Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-09-05
THE WARM SOUTH AMERICA.
Some of the Latest Exploits OF the PEI
ruyian Navy,

Gillian arms:
The gunboat Pilcomargo arrived yes.
terday from Africa, bringing some very
interesting intelligence from the seat OF
war, and at the same time tangible
proofs of the exploits of the Union and
Huascar in the form of some twenty
Two Cnlian officers belonging to the
cavalry regiment Yungay," captured
by the Peruvian vessels on the armed
transport Rimac, recently bought by
the government OF Chill.
Immediately after the bombardment
Of Iquique, Gen. Prado sent out the
Union and Huascar on an important
expedition along the Gillian coast, but
under sealed orders. These vessels
have made most satisfactory voyage
The Chilian ports of Caldera, Carrizal,
Chafiaral, and Pan de Azucar have been
visited. Three Gillian merchantmen
loaded with coal and copper have been
captured, and the valuable transport
Rimac has also fallen into the hands of
Peru. The Rimac was richly freighted
Beside the cavalry regiment, number
ing about two hundred and forty men.
there were found on board two hundred
and fifteen horses, three hundred Co
lombian rifles, with an abundance Of
cartridges, large stores of clothing, for
the troops stationed at Autofogasta;
four hundred tons Of excellent English
steam coal for the use of the CHILEAN
squadron, and - great quantity of food
and munitions of war. The vessel
itself cost the Gillian navy, but few
weeks ago, the very respectable sum Of
100000. The Rimac was commanded
by Capt. Ignacio Cana, of the Gillian
navy, and armed with four thirty-two-
FOUNDERS.
When the Union first sighted her,
the Rimac was steaming at full speed,
her best rate being about thirteen
knots, but the superior rapidity of the
Union, now IN capital order, soon
brought the chase within gunshot, and
u small nine. pound Whitworth gun, in
the bows of the Union, opened fire on
the CHILEAN. The Rimac fired one or
two shots, and then suddenly hoisted a
white flag and stopped her machinery.
Officers were sent on board to take
possession. just then the Huascar
came up, and from the two Peruvian
vessels n prize crew was organized for
the Rimac, and she with her captors,
reached africa on the morning of the
10Th inst. The capture took place of
nolnt known rs Monte lara, short
distance southwark of Autofagosta.
The 9ungay regiment is the crack
corps OF the CHILEAN army commanded
by Gen. Bulnes, n nephew Of the actual
president of Chill, and differed by the
representatives of the leading families
of Santiago.
When captured, the transport was
making the best of her way to Autofo-
gasta, to land the troops. and then
would have proceeded TO Iquique to
deliver the coal and stores for the
CHILEAN squadron, which is still so
protitably and CALAMITY employed in
blockading that port, while the Peru
Wan vessels, greatly inferior in strength
and numbers, are performing real work
north and south. The merchant YES
sells captured, one with seventeen hun
dred tons of coal on board, were sent
up to Calao, and should arrive there
shortly. The Rimac, with her cargo,
is estimated to be worth ut least one
million Of soles, and will prove to be n
useful acquisition for the Peruvans.
She formerly belonged TO the South
American Steamship company.
The Chiiiians nave recently bought
the Amazonas from the p. S. n. com
pany for the sum of $4,000, and are
placing heavy guns on board. 1t is said
that vessel will be sent to the north of
Callao TO intercept the Talisman and
ChalaCO i'll tnelr adventurous voyage to
and from Panama. Possibly, however,
the fate OF the Amazonas may be sim
ture of this last-named vesselone curious
incident was noted, that, during her
flight. the only flag raised was the white
one already mentioned, no distinguish
ing ensign having been shown. The
men were landed Mt africa, and were
sent To Tacna. The officers arrived in
the Pilcomayo will probably have their
quarters assigned IN Tarma or ChauncL-
mayo.
Both officers and men have met with
the most generous and courteous treat
ment Mt the hands of their captors.
They express the opinion that the loss
Of the Rimac will create n most un-
favorable impression in Chill, where
already popular opinion is manifesting
itself decidedly against the authorities
and the mode followed of prosecuting
the war. Far from initiating the Cnilian
plan of procedure, the Huascar and
Union forbore from bombarding the
towns they visited on the Gillian coast,
and ut Caldera, which is tolerably well
fortified, the Union entered alone, and
lay Off ut II convenient distance, inviting
combat. No reply was made, however,
and the garrison even thought proper
to hoist no flag over their batteries. In
these ports all the lighters and boats
were destroyed. The crews taken from
the captured merchantmen were sent
on shore or placed ON board of one of
the mail steamers for Valparaiso. The
next trip the Peruvians make may lead
them somewhat further TO the south
ward.
1t will have become apparent to for
eign readers before this, that all the ac-
tivity, energy and success in this war so
far certainly are on the side of Peru.