Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-15
FIGHTING IN CHILLI.
Two Important Battles in Which President
Balmaceda 10 Finally Victorious.

Private advices dated Iquique, Chill, on Sun
day, the 18th, give the first information re-
ceived anywhere of two very important battles
which have been fought Within the last five
days in northern Chill. No newspaper has had
any account of these great conflicts.
The first battle was fought last Wednesday
near Huasco, but inland little. Balmaceda's
troops advanced to give battle, and the army
OF the congressional party. having been warned
of the approach of the enemy by scouts. formed
with the celebrity which indicates good discip-
line. Balmaceda's troops attempted to turn
the flank of the congressional army and made
two or three most desperate assaults without
success.
Then the congressional army, being massed.
attacked the center of the Balmaceda troops
and drove them with great slaughter from the
field. BY this time night was approaching,
which was fortunate thing for Balmaceda 4
army, as it enabled that army to escape. 1t
retreated as far south as beyond Coquimbo,
and had the congressional army pressed on
with vigor it might have been able to destroy
or capture the enemy.
The delay, however. enabled Bamaceda's
troops to get under discipline again, and it is
probable that they received some reinforce
ments. The congressional army advanced to
meet the enemy, full of courage and hope
because If the impending battle should be won
by them 1t would prove an almost irretrie vable
disaster for Balmaceda, and might bring the
congressional party within easy reach of VAL
paraisO.
The battle began on Saturday morning and
was very holly contested. For hours the troops
first of one side and then of the other seemed
at the point of victory; the congressional army
however. felt the need of its ally, the navy.
The battle was so far inland that the navy wac
unable to cooperate. In the middle of the
afternoon Bainacedas troops rallied and made
fierce attack upon the weakened army of the
congressional party, which, after resisting
bravely for some moments, wavered. broke and
then retreated. The retreat became almost a
rout. but the army was at last brought into
good order and retired. leaving Ralmaceda' 3
troops i'll possession of the field and the victory
The congressional army retired to point
where they were under the protection of tho
gun boats. losing thus the territory which they
had gained by their defeat on Wednesday of
Balmaceda's army.
The dispatches are necessarily meager but
they indicate that both battles were exceed
ingly stubborn contests. were attended by
much loss of life and signaliZei by conspicuous
feats OF bravery on either side. 1t is believed
that had the congressional. party won the last
fight it would have been short time before it
would have been in possession practically OF the
whole OF Chilli. at least north of Valparaiso.
AN ISsURGENT VICTORY.
Commander Janer of the Mexican man-of-
war Democratic. at San Diego, Cal. has received
a dispatch from the navy department Of the
Mexican government to the effect that a naval
engagement took place off the Chilian coast
Magellanes and several government vessehs
The engagement resulted in a decisive victory
for the insurgents and two government vessels
were almost destroyed.