[1] Before the Battle of Cerro Corá on 1 March 1870, Solano López had ordered general Bernardino Caballero to look for cattle and horses in the Military Colony of Dourados [pt], in Brazilian territory.

During the Battle at Cerro Corá, a force detached from the column of general José Antônio Correia da Câmara, under the command of Bento Martins de Meneses, was assigned to close the siege of López on the Apa River, to prevent the Paraguayan president from escaping there.

In the rush to flee, general Bernardino Caballero lost his sword as colonel Martins' forces went after the Paraguayans.

A division of these forces, under the leadership of major Francisco Marques Xavier, encountered general Caballero and 54 remaining of his column near the village of Bela Vista on the 8th.

[4][5] Brazilian troops were preparing to attack when the Paraguayan general decided to surrender after being convinced of the death of marshal Solano López.