Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-09-17
A BLOODY BATTLE.

The Chflian Government Forces De-
feated by the KevoIutlOnists and a
Town Captured.
Panama, Sept. 1.-THE latest advices
from Lima give the details of battle at
Canta on the 18th ult. On the morning
of that day detachment of government
troops occupying the town of Canta
forty miles from Lima, in valley run.
ming parallel to that of Rhimac, was
surprised by division of Gen. Cacers'
army, and after sharp action Of several
hours was forced to ty in disorder. The
government troops operating against
Canta were 800 men OF the line, with one
gatling gun, fifty cavalry men and fifty
mounted gend armes. the whole force
commanded by Col. Torres. Canta had
been occupied for several days by the
Montanetos, or irregular revolutionary
forces, relying on the approach of this
detachment. On Friday evening news
arrived OF the approach of a considerable
division of the enemy, and upon Col.
Bustamente's advance it was decided to
defend the town. On Saturday at Z am.
the hills enclosing Canta were occupied
by the enemy, apparently 1,5G0 or 1000
L
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 effectaaily
corralled. Col. Torres had placed his
men in barracks situated in the principal
square OF the town, having also small
outlayipg squads behind some OF the
walls in the suburbs. Caceres' artillery,
four small tieli pieces, opened fire from
the hills at Huay chuiani at half-past 7,
and IN a few moments the fire 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 unaitered, the fire being all the
time very heavy. At midnight the de-
tenders of the place began to slacken
their ire, tor their ammunition ives
| rapidly becoming exhausted, and for an
hour they received without reply the
| voileys of the attacking party. At 2
| o'clock desperate attempt was made to
drive the rebels IRON the town, which
they had then entered at the point of
the bayonet. This failed aud then the
defeat was accomplished. The fight was
hand to band in the streets, no quarter
being given and most dreadful scene of
carnage occurred. Houses where some
OF The defeated soldiers had taken refuge
were broken open and all found within
murdered, without distinction of age,
sex or character, and then were burned
A few of the most determined of the
government cavairymen, headed by Col.
Pachaa, cut their way through their op-
ponents and made good their escape.
Col. Bustamente, to whose counsel the
| defeat WAS due, seeing all was lost, blew
his brains out on the field of action. Col.
loves escaped early in the fight and the
government has named another officer
to command the decimated "Cagamari. -
OF 500 or 600 men engaged on the gov
ernm mt side probably 200 escaped by
lying to the mountains or following
Pachas. They are still coming in par
ties of two or three. Very few prison.
ers were taken, and SO far as has been
stated no quarters were giv,n.
The Cacerists were commanded by
Col. Morales Bermudas, and it is stated
Caceres with his staff arrived at CaEta
the day after the battle. The losses of
the revolutionary forces are not known.
from the fact that the CaQamari bat
talilon was decidedly the tiuest in the
government service. Partisaps of Caceres
here are jubiiant over his success. FIVE
thousand soldiers ID the garrison at
Lima are lot at all affected by the re-
verse, and their officers are confident of
their loyalty in case of an sttack on the
city. Energetic precautionary measures
are being taken. Church towers are oc-
cupied at night by strong detachments
of rihemen and the project has issued
notice offering reward of from so to
1000 silver soles to any one who may
announce the existence of conspiracies
or aid the police in their efforts. The
government forces have been withdrawn
from Chosica and aie now stationed at
Santa Clara, fifteen miles nearer to
Lima. Nothing positive Is known re.
garding the whereabouts of Caceres.