The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-23
war SCENES IN Chile
Valparaiso Mob Fought for
Dead Mems Flesh.
Vengeance of Congressionalists on
Balmacedan Generals.
WOMEN ACT LIKE FlENDs.
Pandemonium Reigned When victors
Marched Into the City-An American
Girls Graphic story Of the Last Days
of War.

NEW YoRK, Nov 22.-Some interesting
details regarding Chilean events imme-
diately following the battles which resulted
in the downfall of Balmaceda and follow
ers are contained in q private letter re-
ceived from young American girl who
has been living IN Valparaiso and Sam
tiago. The writer has been a member of
the household of some of the most in
fiuential families in Chile, including that
of Balmaceda himself, and also was for a
long time with the Edwards family, who
were exiled by Balmaceda and afterwards
allowed to return to Santiago Following
are portions of the letter, which is dated
at Santiago, September Is. Referring to
the treatment accorded the leaders of
Balmacedas forces after the fall of VAL
paraiso, the writer says:
1t is sickening to even write it, but / saw
that mob fight for bone, a hand a small piece
OF flesh-anything out OF the carts con attaining
the bodies of the dead generals, and have seen
officers OF the junta look on and smile The
generals had done nothing but remain loyal to
the government. They were not good men,
but they led Balmacedas army, and after the
battle were found wounded on the field. When
the enemy found them and demanded their
swords they answered: Generals never sur
render" So they were killed. their bodies
stripped, cut to pieces and csrted around Val
paraiso. Women, mothers with their daugh-
ters, looked on and said: "Well donel This is
the vengeance OF the constitutional party.
Catch BaImsceds and roast him.
Speaking of the battles of Concon and
Vino del Mar the writer says:
From the top of the house we could see the
tents and hear every shot. Thousands of gov
ernment troops passed over to the opposition on
the morning of the 2Sth, after the final battle of
Placilia. The firing continued for an hour and
half and then ceased entirely. Twenty min
utes later the remnants of artillery dashed
by as though the devil was after them, and
one shouted up to u.s. GAN is lost" We imme-
diately signalled the Baltimore and San Fran
cisco for help and a marine corps soon arrived
About noon the opposition came in All the
church and fire bells Immediately rang a med
ley. The whole population turned out to meet
the invaders. Never was town SO willing to
be taken. Ladies pulled the officers off their
horses and hugged and kissed them. Pande-
monium reigned that night. The next morning
in various parts of the city 600 men, women and
children were found dead.
The last battle occurred on Friday. The VIC
torious army forgot its 5000 dead and wounded
on the battlefield and the first ambulance sent
was by foreigners on sunday morning. For ten
days assisted the surgeons OF the Baltimore
and San Francisco. Many of the wounded
whom attended did not know what they had
been lighting for. After each battle the gov
ernment men who had been wounded were all
killed. At one time, in Valparaiso, were 1000
wounded congressionalists. When the soldiers
went to bury the dead they first stole the clothes
and arms. For a day or two they dug deep
wells into which the bodies were pitched head
long, but this occasioned too much work, so
they piled up the dead, poured kerosene over
them and burned them. Our doctors did noble
work and, although called yankee spies, -
soon won the good will OF every one.
Baimaceda turned the government over 10
General Baquedano, who was neutral, sent his
wife to Minister Egan and then disappeared. A
week ago today we returned TO Santiago, and as
soon We arrived the Chileans shut us up in
our house We telephoned to Eganand soon re-
ceived assistance. The Chileans wanted to
search for Balmaceda, but were not allowed to-
but they appointed guard to watch our going
and coming. The guard is still watching
VALPARAISO, Nov. 22.-[ New York Her
aid Special. Judge of Crimes Foster has
concluded the secret examination into the
assault upon the seamen of the Baltimore,
and the result of the testimony will prob
ably be obtainable this week. The evil
dence will show that Riggin was killed by
a rifle shot after having been stabbed. Re-
garding Shields, the fireman who was sub
jected to such i'll treatment, there will
probably be an argument over mis- nation
atty. 1t will be alleged that he is not an
American citizen, as the ships articles
show that he is native of Ireland.