The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-15
A BLOODY BATTLE,
By A BIG MAssAcRE
OF the Peruvian Troop, Who yaliantly
Held Out Against The Odds of the at.
taskinE Rebel Force = Soldiers
Slaughtered ard Then Burned.

PANAMA, Sept. 1.-THE latest advicea
from ina give details OF a battle at Canta
on the 10 ult. On the morning Of the day
detachment Of Government troops occu
pying the town Of Canta, 90 miles from
Lima, in the valley running parallel to
that Of the Reinsc, was surprised by the
advance OF Gen. Cacercss' army, and alter
sharp action OF several hours was forced
to ay In disorder. Government troops
operating against Canta were 800 men of
theline, With one gatlinggun, so cayalrymen
and ftty mounted gendarmes, the whole
force being commanded by Col. Torres.
Canta has been occupied for several days,
the Montrose, or Irregular revolutionary
forces, retiring on the spproach OF this
detachment. On Friday evening news
arrived Of the approach Of 8 considerable
division OF the enemy, and upon Col.
Bustamente's advice It was decided to de-
fend the town. On Saturday at A. N.
the hills around Cants were occupied by
the enemy, apparently 1900 or 1000
strong, and with about 200 cavalry.
hEAAkb lNs
The latter we're stationed at the outlets
OF the valley leading toward the coast and
the interior, SO that at first the Govern
ment forces were efect1ally corralled.
Colonel Torres had placed his men in the
barracks, situated in the principal square
OF the town, having also small outlying
squads behind soms OF the walls in the
suburbs. Cacerces artillery, four small
Geld pieces, opened fire from the hill at
HuaychuIlani at half past o'clock, and
in q few moments the firing became
general. The enemy descended the hills
and attempted to enter the town, but were
repeatedly driven back. For two hours
the positions OF the combatants were uL-
altered, the firing all the time being very
heavy. at noon the defenders Of peace
began 10 siacken their fire, for their am
munition was rapidly becoming exhausted,
and for an hour they received without re-
ply the volleys Of the attacking party.
FEARRuL CARNAGE.
At 2 o'clock desperate attempt was
made to drive the rebels from town, which
they had then entered at the point Of the
bayonst This failed and then defeat was
accomplished. The fight was hand to
hand in the streets, no quarter being given,
and the most dreadful scenes OF carnage
occurred. Houses, where soma OF the de-
ieated soldiers had taken refuge, were
broken open and all found within muir
dared without distinction OF age, sex or
character, and then were burned. A few
of the most determined OF the government
cavslrynen, headed by Col. PachaS, cut
through their opponents and made their
escape.
Col. Bustamente, to whose counsel the
defeat vas due, seeing that all was lost
blew out his brains on the deld OF action.
Col. Torres escaped early in the fight aud
the Government has named another Off.
Ger to command the decimated Govern.
ment forces. OF the 500 or 800 men on
the Government side, probably 200 es-
capped by flying to the mountains or fol.
lowing PschaE. Very few prisoners were
taken, for as has been stated no quar- ter
WAS given.