Battle of Purutué Bank

The Battle of Ilha da Redenção or Battle of Purutué Bank (also called Itapiru Bank, Purutué Bank, Carayá Island, Carvalho Island, Cabrita Island or Vitória island) took place on April 10, 1866, during the Paraguayan War.

Battle of Purutué Bank
Part of the Paraguayan War

Combat of Ilha da Redenção, on the Paraná River (April 10, 1866): the 19th Brazilian Brigade repels the Paraguayan assault.
DateApril 10, 1866
Location
Redenção Island, Paraná River, Argentina
Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents

 Paraguay

 Brazil

Commanders and leaders
General José E. Díaz
Col. Leonardo Riveros		 Col. Villagran Cabrita  †
Strength
1,266 soldiers 900 soldiers
Casualties and losses
900 dead 100 dead

Preparation

Almost in the middle of the Paraná River, bordering the Itapiru fort, there was an island - in fact a sand bank - covered by vast grassland, which would later be called Ilha da Redenção, Ilha de Carvalho or Ilha do Cabrita. The Brazilian imperial army decided to occupy the island, important for its position in relation to the said fort and the enemy camp, to serve as a point of support against the Paraguayans. On April 5, 1866, Lieutenant Colonel of engineers José Carlos de Carvalho was ordered to ship a 12-inch La Hitte battery and a 4-inch 4-inch mortar, in addition to the corresponding material to cover them. The garrison of the island, composed of the aforementioned batteries, of 100 squares of the Battalion of Engineers, and of the 7th infantry battalions of Volunteers of the Fatherland and 14th line, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel João Carlos Villagran Cabrita.

The Battle

At 4 am on April 10, 1866, a Paraguayan force landed on the island trying to dislodge Brazilian troops from their position. They were repelled with great losses and withdrew under the fire of the Brazilian fleet, which, in turn, was forced to withdraw before the fire of the Itapiru Fort.

Colonel Villagran Cabrita was killed by a bomb fired from Itapiru Fort when, aboard a boat that contained ammunition for the island's garrison, he dictated the victory part. Its name was given to the island.[1]

References
  1. Donato, Hernâni (1996). Dicionário das batalhas brasileiras (in Portuguese). São Paulo: Instituição Brasileira de Difusão Cultural. ISBN 978-85-348-0034-1. OCLC 36768251.

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