A garrison of 15 Brazilians refused to surrender and were killed by a 3,500-strong Paraguayan force, marking the opening of the Mato Grosso campaign.
Key Facts
- Brazilian garrison size
- 15 soldiers
- Paraguayan column size
- 3,500 soldiers
- Date of combat
- 29 December 1864
- Brazilian commander
- Lieutenant Antônio João Ribeiro
- Brazilian casualties
- All 15 men killed
- Outcome
- Paraguayans occupied the Military Colony of Dourados
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Paraguay launched an invasion of the Brazilian Province of Mato Grosso as part of the wider Paraguayan War. A Paraguayan column of 3,500 soldiers advanced southward and reached the Military Colony of Dourados, which was defended by only a small Brazilian garrison under Lieutenant Antônio João Ribeiro.
On 29 December 1864, the Paraguayan force reportedly offered the garrison terms of surrender, which Lieutenant Ribeiro refused. In the ensuing combat at the Military Colony of Dourados, Ribeiro and all fifteen of his men were killed, vastly outnumbered by the invading column.
With the Brazilian garrison annihilated, the Paraguayans seized the Military Colony of Dourados and continued their advance into the Province of Mato Grosso. The defense became a symbol of Brazilian resistance, and the engagement marked the opening action of the Mato Grosso campaign of the Paraguayan War.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lieutenant Antônio João Ribeiro.
Side B
1 belligerent