The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-18
A PRIEST IN BATTLE,
An Incident OF the War Between Peru and
Chilli.

Chill.
Letter in Pittsburg Dispatch.
All the treasure of the country even TO the
jewels of the churches had been confscated to
purchase arms and Don Nicholas De Peirola
had assumed the dictatorship of the country, in
the absence of the legitimate president. Every
thing was conferred in and around Lima, and the
country must stand or fall by the fate Of that
city. Flushed with victory. the semi barbarian
hordes of CHILEAN soldiery swept onward toward
Lima confident of compelling their enemy to
beg for quarter, which they were not inclined to
give.
Within the Peruvian lines for the few weeks
previous to the final onslaught many pitiabls
and touching sights were visible. The people
were reduced to starvation as their currency
was almost worthless, and every refugee in the
country had conferred there for protection. The
clergymen were ndefatigable in urging every
body into the trenches and worked among them
with pick and shovel to build rifle pits and
breastworks all around the city. Every man
knew that capture meant death, and he worked
the harder to build earthworks. Prominent
among the defenders of the center of the lines
was priest known as fighting FIR. Peter, or
the giant priest This man did not know what
fear was Night and day. in all parts of the
city and surroundings he was omnipresent, and
gave his small modcum of food to others in
order that they mil ht work the harder
When the day of the attack arrived. FIR Peter
was in the trenches carrying a crucifx as his
only weapon, and stationed where he could
BODY of the enemy. He went from gun to gun,
cheering some and praying with others until tho
bugles announced the approach of the Chilians.
He jumped lightly to the top of the works and
conjured the men for Gods sake and their cOun-
try to stand fast, and then took his place among
them The Chiiians opened murderous fire,
and as they were scattered much in advancing
the Peruvian guns could not harm them much.
while their concentrated fire was deadly in the
extreme
On came the hoardes of Chilians column after
column debouching from behind the hills, and
swelling the attacking party to an army of sixty
thousand men, all in the space of one square,
mile, and all heading for the key of the position
where FIR. Peter stood. The men were fast.
falling about him, and their fire was Intellectual
on the advancing euemy, who drew nearer
slowly and in solid column, closing up when a
rent occurred, and showing bold front. Fri
Peters eye was always on a fair-haired and
handsome youth who commanded detachment
of guns in the center. This youth was his
youngest brother, and he had taken up arms as q
profession. The young man worked his guns
on, until finally he fell pierced through the head
with bullet. Then the quiet and sanity
priest turned into a demon. He ran to the
body, and, finding it lifeless he covered it with
over the breastworks, and, yelling to the men
to follow him. headed straight for the
advancing enemy. They saw him coming and
checked their advance. He was alone, and his
clerical robe was streaming in the wind, proof
of his identity Yet these men deliberately
aimed at his heart and more than fifty of the
thousand bullets fired struck the priest and in
stanty killed him. To further prove their cruels
nature, when they came up to where he Laid.
they speared the lifeless body through and
through, and yelled in demoniacal delight at the
deed 1t seemed as if special providence had
interviewed to punish them for their act, for this
part of the column We're moved down few
moments after, leaving not one of the murderers
of the priest alive.