Battle of Paso Ipohy explained

Part Of:the Paraguayan War
Date:December 25, 1867
Place:Tebicuary River, Paraguay
Result:Paraguayan victory
Combatant1: Paraguay
Commander1:
  • Valois Rivarola
  • Eduardo Vera
Commander2: Baron of Triunfo
Strength1:150-300
Strength2:1,000-1,500
Casualties1:20 casualties
Casualties2:400-800 casualties

The Battle of Paso Ipohy was an action planned by the Paraguayans that consisted of a surprise attack on a Brazilian camp near Humaitá, near the Tebicuary River in Paraguay, on December 25, 1867. The attack resulted in the victory of the outnumbered Paraguayans.

The Battle

A Brazilian camp for Volunteers of the Fatherland was deployed near the Tebicuary River in Paso Ipohy in Paraguay. Francisco Solano López realized that he could take a heavy blow to Brazilian troops there, as the surrounding region consisted of swamps and puddles that could facilitate a surprise action. Valois Rivarola, chosen by Mariscal to plan the attack, selected Captain Eduardo Vera and 150 of his best men for the task. Armed only with sabers and machetes, Vera's troops silently approached the Brazilian tents and attacked, taking them completely by surprise, and inflicting about 400 casualties without losing a single man. Soon the Brazilians recovered from this attack and began to pursue the Paraguayans across the lagoons and swamps. The better equipped among them reached some Paraguayans and shot them down with rifles, but were repelled by hidden Paraguayan artillery, as they moved too far from their base.

Everyone who participated in the attack was rewarded by López, who gave 20 pesos to the soldiers and 40 pesos to the officers. Eduardo Vera was promoted to Major and Rivarola was congratulated for the plan.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Donato, Hernâni. Dicionário das batalhas brasileiras. 1996. Instituição Brasileira de Difusão Cultural. 978-85-348-0034-1. São Paulo. Portuguese. 36768251.