, 1891-07-11

supreme command of Canto. On the 9th o.
March we came upon the advance guard of the
enemy, intrenched in a position very formid.
able, in the pampa of Ell Buitre. Robes had
his headquarters III the central station OF
the functions of the two lines Of railway, the
one that communicates with Pisagua and the
one running south. We saw with surprise thai
the enemy abandoned their positions when
the advance was ordered from our side. and
retired towards the north, before leaving des.
troying the railway with dynamite. All hands
were put to repair the road as quickly as posi-
BILE. On the evening of the 9th it was com
pletely restored, and our forces advanced to
the face of our opponents, who had taken up
their position near Pozo Almonte. At day-
break on the 9TH of March the order was
given to attack. The shock was terrible of
5000 men engaged, there remained 1000 on
the field. The impulse Of our men was such
that it drove the enemy from the railway,
which was his base Of operations, and the only
possible means of his retreat. He was naturally
completely cut to pieces. In few battles has
an army been so utterly destroyed as at Pozo
AlmOnte. Of the division Of Cana only 100
organized men were left, retiring in good
order. Robes, as you know, was killed, also
Mendez, the commander of the 5th of the
line, and Ruminot commander of the Angel
regiment, and we took 400 prisoners without
counting 30 odd officers. We lost between
killed and wounded about 400 men among
them the leaders of the Talta regiment, which
took amost brilliant part in the engagement.
The dictator lost between killed and wound.
ed 7CO men and many officers. Those that
escaped are utterly dispersed. Cana and
Arrate managed to escape by fight. This
battle has given US the absolute mastery Of the
province of Tarapaca.
AS the numbers of our troops depend upon
the number OF rifles We can obtain for them.
our military position has considerably improved.
/ do not give very many details about this.
fearing that you may not receive this letter.
Two days after the battle of Pozo Almonte
part of the garrison of Antofagasta levolted
and Joined the squadron. Taking advantage
of the presence of the Esmeralda they en-
barked in her, after killing some of their
officers and putting to flight the rest. The
in A~ntofagasta would have had
much more serious results for the Government
if we had been able to render the smallest
assistance, for it appears that 500 men more
desired to enter our ranks. The last event
about which can give particulars is the arriv-
al VI tn0 AAdIPO1 al "e4l, WlCh many TRENDS
from Santiago. III should tell all the things
we have suffered, the hours of feeling utterly
disheartened, and the griefs we bave borne, it
would be very difficult to stop.
All we have, ammunition. clothes, &c, has
been taken from the enemy We have been
compelled toform an army in this manner and
no one has rendered us the slightest help.
Many good patriots have we lost in these
battles. If we also nave suffered, the result is
things are looking better, and IN the mind
of everyone is firmly fixed the fact that the
dictatorship will have to fall, and that every
will be a question of time and sacrl-
fee.
AS am writing, an expedition is d departing
to the north, and we are hoping very shortly to
organize expeditions to different points in the
Republic. We have 100 officers, prisoners,
among them various chief officers. many of
whom have asked to be admitted into our ranks,
and to some we have given permission.
They are talking a good deal in the army of
great c~ruelties committed in Santiago by the
dictator. These l annot bring myself to
credit, as here we have treated the prisoners
with every oonsideration.-1imes 9Th June.