Invasion of Rio Grande do Sul

Invasion of Rio Grande do Sul
Part of Corrientes campaign of the Paraguayan War
The Battle of São Borja, the first battle of the invasion
Date June 10 to September 18, 1865 Location Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
Empire of Brazil	Paraguay
Commanders and leaders
João F. Caldwell David Canabarro	A. Estigarribia Pedro Duarte
Strength
14,000 – 17,000 Infantry	10 000 – 12,000 Infantry
Casualties and losses
Unknown	5,500 captured

The Invasion of Rio Grande do Sul began on June 10, 1865 when about 7,500 soldiers under the command of General Antonio de la Cruz Estigarribia invaded the village of São Borja near Brazil's border with Argentina. About 3,000 men commanded by major Pedro Duarte stayed on the other side of the Uruguay River to accompany the advance of the main column. The Paraguayans always advanced along the river without major damage, with the exception of a confrontation on the Butuí River where a Paraguayan battalion had been defeated, until they reached Uruguaiana, where a two-month siege made them surrender unconditionally on September 18. The main objective of Paraguayan president Francisco Solano López to invade Rio Grande do Sul was to force a peace treaty favorable to the Paraguayans with the Empire of Brazil. The action took place in the second phase of the Paraguayan War, known as the Corrientes campaign.