The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-23
SOUTH AMERICA.

nary struggle at Itoro-Assault Of villctn-
Retreat of Lopez-R eported Arrangement
With General Mcmahon.
RIO JANEIRo, Dec 90, 1868.
The news which has come from Paraguay Is such
TO make the lion and the lamb, the recruiter and
the recrutee, lie down together ana mbibe. Caxias
obeyed the strict orders sent on, crossed the Para
quay with 10000 Observation-Disclosures recrossed q
little above vlleta, upon the 5th, without q shot
being fired and In the course OF six days fought two
partial actions with small Paraguayan corps
whipping them both and occupying yieta on the
18th.
condense the following from the despatch Of the
Marquis OF Caxias just published
At one A. NJ. on the 9Th OF December Marshal
tronclads and nats and instead Of being landed
just opposite the point or embarkaon in the Chaco,
as the enemy evidently expected from the works
thrown up by them on the other side, the vessels
steamed up for six miles and landed the corps on
the bluffs Of Santo Antonio, seven miles north OF
yeta. Argollo's orders were to march immedi-
ately to secure the bridge stream called Ior0,
near the grazing farm called yaldovno, but so much
artillery up the slippery bluffs that the opportunity
was lost The third corps, under visconde dc Herva
sosorio was embarked by one z M and landed at the
day toth) Argolo corps marched for the bridge OF
Itoro, which was already occupied by a Para
guayan force OF 5000 to 1000 men. HeryalS corps
was sent by path to the left TO come in upon the
rear Of the Paraguayan while Argollo engaged them
In front.
The position OF the Paraguayans was favorable to
them. The forces attacking the bridge in front
thick bush the bridge was narrow and the banks Of
the stream high and loose. The Paragraphs were
posted on hill covered with isleis OF wood, which
sheltered them greatly. The troops charged along
the road. A storm OF missiles swept them and drove
them IN disorder upon their supports Another
column OF attack advanced TO the assault reached the
bridge, held it for minute and the next were In
disordered flight. third attempt was more sue
cessful. Column led By Colonel Machado sue
ceeded in passing the bridge and stOruing the bat
terry whose IRE was sweeping 1t, but Colonel Ma
Notwithstanding the stormng Of their centre, the
Paraguayans maintained the battle rom the woods
on the right and left. General Argollo was wounded
and Caxias had TO order up the reserves, himself
leading one OF the columns across the bridge into
the fire. With The coming up OF these troops the
Is said, coo bodies on the Held six OF their eight
cannon arms &C. and loo or SO prisoners Their loss
and 1t is impossible but the Aazilians must have
lost double although the Marquis de Caxias states
his losses at less than the paraguayans.
IIeryals corps was unable to make the circuit In
time TO fan upon the enemy's rear, and, conse.
very few wT e made h the usual
The fight lasted about two hours, and the Braziians
had about 10000 men on tae ground Independent OF
the cavalry making the detour.
A day was NECESSARILY occupied In recognizing
the engaged troops obtaining supplies and removing
the wounded but on the 18th the two brazilian corps
marched in the direction OF vliieta, avoiding the
Parayuayans, again posted In the way, by det0ur
Of ten miles. which brought them to the hills Of
on the morning OF the 9th the troops reinforced with
another brigade, marched downwards to the neigh
bornood OF the port OF Ipane on the Paraguay OBJ
served by the encmys troops, with body Of whom
slight ssirnish occurred at valdovino During the
day and next night the ir0nclads brought over the
cavalry left behind In the Chaco, and the morning
81 the llth the whole OF me Brazilian forces marched
directly on the PafguayaD position at Nleta, Cs0riO
moving in the van with his corps.
AT q stream called Ayahy Osori0 came upon the
Paraguayans posted win artillery and 1000 60 600
his orders came back TO attack NJ once. Osorio
formed division OF cavalry and three battalions OF
infantry, posted his Cannon and rocket tubes, and
after these had played for time dashed, In face OF
the fierce falling rain, against the Paragraphs,
dislodging them and efecung the crossing OF the
stream in spite OF their heavy lre. However, he
Was unable to maintain himself and had TO retire.
Caxtas then posted the first and second corps on
the left sent division round by track on the
right 70 try and turn the Paraguayans that side,
and Osorio again charged, with no better success
than at first, and himself was wounded by ball. A
general assault was then made and the Paraguayans
BIZ by bit were driven out Of their posts, during
v bcn the Braztaus suffered severely from the stub.
born resistance and the heavy artillery and muskeiry
FIRE with which the Paraguayans received them
Finally AFTER all the troops on both sides had been
brought INTO action the superior numbers OF the
Brazians left the day with them, after four hours
OF continuous eiiort, and their cavalry completed
the rout OF the faraguayas, capturing some 100 pri
soners, besides $50 wounded seventeen cannon
remained IN the hands OF the vicors and the remain
ing SIX are believed 10 have been thrown into The
stream. six flags, large number OF arms, much
ammunition and heru OF cattle were secured and
Lopez is said to have been able to take away only
very few hundred men IN tic direction Of the heigns
OF Ccrro Leon, where Le Is supposed to intend TO
make another stand.
Caxas reports his losses In the two days. fights az
only 1000 men, but tins - known 10 be far short OF
tue reality aud the Emperor ~ said to have told his
intinstos that the losses were awful aud that people
did not yet know the truth OF them.
Ineac victories left the position OF Nillea In the
hands OF the Bgazians, and the Gen nal writes that
after reor4afzln9 his troops and taxing care or the
wounded nc would attack Angostafa. carry II and
re-eFlbark his army there 10 proceed TO Asunciuu.
Scme teicxr9uls announce that Ansostufa was
taken' but the truth Is thai al the departure OF the
steamer from the squadron IA the Paraguay those
batteries had not been attacked although division
had marched against them and had beaten force,
san To De VI 1909 men, which was poste1 IN the
way. Nolhng certain, however, IL known Of this
siar, notwithstanding some Naming accounts pub
lished. Tie 5000 Argentmcs Ia the camp at Pal.
inas were % cooperate 10 the attack on Angostura
GENERAL Mcmahon Is reported 10 have come to an
UNDERSTANDING with Lopez aud 10 lie remaining with
MIN, aud The wasp had returned 10 Ruenos Ayras
Tie ether gunOOats were at different parts of tie
river. Nothing important Is reported from the An.
yentine Confederation or Monteyitieo.
CUBA.