The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-31
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una sketch OF this obstinate struggle,
from which we gather the following
facts:
In the year 1910, the celebrated Pizarro
having made himself master of Peru.
sent Pedro dc Nadiyia, one of his most
able civil and military followers, to make
the conquest Of Chill, who at the head of
100 Spaniards and a body Of Peruvian
auxiliaries, penetrated into the heart of
the country, conquering The brave AR
aucanians in numerous battles, and final
ly, in a great plain, IL which he found
the huts OF 10000 Indians, laying in
l54l the foundation Of Santiago the pres
sent capital of the Republic, He also
founded another important city, TO which
he gave his own name. After
nine years fighting, he made himself
master Of all the Northern part Of Chilli.
which he divided among his soldiers
In the midst of his brilliant triumphs. as
he thought them, a grand reverse and
death itself awaited him; for, in 1853.
Caupolioon, the great Araucanian chief
tain, won a signal victory over him, taxi
ing him prisouer and putting him to
NN1tAf A AlNAVAI AAANtAnlNu NOuint
named Lautaro, commanded the native
forces in this battle, and afterwards con-
Quoted them from victory to victory, till
being surprised in his camp he was Ia
ken prisoner and shot with arrows, with
all his party. In 1867 the new Spanish
governor Mendoza, invaded the territory
OF the Araucanians at the head of a pow
erful army, and conquered in three bloody
battles. Caupolicon venturing to attack
him at q certain place where Mendoza
had founded the city of Cancte, his forces
were annihilated himself taken prisoner
and put to death by impaling and shoot
ing him with arrows.
After these disasters, the Araucaniaus
Withdrew TO the mountains, when the
Spaniards, in exploring the country, came
TO Chloe, large island on the southwest
OF Chill, l2O miles long and SO wide
The celebrated poet, Ercilla Zunige
accompanied the expedition, and was the
first to put his foot upon the island. The
only Epic Of the South American conti-
nent is the "Araucana," some Of which
he wrote on the bark of trees, and in
which he described the country, the Arau-
canians, and the feats of the military
expedition. Readers of Don Quixote re =
member Ceryantees's allusion to this
poem. The death of Caupolicon, lirst In
the memory of his countrymen, aroused
them to seek new vengeance on their in
vaders. Flying to arms, and led on by
the oldest son of their former chieltain,
they were finally routed, when their gen
eral took his own life TO escape the fate
of his father. One Spanish governor
succeeded to another for half a century
or more, all Of whom made war upon the
ArRucanians, but were unable TO subdue
them, while native chiefs and command
ers were raised up of equal heroism with
CaupOlicOn, who defeated the Spaniards
and taking possession Of their new cities
and driving back their invaders, esiab.
lished their boundry far to the North
In 1914 the Spanish Governor tho Mar
quis de Valdes, after a hundred years
war, made treaty with the Araucaniar
chieftain Lincopichin, which secured
peace till 1855, when war broke Out
again, which ragged at intervals till 1722
when treaty was concluded which es.
tablished the boundaries of Auroco. and
at The same time recognized the indie
pendence Of the nation. A more warlike
race never existed; even at this day thew
maintain their independence, and within
three years past have been at war will
the Chilians, and fought several success.
full battles. The Chilians of the present
day, as well as the old Spanish cavaliers
are ready TO do them honor The
government paper published at Santiago
is called Gel Araucano," g the Araucan.
IAN" as though the Chilians were only Z
continuation of the old native race, anC
the Republic only old "Aranco" under (
new name. The CHILEAN writer, who's,
pages we have consulted, pays this tri
butte to their heriosm and love of coun
try: The Araucanians, seeing the dan.
ger to which their country and liberty
were exposed, flew 10 arms, and sWor,
they would die before they would b,
slaves. History does not present us will
the example of another war so obstinate
and cruel as that which the valiant Aru.
canians fought out with so much glory
and under SO many disadvantages, con
quering their invaders in regular fought
battles, killing their generals, destroying
their Notifications, and never laying
down their arms except by truces auo
treaties by which the Spaniard contrived
to advance in securing to himself the
possessions which he had gained in Oh,
Araucanian territory although al th,
cost Of more blood and treasure than had
been expended in the conquest Of ali
Aurerica, without after all subieoting the
Arauosnians TO the Spanish domination. y
In character theAraucanians are coura.
geous and heroic, lovers Of their country
and prodigal Of life when their liberty il
in peril, which is considered by them as
essential TO existence, They are discreet
generous, and faithful In their conduct,
but at the same time superstitious, and
grow up in all the vices incident TO ths
savage life they lead. Civil government
properly 30 called, does not exist among
them, all being divided into a great mum.
Der Of independent tribes. They believ,
in the immortality Of the soul and re.
oognize the existence Of a Supreme ON,
nipotent Being, and various inferior di.
whites, but render 20 no one any exter.
nal worship.
No census has ever been taken Of Arau.
canians, but they are not supposed 10 ex
coed 10000. Though a handful as the,
are, they succeeded in maintaining
bloody and destructive war with one o
the greatest powers Of modern times fo
the period Of one hundred and eighty
two years,