Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-09-07
Hislellnncous.
For the Gazette.
VALPARAISO, CHILLI, S. A.
BY LUIS.
rnNTINIrEn
CONTINUED.


The following morning curiosity led me
ashore, and entering an engine house, which
had been converted into a temporary hospital,
a sight met my eye calculated to rouse into
life each latent feeling Of horror and pity in
the breasts of the most hardened Nineteen
men, the majority undor Twenty-Five. lay
stretched upon the aoor, their CHASTITY wounds
gaping and the crimson tide of life fast eb-
bing away, while their young wives, children,
or friends stood by, weeping and wailing over
the dear ones whose agonies they could not
alleviate: whose pains they could not relieve,
nor stop the chilling hand of unrelcnting
death from depriving them of their husbands,
fathers, brothers, or friends Leaving this
awful scene, wandered about the city, mid
pools of blood, some corpses still remaining
in the streets, for it was yet early; but soon
returned on board, having satisfied my PEN
chant for the horrible to my hearts content
Numerous and varied were the freaks of
fortune during this anti-rcpublican contest,
but it finally ended in favor of Don Monte
for though Gen. Cruz gained the presidency
by his arms, he sold il for some millions
again TO Monte, and retired TO country seat
in the vicinity of Conception, with "war's
red honors on his crest" with COLDS bright
glisten in his hand, and mems deep curses
on his head On Christmas day, 1851, af-
ter having taken rather lengthy jaunt in
the country, i returned just in time to get a
sight of this hero. Arriving from Talca-
huana, in beautiful little topsail schooner,
after fine run Of twenty-five hours, he Wa.
met on the Mole by the military, and escort
ed to the Hotel de Chill, amid the most
deafcning vivas; he is a well-built, fine look
ing man, a little above the medium size, and
bore himself in dignihcd manner, but void
of that hauteur so Characteristic Of an ego.
tistic mind.
But had nearly forgotten to chronicle a
sight to which we we're treated in the harbor
of this "yalley of Paradise" and which
would most probably interest my kind rea'
ders. On the 26th Of December, 1851
while swinging lazily at our anchors, VIC were
delighted by the appearance Of an enormcu
barnacle-headed right whale. For the ben
eft of the uninitiated, must here remark
that the right whale and the sperm whale diff
fer in point of size, ferocity, and abundance
the latter being more valuable from the fac
of its producing purer oil more difficult "a
capture, from its size and strength, and les
plentiful. Our whale rose just under ou
bows, blowing up two streams Of water to th'
height of over thirty feet, with sound mucl
resembling that produced by the opening o
the test valve of boiler. No sooner wa
he perceived than six boats from as man,
whalers, there watering and provisioning
started in pursuit. On they came, rushing
with tremendous velocity, and soon the har-
poon, thrown by a stalwart arm, sank dceI
into tho animal, and of he speed, like an ar
row from bow, pulling the boat after han
with almost lightning speed. A THOUSAND
anxious eyes were bent upon the scene, a
once so novel, so exciting, and so full Of IN
terest to Ms. The whale, after taking CIR
cult of the outer harbcr, stsered for larg'
barqus, and passing Immediately under IT, tn