The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-10-20
PRICE TWO CENTS

o. N,,-., ExppnrrroN no PARAGUAY-The Diff
cuiies.-A correspondent OF the SeW VI ~ I
Of Commerce, who appears to unders.anu
ject, thus details the ditheultles W oo ~; 80 t6a
views of our Government by the intended eXpeui-
ton to Paraguay: - - n
Much has been written lately in regard 10 d
naval expedition, which is shortly 10 le"!e vt A.
shores, for the purpose of enforcing tne J9S5::
mands of the United States against the hePuO'i' "
Paraguay. ,,.
One would suppose, from the articles pnollsniea
in the newspapers that this Paraguay e9p - al
was to be sort of holiday excursion, ana t"' H. -
this Musquto feet had to do was to steam up LIN, tmo
river to the capital of Paraguay ana Datter uon III;
a fort or two Now it is as well to state Wha' 'I's
expedition will really have to encounter, III
Lopez refuses to accede to the demands Wni1n I
will be made by the United States through Juuse
Bowlin. So far from President Lopez having t:e
most remote idea OF acceding to these dema4us; ~
IS thought, by those who ought to know, that 'uuS
Bowlin will not be allowed to enter Paraguay tel |
ritory but will be received the extreme southern
limits of the republic, and sent back from whence
he came =.
There is little probability that Lopez will permit
steamer to ascend the river, and thereby giVer
those on board opportunity to view hisdneans OF
detence and even if he should be so willlng' IL
is not likely that he will remove the obstructlOns
which will be placed in the river before Judge b.
arrival The river will be extensively doomed and
chained. Extensive earth works are being con-
cted it is well known, along both banks of the
river, and before reaching Assumption, the meet
(supposing them able to remove the obstructons IN
the river and dismantle the earth-work batterles)
will have to silence fort or redoubt mounting tor
ty heavy guns. In approaching this redoubt, the
feet of steamers will receive raking fire for the
distance of half mile. This redoubt is placed ON
an elevation about 60 feet above the level OF the
river. Suppose then the possibility of passing the
above redoubt, the Mosquito fleet has nothing more
do but to reduce fort a short distance south OF
Assumption that mounts sixty-four guns, AZ pound
ers. This fort is also an elevated ground, being
hundred feet above the level of the river. OPP
posite this fort there two channels, one along
either embankment, there being shoa in the mid
die of the river and the American vessels being IN
the channel the opposite side of the fort will not
be able, through the narrowness of the river, TO
bring their guns to bear, too great an elevation
will be required.
To reduce the above defences, the United States
send few steamers which are to tow RATS up the
river, which RATS guns of heavy calibre are to
be placed, and the men who work the guns will be
exposed to the swarm of rifemen who will line the
river. Paraguay can easily raise $4,000 men, who
far superior to Mexican troops. The American
expedition can land 1900 men, out of which but 300
men are disciplined soldiers, and these the ma
rines To reduce the redoubts and forts alluded to,
it will be necessary to carry them by land and to
do so, large infantry and artillery force will be
necessary. At least 900 men will be required,
with proper siege train. The expertness of the
mounted Paraguayans with lasso is well known,
and as cavalry they are very formidable. In case
the expedition fails, it is almost to do,
less properly reinforced, it cannot be said that
proper care was not taken in the organization OF
the force, as we have all read a great deal about
| the care with which the expedition was being or
ganized, particularly in the selection of officers,
and it will be great pity to have the expedition
fail for want of infantry soldiers This cannot be
naval battle but struggle ON land, 600 miles from
/ the ocean"