National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-10
THE PERU-CHILIAN WAR.
Some Further Details of the Late
Engagement.
Two Reports of the Affair-Doth Show n So
we're Gillian Revcrse-Thc Finest Regl-
ment Cut to Pieces Iron. Ciads
Badly Damaged-Captain OF
the Huascar Killed-At-
tack on the Islands.
The ChIllnn disaster n, Moouegus.

Tho Chllian Disaster nt Moquegus.
PANAMA March 31.-The latest information
concerning affairs at the scat of the Peru.
Chilian war Is made up from unofficial and
unauthcntic sources. They relate chiefly to
a reverse suffered by the Chilians at or noar
Moqucgua. Thoro are two reports concerning
the affair. Ono is that tho Peruvian forces,
numbering about $500 men, under tho com.
mand Of COloncls Cacercs aud Layseca, aud
the project of Arequpa, surprised the camp of
the first division Of tho Chlian army In Mo-
qucgua and after cutting ono regiment TO
picces-"tho Santiago No. / :" the flower of tho
Gillian srmy-drove the other regiments out
Of the town upon their main body,
which was encampcd few miles fur
thor down the valley. The other report ia
that Mr.. Sotomayor, the Chilian Minister Of
War, learning that the Arcquipa force, under
command of Colonel CAceres, which was on
route TO reinforce Montcro at africa, had eff
fected junction with Colonel Llyseca s
command ut a point known as Los Angeles,
resolved to attack them. With four regiments
OF infantry-thc Santiago, BUN, Valparaiso
and Acoucagua-One battery (mountain) and
squadron of cavalry he marched to the at
tack, 1t is said, under cover of tho night In-
stead Of surprising the Peruvians, lie was
himself led into an ambuscado, where his
finest regiment was completely decimated.
Only sixty-seven men are reported as hav-
ing escaped out of an effective force
of 1899 men. The total loss re-
ported is 300 Chiians killed besides wounded
aud prisoners. Ten thousand more troops
hayo been ordered from Valparaiso, and tho
situation is becoming critical as well as iuter-
esting.
THE GILLIAN IRoNcLADs.
The Panama star and He,UlFs Lima dispatch
OF March II SAYS "rhe lluascar and Magal-
lanes suffered more in the affair of the 9th
Of February than WAS at first reported. The
lIuascar lost about twenty-five men killed
and wounded among the former her captain,
Don Manuel Thompson, aud two other officers
of lower rank. She was struck by the shot
from the forts and the Nance Capac ten or
twelve times her mizzen mast carried away
and several shots hulling her. Tho Magnl-
lanes kept further out Of the way
and escaped serious injury. Tho An
Armstrong gun stood on ut long rauge, G,000
metres, aud bombarded the town, knocking
down. it is sta ted, good many houses, and
killing several women and children who
could not get out of the way. No notice was
| given beforehand of their intention 10 shell
| the port, but anticipating such proceeding,
Montero had his men posted on the surround
| ing hills. The Huascar received most of her
| injuries whilst approaching the Peruvian
Monitor, evidently with desire of raminng,
but percciving that torpeno launch was in
readiness alongside the Nance Capac thought
ing several solid compliments from the Mont
tor. Thompson's remains were sent down
| to AntofaGasta, and buried in state. lie bore
the reputation of an excellent officer, although
somewhat impotuou4 aud imprudent.
ATTACK on THE GUANo ISLANDS.
"On the northern coast matters have been
somewhat animated. The Mateas Cousiuoan
the AmaZpnas put in an appearance at tho
| Iobos Guano islands, and Immediately pro-
/ l.,I all ha linn, ms
launches and lighters to be found in that
place. Not content with this piece of vandal-
| ism, men were discmbarkod and allowed TO
| plumber tho extensive stores Of tho loading
company, which, by the way, Is AN English en-
terprise. small steamer, belonging to this
same company, excited the disple0sure of the
Chiians. and orders were given to scuttie
her, but ou the strong rcmonstrNnce of her
captain the order was ruscndcd ms 1t WAS
clearly proven that the steamer afforded tho
ouly means of transportation to the main land
Some fifteen or twenty vessels taking in car
goes were Obliged to suspend loading. Tho
Chilians carried off the Governor of
the island Colonel Alaysca, the harbor
master and the few sailors and soldiers at tho
place. The two ships then proceeded to Eten,
Il little town on the adjacent coast, and with
out word of warning opened fire upon it,
| throwing five shells into the town itself and
| two shots directed against the railway wharf.
! Fortunately no one was injured at Etcn. Not
evon a cannon was in its possession. No troops
were landed there either, and although from
Chiclayo the prefect got some men under arms.
! they only arrived in time to see tho Chiliuns'
departure, after perpe,rating the most afro
| cious and wauton harbarilics. The only avail
able war vessel now belonging to Peru is oil on
most important expedition TO tho South.
Their subsequent movements were unknown
save that they appeared IN Pimentsl for few
moments aud then disappeared"