The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-31

THE REVOLT IN CHILE.

The correspondent of the Herald, writing from Santiago
dc Chile, under date of February 10, gives the following
graphic description of the condition Of affairs in Acan-
cagua
On the evening of the 18th Saturday an express ar
rived in this city with the intelligence that the people of
the province of Acancagua had declared against the ex-
isting government, and that they had captured San Fill
Iippe and Pataendo, and made prisoners Of the intendento
and other officials. Immediately after the receipt Of this
news, the government sent a body of troops to the main
plaza and pressed oil the carriages and other vehicles at
tainablc into its service, and In them sent about three
hundred men to the disaffected province. The appear
ance of the soldiers in the plaza excited great alarm, and
the crowd there assembled and engaged in trade hastily
gathered up their articles and ran in every direction.
One lady was so unfortunate MS to bring her cTinoline too
near a lamp. The crinoline took fire, and tho unfortu-
nate lady, followed by about one hundred sympathising
friends, made her way MS rapidly ms she could to a foun-
tain OF water, which is in the middle Of the plaza, into
which she sprang, and thus exGnguished the burning
garments. An enthusiastic revolutionist who entered
the plaza whilst the unfortunate lady was making her
way to the fountain, mistaking what he saw for a dem
onstration on the part Of his friends, boldly mounted an
empty goods box, and called out Justify for three cheers
for Acancagua, which call, to his surprise, was responded
to by himself alone. This neglect on the part Of the
crowd surprised him SO much that a few moments later
he was seen making his way very rapidly up a quiet
street to keep out of the clutches of the police.
The excitement continued throughout the night and
the next day, and on Sunday was really great, and the
belief general that an effort would be made before night
to sieze the principal military quaTtels, and then the
palace. In the morning a portion of the National
Guard refused to enter one of the quartcls, and about
fifty of them succeeded in escaping from the guard Of
regulars which had been sent to enforce obedience. After
escaping, they passed the door of the hospital, killed the
officer, and took with them the arms of the men station
ed at that place. A short time after leaving the hospital
they were met by Col. Soto, who formerly had COM
manded them. The colonel advised them to return to
duty. Instead OF complying with his advice one Of them,
without a word Of notice, shot him through the head,
killing him instantly.
Later in the day a passenger car, ON the city railroad
was assaiIed by the mob, several of the inmates badly
injured, and the car greatly damaged. The government
troops repaired to the spot as soon MS possible. Several
shots were exchanged between the mob and the military,
Killing one man, and w~ounding several Others.
During the day the United States legation room was
crowded with American citizens, all resolved to remain
neutral and favor neither party, but defend their own
lives, the lives Of their families, and property, and also
the glorious stars and stripes, should an effort be made TO
assail the legation room, or the inmates of the minister's
house.
Our minister, Gov. BigIer, advised all his co%untrymen
to act prrdcntly--to remain entirely neutral-but, IT
necessary, to defend their own lives, the lives of their
families, and their property, with all the means within
their reach.