Battle of Estero Bellaco

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Date	May 2, 1866
Location	Estero Bellaco
Result	Draw

Belligerents

Paraguay

Uruguay

Empire of Brazil

Argentina

Commanders

Colenol Jose Diaz

General Venancio Flores and General Osorio

Strength

5,000 to 8,000 men

At least 4 battalions of infantry, 1 battery of rifled artillery and the 6th division of the Allied army

Casualties and losses

2,500 to 4,000 dead or wounded

1,200 to 2,500 dead or wounded

On May 2nd, 1866, Solano Lopez ordered an attack on a Uruguayan and Brazilian reconnaissance force led by Uruguayan president, general Venancio Flores. The small force had been commanded to scout the Paraguayan position, but was attacked before it could execute the order.

The battle was called a victory by both forces, though was widely known as a draw. The battle devastated both sides, killing half of the Paraguayan force and most of the involved allied units. The battle did succeed in moving the allied force three miles towards Humaita, the main Paraguayan stronghold.

[edit] Battle description

The Paraguayans quickly threw the first four allied battalions into confusion, and captured the battery of four rifled artillery guns. General Flores was forced to retaliate with his remaining troops, including himself, and was almost wiped out. He and his men tried to retreat back to the main force under Bartolome Mitre, but because of terrain and attacks from the Paraguayans, were held back. Hearing shots from the battle, the Allied Army sent the 68th battalion to help win the battle. These reinforcements, along with those of General Osorio and the sixth battalion, helped to push back the Paraguayans, who were forced to retreat.

[edit] Casualties

The Paraguayans had half of their force killed or wounded, though they did capture Osorio's artillery battery. The 38th battalion of the Alliance lost 94 men, and had 188 more wounded. Flores' Florida battalion lost 19 of its 27 officers.