The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-11-24
SOUTH AMERICA.
Descent of the Chilians on the Pc
ruvian Coast.
PISAQUA TAKEN AND PERUVIAN
PORTS BLOCKADED.

New York, Nov. 22.-The Gillian account
of the fight in which the Huascar was captur-.
ed came to hand today. 1t does not differ
much from the Peruvian account. The only
portion of Commander Grau that was found
was a portion of one leg and foot. The body
of I'd Commander Aquirre was horribly mu-
tilated by shot. The Huascar can be reltted
for $4,000 for the Gillian navy. Sixty men
of the Huascar are missing, probably blown TO
pieces by shell.
VALPARAISO, Nov. 19.-All Peruvian ports
are closely blockaded by the Gillian fleet.
NEW YORK, Nov. 22.-Luna advibes to Nov
9TH are as follows:
At last tie long heralded descent of the
Chilians on the Peruvian coast has been made
On Sunday morning, End inst, IL OF the
enemys vessels, transports and men-of-war ap-
peared off Pisaqua, and without loss OF time d.
rected their course towards the shore. Pisaqua
was defended by detachm ent OF 800 Bolivian
troops under command of Col. Granier but 1T
appears that Gen. Bueudia, in charge of the
defences and army of Terapaea, was likewise
in the place at the time. Two Parrott rifles,
100 Founders, were mounted ON bluff over
looking the towu, but, it is asserted, without
adequate shelter. DISCOUNTED dispatches sent
over the cable by Gen. Prado from africa an
nounce the fight as heavy. The shore bat
teres resisted, and the loss of life was great
but at 80 p. m. the intelligence was flashed
over the wires that Pisaqua was captured,
Buendia having retired towards San Bernardo,
about two leagues from the scene OF the battle.
The result was to have been expected as no
troops with insufficient protectson from heavy
guns could withstand the fire from the CHILEAN
vessels which We're probably acquainted with
the weakness of the defending forces approach
ed within pistol shot of the beach. The Chill.
ians we knew were covering with NUMBER OF
their launches at Valparaiso for the proper
shelter of their men whilst landing and these
were doubtless also employed. The force OF
the invading army from data received from
Antafogasta and Valparaiso would probably be
from 5000 to 10000 men.
Further dispatches from africa communicate
that Gen. Beundia has fallen back from Aqua
Santa and has perfected his communications
with the remainder of the Peruvian and
Bolivian forces, amounting probably to nearly
5000 men. This army is concentrated between
Peua Grand and Iquique, and will doubtless
be massed to give battle at the last named
point Pena Grand is about midway ON the
line Of the highway between the termini OF
the railway leading from Iquique and Pisaqua,
that is, about II miles from either point The
CHILEAN troops were at Sta Catalina, 30 miles
more or less from Pisaqua on the railway adj
vancing towards Beundea. 1t was feared in
Iquique that the CHILEAN squadron might ap-
pear at any hour and destroy the town. All
the regular forces stationed there were hasten
ing up to Bundea's assistance and only garrl-
son of National guards remain.
Very latest advices say the battle on land
must soon take place. Beundea has fallen
back to Piena Grande and been joined by his
reinforcements, making in all about 5000 men.
The Gillian advance was at Santa Catalina, 80
miles or more from Pisagua, on the railroad
and still going forward towards Beundea's po-
sition. Prado and Daza and their columns
must also be advancing from Arida and Jacna
directly in the rear of the Chiians. The
number of the latter is variously estimated at
form 10000 to $1,000. Gen. La Rensta has
new cabinet again formed, this time of per-
sonal friends and fellow workers in politics.
Lima has been declared under martial law
and all citizens capable of bearing arms must
enroll themselves in abe line of the national
guard regiments, but the attacking force of the
Chilians in Parapesa seems to secure the safe
ty of Lima from any similar assault. 1t is not
probable that the enemy is strong enough to
attempt such an undertaking.