The New York herald., 1879-12-18
THE INVASION Or PERU.
Atrocities at the Capture
of Pisagua.
BUENDIA'S M "A RICH
ScandalOuS Scenes in Lima
and CallaO.
LIMA, Nov. l2, 1879

The landing OF the chileans q. Pisagra. where they
met with fierce resistance from the few allies there
posted has at length changed the character OF the
war Emboldened by the capture OF the monitor
Huascar, which has almost entirely freed their
transports danger by berating their ron-clsds
from the wearying duty Of conveying. the Chileans
hurriedly embarked the army they had been
engaged gathering and drilling during six
months past at Antofagasta. and ON the I'd
inst. they their appearance with sixteen
vessels in front of Pisagua. They disembarked
under heavy fire. and after dssultory fight. last
ing nearly seven hours. carried by storm the
three trenches which had been dug the side Of the
hill at the back of the town. and which would prob
ably not have fallen had they been defended by
larger body of troops. The ascent to them is steep
and rocky, and they formed an admirable defence;
but the two three hundred men who had been
detailed to keep them could do nothing. as their
strength became reduced and the Chileans were
pushed in greater numbers. The little town OF
Pisagua is built Oh a soping strip Of sandy ground
lying at the base of semcircle Of hills. the crests
Of which it was absolutely necessary the
chileans should crown if their landing was
10 be effected with any safety from at
tack from the enemy's forces. which might
have been stationed in the pampa which COM
mences directly the top Of the ascent is reached
Once there the Chileans could for miles around
and with assurance that they free from even
the slightest attack from the allies they quietly pro-
ceeded to disembark the whole OF their men. artil-
lery. horses. &C. Including some nine hundred
Bolivians, who only Joined in the engagement when
it had been raging for some hours. 1.2O0 men were
all the allies had present. and only 800 of them
have rejoined the main body it is certain that
400 either fell in battle subsequently killed
by the victors.
LOSSES AND CRUELTIEs
The members OF ambulance corps were also
killed by the Chileans while the women found in
the town were treated with great inhumanity. 1t Is
to be regretted that scenes were enacted which re-
feet the greatest discredit on the men who had
acted with bravery during the day, and which. to
some extent. will palliation for the
prsals which now openly threatened whenever
the allied arms prove victorious. The invaders
said to have lost nearly three hundred killed and
from six hundred to hundred wounded
certainly heavy percentage out Of army Of from
thirteen thousand to fourteen thousand men. and
which is only commencing q campaign which
threatens to be of some duration. The immediate
effect of the loss been the return of number Of
vessels to Chile for the purpose Of bringing up
of the and also the 900 who had been
left in garrison at Antofagasta. The Chilean army
in Peruvian territory will then amount to between
twenty three thousand and twenty-four thousand
men.
GENERAL BURNDIA's PLANS.
In the face of the events which 30 suddenly
occurred Pisagua the immediate concentration Of
the allied army ordered. General Buendia has
left Iquique to defend itself as best it can with
1000 militiamen, and with his regulars has moved
to Poza Almonte, about seventy-two miles from
Pisagua, where he has been joined by two divisions
which had been operating on the Bolivian frontier
under Generals Suarez and Bustamante. To this
force Will be added the command of the
Bolivian General Campero. With 1000 men that
ofncer has reached the vicinity of the
coast after efecting q march of nearly 200
leagues. during which he has trsversed nearly
The whole of Bolivia. All his men Indians of
the Aymara race. natives of the high intercordllers
plateaux and well Injured to hardships of all descrp
tons But journey such as this, effected over the
tops OF some of the highest mountains in the world
and which covered with perpetual snow, through
the verdant valleys which here and there to be
found steep down at their feet, and the salt
and sandy plains which form the skirt well the
heart of the great Atacama desert. is one which
mountaineers. who come to the coast to
participate in struggle in which they
understand. With this addition the command un-
der General Buendia will amount to nearly $4,000
men. and the whole of the troops in the depart
ment of Tarapac will be so punched to act either
on the defensive or offensive. Its action in
sense or the other will be much facilitated by q
movement General Daza is nov carrying out. He is
known as daring though risky leader, who relies
more on the courage Of his mer than military
science or long range cannon.
CHARACTER OF THE FIGHTING.
In revolutionary lighting this plan has always
succeeded when in his hands. and owing to 1t he be-
President of Bolivia. within very few days we
shall learn whether similar tactics will
the Chileans. lie has taken 1000 Of what he consid
ers his best men. mounted them on mules and
communications of the advance Of the Chileacs with
Psagua. Before lie can roach the point he aims at.
situated at seventytwo miles in straight line from
Tacna, he has to cross nearly hundred and fifty
miles OF a tortuous road which il nearly equally
divided between narrow rocky mountain trails and
open plains Of the finest sand, which rises in blind
ing clouds when disturbed by the passing trav
eller. How General Daza's adventure will terminate
no one can foresee but that slaughter will
ensue is certain should he succeed in reach.
ing the Chilean rear guard. Although he has
taken such large number of mules with HIM. II is
expected he will have to abandon them long before
he arrives at the end OF his Journey Want of water
and food and the wear and tear Of hurried jour-
ney will lead to numbers OF them perishing in the
desert. Those remaining. IA is well known. would
be Of no service the moment firing commenced
NAVAL MOVEMENTS
Since the unfortunate loss of the Huascar Peru
Wan vessels, the Pilcomayo and Union wooden COR
a Se,tes as well as the Transports have been kept
SO far have succeeded In Guiding the vigilance
OF the Chilean vessels The Pilcomayo has re-
Gently made trip from africa TO Iquique. passing
the whole OF the enemy's squadron, and landed
some Krupp guns and small ANN untion which
was much required by the troops in the extreme
south This good fortune they expect to enjoy
much longer, unless 1t be that the necessities the
Chilean army on shore prove so great as to REQUIRE
the constant employment in their service OF ali the
light vessels. 1t is rumored the Union has left for
dash and endeavor to blow up the Huascar or nny
other Chilean vessels or property she may come
across. The idea is daring enough to prove
ful. Quito q number OF torpodoes OF different
classes and torpedo boats have been pro-
cured. but up to the present have done nothing to