The state herald., 1891-09-04
BALMAcEoA DEFEATED.
chilian insurgents Conquer His Army
and Capture Valparaiso.

| 'hShi 'eApoioiSol ootca tho ~oths ooy
Balmaceda's power in Chill is broken, his
army has been crushed after five hours
hard fighting and is scattered beyond all
hope Of reorganization. Tho revolution
lists have taken possession OF Valparaiso.
The future Of Chill for the time has been
settled conclusively.
| Ever since the arrival Of the Congress
! sionalist army at yina del Mar there has
been constant series Of maneuvers for
position on the part Of both generals.
Every day, and nearly every hour Of the
day, there have been skirnishes, in some
instances amounting almost to battles. In
nearly all these the opposition had the
better Of 1t.
Then all was not harmony in the mill
tary counseis of the president. Both Gen
eral Balboa and Alazara wanted to have
supreme command Of the forces in tho
field. This friction and jealousy resulted
in almost an open rupture yesterday, und
the two officers worked at cross purposes
General CaEto was in no hurry to move
, on the enemy, as he was receiving con-
slant accessions TO his ranks from the sur
rounding country.
General Canto's position was on the
| hills above the race track at Vina del Mar
outside OF the city. He had absolute con
troll OF the railroad to Santiago and com
mandcd the ordinary roads. Hence San
tiago was practically in state Of siege.
Affairs had como to such pass that 1t
was necessary for President Balmaceds
10 make some move, and u little after day
| light this morning the word was given to
attack the position held by the revolution
| lists, and, led by Generals Balboa aud Ala
zara, the government troops left their
breastworks ond advanced on the enemy
under cover OF a heavy fire from their
| batteries.
The insurgents were generally armed
with Mannlicher rifles and used smokeless
powder. The government troops were
not so well armed.
As soon us the approaching column got
within range Of the Mannlichcr destruc-
tive fire began from the entrenched revo-
lutionists and the engagement became
general. Shot and shell, grape and CAMS.
ter and rifle bullets tore the ranks of the
advancing troops until 1t became too hot,
and despite the efforts of the officers they
broke and retired almost in panic.
Officers worked like beavers to reform
their columns as soon as they got without
range of the deadly rifles of the insurgents
and ut last succeeded. Then came an,
other attack. In steady rank the troops
started on n double quick up the hill and
were met by u torrent of fire which blazed
from the ranks of the insurgent army.
Early In the second charge General Bal.
boa was killed. The line wavered but
kept on. Then General Alalara fell from
his horse, wounded unto death. He was
removed from the field and died within an
hour. Another break and then General
Canto gave the order to charge. With u
| yell the Congressional army left their de-
tense and charged on the retreating enc.
my. Their artillery poured u deadly fire
into the ranks OF Balmaceda's army. II Q
| loss OF their generals left them without a
head and all the efforts Of their subor
dinale officers To rally them to meet the
onslaught OF Can,o's regiments and squat.
rons were of no avail.
The retreat became a rout, the rout q
panic and then came utter decentralization.
The government cavalry made stand,
but II was short. They were literally cut
| tV pieces. yoliuy aftei vviicy was poured
into the demoraliked mob OF Balmacedists.
Whole regiments which had not lost their
regimental formation, went over to the
victorious troops OF Canto aud Joined ia
the attack on their late comrades. These
deserters were generally the volunteers
who hgd been pressed into the service by
Balmaceda since the commencement Of
hostilitics. Their sympathies have ali
along been with the Insurgents and they
took this, the first opportunity, to go over
to them.
The fighting lasted less than i've hours
and It's desperate character may be Judged
by the fact that fully 1900 men were
killed and wounded.
The defeat of the government is abso-
lutc and complete. There Is no possibility
OF a reorganization, and II he does not
succeed In making his escape through the
mountain passes which are yet open, the
chances are that he will he captured and
shot. The reports that were brought In
becoming alarming, President elect VI.
cuna took the alarm early and went
aboard the German flagship and asked the
protection OF the admiral, which was
granted.
Then the lntcndente, Oscar Well, sent u
communication TO Admiral Brown and the
commanding officers Of the other foreign
fleets in the barbor, requesting them to
send men ashore To project their citizens
A landing party OF blue Jackets and
marines from the san Francisco were or.
dcred ashore by Admiral Brown aud took
up position about tho American consul.
alc. Tue other naval officers followed
suit and there were enough foreign men
OF wars men ashore 10 protect the city
against any possible outbreak.
10 avoid tho bloodshcd which would
probably have resulted IRON the victorious
army entering the city, heated with the
hire OF battle, viol, tho lntcndento, sent u
iiag OF truce To General canto with u
proposition 10 surrender the city.
1t was accepted aud Scnor Don Carlos
Walker Martinez, u Congressional leader,
who refused u safe eooiuot from Bnlna.
c.da, aud has remained 10 Santiago since
the commencement Of tho revolution.
directing tho conduct OF affairs for them
In the south, was requested by General
canto TO take possession Of tho city aud
act Us in,endontc until such umo ~ per.
mancnt arrangements could be- made.
,ihi, be did.
In tho meantime ,horu had beun a gen
oral light OF government onieial.
shortly after noon tho ylctorlou. army
began to enter the captured city.
SHORTLY after tho oatry OF the army o,
General cantn, Captain Alberto Fuonte.