Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/107



INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 77

September 18, 1865. — The Paraguayan left corps d'arm6e surrenders in Uruguayana to the Emperor of the Brazil, commanding the allies.

November 1-3, 1865. — The Paraguayan right corps d'armee retreats behind its own proper frontier, the line of the Parana River, and thus terminates the offensive phase of the campaign.

For nearly a year, between November 1865, and Sep- tember 1866, the Allies having crossed the Parana River, hold their ground despite the frantic efforts of the Para- guayans to dislodge them. Amongst the actions the most severe are the Battle of Estero Bellaco (May 2, 1866,) and the Battle of Tuyuty (May 24, 1866). The Commander-in- chief, Mitre, at last determines to force the line of the Paraguay River.

September 3, 1866. — The Paraguayan works at Curuzu, an outwork of Humaita, are stormed by the Allies. This is followed by the Conference of Ytaiti-Cora, where Presidents Mitre and Lopez coidd not come to terms.

September 22, 1866. — The Allies attack Curupaity, an- other outwork of Humaita, and are repulsed with terrible loss, especially of the Argentine army.

This fait d'armes is followed by nearly a year of com- parative inaction ; Marshal Caxias assumes command of the Brazilian army, and Admiral Tamandare retires from the fleet.

August 15, 1867. — The Brazilian iron-clad squadron steams past the batteries of Curupaity.

January 14, 1868. — General Mitre retires from the war, and is succeeded by Marshal Caxias as Generalissimo.