bird s-eye view of fortress of humaitá observation balloon. (harper s weekly: journal of civilization, 1868.). chain boom marked @ 1; outwork of curupaity @ 5.
while paraguayans familiar ground, maps of territory were, allies, non-existent. area lay in province of Ñeembucú, flat, low-lying , obscured swamp or carrizal. example, when established main camp @ tuyutí in southern paraguay allies did not realise placing within earshot of southwestern line of quadrilateral: sauce trench. did not know humaitá protected quadrilateral: in 5-volume work on paraguayan war brazilian historian tasso fragoso insists brazilian high command letter of april 1867
does not leave slightest doubt allies ignorant not of topography of terrain [to south-east of fortress], of protected lines of [paraguayan] entrenchments.
paraguayan soldiers mooning @ brazilian observation balloon. propaganda cartoon in paraguayan government newspaper el centinela, 8 august 1867.
in order gradually map area allies obliged resort mangrullos (improvised watch towers) or (a first in south american warfare) captive observation balloons, paraguayans obscured terrain lighting fires of damp grass.
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