The New York herald., 1868-05-21
BRAZIL.

other Brazilian productIons'
BRAZIL.
VIZ, Nevs-Humaita Still ResistinE-Steam.
er. sunk-Troops Wanted-Irishmen in
Brazil. ...
The news from the seat of war down in Paraguay
does not amount this time to much, as the position
Of both parties remains about the same as that mo-
ficedin my last letter by the British Southampton
packetthat to say the allies having occupied the
lines Of the Quadrateral, which were about mile
outside those of Humaita and enclosed this fortress
with the works and water batteries Of Curupaty,
they have been enabled shorten their circuit from
twenty-five miles to about twelve and to place some
OF their cannon within about half mile OF
Humaita. Curupaity is now their base Of sup
plies, and they are, OF course, in Q much
more favorable position than they were for the
siege Of Humaita, which, however, still holds out
nrmly, although stripped Of most OF its cannon
and having garrison Of only about three thousand
men to maintain it against at least thirty-fve
thousand men, twelve iron-clads and twenty wooden
gunboats The ground outside, it Is true, is very
cut up and swampy, and the Marquis de Caxias is
represented to be riding twenty miles day in recon-
notering 1t; but, as radical journal here puts it,
the people would be better pleased II, instead OF
riding twenty miles, he would advance his cannon
dozen feet a day.
Two Of the Brazilian iron-clads have managed to
eject useful piece Of service. The garrison Of
Humaita had two small steamers which kept up
their communications with the Chaco side Of the
Paraguay, whence they receive supplies, and with
the strong fort called limbo, about seven miles
higher up and upon the Chaco side, and which may
be considered the tste du p0nt Of communication
rom the remainder Of Paraguay with Humaita.
Two monitors dropped down early In the morning
below Timbo and, engaging that fort, searched for
the Paraguayan steamers. One was soon discovered
snugy hid up inlet behind that fort, and the little
monitor. following up within range, soon planted
rifle shot below wind and water, causing 1t to disap
pear in water deep enough to cover even the top Of
the chimney. Some more searching showed the
other steamer some distance below, in a narrow
channel between an island and the Chaco, and the
larger monitor, with her $50 pound rifles succeeded
In disposing Of 1t in the same way as the
FIRST This successful operation must embarrass
the Paraguayans greatly, as they have now row
boats alone, unless they succeed In raising the
steamers, which would not like to bet they won't
90, 10 bring their supplies across the river or to
able them TO escape from Humaita when they think
OF abandoning it. But the river Is falling and WILL
It s said, be SO low In week that, good swim
mers as they all are, they could get away without
difficulty.
The latest accounts received announced that a
three days bombardment would be given to Humait8
doubtful accounts stated that this bombardment had
Both the ministry and Caxias are very
anxious TO be able to report the fall Of Humaa be-
1t Is probable that the next packet will carry the
news with an exultng declaration that the Is at
an end. But this viii not be the case unfortunately
II, % everything seems to show, Lopez has armed
the river Tebiquary and villa Rica with the cannon
from Curupaity and Humaita, from which it
taken from under the eyes OF the allies
without their suspecting 1t. The country south Of
the Tebiquary proved the grave of an Argentine
stopped by the defence OF the Tebiquary, and 1t is
not Impossible, nor indeed improbable, that the
allies Will have the hardest part Of their work to do
alter the capture Of Humata before they succeed in
subduing the Paraguayans and driving out Lopez.
The works OF Curnpaty and the "quadrilateral"
masterpieces Of military engineering, with well
made parapets, nrm beaten platforms and bitches
70 eighteen deep. On these platforms and in the
water batteries OF Curupaity the Paraguayans had
Placed palm nI tree logs SSyefsd with hides which
crows were placed to simulate sentinels, and 1t is
evident from the grass and bushes grown up inside
the works that the allies kept OF for months by
these mock cannon, while the real ones were quietly
removed and sent elsewhere. All these huge and
powerful defences were constructed after the Mar
GUS de Caxtas had moved from Tuyuty to the back
OF bumaitA, when instead OF pushing on his march
or even opening siege trenches he lay for months
vi RlnsnOt QOlnR 0Otnln4, Wnle lZ,U0U or lb,OOO
Paraguayans were throwing up these wonderful
works and hnding time TO cut Oh conveys and attack
With all the efforts made in the dispatches to ee-
vate the occupation OF abandoned works into great
triumph OF the Marquis OF Caxias the Brazilians
very sore on the point Of IS 900 men being kept out
side ior months by wooden cannon and scare
crows The two conservative journals shrk the SUBJ
lec am prai Caxas for what he is, they say gong
and think nothing but a Very brilliant triumbh
Mouiu regain for him the consideration he formerly
as he in-why 1t is difficult to say for he had not
YIeMousto thls war; done anything to give him
seputa.p as general unless his propensity TO talk
,earnediyupon military topics had induced the be-
Bearing N the point whether or not the war will
epeeaiy pehnished Is the fact that Caxias has asked
sor nve ,nS.snd more men, which, 1t is supposed
ne operates gainst the Tebiquary with the bulk of
ms army. sme six hundred were sent or this fort
oAgnt; put pnccau ior fresh supplies win be terrible
disappointment TO the poorer population OF tine
provinces, whit were counting upon cessation of
The chase which had forced so many to take to the
woods or resist,heir prosecutors with arms. '
RAn0ther steamer has arrived, with a day later
news. The artillry on both sides was keeping up
continuous roar, ne Paraguayans replying sturdly
60 the shell and SHIT pouring into Humalta from the
gunboats and the lew batteries the allies had thrown
W" The No Rn ns'as aesns ys cl arc mae ye
squabble which occurred this week. A party IN the
city got angry at s0ne statement Of the editor OF
tion. On this being rfused the editorial nose was
roughly pulled and ! believe he got something
Oi pummeng. Next tay the matter was brought
before the police, and ah proof OF the state OF fear
IN which these rough proceedings had thrown him,
~ "a man OF very nervous temperament, the editor
an question produced In court his trowsers In alsta,e
which recruits are said " b familiar with when they
nrst come under fire.
me hrs load Of 33s Irish engrants has arrived in
e ahor, florence Chapman The, are principally from
soout Birmingham, and fsw English from the
ye eb|ldree are among them They have ninety
much pleased with their quiet a,d ID resnectabie ap-
pearan%ce nee ana a.. their respectful manners The EN-
Per Rerol pa,u . Visit 70 them and left small sum for
sne cn1Ien. ne was much gratiHec by their looks
and behavior for he had great dread Of the irish
owing to an affair which occurred here wbsn bs was
young man. The country was then warrng with
La Plata and wanted soldiers. An IIish Colonel
offered 10 bring out regiment Of Irshmen and his
0ner was accepted. He went TO Ireland and induced
When they got here they were put In the ouarte bnt
when they found they were TO be made soldiers oi
they revoed seized their sticks thrashed the pol,ce
ADd the soldiers, and for three days had Rio com.
petely In their power: Unfortunately for them they