The fighting began with artillery exchanges, though Paraguay had only a handful of cannons compared to the allied batteries. Soon, the clash descended into brutal infantry combat. Paraguayan soldiers, many wielding outdated muskets or even spears, launched furious charges. Despite their disadvantage, they managed to stall the Brazilian advances for hours.
Accounts describe the battle as one of incredible ferocity. Paraguayan troops fought hand-to-hand, defending makeshift trenches and barricades. Women, too, were present in the camp, aiding as nurses, cooks, and sometimes even combatants.
Turning of the Tide
The numerical superiority of the Triple Alliance eventually proved decisive. Their artillery blasted Paraguayan positions, and reinforcements continued to pour in. By the afternoon, the Paraguayan lines were collapsing.
Still, Caballero refused to surrender. He rallied his troops for counterattacks, but by evening, the field was littered with Paraguayan dead. Thousands were killed or captured, including civilians who had accompanied the army. The allied forces secured the battlefield, but at a heavy cost: the marshy terrain and determined Paraguayan resistance inflicted significant casualties. shutdown123