Battle of Cerro Corá
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The battle of Cerro Corá was fought on 1 March 1870 on a hill with the same name, in the north of Paraguay. This was the last battle in the War of the Triple Alliance.
Estimatives claim that Solano López's personal guard had from 100 to 250 soldiers. The Brazilian troops were composed of a battalion of about 4.000 men. At the margin of the Aquidaban-Nigui stream Solano Lopez's troops were surrounded and defeated.
[edit] Last moments of Solano Lopez
Ignoring the surrender order issued by the Brazilian command, Francisco Solano López advanced with his horse towards the enemy, screaming "Muero con mi Pátria" (I die with my homeland). A spearmen known as "Chico Diablo" (Chico the Devil) perfurated his entrails while another soldier hit him in the head with a saber, throwing him on the ground. Wet with blood, Solano is helped to stand up by two of his officers, and again is given a surrender order from General Câmara. Refusing the order, Solano tries to hold his sword and is shot dead as the infantry opens fire on him. In an act of extreme savagery the Brazilian soldiers advanced towards the body and heavily mutilated it.
His wife, Elisa Lynch and his younger daughter testified the entire massacre. One of Solano's sons, colonel Poncho, who was 18 years old died defending his mother and sister, together with the Paraguaian vice president.
The women surrendered and were spared. By the end of the day, Elisa Lynch had buried Solano Lopez with her own hands.
