Abstract:
In reaction to an attack by the Republic of Paraguay on an American naval vessel. and an alarming deterioration of relations between the two countries, the United States. in 1858, sent a large squadron of warships to settle the dispute. In size, the squadron accounted for nearly twenty-five per cent of the Navy's personnel and operational vessels, and was the most ambitious fleet maneuver of its type to date.
Upon arrival at the border of Paraguay, via the Parana river, a real possibility for armed conflict existed, which was postponed for a final attempt at settling the dispute without bloodshed. This endeavor succeeded with an accompanying normalization of relations between the United States and Paraguay. The resulting settlement and treaty negotiated by Judge James Bowlin, a special U.S. Commissioner sent by the State Department, satisfied the claims of the United States which has since maintained good relations with the South American republic. Although the Expedition successfully accomplished the mission assigned to it, the record of the Expedition exposed a disturbing inventory of deficiency in the logistical aspect of the operation. Upon examination, the apparent weakness of the naval establishment appears to result in part from administrative incompetence in the administrative divisions of the Navy department and from negligible political and budgetary support on the part of the United States government. In conclusion, the Paraguay Expedition was successful primarily because of the able leadership of its commander, Flag Officer William Branford Shubrick, and the tactical flexibility and expertise of the participating officers and enlisted men.
