The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-11-03
Our Naval Expedition Against
faraguay-the Difficulties.


A correspondent of the New York
Journal Of commerce, who appears to
understand the subject, thus details the
difficulties to be encountered by the u.
s. forces in carrying out the views of
our government by the intended expe-
dition to Paraguay:
Much has been written lately in re-
gard to a naval expedition which is
shortly to leave our shores for tho pur-
pose Of enforcing the just demands of
the United States against the Republic
of Paraguay. One would suppose, from
tho articles published in the newspapers,
that this Paraguay expedition was to be
a sort of o holiday excursion, and that
all this Mosquito feet had to do was to
steam up the river to the capital of Par
aguay, and batter down q fort or two
Now, it is as we'll to state what this ex-
petition will really have to encounter,
In case Lopez refuses to accede to the
demands which will be made by the
United States through Judge Bowlin.
So far from President Lopez having the
most remote idea of acceding TO these
demands, it is thought by those who
ought to know that Judge Bowlin will
not be allowed to enter Paraguay terri
tory but will be received at the extreme
southern limits Of the Republic, and
sent back from whence he came.
There is little probability that Lepoz
will permit a steamer to ascend the river.
and thereby give those on board an OPP
portuDity to view his means of defense,
and even should he be ever SO willing, it
is not likely that he will remove the OBJ
structions which will be placed in the
river before Judge BIS. arrival. The
river will be extensively doomed aud
chained. Extensive earth works are be-
ing constructed, it is we'll known, along
both banks of the river, and before
reaching Assumption the feet (suppos-
ing them able to remove the obsti u~ctions
in the river and dismantle the earth
work batteries) will have to silence a
fort or redoubt mounting forty heavy
guns. In approaching this redoubt tho
feet of steamers will receive q raking
FIRE for the distance of half a mile.--
This redoubt is placed on an elevation
about sixty feet above the level of the
river. Suppose, then, the possibility of
passing the above redoubt, the Mosquito
feet has nothing more to do but reduce
a fort a short distance south of Assume
ion, that mounts sixty four guns, AZ
! Founders. This fort is also on an ele-
waited ground, being one hundred feet
above the level of the river. Opposite
this fort there are two channels, one
| along either embaukment, there being
q snoal in the middle of the river, and
the American vessels being in the
channel on the opposite side to the
fort, will not be able, through the narrow
ness of tho river, to bring their guns to
bear, as too great an elevation will be
required.
To reduce the above dcfenses, the
| United States send a few steamers which
are to tow RATS up the river, on which
rsfts guns of heavy calibre are to be
placed, and the men who work the
guns will be exposed to the swarm Of
| riHe-men who will line the river. Par
aguay can easily raise $4,000 men who
are far superior to Mexican troops
The American expedition can land
1900 men, out of which but 800 men
are disciplined soldiers, and these are
the marines. To reduce the redoubts
and forts alluded to, it will be necessary
to carry thea by land, and to do so, q
large infantry and artillery force will be
necessary. At least 1000 men will be
required, with a proper siege traiu.-
The expertness of the mounted Para
puayans with the lasso is we'll known,
and as cavalry they are very formidable.
In case the expedition fails, as it is al
most sure to do, unless properly rein
forced, it cannot be said that proper care
was not taken in the organization of the
force, as we have all read a great deaI
about the care with which the expedi
ticu was being organixed-particularly
in the selection Of oficers-and it will
be a great pity to have the expedition
fail for want Of infantry soldiers. Thu
cannot be q naval battle, but a struggle
on land, six hundred miles from tht
ocean,"