The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-09-15
PEACE RESTORED.
The official Gazette of Panama An
nounces the Rebels SubJection.
Details of the Disastrous Battle of
Canta.

PANAMA, Sept. 14.-An extra number of
the Official Gazette has been published by
order Of Gen. Montoya announcing the com
plete subsection of the rebels and restoration
of peace throughout the Republic.
Latest advices from Lima give the details
q q the battle OF Canta on the 10Th ult. On
the morning of that day the government
troops occupying the town of Canta, 60 miles
from Lima were surprised by division of
Gen. Caceres' army, and after sharp action
Of several hours were forced to fly in disor-
der. The government troops Included $50
the crack corps of the Peruvian army with
one gatling gun, 80 cavalry men and fifty
mounted gendarmeS under Col. Pachas, the
whole t, force being commanded by Col. Torres
OF Calamarca Canta had been occupied
for several days, the Monteneros or irregu-
lar revolutionary forces retiring on the ap-
prOach of this detachment. On Friday eve
ming. news arrived of the approximation of
considerable division of the.enemy. A coun-
Gil of war was held and it was decided to
hold the position and defend It. On Satur-
day at a. m. the hills enclosing Canta were
occupied by the enemy apparently 1900 or
1000 strong and with about 100 cavalry. The
latter were stationed at the outlets of the
valley leading toward the coast and to the
interior so that from the first the government
forces were effectually corralled. Col Tor
res had placed his men in the barracks situa-
ted in the principal square of the town and
mounted machine gun on one of the towers.
Caceres' artillery--four small field pieces,
motive axles, opened fresfrom thelhill at Huag
Chullani at half past seven, and in few
moments the fire became general The enc
my then descended the hills and attempted
to enter the town, but were repeatedly driv-
en- back. For two hours the positions of the
combatants were unaltered the fire being at
times very heavy At midday the defenders
OF the place began to slacken their fire, as
their ammunition was becoming rapidly lex
hansted, and for an hour they received with
out reply the volleys of the attacking par
.sPerceiying this the revolutionists brought
down their guns from the heights seeking to
open at short range against the barracks. But
the remaining resources of the defenders
were called upon and the artillery was fore
ed to retire.
AT o'clock the bugles of "Cajamarca''
called all of the troops to the plaza where
they were formed and desperate attempt
was made to drive the rebels from the town
which they had then entered at the point of
the bayonet. This failed and then their de-
feat was accomplished The fight was hand
to-hand in the streets; no quarters was Civ
en- and the most dreadful scenes of carnage
occurred Houses where some of the defeat
ed soldiers had taken refuge were broken
into and all found within were murdered
without distinction of age, sex or character,
and then were burned. A few of the most
determined of the government cavalrymen
headed by Col. Paches, cut their way through
their opponents and made good their escape.
The machine gun had been dismantled and
thrown into the river before the enemy could
reach it. Col Torres escaped early in the ac-
ton. Of 800 or 800 men engaged on the gov
ernment side, probably 200 escaped by flying
to the mountains or following Paches. The
Cacerists were commanded by Col. Morales
Bermudez, and it is stated that Caceres with
his staff arrived at Canta the day after the
battle. The losses of the revolutionary forces
are not known. Nothing positive is known
regarding the present where abouts of