The Battle of Tatayibá was a cavalry engagement between a Paraguayan force led by future president Bernardino Caballero and a Brazilian force led by Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, then Marquis of Caxias. The Brazilians, outnumbering the Paraguayans nearly 3 to 2, were victorious.

Battle of Tatayibá

Cavalry in the Paraguayan War.
DateOctober 21, 1867
Location
Tatayibá, Paraguay
Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
 Paraguay  Empire of Brazil
Commanders and leaders
Bernardino Caballero Marquess of Caxias
Strength
1,500 cavalry[1]: 75  5,000 cavalry[1]: 75 
Casualties and losses
761:[1]: 75 
583 killed
178 captured
123:[1]: 75 
10 killed
113 wounded

A trap was set by the Brazilian cavalry in order to stop the daily sorties by Lt. Col. Caballero's Paraguayan cavalry. Hiding their main force in the woods, a few Brazilians lured the Paraguayan cavalry on a three-mile chase. The Paraguayans were surrounded at Tatayibá, with only a few making it back to Humaitá. Caballero was promoted to colonel and a medal ordered for his survivors.[1]: 75 

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Hooker, T.D., 2008, The Paraguayan War, Nottingham: Foundry Books, ISBN 1901543153