Battle of Purutué Bank

Almost in the middle of the Paraná River, bordering the Itapiru fort, there was an island - in fact a sand bank - covered by vast grassland, which would later be called Ilha da Redenção, Ilha de Carvalho or Ilha do Cabrita. The Brazilian imperial army decided to occupy the island, important for its position in relation to the said fort and the enemy camp, to serve as a point of support against the Paraguayans. On April 5, 1866, Lieutenant Colonel of engineers José Carlos de Carvalho was ordered to ship a 12-inch La Hitte battery and a 4-inch 4-inch mortar, in addition to the corresponding material to cover them. The garrison of the island, composed of the aforementioned batteries, of 100 squares of the Battalion of Engineers, and of the 7th infantry battalions of Volunteers of the Fatherland and 14th line, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel João Carlos Villagran Cabrita.

At 4 am on April 10, 1866, a Paraguayan force landed on the island trying to dislodge Brazilian troops from their position. They were repelled with great losses and withdrew under the fire of the Brazilian fleet, which, in turn, was forced to withdraw before the fire of the Itapiru Fort.

Colonel Villagran Cabrita was killed by a bomb fired from Itapiru Fort when, aboard a boat that contained ammunition for the island's garrison, he dictated the victory part. Its name was given to the island.[1]