The Forrest City times., 1891-09-04
CHIlE'S WAR IS ENDED.
THE INSURGENTS CAPTURE THE
 CITY OF VALPARAISO.
BALMACEDA AND HIS ARMY COM.
 PLETELY ROUTED.
Two of uIis Generals Dcad-Ueavy Losses on Both Sides-Bal-
 msceda . Fugitive.
Whole Regiments Desert the Govern. ment for the Victorious General
 -ConArmcd at Washington.

VALPARAISO. Chile, Aug 3l.-Bal- maceda's power in Chile is broken. His army has been crushed after five hours hard fighting and is scattered beyond all hope of reorganization The revo. lutionists have taken possession of Valparaiso.
 With Balmaceda practically fugi- tive, without resources in men or money; with the principal seaports of the country in the hands of the Con- gressionalists, and a consequent shut ting of of all income from customs re- ceipts; with President-elect Vicuna . refugee on board German war-ship, and the country fiocking en masse to the standard of the invaders, it is . matter of only few days when the capital will fall into the hands of the revolutionary leaders.
 A new government, with possibly Judge Bellsano Prats, head of the last Parliamentary cabinet of Balmaceda. or Manuel Sose lrarrazewal head of Conzass' cabinet, at it's head, will be formed and things will go along about the same way in Chile as they did be- fore Jan. 7, when hostilities were for mally begun.
 Gen. Canto and his army won the battle by superior generalship, good fighting. assisted by good fortune in the killing of Balmaeeda's generals, and the consequent decentralization of the army and the desertion of entire regiments.
 Beginning of the Battle.
 Early Friday morning the boom of cannon announced to the people of Valparaiso that a movement beyond the ordinary skirmish had begun. Ex- cltement was intense in Valparaiso. The streets were crowded with people, women predominating, anxiously waiting for news and talking of the momentouS contest which was in full progress only few miles away.
 Gen. Canto's S position was on the hills above the raee-traclt at Nina del Mar, just outside the city. He had absolute control of the railroad to Santiago and commanded the ordinary roads Hence Santiago was practically in state of siege.
 Attack by the Government Forces.
 Affairs had come to such pass that it was necessary for President Balma- ceda to make some move. and a little
 
 attack the position held bv the revolu- honists, and led by Gems. Barbosa and Alzerecca the government troops left their breastworks and advanced on the enemy under cover of heavy fire were generally armed with Mannlicher rifles and used smokeless powder. The government troo were not so well armed.
 As soon as the approaching column got within range of the Mannlichcrs they met a destructive fire from the intrenched revolutionists Shot and shell, grape and canister, and rifle bullets tore through the ranks of the advancing troops until it became too Lot, and despite the efforts of their officers they broke and retired almost in a panic.
 Then came another attack. In steady ranks the government troops started on a double quick up into the torrent of fire and lead which blazed from the ranks of the insurgent army.
 Early in the second charge Gen. Bar bosa was shot down and killed The line wavered but kept on. Then Gen. Alzerecca fell from his horse, wounded unto death. He was removed from tho field and oied within m hour.
 The Victorious Charge
 Another break and then Gen. Canto gave the order o charge. With a wild yell the Congressionalist army left their defenses and charged on the re- treating enemy. Their artillery poured deadly fire into Balmacedas s army. The loss of their generals left them without leader, and all the e-.orts of the subordinate officers to rally them to meet the onset of Canto's regiments and squadrons was of no avail. The retreat became a rout, the rout a panic, and then came utter de- moralization.
 The government cavalry made stand, but 1t was short. They were literally cut to pieces. Volly after volly was poured into the demoralized mob of Balmaeedists.
 Whole regiments which had not lost their regimental formation went over to the victorious troops of Canto and joined in the attack on their late com rades. These deserters were generally the ''volunteers' who had been nm pressed into the service by Balmaceda since the commencement of hostilities. Their sympathies have all along been with the insurgents, and they took this, the first opportunity, to go over to them. The fighting lasted little less than five hours, and the desperate character of the fighting may be judged by the fact that fully 5000 men were killed and wounded. The country for miles around is filled with men, many of them wounded. who were the dependence of President Balmaceda. The defeat of the govern ment is absolute and complete. There is no possibility of reorganization, and if he does not succeed m making his escape through the mountain passes which are yet open the chances are that he will be captured and shot
 President-eleet Nicuna went aboard the German flag ship and asked pro- tection of the Admiral, which was granted
 sOnnrmc0 m " Nasningycu.