ORDER OF BATTLE // October 21, 1867
Battle of Tatayibá
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 6,500 estimated
Paraguay
1,500
Medium-confidence figure
Empire of Brazil
5,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Tatayibá was a cavalry engagement during the Paraguayan War in which a Brazilian force under the Marquess of Caxias defeated a smaller Paraguayan force under Bernardino Caballero. Despite the Brazilian numerical advantage of roughly three to two, the engagement produced Brazilian casualties ranging from 113 to 583, indicating the Paraguayan force offered meaningful resistance before being overcome. The battle is notable in part for the prominence of its commanders: Caxias was the senior Brazilian field commander, and Caballero would later become president of Paraguay, making Tatayibá one of several engagements in which future Paraguayan national figures were shaped by the war's grinding attrition.
‹ Full battle dossier