The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-25
THE GILLIAN WAR
A Great Battle Between Balma-
cedists and Insurgents.
WATCHING 1T FROM VALPARAISO
Reported Repulse of the Congressionalists Not
0nfirmed-Balmaceda Did Steal the
Silver Bullion Reserve.

Especial to THE HERALD-Examiner Dispatch. !
NEW YORK. Aug. pa Herald cable
from Valparaiso, Chill, says: President
Balmaceda and the junta de gobierno are
cllnched in final desperate struggle for
the mastery of the republic of Chilli. The
chosen battle ground Is in full view of the
city of Valparaiso and thousands OF
anxious eyes ale watching from every
point OF vantage the battle which is to de-
eide the fate of the country The battle
mas been raging practically for three days
Inc first engagement was at the mouth OF
the Aconcagua on Friday and resulted in a
reverse to the government. A final test OF
strength is now being made at Vinia del
Mar beach, directly across Valparaiso bay,
and less than five miles away.
When word reached here that an army
OF S,OOO rebels had been landed at Quintero
Day, thursday. Balmaceda and his generals
were taken by surprise, but the utmost &C
tlvlty was used in getting troops to the
front so as, If possible to prevent the ID =
Vaolng army from crossing the Aconcagua
river Immediately south of the bay. Ar
rangements were made hurriedly and only
ABOUT half the troops were available for
this purpose. Six of the insurgent war
SHIPS were anchored in Cosnon bay, at the
mouth of the river and under cover
OF their guns the army of the iunta
undertook the task of forcing the passage
OF the river Friday morning. A most
desperate and bloody battle resulted, last
ing pretty nearly all day. A CALLING ire
from the lnsurgent artillery which was
parked on the northern bank of the river,
aided by heavy batteries and machine guns
TOR -, e.,
eminent troops and they were forced to re-
tire, which they did in good order. Both
sizes fought with the utmost valor and the
desperate character of the battle NAV be
judged from the fact that while less than
twenty thousand troops were engaged, the
list OF casualties will foot up nearly three
thousand killed and wounded. Balmaceda
mas found out that the insurgents are some
tnlng more than nitrate stealers.n
The general In command of the govern
ment forces selected a strong position on
the beach of Vina del Mar, the eastern
snore OF Valparaiso bay, as his second line
OF defense and leaving force enough in
front OF the enemy to check his progress
somewhat, took his place there Saturday
and went to work to strengthen it as much
as possible. All day long Saturday the in
surgent forces pushed their way steadily
forward driving the comparatively
small government force before them
IL was constant slIirmish for
fifteen miles, over broken country. At
every point of vantage the Balmacedists
made stand, and while they constantly
were forced to give way before superior
numbers, they retarded their advance and
gave the main army at Sina del Mar a
chance to better prepare itself for the de-
cisive fight
1t was not until late in the evening that
the attacking army arrived in front of Bal
maceda's main line of defense. 1t was then
too late to give battle. In the meantime
President Balmaceda, with every available
man in this department with himself in
command, went to the front He had over
thirteen thousand available fighting men.
while the lnsurgent forces had been re-
duced to less than seven thousand At the
back OF the government line is Fort Callao
the heavy guns of which have done good
work In to-day's battle both in raking the
enemy by land and preventing the insur-
gent fleet, which had entered the bay
Saturday night, from doing anything more
effective than long range firing. There was
some desultory firing late Saturday after
noon, but 1t was only skirmishing.
The congressionalists attacked in force
this Sunday morning. All day long the
battle has ragged with the utmost fierce
ness. Inc warships did all they could to
aid their land forces, but they had a heal
thy regard for the heavy guns in the forts
and were compelled to do their fighting at
long range. Consequently they were not
nearly so effective in aiding the land attack
as they had been at the passage of the
Aconcagua on Friday. They sent as many
men as they could spare, however, with all
their available machine and rapid fire guns
to aid as a naval auxiliary brigade in the
attack on Balmaceda's position.
The most intense excitement prevails in
this city. The roar of heavy artillery and
the sharp rattle OF small arms resound
through the streets and are echoed back
from the high hills surrounding the citv.
Every body who is left here has sought
some place overlooking the battle-ground
and thousands of people are watching the
desperate struggle which is being fought
under their very eyes. The western shore
of the bay from Fort Valdivia on the ex-
treme northwestern point to Fort Andes
on the southeastern shore is lined and
great crowds of anxious citizens have
found places on Duprat and San Antonio
points, the landing place, floating docks,
and in fact every other place from which
even the most unsatisfactory glimpse of
the contending armies can be had. Some
of the more venturesome of the sight-seers
have even gone to Crusea point, which is
only about mile from the battle field.
Balmaceda Did Steal the Silver.