The New York herald., 1870-06-20
PARAGUAY.
General Camara's Account Of the Surprise
and Death of LOpez-The Parnguaynn
Chiefs Last Observation-Disclosures of Pa.
rnnhos-The Paraguayau Elections.

and Death of LOpez-The Paraguaynn
Chiefs Last Observation-Disclosures of Pa.
rnnhos-The Paraguayau Elections.
AsUNCIoN, May 15 1s7O
The Brazilian General Camara, who commanded
at the rout death of Lopez, has written letter
to an Argentine paper, OF which the following are
extracts
1t is hard, very hard, for honorable soldiers, who
have fought for years to bring back to these cOun-
tries that peace which had been disturbed by the
tyranny OF a despot, to see themselves confounded
with the sangulnary followers OF the barbarian
whose hands were still wet with the blood of our
heroic prisoners, butchered by him when the hazard
of war had forced them to surrender themselves
dying rather than yield. 1t is hard, very hard,
pecally when this despot fell, not In an ambuscade
but in loyal fgnt defending himself with the vaor
which, will do him this justice-hOnored his
death and belled his life.
Ma shall Lopez was not, could not be assassnated
could he be, at the hands OF my distinguished com.
panions in arms, and still less at NINE. General
Lopez was surprised in daytime by an acciGent
which was fortunate as it might have been unor-
tunate to us. had the good fortune to see my dis
positions so rapidly and ably carried out that their
execution allowed no defect to be seen.
Lopez, that excessively cautious and dtstrustful
man. whose prudence omitted no means of precau
ton or of vigilance, was surrounded and assaulted
had captured his outposts. He saw Us only when
after bursting through his grape, the dashing
ancers Oh ane nlepa a Soione SilVa Lavares
Marquis Xavier and Others, and the few but gal
liant bayonets Of the distinguished Major PeiXoto
issued out on the smooth plain upon the very guards
OF his camp. Thus 1t was that the dictator hazarded
his person. he having no tune to Zee; and when,
ordering his brave soldery TO charge, and, waving
his swO. d around he turned and tried to save him.
self by fight, 1t was too late, for he had been recOg
nlzed aud the pursuit OF him was therefore fierce.
Major Simeon de Olivera, and another officer whom
you know well personally, omitted these details
through modesty; but justice exacts that here and
ue e age eSd of that
When he fed they pursued him with some
mounted riaemen. When Lopez left his horse
their balls which closed the lie Of Marshal Lopez,
him coS S IN usr, e SSa
steady and persistent fire. as when l came up
ordered him to aid at another point; thus was
among the first who, on coming to the bank OF the
Aquidibaniqui, saw Lopez fallen and almost liIeless
on the other side.
Near Lopez were two officers who died sword In
hand defending him to the last and some one
other, who succeeded In escaping perhaps to surren-
der later. The former ascertained afterwards were
Majors EstiogarrDta and Vargas, who were shot by
the ritemen who came after me to the bank and
VINO fred on seeing me wading across alone and on
foot, to be received, not as liberator but as an
impiacable and rancorOus enemy. l owe 1t
and my country. owe 1t to history and to my con:
science to declare truthfuy that Marshal Lopez died
fairly and in full possession OF his senses. When
stopped to take the drawn sword from his hand he
made am 70 e ana IN or ma
country / then ordered soldier Of the Ninth
battalion to disarm him, and 1t was IN the struggle
with Hmm he expired, without receiving further
wound
Colonel Paranhos, brother 0{ Minister Paranhos,
died at Asuncion Of disease, the age Of AZ years.
In 1887 and 1888 he volunteered at Bahia against
the Insurgents there gqd after the lnsurrection was
quelled marched to Rio Grande DO Sui and served
against the republicans until ls46 aNd was promoted
to Meutenancy. In the war agalnstR R0sas he fought
at Monte Caser0s and was made captain. In 1854
be went no Uruguay and afterwards ~ Paraguay IN
command OF battalion Of infantry, AND continued
In service TO the last Of the war, taking part In
almost all the chief operations, Including that
which closed with the death OF Lopez, and pr whlcA
he had inst been promoted nom colonel to bxigadier
general
Diujstey Psranhos was expected at AsuuciiV. ~