion humanity
ton.
than two year. aso overlook all Official ouresy
With which the army Of country had been treated 10 ms
Bgsdier Gsners RsrthoIonew Mire deneralin chir.
20 eject reconciliation of four sovereign states q south
America which had hen comrnenced Q destroy one smother
humane endeayor met with other response Than contempt
and fenGe on me ps 2. ,ns armed
From ira, have ce.rly tina, che purpose
quay and while ismenng the blood shed in years
~ @ Ct nv country s and ~ @ S o n he
the God Of nations, Thought with leay
conscientiousness and st determined 10 continue
that tight until that God and decide causes
fate.
Your Excelencics think IL a duty to inform OF the
knowledge have Of the resources yet nj command,
and likewise the numbers allied
and its resources, daily Increasing
do Of then have the experience Of four
years that numbers aud
The bravery Of the Parasyan soldier who
tights the resolution honorable citizen aud OF a
Christian who prefers IN bis country than to
humiizted.
Your Exoefencies think q duty remind taat the
blood at Iorvro Asahy should have made avoid
aowng 2ist but doubtless you have FORGOTTEN that
those acts should have proved TO you how what
told 10 the abneeaton OF copntrymen,
that drop o blood fallen the ground
obligation them who survive And, such
ample could poor head bend the ungenilcmsniy
menace with which your E1celences thought well to notify
You have the right to the republic or
Paraguay for dsfendedh anl defend II and win
tinue to defend H.
last and NJ 70 what follow leave acts TO history.
God DO of " ff blood has sri 20
now God win reckon for with whomsocyer the true
responsibility.
For part am stf wiling 70 treat for the concusne Of
peace upon bases honorable % all alike, but cannot