The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-21

the heights 1t Will be seen tnat the ardor or the
Chilean troops rendered this unnecessary. Just to
the northward of the town are two small sandy
coves Offering safe landing for boats while else
where rocks and reefs would quickly stave any
boat The Bolivians knowing of this lined the sides
of these and waited quietly the approach Of
launch containing some seventy-hve troops was
far in advance of the other boats. Upon this
launch, was poured the FIRE OF all the troops
ashore, ana forty dead and wounded were the
penalty for this error. But few moments
ELAPSED. however. before the other boats
had gained their position and dashed forward. The
Bolivians did not wait their landing. but slowly
treated up the hill hating and firing continually.
Wherever the railroad offered breastwork brief
stand made. but in no case the delay pro-
lonsed to a hand To hand contest. While this rum
ming fight was in progress the men-of-wa were
sheiiins the rerreating Bolvans over the heads of
the Chilean advance. The precision with which the
shells were dropped was wonderful. and their effect
upon the enemy was extremely demoralizng. After
the engagement one could easily the successive
stages OF the combat by the fragments OF exploded
shell in their vicinity.
The Chilean advance was made in skirmish order.
the hill was gained here neither halt delay
Although the taking of the hill had formed no part
OF the plan of attack it was impossible restrain
the men, and the assault urged with en-
thusasm that could not fail to carry the day. About
half way to the crest the Bolvians made last
stand and here the fight was hot for short quarter
OF an hour, but just as it seemed though the
vance was checked the fire OF the de-
tenders suddenly ceased and the soldiers.
An incident characteristic of the Eolivians
occurred at this point. Three Of their men
scrambling up the hull, when, shell bursting over
their heads, one fell back wounded His companions
underworld for time to assist him. but finding it
impossible to help him to the top of the soldiers
deliberately aimed his gun and blew out the brains
of the wounded man. Despite the hot fire OF the
Chileans not one Bolivian was taken prisoner and
not of the wounded survived the fght. Further
more, though the bayonet was not used during the
action many OF the dead were found on the
We have learned since the action that the
of the sudden cessation of firing by the Bolivians
was the giving out of their ammunition tho reserve
being located ten miles inland. The Chilean
loss about one hundred and forty dead and
wounded. The Bolivian loss will never be known,
as the dead tossed, uncounted, into large
trenches. From the beginning to the end of tho
engagement there were but 1000 Chileans landed;
and despite the very efficient aid of the guns Of the
feet is greatly to their credit that they drove
equal force up the steep hill that overooks the
LANDING THE TROOPS.
No were the heights secured than the
tive Decentralization of the expeditionary army
cavalry thirty Krupp steel field guns and six Cat
lings were safely landed The Chlleans have every
reason to feel proud Of this exploit. The troops
thus placed upon Peruvian soil are of fine physique
and amply provided with arms and accoutrements.
for clothing. the creases not yet out of the
seams. the shoes were worn for the first time, ana
in this instance 1t was true that not CATER
button wanting. The commissariat was well
supplied, and the only want felt the lack
OF potable water Upon the morning OF tho
4th inst. some wells upon the pampas were captured
and the fears OF water famine dispeled. The plan
OF the campaign now undertab en- is, first the
QUESTION of the Pisagua Railroad ana the capture
or Tarapaca. From Tarapaca across country to tho
line OF the Iquique road is twentyseven miles.
and at the head OF tho Iquique road is the station
called Pozo Alnionte or the "Well Of Almonte."
From this well pool is now drawn the greater
part OF the water supply of Iquique by means of
four inch pipes. II this supply can be cut of and
ut the time dstillng at Iquique stopped by
threats Of bombardment the city must fall through
q water famine.
THE PERUVIAN FORCES.
The Peruvian forces immediately available COM
prise eight thousand that have already left
Iquique tor Pozo Almonte, and 5000 more OF Boliv
ians and Peruvians that now marching from
africa. should the Chileans succeed in preventing
junction OF these armies their numerical superiority
preponderance of artillery will give them
mense advantage in the attack. The country be-
tween Tarapaca and Pozo Almonte is wilderness of
sand hills and ravnes and the Peruvians claim that
the Chilean army will be lost III its deserts. From
Pozo Almonte to Iquique is sandy pampa, and
offers tine field for battle. The Chileans expect
further reinforcement of cavalry and doubtless be-
fore q decisive engagement occurs every available
man will be in the field. The Peruvians. shut
OFT from transport. must march their forces
overland and. taken unawares they have been, any
considerable increase i'll their numbers is not to be
looked for. should the Peruvians succeed IN check
ing the enemy in the mountain defiles the campaign
may yet be favorable to them; but once the open
plain is gained the superior discipline. better
ganizaton and greater determination Of the Cheans
u sure prevail.