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	Empire of Brazil  Argentina
Commanders and leaders
Solano López Francisco Martinez Colonel Pedro Hermosa	Bartolomé Mitre Marquis of Caxias General Osorio
Strength
2,500+ soldiers	8,000 Brazilian and Argentine soldiers
Casualties and losses
250 dead 100 wounded	400 dead 1,200 wounded

The Siege of Humaitá (Spanish: Cerco de Humaitá) was a prolonged operation of encirclement that occurred at the Fortress of Humaitá, on the Paraguay River. Humaitá was surrounded by land on November 2, 1867, by water on February 19, 1868, and surrendered on July 25, 1868.

The Fortress of Humaita was built on the strategic bend of the Paraguay River that would force ships to steam head first into artillery fire. The Allied Command assumed that because of that and the chains installed, the fortress as impassible.

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

From Tuyucuê, the Allies headed north and took the villages of São Solano, Tayi and finally laid siege to Humaitá itself, isolating it from Asunción by November 1867. On February 19, 1868, Marshal Caxias and Vice Admiral Baron de Inhauma ordered the fleet up the River Paraguay past Humaitá. There were few casualties and minimal damage caused to any of the ships. On February 24, the Bahia, Barroso and Rio Grande do Sul shelled Asunción, which had been evacuated earlier.

Paraguayan President Francisco Solano López decided to evacuate Curupayti and Humaita. He crossed the Paraguay River to the Chaco side on March 3, 1868. Solano López left Colonel Francisco Martinez in charge of a force of 3,000 men and 200 cannons. General Argollo attacked Sauce on March 21, resulting in the Paraguayans retreating to Paso Pacu. Curupayti was abandoned the next day. The Bahia, Rio Grande and Para bombarded Humaitá on March 23 and 24, 1868. At the end of April, Allied forces had troops on the Chaco side of the river.

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