The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-07

Como, to its confluence with the Po above Cremona,
and OF the Oglio, which rises in Lago disco and
hoWs into the Po south of Mantua, are too extensive
and accessible for position of defence. Better
adapted for defensive purposes is the lower AIDA.
with Loda and Pizzighettone, in connection with
Flacenza on the Po; but even this position would
not be safe against an energetic attack. -.r
The MIncio, rising in the Lago di Garda near
Peschiera, flows with numerous Wiudinos in a
southern direction until it reaches the upper lake
at Mantua, and after leaving the lower lake runs
southeastern " until it connects with the PO IL is
moderate stream but is nevertheless fordable at a
few points only in very dry seasons. 1t is, how
ever, dotted with numerous islands, facilitating the
construction of bridges, which connect its shores at
Peschlera, Borghero, Opposite Valeggio) Goito,
ana Klyalta, while at Mantua a bridge crosses the
lakes. Mantua and Peschiera, however, are for
tresses; and Rvata lies almost beneath the GUNS of
Mantua hence the extent of the river outside of the
range OF the tOrtresses is, in a direct line only
about four German miles. Below Mantua its course
to the 70 Is only one and half German miles,
which distance is commanded by the Southern fort
of Mantua, Pietoli ...
1t thus appears that the strategic Importance of
the Mlncio consists in its being the shortest line
across between the Alp and the Po measuring from
its source to its mouth only six and half German
miles, whilst, in fact, as defensive line it measures
only four to five German miles. On the left bank
elevations occur at distances of one or two leagues
auordng the army in possession of that side facili-
ties Tor observing every movement of the enemy
and taking advantage of any false steps, Then too,
the army defending the left bank possesses facili-
tes lor sale retreat, while the attacking army in
case OF Geteat, must retire to the open country
whence 1t came. The line is considered almost
impregnable, and cannot be turned being guarded
on the north by the Alps, and On the south by the
swamps and mOrasses of the Pc.
Peschera IS small town of hardly two thousand
inhabitants, situated an island at the head of the
Mincio, near Lake Garda. In former times its de-
fences consisted of only bastion wall and a ditch
Under the French rule the heights of Maudella.
upon the left bank, were covered with Notifications
and the Austrians have since secured the apnroarh
e5 to the right bank by the construction of Fort Sal
vi, and have erected extensive defences outside the
town, comprising eight lunettes, with bomb-proot
redou6ts These constitute a safe fortress, capable
OF harooring force sufficient TO prevent any of the
enemy troops from crossing at this point The
steam fleet of Lake Garda finds a safe barbor at
Peschera, and can convey troops to either shore
without hindrance. Moreover since l849. n num-
Der OF flood gates have been constructed by means
Oh whlch MOOD can be effected in the river, ex-
Iendlng TO the lakes at Mantua, and of sufficient
force to sweep away all pontoon or other tempora-
ry bridges which it may meet in its course The
railroad from Brescia to Verona crosses the Minco
at this point.
The southern stronghold Mantua or Mantova
has long been famous both as a city and fortress
The city has population of thirty-two thousand
and is likewise built upon an island; which is how
ever about l75 Prussian acres in extent, and lies
contiguous to another, still larger, island II Te
which is also fortified and capable of affordinp shell
ter to large body of troops; Wurmser, in 1876
stationed twenty-nine thousand men here The
lake completely surrounds these strongholds to the
north and east consisting of deep water and to thc
south and west OF an immense marsh, the cOnse.
quence of an unsuccessful attempt made in the last
century to drain the place. This marsh of course
Is an insUrmOuntable obstacle to an ATTACKING army
The distance from the island to the shores
some 400 German feet. Five causewavs constitute
the only approaches-three from the riobt and two
from the left bank. One of these built of stone and
running eastward to the suburb of Borgo di San
Glorgio is 700 feet in length and is protected bv
the fort San Giorgo; another, running northward
to Corgo di Gortezza, is $50 feet in length and is
covered by the large Ctadelle d Porto; those in the
west and south are commanded by the batteries of
PradelIa and the strong fort Pieto while at the
southern extremity of ii Te, the breastwork Miglo-
retto Is likewise within gunshOt, and is provided
with immense hOodgates Tor inundatinD the snr-
rounding country. Its position in the midst of all
these detences natural as well as artificial is sup
posed to render Mantua impregnable, and so long
as it is occupied by the Austrans it will fettsT the
movements OF the allies. This stronghold caused
Bonaparte, whose course was seldom obstructed by
iortresscs, to engage in more than dozen battles
and skirmishes, which, despite his successes were
merely moral victories, as, with Mantua in his real
ana on his flank, he ever compelled to allow
the Austrians time to collect a new force with
which again to offer him battle upon the same field
After close siege of eight months the CITY capitu
lated IN February, 1897, and not until then wa
the AuStrians to terms. A single decided defeat a
that time would inevitably have compelled him. a
1t did Charles Albert at later period to return
into Piedmont. But the War Department at vi
emma alter each battle generously sent him fresf
corps, instead Of furnishing at once an oyerwhem-
ing force. Such the experience of the greatest
military chief before Mantua; and vet neither Man
tua nor Peschiera, nor even Verona, was at that
time shadow of what it is at present
From heLOndon Times Tienna Coyrespondentl
THE ENGLISH VIEW.
me MIncIo, which flows from the Lago di Garda
to Mantua, is at times a river of considerable szr
ana dePth, but IN summer 1t Is often shallow that
1t can be waded through without difficulty There
are bridges across the Mincio at Peschiera. Bore
hetto, Goit0, RIVAL, and Mantua, the distance be
tween the frstnamed place. which lies on the Garda
Lake, and Mantua being about sixteen English
miles The distance between Mantua and the snot
at which the Mncio falls into the Pc NAV be about
seven miles. Thus the line which the Austrians
have to defend is but little more than twenty mile.
In length, and at each end is a fortress which it is
exceedingly difficult to turn as the one (Peschiera
is on the Garda Lake, and the other (Mantua) lie:
in the midst of bogs and marshes, which extend ia
the P0. PeschieTa, small town on an island is
defended by extensive OutwOrks and eight 'lu
nettes with oomb-proof quarters for the troops
These ''lunettes form a kind of fortified camp In
addition to the Notifications already mentioned
there are two forts, one of which commands the
right and the other the left bank of the river The
garrison OF Peschiera has also the power of inun
u"tlhS INC some miles rOQnu Dy CLOSING
slulces which are between the lake and the river
Mantua, which also lies on an island has n forti
he'd camp for 30 1000 men. The approaches to Man
tua are across five dams or dikes, three of which
are IN connection with the right and two with the
left bank of the lake formed by the Mineio The
principal approaches on the left bank are in the d
rection of the suburbs San Giorgio and Porto the
former being protected by Fort San Giorgio and
the latter by the great citidel of Porto. The dkes
on the right bank are protected by the ''honwork
Pradella by Fort PretOli, and by the redoubt Mig
gioretto. The garrison of Mantua has also the
means of etfectually inundating the surrounding
country. II Napoleon is resolved to have Mantua
he must be prepared to sacrifice 80 OOG or 100 900
men, for his renowned uncle did not get possession
of it until after he had besieged it eightmonhs and
fought eight or ten battles. The French artillery
is infinitely more powerful than it was in 1877
but so are the tortresses against which it is to be
employed. A few years ago Peschiera was a mere
fort, and Verona second-rate fortress but both of
them have recently been greatly strengthened
THE FRENCH VIEW.
Three of the Paris journals give long descriptions
OF the we-known square of fortresses belonging tn
Austria beyond the Mincio, and inquire in what
manner the Franco-Piedmontese troops will endea-
vor to cross thatrver and attack the Austrian troops
on the other side. The Unirer8 expresses itself as
follows the point:
''What is the French army about to do? VIII il
attempt to the MnciO in the presence of l5O-
900 AWstrians? 4? Or will it make an attack on Pes
chiera in order to open entrance into the we'll
known quadrangle? The important point at the
present time is to form estimate of the strength
OF this large entrenched camp, the last asylum OF
Austrian power. Accurate information, drawn
from authentic sources, proves that the square has
its weak points. Peschiera, one of its bases and
which will probably be the first to be reached by
the French troops. must speedily fall As soon as
that place is in the hands of the allies their army
will possess one of the keys of the square and com
mand the course of the MincO. 1t may then ad-
vance towards Verona or Mantua 1t is therefore
probable that if the Austrian army does not a sec
ond time tempt the fortune of arms in advance of
the Mincio, decisive battle will be fought in the
very centre OF the square. Without knowing the
plans oil the commander-in-chiet, and without being
even skilful strategist, we may suppose that the
Austrians will be attacked on several points at
once. naval expedition, possessing immense
means Of destruction, is on its Way to Venice: one
hundred and twenty 1at-bottomed boats, sheathed
with iron and armed with rifed cannon are il is
said, to ascend the Adige and the Pu If Venice
falls, as 1t is very probable it will the fleet NAV
land corps darmee to march on the Adge and
take the Austrians in the rear, while the grand
army attacks them in front There are also in Tus-
cany French troops, which will, at an appointed
day, appear on given point. Let US, therefore,
wait for events. The present maneuvre of the
Austrlans is the same was adopted by Radetzkv
in lS48, but with this difference, that General
Schlick will have French army in front of
him."
The following observations are from the Gazette
de France:
Considering the activity displayed by the allies
and the position in which the Austrians are placed
as they are by the allies on the north,
by the corps OF Prince Napoleon advancing from
the south and by the troops of Decentralization
which said to be approaching from the shores of
eneta, II is difficult to believe that the great mill