The Battle of Lomas Valentinas (also known as the Battle of Itá Ybaté) was fought in the Central Department of Paraguay on December 21–27, 1868. The

Paraguayan Army The Paraguayan Army () is the ground force branch of the Armed Forces of Paraguay. It is organized into three corps and nine divisions, and several commands and direction. It has gone to war on many occasions, notably in the War of the Triple A ...

, led personally by

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

Francisco Solano López Francisco Solano López Carrillo (24 July 1827 or 1826 – 1 March 1870) was a Paraguay, Paraguayan statesman, Officer (armed forces), military officer and politician who served as President of Paraguay between 1862 and 1870, of which he serve ...

, was decisively defeated, though López managed to escape. On 30 December 1868, the Paraguayan garrison at Angostura, with 1,907 men, surrendered to the Allies.

Battle

Marshal Caxias had left Villeta at 02:00 on the 21st, and was ready to storm the Lomas Valentinas range by noon. Two columns of infantry, one under general José Luís Mena Barreto attacking the western defenses at Itá Ybaté, and another under general aided by cavalry under general Andrade Neves attacking the northern defenses at Loma Acosta, where the hill of Cumbarity was located. The hill was taken by sundown. On December 22, Argentine and Uruguayan troops advanced towards Lomas Auxilio. Marshal Caxias spent the 23rd reorganizing his battalions. On the 24th, Caxias demanded the surrender of López, which he refused. The Allied assault commenced again with dawn on the 25th and the 26th. The Paraguayan defenses were finally taken on the 27th.

Women

Nurse Ramona Martínez was enslaved by López, but due to her work fighting and encouraging troops at the battle, became known as "the American Joan of Arc".*

Aftermath

López made his escape with the Aca Vera cavalry acting as his escort. Generals Resquín and

Bernardino Caballero Bernardino Caballero de Añazco Melgarejo y Genes (20 May 1839, Ybycuí, Paraguay – 26 February 1912, Asunción) was a Paraguayan military officer and politician. He was a General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), off ...

also escaped. This meant the war would continue.

Gallery

File:Carga de la infanteria argentina en Lomas Valentinas.jpg, Charge of the Argentine infantary at Lomas Valentinas

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lomas Valentinas Conflicts in 1868 Battles of the Paraguayan War Battles involving Paraguay Battles involving Uruguay Battles involving Brazil Battles involving Argentina December 1868 History of Central Department