Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-04-19
From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
Further Difficulties with Paraguay.

From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
Further Difficulties with Paraguay.
4 COMMUNICATION in the Buenos Ayres
British Packet of Feb. 10, over the signature
of " An American, i" represents that the U. $.
steamer Water Witch, engaged in the explo-
ration Of the River Parana and It's branches,
was fired into ON the first of February, and
the man at the helm MORALLY wounded
President Lopez had previously issued de-
cree, in contraventiOn of the Treaty provi-
ding for the free navigation of the river, for
bidding the entrance of man-of-war into
the waters of the Paraguay. Captain Page of
Water Witch had left that vessel, in small
steamer which he had constructed to explore
the River Salado. The correspondent of the
Packet proceeds
Lieutenant Jeffers, the first Lieutenant
was directed by him TO proceed in the Water
Witch up the Parana as high as he could get
making chart of the river, and taking such
observations as the survey required. The
crew consisted of 20 men, including cooks
and servants.
In pursuance OF these Instructions Lieut..
Jeffers sailed at z A. NJ, February l, and at
il passed the mouth of the Paraguay, direc-
ting his course TO the Corrientes side, inten-
ding to pass between that shore and an island
In the middle of the river. At 1l.20 the pi-
lot ran the vessel on sand bank, opposite
the battery Of the Guardia Chorracho, at the
Paso del Rey, where she was delayed an hour
heaving of.
During this time the Panguayans at the
battery were observed getting their guns ready;
consequently, the Water Witch was prepared
for action. When raising the anchor to con-
tinue her course, canoe which had been ~
ing of observing her for nearly an hour, came
alongside and offered printed paper, which,
after asking if it were in Spanish, the COM
mander declined to receive, on the ground
that he could not read it. The same answer
given by Lopez TO the last communication al
I capt. Pagr.f
At 1:2O the Water Witch was under way
and the pilot then was directed to steer so as
to pass through the main channel, which wa:
| passed on the Paraguay side Of the island
When nearly opposite the battery, a semi
circular brick or red-stone fort, MOUNTING
about six guns, and at distance Of three hun
bred yards, she was hailed, which hail VA
neither understood nor responded to; this
was shortly followed by two blank cartridges
and then BY shot, which cut the vince
ropes, disabled the steering wheel, and NOR
/ tally wounded the man at the helm. Lieut.
LETTERS then gave orders to fire in return, still
continuing his course up the river. The pilot
as soon as the firing began, ran below, anC
was with difficulty got on deck again an(
then on looking round, exclaimed that it wa
l.
Gent water in the channel, the vessel bein'
then in ten feet water.
By this time she had passed all Of tn
fire Of the battery, except one gun, and to re
turn was compelled to repass it. The chan
mel being too narrow to turn in, the Hate
Hitch was hacked down stern formost, ex
posed to a severe fire, which she continued t
return until beyond its reach. s
1t is worthy Of remark that no flag was dis
played at the battery, so that in reality tn
nation Of the enemy can only be conjectur
ed. sfsl aH L1I af
The Water Witch was anchored a shor
distance below the fort, repaired the helm
and returned to Corrientes The Taquari
which fired up during the action, dropped
down to the Guardia Cenito, but showed n,
inclination to come down beyond the protec
ton of the battery. The squadron and tn
encampment of their army were in sight dur
ing this time. ~ ,e'o
i ** Ire Paragua
vans have not escaped Unpublished for thei
temerity A gun was dismounted, and at S
short a distance the shrapnell shells and crap
of the Water Witch must have told with con
siderable effect 1t is not the fire of the bat
terry, but only want of water, or want @
knowledge on the part of the pilot, whicl
prevents the Water Witch from being now i
the waters of the Parana. s'.
.g AN AMERICAN