[center][b][u]Siege of Corrientes[/u][/b][/center]

The start of the war had gone badly for Argentina. It's first foray into Paraguay had been humiliated and beaten back into the city of Corrientes. The leader of the Paraguayan force, Díaz, reeled in his men and prevented them from attacking the city, thinking it would lead to a bloodbath. He was right to be wary. The moral of the Paraguayans was high, flushed with victory and confident of their success over Argentina, and they had no problem obeying Díaz. However, their attitude quickly changed when Argentinian gunboats sailed up the Paraguay River and began shelling Paraguayan positions. Acts of sabotage by Argentinian scouts behind enemy lines further enraged them, and they demanded that they be able to attack Corrientes to end the war sooner. Díaz reluctantly agreed.

The assault of Corrientes began early, with Paraguayan artillery opening on the city. Argentinian cannons, dug into hastily built fortifications, returned fire. The Argentinians quickly got the better of it, and Díaz was forced to order an infantry attack to try and overrun the Argentinian positions. That proved a costly mistake, as dug-in Argentinian defenders cut down the attacking Paraguayans. As the battle progressed, Argentinian recruits overwhelmed the Paraguayan flanks and, facing heavy casualties, Díaz was forced to retreat. The Argentinian forces gave chase, but were unable to prevent Díaz' army from escaping into the unfamiliar terrain.
(-1,400 regulars, -2,000 conscripts to Argentina, -3,900 regulars to Paraguay)

[center][img]http://www.paraguaywar.com/stills/Curupayty.jpg[/img]
[i]Early bombardment during the Battle of Corrientes[/i][/center]