Brazilian forces, under the command of then Colonel Rufino Eneias Gustavo Galvão, advanced on the village on September 20, 1867.

About 250 Paraguayan soldiers resisted the attack, and Francisco Solano López ordered Colonel Felipe Toledo to send aid.

On September 20, 1867, Colonel Gustavo Galvão landed at the port of Villa del Pilar with 800 Brazilian soldiers.

The landing was met by fierce resistance from the small garrison, made up of 250 men and women who lived in the city.

Once Marshal López was made aware of the Brazilian attack, he sent his personal escort of about 150 riders under the command of Colonel Felipe Toledo as reinforcements.