Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-26
THU GILLIAN CONFLICT.
The Battle at Vina Del Mar Stopped
by Darkness.
EXHAUSTED TROOPSREOT ON ARMS
Neither Side Was in Position to Resume HOstili-
tss Yesterday, bu. Both are Preparing for
the Final BOut-A Naval Officer
Killed by Breach Plug.

New YORK, August 25.-A Valpa-
raise, Chilli, dispatch to the Herald
says: Darkness stopped the battle at
Vina del Mar Beach, opposite this city,
which ragged hotly allday yesterday, be-
fore any decisive result was reached,
and, like tired gladiators, the contest
ing armies rested to-day and worked
hard to get themselves in the best pos
sible condition for the final bout which
must soon decide the mastery of Chill.
Balmaceda's line of defence yesterday
was strongly fortified, and was under
the range of the guns from Fort Callao.
While many of his troops were raw
recruits there was good leaven OF vet
erans among them.
Time after time the Rebels dashed
against the lines OF the Government
troops, only to be repulsed with great
boodshed. They were not the only SUI
ferers, however, for their artillery
played with telling effect on the enemy,
and their rifles were not useless in their
hands.
Attack and repulse were repeated
time after time, with no decided advant-
age on either side. The most desperate
valor was displayed by veteran and re-
cruit, Balmacedist and revolutionist.
There was little regret on either side
when darkness came down and stopped
the bloody work.
Under cover Of flag Of truce the am
bulance and hospital corps OF the op-
posing armies were busy during the
night searching the field for wounded
and caring for them.
When morning broke 1t was expected
the fight would be resumed. Both
armies had suffered severely, however,
and neither appeared TO be in position
to assume the offensive, and practical
truce to-day, with no fighting, has been
the result.
Neither side has been idle, however.
during the day. Scouting parties from
the insurgent armies have been scour-
ing the country for supplies, and one of
them cut the railroad TO Santiago at
Salto.
The government forces have been
STRENGTHENING their lines and man9uy-
ring TO get in position which will pre-
clnde any successful attempt on the part
| city OF Valparaiso.
1t is generally believed that General
Canto, the General commanding the
rebels, will attempt flank movement
when he resumes operations, and this
the BalmacedistS are doing everything
in THAR power to frustrate.
In the face Of an army equal In valor,
i oH nd on pipnpU and ar InQCf
equal II not superior In numbers, 10
force the line Of forts with their heavy
guns manned by expert and veteran gun
ners defending Valparaiso from the
northeast, consisting of Forts Callao, Po-
detto, Andes and Valparaiso, is a task to
daunt the most confident general, and
if by any means the Balmacedan army
can be flanked and the Insurgents can
make good position in the rear OF the
city they will, in the opinion OF the
foreign naval officers here, do 1t.
Insurgent General Canto is veteran
of the Peruvian war, where he did gal
liant and effective service. He knows
the country and realizes that if he can
get his heavy guns on the hills back OF
the city he will not only have position
which is practically impregnaole from
the attacks of any force which can be
brought against him, but which will en-
able him to batter down the town at
his will.
Having been unable by yesterdays
fight to capture the village OF Vina del
Mar and Isolate Fort Callao and thus
capture it, he would naturally attempt
this flank movement.
That he will be able to do so without
harder fighting than even that Of Fri
day and yesterday, if at all, is not to be
thought Of.
VALPARAISO is quiet to-day. All the
business houses, Offices and stores are
closed. Everybody who can do so has
left the city, and few people are seen
on the streets.
While the government torpedo cruiser
Almirante Lynch was assisting the ar
tillerymen In the forts in keeping the
rebel cruisers at long range and thus
preventing them from giving effective
aid to the land forces, the breech plug
of one of her fourteen FOUNDER Hotch-
kiss guns blew out, instantly killing the
Iieutenant in charge.