The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-13
PARAG VA Y.
Details of the Recent Battles-Esttmated
Losses ON Both sides.

Buenos Ayres, South America. correspondence
to the 18th of December last, gives Us the fol-
lowing lutormatlOn:-
The United States fleet has reached Villeta,
the only stronghold left By which Lopez COM
maDds the river Paraguay. The flagship Wasp
lett the Otbe steamers below, and went up to
the fort. There General MacMahOn sought an
interview with Lopez, aud it was granted, aud
our only information up TO this hour Is that the
Interview lasted whole day, and no result was
made known.
Lopez has been o busy with various pressing
mat ers of a different kind that it is n wonder
that he gives auy time az all TO diplomatic talG.
No one doubts but that II those two young men
are, still living, and it is believed that they
are they will be given up promptly by Lopoz.
This, with the proper concession for having
insUlted the flag, Is the occasion of the visit OF
the United States squadron to Paraguay at this
time.
On December there were about 5000 men
passed over the river Paraguay above Vil!eta.
They had gone by land around the tort to be
able 20 attack it on the flank and rear. On the
next Gay 5000 more passed across, aud they
pus ned on at once towards the fort. They were
met at o bridge where 1000 ParaguaYans, with
iron guns. held them ~ bay for several hours.
At length the ParaguayanS retired to ROAD
near by, where they had l8 guns concealed. and
the Allies, crossing freely the bridge, were
assaied by most destructive fire. This was a
vigorous fought battle, where most OF the lead
ing allied officers we're killed or wounded. The
day closed with no decided gain to either party.
II was one of series OF encounters, and both
sides prepared for further action.
The Allies received more men, drew up their
feet, and proceeded. December 7, to wards the
fort again, aud taxing this eigbieen-gun redoubt
in the way carried 1t herOically. Its defender,
Gonzalez, died at his post.
On the 9th Marquis CaXias proceeded again,
and put all the troops in motion for Villeta. At
a pass called Paso TOro the Paragnayans again
made stand, and with six guns kept the whole
army at bay. The Allies report a loss of 600
before they forced their passage at this point.
This wac another link in the chain,
Again, December IL, another move was
made, aud General Caballero, with 1000 Para
guayans, held the pass tor three hours until
the General himsel fell mortally wounded, 900
of his men were prisoners and the rest were III
retreat. This freed the way to VIlieta; AMI
while this last action was in process, LoGez
was packing up. and left during the day, with
all that was convenient 10 take, for LuQue,
where he makes another stand. At last accounts
the Allies we're preparing to attack Angostura,
the only remaining fort on the river.
1t Is impossible to tell what these battles may
have cost In human life but correspondents
from the armV put down the Allied losses at not
less than 1000 men. They tell also of heavy
Paraguayan Losses. but the exact numbers can
not be told yet. Instances of the most heroic
bravery, never excelled anywhere, have oc-
Cured on both Sides