The New York herald., 1879-08-07
THE HUAscARs DASH AMID THE CHILEAN
FLEET--MoCKING THE BLocKADERs.

FLEET--MoCKING THE BLocKADERs
IouIQug. July 10. 1879.
The Huascar has again distinguished herself. The
Chilean fleet has for the last two nights retired
siderable distance from this port Last night at
A. NJ. Captain Grau brought his handy little vessel
right into the bay, drew near to the railway mole
and then steamed to the island. after which
he sent boat on shore with Sehor Oloya. the
second i'll command of the Huascar. This gen
tleman after seeing the authorities here
embarked and the ram sailed ont in westerly
direction At three A. NJ. the echoes were awoke
by the sound Of cannon shots. aud fifteen reports
were counted. The Huascar had run in among the
Chilean vessels-the Almirande Cochrane. Magallanss
and Abtas--and was exchanging shots with them
The last heard was at four A. NJ At daylight the
Huascar was not to be seen. and the others d-
vided at great distances from another. At the
moment writing teght A. NJ they seem to
have agreed upon line OF conduct and got over
their surprise. for they left in a northwestern
direction and despatched the transport Matias
Cousifo to the south. Verify the blockade of this
port by the Chilean fleet appears farce. for the
Huascar, in her only two journeys hither, has
Knocked it..
PLUcKY PERUVIAN GUNBoAT.
Beyond this the present week has been duller
than the previous. The prospects of termination
to this conflict less sanguine All sorts Of rumors
are rife telling of wonderful and glorious deeds on
both Sides but unfortunately they lack the all-im-
portant element. truth! We however believe that
the following news just to hand may be received
with safety. and which is that the Peruvian
gunboat Pilcomayo had succeeded in passing
the Chilean squadron and reached Tocapilla. Bo-
livian port recently captured by the Chileans and
while there in the act of destroying the launches
and had already succeeded in sinking fourteen and
small schooner-was surprised by the Blanco Euca-
lado and Chacabuco. which Immediately gave
chase and pursued her for twenty hours;
but she being so much faster escaped,
and this morning arrived in africa, where
she is safe under the heavy guns of that fortress.
Later in the day the Chilean iron-clad seen off
the port but evidently too wise to enter and when
last steering south. Beyond this there
has beed authentic news Of further movements
of the Peruvian feet; but we sincerely hope a de-
cisive step will very sooD be taken.
THE CHILEAN FLEET.
The Chilean fleet has been little active dur
ing the past few days. III the early part OF the week
the iron clad Amrande Cochrane and the transport
Matias Consilo again honored the port Of Pisagua
with their presence. and after steaming about the
bay for q short time wound up the proceedings by
stealing long boat belonging to the North Ameri-
can ship Mary A. GreenwOod. and steamed away
lones del Peru, and there treated the in
nabitsnts and the garrison OF Ave SOL
uonade, but the object cannot even
be guessed ut, this unfortunate little town was
reduced to ashes by the Chleans some time ago, and
quite helpless and defenceless. Pabellon de Plea
has also been visited by the Almirande Cochrane and
the Magallanes. and there the damage was more Sc
rious. Is the water condensng mach ne was partly
destroyed together with several private houses and
one man killed and four wounded No reason can
he given for this all work has been parayzed ut
the guano deposits since the time Of the
of the platforms and launches belonging to the load
ing company, which act 10 being discussed in
diplomatic circles as being illegal. as, it is alleged.
this was neutral property. The Almirande Cochrane
Esmerslda sank. and divers have been busily
ployed trying to some of the effects, but
with what success we cannot ascertain
THE SQUADRON BEFORE iQCIQUE.
On Wednesday we could perceive no movement of
the squadron until about five clock in the afternoon
when the Blanco Encalads and the corvette Chuca-
buco steamed in. From this hour throughout the
evening the passage OF boats from TO
another and the hurrying to and fro of a steam
launch announced the probability of something new
Tie Banco Encalada slowly steamed south to
Male, nine miles. and the Chucaonco took
up position midway between her and
the remainder Of the squadron. At eleven o'clock,
while quietly discussing light supper and the
denly called to the fact that rapidly being
left alone. All the military were quickly and quietly
IDENTIFY something in tho wind we decided to fol-
low and proceeded to the wharf and there we were
ao S the s, Ss
were scaming slowly up and down, in and
out. which by the clear bright light OF
the moon reelected by the beautiful blush green of
the placid waters was most beautiful sight, but
under the circumstances we should prefer 1t on
va to the reality The iron lad and corvette still
remained south. We were now able to learn the
cause of the sudden disappearance OF the officers
from the club which was caused by a r,lmor that
the Chilean troops were being disembarked from
transports and that the Blanco Encaada and Chuca-
buco were doing seminal duty to avoid surprise.
MYSTERIOUS NfaHr MOVEMENT
Here n solitary soldier mounted M ue horse
back riding swiftly from the various quarters OF the
that energetic measures rapidly being takcp in
case of xn emergency. The streets were quite de.
serted. but sentries posted at every four hundred
being provided for. We also visited some of the
principal outposts and were much pleased at seeing
the wstchfulncss. silence and discipline main
tanned throughout. force received orders TO inn
medately march south and reconnoitre: and mules
by magic T from all directions. Great ansety pre-.
vailed until the return of this party on the following
morning when we were pratihei to hear that no
landing or attempted landing had taken placeso
that the mysterious maneuvros of the previous
night is unaccountabe except 1t be their fear of tor
pedoes, = doubt the news of such preparations
being already far advanced has by this time come
to the knowledge of Admiral William keballedo.
FETCHING FOR PERU.
The most sound and profitable investment ever
made by the Peruvian government was, in our
humble opinion made some years ago by the pur
chase OF the transport Chalaco. and one Of the
cent appointments favored with discretion is that of
her commander, Captain vilaircencio. who mas on
more than occasion during the present conflict
proved himself to be the right man in the right
place. and has successfully accomplished all the dei-
cate missions intrusted to his charge. Only lately
he made voyage to Panama and brought a
most valuable cargo of arms and munitions safely
to Callao and on the 9th inst we were further graf
ifed in hearing he had run another trip from africa
to Pisagua with division of Bolivian troops num-
berina 800 and landed them almost under the noee
of the chilean Admiral, william Rebaedo We sim
cerey hope tho same good fortune will favor him
throughout and that when peace IL restored his gov
ernment will reward so mcrtorious an oficer.
rfiE CAMP MoiLE.
few mornings since visited the above named
encampment. which is situated on a hill directly
above the sma nitrate port of Mollc. close to the
station which also that name. and is the first
on the Iuuique and La Nors Railroad-disiance nine
miles from this port Immense wooden sheds
have been erected for the encampment.
Each huge wooden structure contains two
thousand troops the total force OF the camp being
between four and i've thousand. and which includes
the battaions "Ayacucho," "Arequipa, "Dos lie
Mayo" 'Zepita" and brigade of field artillery.
The site is we'll chosen being on the upper pampa
or PLAIN, sweeping the for many miles round.
The type most worthy of remark in tho scene at the
camp is the ''rrbond," Peruvian soldiers
vile and slave. This class OF women is gem
orally very short and squat in ngure; with