The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-15
A Sanguinary Engagement in the Little Town
of Canta, in Which the Government
Soldiers Are Badly Defeated.
Men, Women and Children MassacreG
and the Corpses Consumed by Fire.
England's New Registration Law, and What
Is Expected from Its observation-disclosures
Decreasing in Spain-Cable Notes.
ANOTHER BATTLE IN PERU.

A Fierce and Stubborn Contest Between the
Forces of Caceres and the Government.
| PANAMA, Sept 4.-The latest advices from
Lima give details OF. a battle at Canta, on the
18th ult On the morning of that day detach-
ment of government troops occupying the town
of Canta, sixty miles from Lima, in the valley
running parallel with that Of the Rimac, was
surprised by division of General Caceres's
army, and after sharp engagement Of several
hours, was forced to fly in disorder. The gov
eminent troops operating at Canta numbered
$50 men of the line, with one Calling gun, fifty
cavalrymen, and fifty mounted gems darmes,
the whole force being commanded by Colonel
Torres. Canta had been occupied for several days.
the Monteneros, or irregular revolutionary forces
retiring on tie approach Of this detachment
On Friday news arrived of the approach of
considerable division of the enemy and upon
the advice of Colonel Bustamente.it was decided
to defend the town. On Saturday, at 7 A. NJ. the
Hills inclosing Canta were occupied by the
enemy, apparently 1900 or 1000 strong and
with about 200 cavalry. The latter were sta.
toned at the outlets of the valley leading toward
the coast and to the interior, so that from the
first the government forces were effectually
raled Colonel Torres had placed his men in
the barracks, situated in the principal square of
the town, having also small outlying squads be.
hind some of the walls IN the suburbs. Caceres's
artillery, four small field pieces opened
fire from the hills of Huy Achullani
at 7:30, and in a few minutes the firing
became general. The enemy descended the hills,
and attempted to enter the town, but were re-
peatedly driven back. For two hours the posi-
tons of the combatants were unaltered. At
midnight the defenders of the place began to
slacken their fire, for their ammunition was rap
idly becoming exhausted, and for an hour they
received without reply The volleys of the attack
ing party. AT o'clock desperate attempt was
made to driyo the rebels from the town, which
they had then entered. at the point of the bayo-
net. This failed and then the defeat was &C.
complished. The fight was hand to hand in the
streets, no quarter being given, and the most
dreadful scenes of carnage occurred Houses
where some of the defeated soldiers had
taken refuge were broken open and ali
found within murdered without distinction of
age, sex or character, and then the buildings and
corpses were burned. few of the most de-
termined of the government cavalrymen, headed
by Colonel Ponchas cut their way through their
opponents and made good their escape. Col.
Bustamente to whose counsel the defeat was
DUE seeing that all WAS lost, blew his brains out
on the field of action. Colonel Torres escaped
early in the fight and the government has
named another officer to command the decmated
"Cajamarca." OF the 500 or 600 men engaged
on the government side probably 200 escaped by
flying to the mountains, and they are still COM
ing in in parties of two and three Very few
prisoners were taken. The Cacerists were COM
manded by Colonel Bermudes and it is stated
that Caceres, with his staff, arrived
at Canta the day after the battle
The losses to the revolutionary forces
are not known. From the fact that the Gaia
marica battalion was decidedly the finest in the
service, the partisans of Carceres here are jubi-
liant over his success.
The 1000 soldiers in garrison at Lima are not
at all affected by the reverse, and their officers
are confident of their loyalty in of an attack
on the city. Energetic precautionary measures
are being taken the church towers are occupied
at night by strong detachments of rifemen
and the project has issued notice Offering
reward Of from fifty to one thousand silver soles
to any one who may denounce the existence OF
conspiracies or aid the police in their efforts.
The government forces have been withdrawn
from Chosoica, and are now stationed at Santa
Clara. Nothing positive is known regarding the
whereabouts of Caceres