Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
PERU'S GALLANT STAND.
OYERTHROWN IN TWO BLOODY
BATTLES.
The Victorious Enemy Marching
into Lima The ChIlian flag
Floating Over the Capital.

Float1ng over the Capital
PANAMA, February 5.-The steamer Santa
Rosa, which arrived here to day, brings the
following details Of the recent battles be-
tween the GILLIAN aud Peruvian forces at
Chorillos and Mirafores, near Lima. All
accounts agree that the Gillian attack on
the Peruvian position on the 18th ult. was
= complete surprise:
The attacking force moved forward "a, 900
strong on the afternoon of the 18th ult. and
took up position within sight of their op-
ponents, and almost within range Here
the order of battle was arranged, and final
Instructions for the attack were issued.
In the early dawn OF the 18th ult. the
first Chilian division advanced, and when
within tiVe or six hundred yards Of the Pc
TuVian right wing, it was received with g
murderous fire of musketrY and artillery,
which was Immediately answered by
the Chilians, who fred as well
as they could while still maintaining their
advance.
The fire rapidly extended along the whole
line as the second and third Gillian divis-
ions came into action on the Peruvian left
and centre, and the battle became general
After an hours hard fighting, the first
Chiian division turned the Peruvian right
wing and drove it back on the centre,
while a brigade OF the second division car
rfed, by a brilliant charge, the heights of
San Juan. which were the key to the Peru
Wan position.
The whole Peruvian line thereupon re-
tired, leaving on the field their artillery and
dead and wounded. The Gillian cavalry
took up the pursuit Of the flying columns
and drove them for a distance of two
leagues into the town of Chorillos.
Here an attempt was made to reorgauize
the shattered and dsordered Peruvian divi-
sions which was partially successful, as they
drove back the Gillian cavalry with some
loss.
When intelligence of this was oommuni-
Gated to the Chillan General he ordered
another advance and renewal of the COM
bat. Fighting continued until midday,
when the Chilian divisions succeeded in
surrounding the town Of Chorillos on three
sides, and forced the Peruvisns to retire
on Mirsfores, where, uniting with the re-
serves, they prepared to make last stand
for the defense Of Lima.
The action at Mirshores began at about
three p. IN on the 14yh, and, although well
contested on the part of the Peruvians, was
already forcing conclusion as evening ap-
preached.
The Clilians, charging through the towp,
drove the remuant of its defenders in con-
fusion towards Lima.
The Chiiians acknowledged to have had
2, 500 men placed hOrS dl combat. The first
division bad forty per cent. of its number
either killed or wounded
ENJOYS with a flag Of truce visited the
Chilian camp at Mirafores and begged a
guarantee for the safety of the city of Lima
and at the same time solicited the Chilian
army to occupy 1t i'll such force as to restrain
the lawless within it's limits, who had al
ready commenced their operations by the
sacking and burning of the Chinese quarter
The Chilian commander said if he was al
lowed peaceful entrance into and occupa-
tion OF the city he would be responsible for
the safety OF life and property but If re
sisted by so much as one shot, he could not
trust the temper of his troops In their pres
ent condition, exasperated as they were by
concealed mines, automatic hand grenades,
etc, which had already accomplished the
destruction of many.
On the 18th, Chilian division entered
Lima, and, though an immense throng
lined the streets, it marched amid profound
silence to Santa Cautilana Quartet, where
the Gillian flag was hoisted for the second
time over the Peruvian capital.
1t is admitted by the Chilians that had the
Peruvlsns been commanded by man of
any military ability, their task would have
been difficult and perhaps an impossible
one.
The Peruvisns fought well, but there was
no head to direct the movement of so large
body of men.
Pierola, with a few officers of his shat
tered and disbanded army, is supposed to
be on his way to Arequiba.
When the result of the battle of Chorillos
was known In Lima thousands of the peo-
pie fed In different directions. About 3, ,OG0
took refuge at AncoD, where the neutral
fleet was stationed Many Of them were
without means of subsistence, and as the
stragglcrs from the front began to appear
fears were entertained that the latter would
rob and plunder the refugees.
About two hundred men were sent on
shore from the neutral ships, and patrol
was set around the town night and day.
The siragglers as they came in were dis
armed, and order was strictly maintained
Feod was sent on shore for the needy, aud
for FIVE or six days the protection and sus-
tenapce OF these homeless people was the
duty and care OF the officers and men of the
neutral squadron.
On the peaceful occupation OF Lima
the Cailian Commander in Chief, General
BaqUe3aDe, went to Aeon with a special
train and brought back all who chose to ac-
cept his guarantee for their safety.
Calao has been declared open to com
merce, Chilian oHclal5 being appointed to
custom house positions. Duties are col
lec1ed as usual. Business is being gener-
ally resumed. The Chilian authorities en-
deayored to induce the officers of the Peru
Wan ports to resume their duties, but they
declined.
similar cold refusal was given to an in
tImation from the Chilian commander that
he would be prepared to treat with pro-
visionsl government. and inviting the In
habitants to form such an authority. On
receipt OF the refusal of the latter PROPOSE
tion, the Chilian commander issued prOcl2-
nation declaring the city under martial law,
prescribing death as the penalty for any Chi
lian or Peruvian soldier who should murder,
rob or maltreat residents, and for all found
with arms in their hands who had no au-
tEority to carry such.
Trains between Callao and Lima are run
ming as usual
The foregoing account OF the capture of
Lima is from Gillian source, La Actudli-
dad, Gillian newspaper published in Lima
since the occupation. The paper appears
to have very just tone about it.