Siege of Humaitá

Siege of Humaitá
	Part of the Paraguayan War
	; Graphic scheme of the Siege of Humaitá, that was a military operation, which was formed in order to encircle the Fortress of Humaitá
Date	2 November 1867 – 25 July 1868
Location	Paraguay River, Humaitá
Result	Allied victory
Belligerents
Paraguay	Brazil; Argentina
Commanders and leaders
Solano López; Francisco Martinez	Bartolomé Mitre; Marquis of Caxias

The Siege of Humaitá was a prolonged operation of encirclement that occurred at the Fortress of Humaitá, on the Paraguay River. It began on 2 November 1867 as a part of the Paraguayan War and ended on 25 July 1868.

Background

On 1 August 1867, the Argentine general Bartolomé Mitre commanded the Brazilian imperial fleet to secure a passage through Curupaiti and Humaitá. On 15 August, two divisions of five battleships passed without incident at Curupaiti, but artillery fire forced them to stop at Humaitá.^[1]^: 73 This news caused conflict in the Allied high command. The Brazilian commanders determined that attacking the fortress from the river would be futile, and withdrew their fleet pending a land-based attack which began on 18 August.

From Tuyucuê the Allies headed north and took the villages of São Solano and Tayi, and finally laid siege to Humaitá itself, isolating it from Asunción by Nov. 1867.^[1]^: 73–75 In February 1868, Marshal Caxias and Vice Admiral Baron de Inhauma ordered the fleet up the River Paraguay past Humaitá, which was done on the 19th. There were few casualties and minimal damage to any of the ships.^[1]^: 80 On the 24th, the Bahia, Barroso, and Rio Grande do Sul shelled Asunción, which had been evacuated earlier.^[1]^: 82

Paraguayan President ″Francisco Solano Lopez″ decided to evacuate Curupayti and Humaita, and he crossed the Paraguay River to the Chaco side on 3 March. Lopez left Col. Francisco Martinez in charge of a force of 3,000 men and 200 cannon. Gen. Argollo attacked Sauce on 21 March, and the Paraguayans retreated to Paso Pacu. Curupayti was abandoned the next day. The Bahia, Rio Grande and Para bombarded Humaita on 23rd and 24th March. At the end of April, Allied force had troops on the Chaco side of the river.^[1]^: 83–84

Battle of Acayuazú

The Allied army advanced on 16 July, when it appeared Curupayti and Humaita were abandoned. Gen. Osorio and 6,000 troops led an attack on the northeast side of Humaita, unaware of 46 concealed Paraguayan guns and 2,000 men under the command of Col. Pedro Hermosa.

At the command of "Muerto a los cambas", the Brazilians retreated. The Brazilians lost 279 killed, 754 wounded and 100 captured while the Paraguayans lost 89 killed and 104 wounded.^[1]^: 86

Gen. Rivas ordered an attack on the Paraguayan Cora redoubt on 18 July. A mixed brigade of Argentinian and Brazilian infantry entered an ambush led by Col. Caballero. The Argentinian losses amounted to 90 killed, 87 killed and 35 captured, while the Brazilians had 67 killed, 221 wounded and 2 captured. The Paraguayans suffered 120 casualties.^[1]^: 86

Humaitá

Col. Martinez asked Lopez for permission to start evacuating Humaita on 19 July. Lopez ordered Martinez to hold out five more days, but the first wave of Paraguayan withdrawal started on the 24th with 1,200 men. The remainder left on the 25th after spiking their guns. The Allied force entered Humaita ten hours later.

Aftermath

Col Martinez with 1,228 men and 96 officers, plus women and children were caught trying to cross Laguna Vera. He finally surrendered on 5 Aug. Lopez branded Martinez a traitor and sought vengeance by murdering his wife.^[1]^: 86–87

Gallery

Fortress of Humaitá
The Londres battery in 1868
Brazilian Navy forcing passage through the fortress Humaitá
Topographic plant showing the fortifications of Humaitá, the passage of the armored division and the position of other ironclads that protected the passage.
Passage of Humaitá by an armored division of the Brazilian fleet (P. Blanchard, after a sketch of Mr. Paranhos).
During the passage of Humaita, Paraguayans tried to occupy the monitor "Alagoas".
Passage of Humaitá, by Admiral Trajano Augusto de Carvalho
Passage of Humaitá, by Victor Meirelles.
Brazilian Navy in Humaitá
Cigarette card to honour Maurity, the "brave of the Passage of Humaitá".
Lieutenant Colonel Gaspar Campos, chief of Battalion "Cazadores de la Rioja", surprised at Acayuazú, saves the flag of his battalion, throwing it into the river.
Battle of Acayuaza.
Death of Colonel Martinez de Hoz in Acayuazú.