Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-08-27
TILE GILLIAN coMnAT.
The Fight of Sunday Was Ended by Dark.
ness, without Any Decisive Results.
Now York Herald npecial.

The Fight of Sunday Was Ended by Dark
ness, without Any Decisive Results.
New York Herald special.
VALPARAISO, Chill, VIA GALVESTON,
TEXAS, Aug. "a Darkness stopped the
battle at VIVA del Mar Beach, opposite
this city, which ragged hotly all day yes
terday, before any decisive result was
reached, and, like tired gladiators, the
contesting armies rested to-day an6
worked hard to get themselves In the
hest possible condition for the final bout
which must soon decide the mastery OF
Chill.
Balmaceda's line of defence yesterday
was strongly fortified, and was under
the range of the guns from Fort Callao.
While many of his troops were raw re-
cruits there was good leaven oil
veterans among them.
Time after time the rebels dashed
against the lines of the government
troops, only to be repulsed with great
bloodshed. They were not the only
sufferers, however, for their artillery
played with telling effect on the enemy
and their rifles were not useless in theil
hands.
| DARKNESS CLOSED THE FIGHT.
l
Attack and repulse were repeated time
after time, with no decided advantage tc
either side. The most desperate valoi
was displayed by veteran and recruit
Balmacedist and revolutionist.
There was little regret on either side
when darkness came down and stopped
the bloody work.
Under cover Of flag OF truce the
ambulance and hospital corps of the
| opposing armies were busy during the
night searching the field for wounded
and caring for them.
When morning broke it was expected
the fight would be resumed. Both armies
had suffered severely, however, and
neither appeared to be in position t
| assume the offensive, and a practica
truce to-day, with no fighting, has beer
the result.
STRENGTHENING THEIR POSITIONS.
Neither side has been idle, however
during the day. Scouting parties from
the insurgent armies have been securing
the country for supplies, and one o.
them cut the railroad to Santiago a
Salto.
The government forces have beer
strengthening their lines and mannuv
ring to get into position which vii
preclude any successful attempt on TIL
part of the enemy to get into the rear o
the city of Valparaiso.
1t is generally believed that Genera
Canto, the general commanding tn
rebels, will attempt flank movement
when he resumes operations, and thi
the Balmacedists are doing everything
in their power TO Illustrate.
A HARD TASK.
In the face of an army equal in valoi
as well armed and equipped and at leas
equal II not superior in numbers, L
force the line of forts with their heav
guns manned by expert and veteral
gunners defending Valparaiso from tn
northeast, consisting of Forts CallaC
Podetto, Andes and Valparaiso, is
task TO daunt the most confident general
and if by any means the Balmacedai
army can be flankcd and the insurgent
can make good position in the rear o
the city, they will, in the opinion of til
foreign naval officers here, do it,
A COMMANDING POSITION.
Insurgent General Canto is vetera
of the Peruvian war, where he did gal
liant and effective service. He know
the country and realizes that if he cal
get his heavy guns on the hills back o
the city he will not only have posi-
ton which is practically impregnabl
! from the attacks of any force which ca
be brought against him, but which wi
enable him to batter down the city q
! his will.
Having been unable by yesterday
fight to capture the village Of Vina dc
Mar and isolate Fort Callao and thu
capture it, he would naturally attemI
this flank movement.
That he will be able to do SO withor
harder fighting tlian even that of Ffida
and yesterday, if Ut all, is no: to /
thought of.
Valparaiso is quiet to-day. All III
business houses, offices and stores al
closed. Everybody who can do so hi
left the city, and few people are seen O
the streets.
KILLED BY \ BREECH Plug.
, While the government torpedo cruis,
/, Almirante Lynch was assisting til
artillerymen in the forts in keeping III
, rebel cruisers at long range and thu
:, preventing them from giving eifecti,
! aid to the land forces, the breech plu
: of one of her IA FOUNDER IIotchkiss gui
5 blew out. instantly killing the lieutcnai
r in charge.