The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-28
FIRED ON THE FLAG.
An American Schooner Made the
Target of a Gunboat.
News From the Seat Of War in Chile-Ship-
ping in Danger-scant Food Supply.
Slaughter Of Combatants.

Among the arrivals in port yesterday was the
schooner Fred E. Sanders. from Toltol, Chile,
and upon anchoring. CALL reporter boarded
her In quest Of war news. The captain s &C.
companied by his wife, and both agreed that
Chile Is the most GOd-forsaken country on the
face OF the earth.
"Dld see any fighting ?" responded Captain
Roos, In reply TO a question. NV Il, don't
know II you would call 1t fighting, but the first
salute got while entering the harDor OF Toltol
was broadside from war ship lying al anchor
thsre. Luckily they were poor marksmen and
the storm Of shot did little damage. Tie main
throat halyards were cut aud the sail came
down by the run, and one of the topmast back
stays was cut.
mot knowing what kind OF trap we had got
into, l at once tackled ship and ST Jod out to
sea. Soon another gun was fired and the heavy
shot struck the water not ten feet from the
stern. Some OF the men ran below for shelter,
and although l had the American flag at the
masthead l tied another to a b0at-hook and held
1t over the stern Soon a boat put of from the
war-sbip. and as there was very little wind they
soon .overhaued US.
AN EXPLANATION DEMANDED.
81 demanded to know why we had been made
a target. and WAS told that the schooner had
been taken for the Government vessel Imperial.
which was expected to drop III at any time
l was then asked II l had any pro-
'iolouo " nOii, duu lduCy pllSO was OuCiCu
foI all l could spare; but as we only had
enough 10 last US back to San francisco de-
clined to part with any. We were then told we
had permission 10 anchor, but must take our
chances should the Imperial show up The
vessel that had made target OF US was the
COvadonga.
Next day word was brought into town that
bloody baltic had ben fought by the followers
OF Balmaceda and rebel force. The fight TOOK
place abOg! Thirty miles from IOIto
annlhilated. The battle occurred in a narrow
pass, aud Of the 700 men belonging to the Gov
eminent forces only $50 escaped alive. The
rebel torce received news OF their approach and
laid III ambush. and when they were well in the
lasted over three hours and resulted Ia cOm-
plete defeat OF Balmaceda's men.
NEITHER SIDE GAVE QUARTER.
The heavy slaughter was explained when 1t
was learned that neither side gave any quarter
Every man who fell was bayoneted, whether
living or dead. The rebels lost 81 OF the 200
engaged, and returned to The town, loudly boast
ing OF their victory. Bonres were It, aud for sew
eIai days nearly every man aud most OF the women
were In a beastly stale OF intUxicafion. A few
days after some OF the rebel troops, who had
been out In tile Country, were mistaken for the
enemy on their return, aud the Coadonga at
once opened fire on them.
The soldiers scattered among the sand hills
and returned the fire with their rifles, and lively
battle ensued. Bullets lew like hall, but many
wide OF tUeir mark, and every one of the six
foreign ships IN the harbor was struck several
times. A sailor belonging 10 the German ship
Ra1ah was struck, ana his arm broken
by shot from shore. Tue gunboat al last drove
the men out OF range and when the firing ceased
the whole affair was found TO have been mis-
take. During The short fight seventeen men
were killed aud wounded, i've Of them on board
the gunbOat."
THE FOOD SUPPLY IS scANT.
Over 5000 tons of nitrate lay on the dock
ready for shipment and when that is gone no
more can be obtained Till the war Is over. as the
mines are closed and fOrsaken. Captain ROOs
also stated that uni ess supplies Of food are sent
TO 1oltoi very soon the people Will be reduced to
a state of starvation Flour Is worth $50 In gold
per sacE. potatoes as much, aud beef was selling
al 81 per pound.
az was glad to get away from that hole"
added Tie captain, aud don't care IL ] never
see II again. l am glad 10 hear that the Balti-
more aud san Francisco are going there. as the
Chlleans openly boast OF their ability 10 whip The
United States and say that all the ships we
have are old tubs like the Mohican that we are
afraid to send TO sea-"