Draft:Attack on the Brazilian Fort in Punta del Este

• Comment: Only one source is cited for this entire article. There needs to be more. Beachweak (talk) 17:57, 9 January 2025 (UTC)

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Attack on the Brazilian Fort in Punta del Este
Part of Cisplatine War
Date August 17–19, 1827 Location Punta del Este, Southern Uruguay 34°57′41.8″S 54°56′34.8″W Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
United Provinces	Empire of Brazil
Commanders and leaders
Juan Antonio Lavalleja Leonardo Olivera	Unknown
Units involved
Local militas	Brazilian garrison at Punta del Este
Strength
Several hundred soldiers	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Moderate	Unknown
class=notpageimage| Location of Punta del Este in Uruguay

The Attack on the Brazilian Fort in Punta del Este was a short-lived military operation during the Cisplatine War, led by Brigadier General Juan Antonio Lavalleja. The operation took place between August 17 and 19, 1827, in the region now known as Punta del Este in Uruguay. It aimed to expel Brazilian forces stationed at a strategically constructed fort in the area.

Historical Context

The Cisplatine War (1825–1828) was fought between the Empire of Brazil and the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata (now Argentina and Uruguay) over control of the Cisplatina province (modern-day Uruguay).

By early 1827, the Brazilian military had established a small fort in Punta del Este, deploying resources and personnel to the site as part of their broader campaign to maintain control of the region. This fort, located approximately at the intersection of Gorlero Avenue and 27th Street, posed a threat to the nearby cities of Maldonado and San Carlos, which were under control of the United Provinces.

Prelude to the Attack

The immediate trigger for the operation was the assassination of Colonel Ventura Alegre on May 17, 1827. Alegre, a prominent officer who had served under General José de San Martín and participated in the Battle of Ituzaingó, was ambushed and killed on the streets of the nearby city of Maldonado by Brazilian troops presumably from the garrison. Lavalleja, outraged by this act, resolved to expel the Brazilian forces from the area.

The Military Operation

August 16

Lavalleja departed from Durazno with his general staff on August 11, 1827. By August 16, he arrived in Maldonado and coordinated with Colonel Leonardo Olivera, whose forces were camped along the Maldonado stream. That evening, Lavalleja conducted reconnaissance of the Brazilian stronghold in Punta del Este.

August 17

The attack began at dawn, with skirmishes involving Colonel Olivera’s cavalry and artillery fire exchanged between the two sides. Lavalleja, along with several senior officers, scouted the enemy’s positions while concealed by the sand dunes. The skirmisher units harassed the fort for several hours, but the entrenched Brazilians resisted, firing cannonballs and grenades from within their fortifications.

August 18

The militas regrouped at Colonel Olivera’s camp, resupplying with food and ammunition. Two 24-pound carronades were prepared for the attack but had to be abandoned due to broken carriages. Under the cover of darkness, Lavalleja led his forces back to the dunes, positioning them near the fort for a renewed assault.

August 19

Before dawn, a detachment of the 4th Militia Battalion, against explicit orders, opened fire on the fort after observing enemy musket fire. This premature action alerted the Brazilian defenders, who launched flares to expose the attackers. A fierce firefight ensued, with the Brazilians employing grapeshot and cannon fire. The militia's lack of discipline caused their retreat, leaving only the cavalry to maintain the assault. Lavalleja's forces were forced to withdraw.

Aftermath

Following the failed assault, Lavalleja returned to San Carlos, where he was received with honors by local residents. The Brazilian fort remained operational until the end of the Cisplatine War. The 1828 Treaty of Montevideo stipulated that Brazil would relinquish Montevideo, Colonia, and other occupied territories, including the small garrison at Punta del Este.