The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-09
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RATTLE SAF hi NJ sES.
Tia Peruvian Waterloo and the Fail OF
Emma.

The first engagement commenced on the
morning of Jan. Is, at 4 o'clock. That morn
ing the Chillians, concealed by q heavy fog,
advanced in three lines upon the Peruvians'
position. Their approach to the latter was
unobeerved until the second CHILEAN line was
within four hundred meters Of their enemy
and their first line was engaged in a hand-to-
hand combat, which was continued two
hours. The Peruvian centre and right wing
having been beaten, and the left wing having
retired to Moro of Chorlilos, the fight was
maintained until 4 P. NJ. This force was
outf1anked, and then compelled to retire on
| Mlrafores, in order to do which il had to cut
it's way through the CHILEAN thanking force,
which was accomplished with the loss Of
many prisoners, among whom was the min
lister of war himself. A day or two after, at
Mira1ores, the remnant of the Peruvian left
wing united with six thousand Of the reserve,
composed Of the young men OF Lima, and
here resisted the CHILEAN advance, firing from
their redoubts and breastWorks, and intlct-
ing great losses on their assailants. The
fight lasted from 2 ?. N. to 7P. NJ, the
hour st which the Chillians entered the town,
which as in the case Of Chorillos and Bar
rance, taken on the 18th, they reduced to
ashes. The losses in killed and wounded in
the TWO battles are estimated at 5000 Peru
VANS and 1000 Chillians. The Peruvian
loss in artillery, arms and war material was
immense, and left the army Of the centre
without the means of carrying on the war
The Chillians entered Lima on the 18th
without resistance, and established . local
government with MIR. Goodal, the former
CHILEAN minister in Ecuador, as project Of
Lima. The capital is reported as quiet and
orderly.
The Chinese quarter in Lima was burned
BY the populace u Jan. 10, On account, it is
claimed, that the Chinese are enemies Of the
country.
Pierola, commander in chief and president
of Peru, could do nothing to Withstand the
effect of the surprise Of the 18th or the
slaughter Of the 18th. He fed with his es-
cort to the interior. Before his departure he
gave orders that if any Peruvian officers in
command of ships desired to save them by
fliget, trusting to their superior speed, they
were privileged to do so. None made the at
tempt, and on the surrender Of Lima and Cal
lao the forts, batteries, and ships were blown
up or burned. Several forts were blown up,
with considerable loss, it is said, to the inva-
ders, but there was not the slightest evidence
that the city was So generally mined as the
Peruyians claimed.
Gen. Lacosera, commander Of the Peru
Wan reserve, is accused of treason, coWardice
and all sorts of crimes, and was forced to
take refuge in the British legation. He went
to Guavaqui BY Santiago, and on the way
suffered many %indignities at the hand Of the
~populace at various ports, and from Peruvian
passengers on board.
The army Of the centre, the finest Peru
ever put in the field, has been completely
beaten, demoralized, and practically wiped
out of existence.
Montero was appointed by Pierola, in his
flight, commander Of the army Of the north,
and Solar Of the south. The army Of the
north consists Of 8 number Of scattered bat
%talions, without means Of mobilization, and
having neither headquarters nor organization.
The army of the south with headquarters at
Arequipa, numbers less than ten thousand
men, and any operations from that quarter
against Tacna and africa are said to be i'm
possible. Chillian forces in considerable
still hold those points.
Tha crave ar CARLYLE.