The Battle of Piribebuy was fought on 12 August 1869 in the Paraguayan town of Piribebuy, which was then serving as a temporary capital of the Paraguayan government. The Paraguayan defenders, who were poorly armed and included children, fought the attacks of the Allied forces, led by French-born Brazilian general prince Gaston of Orleans, the Count of Eu, son-in-law of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. The town refused two peace envoys calling for surrender, sent by the Count of Eu. At 0400, the Brazilian batteries surrounding the town started a bombardment which lasted until 0800, when the infantry charged. General João Manuel Mena Barreto was mortally wounded leading a cavalry charge against the Paraguayans.^[1]: 103

Battle of Piribebuy
Part of the Paraguayan War
Date 12 August 1869 Location Piribebuy, Cordillera Department, Paraguay Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
Paraguay	Empire of Brazil
Commanders and leaders
Pedro Pablo Caballero	Count of Eu João Mena Barreto †
Strength
1,600 men 12 guns[1]: 103	20,090 men 47 guns[1]: 103
Casualties and losses
1,600:[1]: 103  730 killed 700 wounded 170 captured	610:[1]: 103  68 killed 542 wounded

The battle lasted for five hours, with the Allies, who had overwhelming numerical advantage, capturing the town. The town's hospital was burned and official documents were lost in the resulting fire.^[2]