12. The Paraguayan Invasion of Mato Grosso (Brazil, 1864)
In December 1864, Paraguay initiated the War of the Triple Alliance by invading Brazil’s Mato Grosso province. The Paraguayan forces, under Colonel Vicente Barrios, captured Fort Coimbra on December 27 after a three-day siege, and subsequently advanced to Corumbá, taking control on January 4, 1865. Despite these initial successes, the campaign overstretched Paraguay’s limited military resources and led to significant casualties. The war ultimately resulted in national devastation for Paraguay, with a substantial portion of its population perishing during the conflict (britannica.com).
