José María Bruguez

Upon the outbreak of the Paraguayan War, Bruguez participated in the Capture of the steamer Marquês de Olinda, directly ramming his artillery batteries against the ship which caused it to capsize.^[3] He then participated in the Battle of Riachuelo and would harass the Imperial Brazilian Navy with his artillery, managing to kill 12 men.^[4] He was awarded the Commander of the National Order of Merit on 17 June 1865 for his services in the battle. He continued his service during the Corrientes campaign during the Battle of Paso de Mercedes where he attempted to block the Imperial Brazilian Navy from passing the Paraná River.^[5] After losing the battle, he attempted to prevent the Allied forces from cutting off Paraguayan supplies at the Battle of Paso de Cuevas.^[5]

Already a Colonel by 1866, he would participate in the battles of Estero Bellaco and Tuyutí,^[6] being promoted to General on 25 May. It was also reported that during the Battle of Purutué Bank, Bruguez killed his former teacher Villagran Cabrita with a grenade that was fired at him.^[1] After fighting in the battles of Boquerón and the Second Battle of Tuyutí, Bruguez was executed on 26 August 1868, during the 1868 San Fernando Massacre, by President Francisco Solano López along with several other officers who Solano López thought were planning to overthrow him.^[1]

The district of General José María Bruguez is named after him.

• Hooker, Terry D. (2008). The Paraguayan War, Nottingham: Foundry Books. Foundry Books. ISBN 978-1901543155.