Steam Warfare in the Parana: a narrative of operations by the combined squadrons of England and France

Front matter

STEAM WARFARE IN THE PARANA MACLURt MACDOiALD A «ACG*lC0R PUBLISHED BY CHARLES OLLI ER. SOUTHAM PTON STREET, STRAN D, LOW DOH STEAM WARFARE IN THE PARANA: A NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS BY THE COMBINED SQUADRONS OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE, IN FORCING A PASSAGE UP THAT RIVER. BY COMMANDER MACKINNON, R.N. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: CHARLES OLLIER, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND. 1848. LONDON: GROVE AND SON, PRINTERS, TRINITY STREET, SOUTHWARK. TO WM. ALEXANDER MACKINNON, ESQ., M.P., F.R.S., F.S.A. THESE VOLUMES ARE INSCRIBED BY HIS AFFECTIONATE SON, WHOSE SUCCESS IN LIFE IS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO FOLLOWING THE GOOD ADVICE OF A GOOD FATHER. January, 1848. L. B. M. PAGE Introduction 1

Chapter I

Commissioning the Alecto — Activity of Dockyards — Confusion of Departure — Adjustment of Compasses — Eclair's Kroomen — Alecto's rapid Progress — Change of Climate — Alecto's speed under Canvas — Admirable ventilation and coolness of the vessel in the Tropics — Corroboration of a " Vigia" in old Spanish Charts — Losing the N. E. Trade — Steaming through the Variables — Information of a Battle in the Parana — Arrival in the Rio de la Plata — Monte Video — Scarcity of Provisions in that City — Alecto preparing to force the Parana — Atrocities of General Orribe —Anticipation of Adventure in the Unknown River — Barbarous Treatment of an Italian Trader — Interpreter engaged — Ascending the Rio de la Plata — Arrival at Buenos Ayres — Blockade of the Port — Difficulty of Navigation at Martin Garcia — Precautions against surprise 21

Chapter II

Approach the bocas of the Parana — Change of Scene — Contrast with the Ocean — Delicious Fruits — Submerged Land — Creeks fringed with Trees — River impregnated with Sarsaparilla — Pleasant taste of the Water — Economy of Fuel from softness of Water — The Alecto a-ground — Awfol Solitude — Exploring Party — Flying Ants — Vocal Lizards — The Firebrand — Batteries of Obligado— Camp of Observation — Welcome Relief — General Paz CONTENTS OF VOL. I. CHAPTER ni. PAGE Abundant Game — Enemy's Cavalry bringing down Guns — Fight with Flying Artillery- General Moncillia's Encampment — Unexpected Arrival — Information from a Deserter — Rosario Point— Position of San Lorenzo — Fool-hardy Paysanos — The Death Volley— The Effects of a Shell— The Congreve Rocket — Approaches a Pamparo — Cloud of Locusts — The Pamparo — Test of the Wind's Force— Danger to Small Craft— Disturbance of Barometer 54

Chapter IV

Punta Gorda — Admirable Position for Offence — Precautions — Hide-and-Seek — A Smoking Lady — Parroquets — Men of War a-head — Anchor at the City of the Parana — News from the Army — Admirable Pilotage — Excessive Heat — Intricate Channel — Unexpected Game on Sand-bank — Mosquito Torture — Nautical Daylight — Tropical Vegetation — Health of Climate — Jack's anxiety not to tempt the Tigers 75

Chapter V

Shallow Channel — Sufferings of Convoy's Crews — Monkeys — Guaranis Indians— Steam, versus Sailing Vessels — Confidence of Men requisite for Officers to excite their Energies — Large Haul of Fish — Precautions against Insects — News of a Collision of Armies — Tactics of General Paz — Beef procured for Convoy — Herds of Cattle — Singular natural Pillars on Barrancas — Orange Groves — The Alecto strikes — Preparations to forward Mails by Land — Scaling the Cliff — The Interpreter's mishap — The Messenger departs— Don Oriental Martinez — Failure to heave the Alecto off.

Chapter VI. Page

Preparation of Mail Bags— Extent of Bellia Vista— Worn-out Cavalry Horses — Efficacy of Plata — Description of Chasque— The Escort — Amusement of Rabble — Montaneiros Blancos — Fortunate Thought — Aspect of Country — Natural Reservoirs — Aquatic Birds — Reception for the Night — Dinner — Young Ladies — Beautiful Scene — Miscellaneous Assemblage — Diabolical Laughter — The stealthy Blow — Horrible Chorusses 1)3

Chapter VII

Luxuriant Valley — Huge Tree — Benevolent Hostess — The Ailing Child — Wealth, combined with extreme Poverty — Oppression of Atmosphere — Distress of Horses — Carpiteal — Detachment in charge of Paraguay Tea — A Mirage — Dreadful Distress — The Water — Instantaneous Relief — Woman's Kindness — Derangement of Electricity — The sudden Change — Dangerous Morass — The Ferry — Seamanship Eight Hundred Miles from the Sea — Baby Horsemen — Sensation created by Chasque, at Corrientes — Curious Cactus — Importance and Number of Cattle — Delight of the Authorities, at arrival of Chasque. ... 130 CHAPTER Vin. Port of Corrientes — Appearance of Town — Wretched Market — Departure in Gig — Singular Fly — Drum Fish — Land on Islet — The Foot-prints on the Sand — Departure and Conflagration — Ominous banks of Clouds — Beauty of Scene — Sudden Changes — Tortuosity of Channels — Intense Darkness — Day-light Breaks— Precursor of Pamparo — Ominous Calm — Arrival and Safety of Boat — Precaution against Mosquitoes — The Vessel ascends — Depth of Water, one thousand miles from the Sea — Population swarm on Board — Paraguayan Envoys — The canny Scot — The black Stones ignited X

Chapter IX. Page

Paraguayan's Baggage — Corrientino Blacksmith — Preparation to make Obligado fast alongside — The Obligado adrift — Get alongside the Alecto — News in a Paper twenty years old — The Alecto crowded with Fashion — Value of Stock — The Lioness — The Vulture — The Alecto starts on her downward Passage — Delight of the Multitude — Headlong Speed — The Parana better known in London than in Buenos Ayres — Protection from night Damp — Fluctuations of Climate — Hard Work for Seamen — Sickness — Jack kissing the Tiger — The Alecto's quick and easy Steerage 176

Chapter X

Cast off the Fanny and Obligado— Urquieza's heavy Guns — Reports of San Lorenzo — Pass San Lorenzo at full speed — Enemy's Preparations — Great bustle in Moncellia's Camp — Steam versus Horses — Flying Artillery beaten hollow — Alarmed Family of Gauchos — At Sea again — Arrival at Monte Video — Distance Steamed — A dangerous Mistake — Daily skirmishes at Monte Video — Steam struggling — Re-enter the Parana — Drive Workmen out of the Batteries at Tonnelero — Effect of Wind on Congreve Rockets — A Deserter — Deputation from Schooners — Cool Proposal — The Threat — The Answer 198

Chapter XI

Sight the Batteries of San Lorenzo — Trying the Range Shell — Commencement of the Action — Closeness of Combatants — Curious Effects of Shot — Nonchalance of Men — Good Aim produced by the training of the Excellent — The Master of a Schooner — Activity after Action — Shot between Wind and Water — False Reports — The Fugitives — Account of the late Action by Deserters — Arrival at the City of the Parana — Deliver Ammunition and Provisions — French Admiral's fiat — News from Corrientes— Tactics of General Paz— The Alecto ordered to Goya — Guaranis Indians

Chapter XII. Page

Alecto on Shore — Ship on her Broadside — Turn of Current — Singular Position of Steamer — Sand Bank diminishes — The Alecto released — Proceed with single Engine — Flamingoes — The Elk — Sailors' Supper — Mosquitos — Slow Progress — River Falling — Luck of the Alecto — Great Haul of Fish — Thunder Storm — The Surprise — The Sting Ray — Curious Turtle — Remains of the Island — Formation of Islands — The Married Monkeys — Another Disaster — Steam vanquished by the Current — Bank formed by the Current 230 CHAPTER rxill. River Falling — Dreadful Heat — Sleeping Aloft — Cheap Beef — Capabilities of the Country *for making Money— Price of Land — Price of Stock — Capital required — Splendid Prospects, should Peace prevail — Mr. Davidson's Saladeira — Last Chance for Merchandise — The wholesale Slaughter — Capability of Parana Islands to produce Rice — Melancholy Reflections — Causes of Cruelty — Skill of Gauchos — Fierce Fire of Beef — Shooting — Baby Beaters — Desperero — Speculations — The poor Mares — Abundance of Food — Verdant Wall — Combinations of Flowers — Abundance of Game — Seed Hunting — Distribution of Seeds — Gigantic Gold Fish — Streets of Goya — Alcalde's Dinner — Orange Trees — Chasque from Esquina. 245 CHAPTER XTV.

Came con quiero — Corrientino Squadron — Orders to return — Approach of Winter — Vessels caught — Dangerous Passage — Wild Tigers — River Pilots — Fast by the Stern— Sudden change, and intense Cold — Arrival at Esquina — The Blood Tree — Partridge Shooting — Value of an old Waistcoat — Fair Barter — Ostriches and Deer — Scenery — The Conflagration — News from below — Arrival at Santa Fe — Escape of the Harpy — Boast of Rosas CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

CHAPTER XV. PAGE

Important Communication — A Project — Conjectures as to its Originator — Precautions against Surprise — Theatre Afloat — Affecting Scene — Impolicy of harsh conduct by Officers towards Men — Floating Islands — Brig Ashore — The last Rendezvous 278

CHAPTER XVI.

The Rocket Party — Sir Charles Hotham — The Reconnoitring Party — Afalse Alarm — Exploring the Island — Numerous Precautions — The Masked Battery Party proceed on their Enterprise — Landing of the Party — Conveyance and concealment of the Rocket-geer — Heavy Labour — Dawn — The Boat hidden — Rough Repast and Merriment — Slumber 288 ENGRAVINGS. Map to face Title. The Alecto, with Schooners in Tow, passing the Batteries ot San Lorenzo 219 The Alecto aground, six inches Water under her Bow STEAM WARFARE IN THE PARANA.

Introduction

. As the wonderful power of steam was fully demonstrated, not only in warfare, but speed of transit, during the late operations in the Rio de la Plata, the Author has been advised to lay before the public the result of his experience while making several trips up the two mighty branches of that river, the Parana as far as Corrientes, and the Uruguay as far as Paisandu. These trips, taken in H. M. steam sloop Alecto in furtherance of Her Majesty's service, afforded the author abundant opportunities of observation, in a cursory manner, of the above beautiful, fertile, and healthy regions. The ascent was VOL. I. B ■1

INTRODUCTION.

. accompanied by many and great difficulties, arising from natural obstructions and the hostility of the Argentines. To enable the reader clearly to comprehend the purpose of the warlike demonstration made by England and France, and the part taken in it by the Alecto, it will be neces sary to give a sketch of the political situation of the provinces bordering the river Plata, at the time when the present diary commences. Since the declaration of inde pendence, signed in July 1816, every state or province in this part of South America has been in an almost constant state of anarchy- The chief who could command a few hundred soldiers, frequently commenced a revolution which, in a few weeks, days, or hours, as the case might be, completely upset the former government, and placed himself temporarily in the seat of supreme power, whence he was, in his turn, expelled.

In the lapse of years, the civil wars became more bloody and brutal, giving only short intervals of repose, — too short to draw forth the abundant resources of this most fruitful country.

INTRODUCTION.

. At length, a master spirit arose, — a man evidently endowed by nature with a mind competent to curb and rule the half-savage people among whom he was thrown, — a man, whose whole course in life has demonstrated extraordinary genius in extricating himself from any dilemma in war or politics, and who, like Buonaparte, has the faculty of ensuring the fidelity and devotion of his followers. Juan Manuel de Rosas appeared on the stage of South America, and speedily made his way to supreme power ; not supreme power in the sense in which it would be understood in England, but the most despotic command. His mere word was law. It must be clear to any reflecting person that to gain such an elevation, with so barbarous a population as that by which he was surrounded, extraordinary means were necessary, though certainly not those to which a statesman would have recourse in one of the older states of the world.

Rosas commenced, therefore, in early youth by a hypocritical pretence of inflexible integrity ; and, as he evinced great military genius, he soon succeeded in gaining the regard of the b

INTRODUCTION.

. landed proprietors, or estancieros, from whom the army was principally recruited. For a considerable time his government, after he became president of the Argentine republic, is represented as mild and paternal. His energy and decision were proved in driving out and banishing the hordes of savage Aborigines, whose hands, like those of the Arabs of the desert, " were against every man, and every man's against them." With various successes, sometimes in possession of the capital, and, when displaced, again investing it with an army of Gauchos, he continued until he persuaded the representative body to invest him with unlimited powers. To an ordinary intellect in these times this would have been the commencement of his downfall ; but Rosas knew his countrymen well, and determined to rule them with a rod of iron.

To do this with the usual machinery of government, even backed by the army, he must have felt to be a most difficult, if not impossible, task. His powerful mind, however, suggested, that if he could form a secret society, of which he was to be the head, composed of a set of

INTRODUCTION.

. men selected by himself, for which selection his acuteness eminently qualified him, he might draw together the most energetic and active minds in the country to do his bidding, whether for good or evil. Thus arose the celebrated Massorcha club, so much talked of, which was, and is, nothing more than a powerful political engine suited to the times and the people. Rosas knew his position too well to allow any conspiracy to ripen. Active and secret members of this society reported the most minute circumstances to him. Being, by this system of espionage, acquainted with incipient conspiracies, the course of such a man was manifest. We are far from defending his horrible cruelties and murders, but he clearly stood in a perilous dilemma. "If," thought he, "I allow any conspiracy to explode, a revolution may take place, and I am certain to be a victim.

Poli tical plots are against the law. Ergo, the conspirators must die." And die they did.* * In thus speaking of Rosas, it is but fair, after care ful inquiry, to state, that to the best of the author's belief, all the horrible stories circulated against Donna

INTRODUCTION.

. At one time, butcheries were carried on to a most fearful extent; but from what the author has been able to gather, the suppo sition was, that the sufferers were all impli cated, directly or indirectly, in attempting to overturn the government. One of these attempts, headed by General Lavalia, was on the point of hurling Rosas from his dictator ship, and was only warded off by a brilliant ruse of the sanguinary ruler. Among the impolitic acts reported of Rosas, was his issuing a decree in the early part of 1846, against the combined English and French squadrons, when forcing the passage of the Parana. This decree no doubt gave full authority to all the inhabi tants of the Argentine Republic to murder, or torture, or otherwise dispose of, any pri soners, either English or French. Rosas pro bably conceived that, according to the law Emanuelita, the dictator's daughter, are false and mali cious.

By those who have the best opportunities of forming a judgment, this lady is described as a pleasing and amiable young woman. The current anecdote of a dish of salted human ears, is a monstrous invention.

INTRODUCTION.

. of nations, the expedition, of which the fol lowing Diary treats, was piratical, and unau thorised by the governments of England and France. Still, though the peculiar circum stances under which he was placed, may be pleaded in extenuation, his decree was im politic, exasperating, and befitting rather a savage than so astute a ruler as himself; particularly as all the officers and men in the combined squadrons were acting under legitimate authority. The result of this ferocious mandate was the cruel murder of a gallant and enterprising young English officer, causing, as may be readily imagined, extreme indignation and disgust on the part of the British and French combined forces. When Rosas had consolidated his power at Buenos Ayres, he very naturally turned his attention, as the most powerful personage in South America, to the subjugation of the province called Banda Oriental ; the capital of which, Monte Video, was torn by civil dissensions. The inhabitants were divided between the two popular leaders, Don Fruc tuoso Riviera and General Orribe, the latter

INTRODUCTION.

. of whom being worsted and obliged to fly, threw himself into the arms of Rosas, who, with a view to draw Monte Video ostensibly into the Argentine confederation, but vir tually under his own despotic power, and thus consolidate his rule over both shores of the Rio de la Plata, supplied Orribe with men and money, who soon overran the Banda Oriental, took possession of the whole coun try except Monte Video itself, which, how ever, he formally besieged. Attempting to imitate Rosas in striking terror into the inhabitants of Monte Video, and thus expedite the capture of the city, Orribe miserably failed. His atrocious con duct in countenancing the murder, in cold blood, of such inhabitants as, urged byfamine, ventured to steal out between the hostile lines in search of herbs to prolong a wretched subsistence, created unutterable horror among the resident merchants and European population who, previously, were indifferent as to which party prevailed.

In the midst of dis cussions caused by such sanguinary acts, Orribe was so insane as to issue a proclama tion to the effect that neither life, nor pro- INTROnUCTION. perty, should be respected on the capture of the city. Had this decree not been issued, the town would have fallen in a short time ; but, so strongly were the already-excited feelings aggravated by the additional barba rity of the proclamation, that three thousand resident foreigners immediately armed, and the English and French naval commanders considered themselves justified in landing forces. Thus assisted, Monte Video still held out ; and Rosas was frustrated in his desire to get possession of both shores of the Rio de la Plata, and command the highway to countries better calculated than any part of the globe to supply the necessaries of the Old World in raw material, and consume in return an immense proportion of manufac tured goods.

By an old treaty, the English and French governments had guaranteed the integrity of the Banda Oriental, and Rosas was formally summoned by these governments to withdraw his troops from the territory. As he did not choose to do this immediately, his squadron, assisting the siege of Monte Video, was taken from him by a few small vessels ; and a strict b

INTRODUCTION.

. blockade proclaimed by the English and French on the shores of the Rio de la Plata. The blockade commenced about the middle of 1845, and perhaps still continues — at least in name, for it never was much else. In consequence of smuggling, sugar, tea, wine. and other foreign produce were as cheap, or cheaper, at Buenos Ay res, during the whole blockade, than at Monte Video ; and Rosas himself sent several cargoes of produce through the Monte Videan custom-house to England and other countries. At this period, the governor of Entre-Rios was General Urquieza, a soldier of fortune and a nominee of Rosas. The president of the revolted province of Corrientes was Ge neral Maderiaga, who was in league with the independent province of Paraguay against the power of Rosas. These states had collected a considerable army which they had placed under the command of General Paz, a recent rival of Rosas.

The ostensible rea son for the collection of this army was to attempt to force Rosas to open the naviga tion of the Parana, which he withheld. It is difficult to assign the true cause ; but,

INTRODUCTION.

. whatever it may have been, it had the effect of closing the only outlet for the bounteous produce of this noble and fertile land. Thus the broad and beautiful river Parana, in tended by nature to bear on its bosom the rich freights of the boundless and fertile regions of the countries above, namely, Cor rientes, Paraguay, Bolivia, Upper Peru, &c. was literally deserted. The determination, however, of the authorities to force a passage up this river to Corrientes, was destined to unfold the beau ties and capabilities of its silvery stream ; and very soon the mighty and hitherto, in these waters, unheard-of powers of steam appeared, and laughed to scorn the for midable preparations of Rosas, and the mighty obstacles formed by nature in the constantly and rapidly-rolling current, and prevailing northerly winds.

By the assistance of able and energetic officers, this unknown and almost inland sea, is now as well surveyed as any foreign river in the world of the same extent. The expedition of the combined forces, intended to cripple the power of Rosas, gave

INTRODUCTION.

. an opportunity to as many vessels as chose to take advantage of the protection afforded by the men of war, to release the accu mulated produce uselessly rotting in the storehouses of these inland states, besides throwing in a liberal supply of manufactured goods. It was not for any of the officers employed to question the legality of the expedition, as affected by the law of nations. To ascend to an unknown country, up a strange and remarkable river, with the cer tainty of active service, and perhaps promo tion, excited the enterprise and emulation of every person in the squadron ; and, per haps, no expedition was commenced and earned out with more pleasure, or with more perfect satisfaction. The great secret of the success which crowned almost every effort, with one miserable exception, was due, firstly, to the excellent arrangements which, by the powers of steam, were so perfectly and expeditiously carried out ; and, secondly, to the admirable nature of the ordnance, and the skilful application of its different branches. Where the leader is of great ability, and possesses the confidence

INTRODUCTION.

. 13 of those under his command, coupled with such materiel and personnel as Sir Charles Hotham had in his control, it is not by any means astonishing that everything suc ceeded admirably. It is rare, too, for a British officer to combine the talent for lan guages which Sir Charles Hotham possesses in such an eminent degree, with the perseverance and skill recently evinced in the ex traordinary recovery of H. M. ship Gorgon, and in the after operations in the Parana. Unfortunately, for some reason difficult to surmise, the marines were withdrawn to Monte Video, just at the time when these brave and efficient men would have been of the most essential assistance in the Parana, on the passage down, with a richly-freighted convoy. Upon their arrival at Monte Video, they were immediately landed in the town, where two British regiments were already stationed.

This had the effect of so weak ening the Parana squadron, that it was not considered advisable to attempt the medi tated capture of the San Lorenzo guns, which otherwise would most assuredly have been done.

INTRODUCTION.

. Such was the state of things towards the close of the year 1845 ; intelligence of which having arrived in England, three steamers. Alecto, Harpy, and Lizard, were imme diately fitted out with that extraordinary dispatch which nothing but an English dockyard could attain, or no power but an English Admiralty command. In the mean time, the convoy were assem bling at Monte Video with its protecting force, under the command of Sir Charles Hotham and Admiral Trehouart. The island of Martin Garcia was taken and occupied, and every preparation made to strike a blow at the power of Rosas, and shew to the in land parts of South .America, not only the advantage of an uninterrupted communi cation with the old countries, but also a slight insight into their wealth, intelligence, and power. General Orribe still invested Monte Video with a ragamuffin crew of half-savage Gau chos, and penned up in the town, almost in a state of starvation, a force sufficiently powerful to defeat his whole army with the greatest ease. The most revolting cruelties

INTRODUCTION.

. were exercised by both native parties, and horrible torture and deliberate murder of prisoners generally perpetrated. To excite the sympathy of the authorities, and create a stronger feeling against the enemy, it has been positively stated by a person in whose veracity the most implicit confidence may be placed, that frequently when a man belong ing to the town-outpost has been killed in one of the daily skirmishes that took place, his own fellow-soldiers have cut and hacked his body about in a disgusting manner, and even disembowelled and dressed the corpse as a butcher would a sheep. Then, carrying it into the town, ostentatiously exposed it under the eye of the authorities, menda ciously asserting that the man was taken prisoner, and thus used by the enemy. This fact is merely mentioned as a specimen of the system of deception carried on by a party in Monte Video to hoodwink the authorities.

Many other villanies of the like nature were perpetrated, and unhappily with too much success. An apprehension was loudly proclaimed by a party, and generally believed, that the

INTRODUCTION.

. cattle in the Banda Oriental were very nearly annihilated by the enemy, and that another year would clear the whole country of this great source of its wealth. To any person of common sense, a little reflection will shew, that in such a land, so admirably adapted by nature, both from soil and climate, for the breeding of cattle, the temporary invasion of a hostile army would have a directly contrary effect in every place, except the line of march, and positions of the invading force. As the enemy drove away the whole population which, perhaps, outnumbered them a hundred fold, it is too absurd to think, however destructively inclined, that any army could possibly destroy very many animals, inasmuch as the population, actuated by the powerful inducement of profit, would exert their energies to secure their cattle.

It may positively be asserted that, taking the province as a whole, the quantity of cattle has increased enor mously since the war commenced. All the absurd clamour raised by an interested party is therefore a mere fabrication. Towards the close of the Author's sojourn

INTRODUCTION.

. in these countries, he had an opportunity of forming his own opinion on the state of the two principal towns, Buenos Ayres, and Monte Video. The contrast was striking. In Monte Video, with all the civilization that the chiefs, civil and military, of the two great European powers would be supposed to bring, the town was excessively dirty, the police worse than useless, murders committed constantly in open day upon the inhabitants and upon the European seamen and soldiers. At Buenos Ayres, on the contrary, the utmost security of life and property prevailed. A strict and efficient police rendered the town as safe, or safer, than the streets of London ; a vigorous government commanded due and proper respect to the laws ; and British officers felt themselves not only much more secure in person, although in an enemy's city, but more courteously treated than at Monte Video.

Whatever may be the faults of Rosas, he may safely assert, that whilst his city was in perfect order and secu rity, Monte Video, under other influence, was the scene of anarchy. After the capture and occupation of Co-

INTRODUCTION.

. Ionia and the island of Martin Garcia (the key of the rivers Parana and Uruguay), the convoy proceeded up the river, and, con trary to the expectation of Rosas, succeeded in getting safely over the dangerous flats of this part of La Plata into the Parana. For some distance, as the channel ran entirely through islands, they met with no obstruction except what occurred from the rapid downward current, and the prevailing winds. At length the whole squadron and convoy were detained by the appearance of heavy works and batteries at Obligado. An engagement of the most gallant kind ensued. It has been thought that hardly sufficient credit was awarded to the victors. Such a comparatively small force as three steamers and a few small brigs never before defeated batteries of so formidable a nature, and completely dispersed an army of, it is be lieved, three thousand men.

After the successful issue of this battle, the convoy proceeded up the river, still accompanied and protected by men-of-war, making the best of their way to Corrientes. But this was a task of difficulty and danger,

INTRODUCTION.

. as the broken army of Rosas rallied and exerted every nerve, under his brother-in law, Mancillia, to annoy the vessels when ever the channel of the river approached the Argentine shore near enough for their artillery to take effect. Two places were peculiarly adapted for this purpose ; viz., Tonnelero and the Barrancas, or cliffs, of San Lorenzo. The convoy, nevertheless, succeeded in getting past without loss ; and then the channel, leaving the Argentine shore, made its way along the banks of Entre Rios on the opposite side. For some reason, not clearly explained, or publicly understood, the governor of this province, General Urquieza, although a nominee of Rosas, did not take an active part to keep the convoy back; therefore, after passing the Barrancas of San Lorenzo, natural ob structions were the only difficulties against which the vessels had to contend.