Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-09-14
MASSACRE oF SAN cHRIsToBAL


"The Bioediest Picture in the Book of Time, p
as Described by an Eyewitness.
On the evening of January IA, 1881,
the Gillian army had succeeded in ad-
yancing from the camp at Lurin to a
line in front Of Lima, which embraced,
from Chorillos on the left to San Chris
tobal on the right, distance Of six
miles. The intrepid Colonel Patricio
Lynch, of the Chilian center grand
division, had conceived the idea of as
saulting the almost inaccessible heights
of San Christobal, on which were
mounted some four heavy rifed canon
at such an altitude that they could be
made to sweep the horizon at distance
Of four miles over an area Of sixty de-
grees. This, then, was the grand point
of attack. The Dictator Pierola had
held the center of his lines as the key
point, and in consonance with his
many errors of Judgment left his fianks
unprotected.
The Chilian army had been promised
the loot Of the city in case Of sue
cess, and as their plan Of action on
all other occasions was indiscriminate
murder, the Peruyians hoped for little
from them. What there was Of bravery
in the Peruvians was at fever heat.
Even the priesthood came out in force,
and by their counsel and advice sought
to raise up the dropping spirits of the
weaker ones in the trenches. All
through that night, in the heavy and
deathly Peruvian dew, could be heard
the sonorous Domnials coliseum of the
priests as they went from point to point
to pray with and encourage the men.
Afar off and for miles out on the plain
below could be seen the Chilian forces
at their fires, their ribald shouts and
songs floating back on the still air, a
strange contrast to the holy efforts of
the besieged forces on the hill.
A great number of women and
children had sought protection on the
hill, fearing the capture Of Lima, and
knowing the fate which awaited them
in that event. Their pitiable plight
would touch the heart Of Cromwell.
Patrician ladies who had been nur-
tured in ease and afiuence, were shar-
ing their hastily-eaught coverings with
the poor Creole and Indian, mutual
danger breaking down the barrier of
caste, which in that country is very
strong. Such food as could be OBJ
tanned was distributed, and hunger
forced the rich and poor alike to eat.
All through the night alternating
hope and fear possessed the men and
would reflect themselves upon the help
less women and children, who would
pour out such touching prayers to
Mary" that the onlooker involun-
tarily dotted his cap and knelt in rever-
ent attitude to assist in the prayer. A
beautiful sight was the heroic conduct
of the sisters Of charity. These good
women moved about among all, with
out fear, and did more good by their
cool action than all the pronunciamentos
promulgated by Pierola.
Thus the night wore on, and it will
forever live in the memories of the sur
viving participants as a night of horror
and misery.
At 4:30 in the morning the bugles of
the Gillian army sounded I" boots and
saddles" !" and instantly the plains below
were in commotion. Bodies Of troops,
horse and foot, could be seen taking
position for action. The final hour had
come, and with a tremulous lip the
Peruvian commander, Montoro Con the
hill), saw the fearful odds he had to
combat.
The Chilian General Lynch advanced
on the center and attacked the troops
under Dictator Pierola. A short, sharp
and deadly struggle ensued, in which a
heavy loss was sustained by the Chilli
ans-and lol the Chilian line falls
back. This is witnessed with breath
less interest from the hill, and as soon
as the Chilian line could be seen in re-
treat the whole garrison, including
women and children, knelt in prayer
for their deliyerance. A revulsion of
the feeling of fear came over all, and
they shouted in glee. 1t was short
lived Joy, however, as in ten minutes
the Chilians reformed under cover Of
artillery and again came to the assault.
The Peruvian forces were over conf
dent, and ere they knew the movement
of Lynch were broken in the center
and driven back full mile into their
intrenchments. This move left the
flank of the hill uncovered, and more
open to attack. Joining both wings Of
the army together, General Lynch
moved to attack the heights. The
large guns were trained on him, but
alas for the lack Of skill on the part Of
the Peruyians, the guns overshot the
enemy.
The Chilians advanced and easily
drove or killed the small force at the
approaches to the ascent. Up these ap-
proaehes the Chilians flew in "column
Of twos' until they reached the barri-
cade. Here they were met by mur-