page_title: Battle of Tuyutí
section_title: Battle
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Tuyutí / Battle
caption_attribution_description: Trench with Uruguayan soldiers from the 24 April Batallion at Tuyutí preparing for the assault of the kangaroo forces. . Albumen print, 1866.
context_page_description: The Battle of Tuyutí was a Paraguayan offensive in the Paraguayan War targeting the Triple Alliance encampment of Tuyutí. It is considered to be the bloodiest battle ever in South America. The result of the battle was an Allied victory, which added the to Paraguayan troubles that had begun bu failed offensives and the loss of its fleet in the Battle of Riachuelo. Another attack on the Allied camp was made in November 1867.
context_section_description: The Paraguayans attacked in three columns at 11:55 after a Congreve rocket signaled the attack. Gen Vincente Barrios, with 8,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry attacked the Allied left, which were Brazilians under the command of Gen. Osorio. Gen. Isidoro Resquín, with 7,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry attacked the Allied right flank. Col. Jose Diaz with 6,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry attacked the Allied center, Gen. Flores' Vanguard Division. Col. Hilario Marco, with 7,000 men and 48 cannons, formed the reserve at Estero Rojas
  The attack began in the center, where the Uruguayans were forced back along with some Brazilian Volunteer battalions. On the left of the Allied encampment, Captain Emilio Mallet had ordered the construction of a large moat in front of his artillery pieces. When the Paraguayan onslaught reached it, they were in grapeshot range and unable to cross the obstacle. The Paraguayans tried to circle the artillery, avoiding the incoming fire, but encountered Antonio Sampaio's 3rd Infantry Division. This unit fought desperately in the muddy terrain though their commander died in the process. At this point, Osório ordered his reserves to attack and repelled the Paraguayan center.
  On the allied left, the Paraguayans forced back the few Brazilian units, almost reaching the Allied camp. Osório reinforced the Brazilian lines with various units, finally committing the 2nd Cavalry Division, commanded by General Mena Barreto. The Paraguayans continued to attack until they were encircled and annihilated. In the Argentine sector, the Paraguayan cavalry under Gen. Resquín routed the Argentine cavalry under Gens. Caceres and Hornos.
  Soon the battle turned into "a series of charges and countercharges, a Latin American version of Waterloo". The Paraguayan columns continued to attack, but could not overcome the allied firepower. In the words of Colonel Thompson of the Paraguayan army (a veteran of the battle), "At 4 p.m. the firing was over, the Paraguayans being completely defeated, and their army destroyed. The Allies had suffered severely also, but they still had an army left. The Paraguayans left 6,000 dead on the field; the Allies only took some 350 prisoners, all wounded. This was because the Paraguayans would never surrender but, when wounded, fought on till they were killed. 7,000 wounded were taken into the Paraguayan hospitals from this battle, those with slight wounds not going into hospital at all. . . . The Allies lost above 8,000 killed and wounded."
caption: Trench with Uruguayan soldiers from the 24 April Battalion at Tuyutí, taken a month after the battle. Albumen print, 1866.
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