The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-29
Balmaceda,s Power Broken.

New YoRC, Aug. 2S.-The Herald this
morning devoted page to Chill news Its
Valparaiso dispatch says: Balmaceda's
power in Chilli is broken. His army has
been crushed after five hours hard lighting
and scattered beyond all hope of re-organi-
zation. The revolutionists have taken
possession of Valparaiso with Balmaceda
practically fugitive without re-
sources in men or money; with
the principal seaport in the hands of the
Congressionists, with President elect vi
cuna, a refugee on board q German war
ship, and the country flocking in masses to
the standard of the invaders. 1t is a mat
ter of only a few days when the capital
will fall into the hands of the revolutionary
! leaders. General Canto and the army won
to-day's battle by superior generalShip and
hard fighting, assisted by good fortune
| in killing off Balmaceda's generals,
and the consequent decentralization
o. the army and the desertion of entire
regiments. Furthermore, there has not
been harmony in the military councils of
President balmaceda. Both Barbora and
| Alzerreca wanted supreme command. This
| jealousy resulted in almost open rupture
and those officers worked at cross purposes.
| Balmaceda was in no condition to assume
the offensive and Canto was in no hurry to
move, partly because he was receiving
constant accessions to his ranks, and
partly because he had a strongly en-
trenched position. Early this morning,
however, the booming of cannon announced
to the people that movement
beyond the skirmish of the past
few days had begun. The occasional
loud report of cannon soon swelled
into a continuous roar. Canto's position
was on the hills above the race track at
Viva del Mar He had absolute control of
the railroad to Santiago and commanded
the ordinary roads. Affairs had come to
such pass that it was necessary for Bal
maceda TO make some move. Accordingly,
at daylight this morning word was given
to attack the position held by the
revolutiouists, and the government
troops advanced under cover of heavy fire
from their batteries. AS soon as the APP
preaching columns got within range a de-
termined ire was opened by the en-
trenched revolutionists. The government
troops, however, advanced steadily. They
were soon near enough to return the fire,
but shot, shell, grape and canister tore
, through their ranks until, despite the
, efforts of the officers, they broke
and retired almost in a panic
As soon as they got outside of range of the
deadly fire the officers worked like beavers
to reform their columns and at last sue
8 ceeded. Then came another attack. In
q steady ranks the government troops started
fire and lead which blazed from the lnsur-
gents ranks. General Barbosa was killed
o The line wavered for an instant
: but then went on. A short dis
o lance further on, General Alzerrect
: fell from his horse wounded unto death
a Again the lines wayered and then Genera
Canto gave the order to charge with wild
yell. The Congressional army left theil
defences and charged on the now retreatins
= enemy. The artillery poured deadly fir,
into the ranks of Balmaceda's troops
>. The loss of general officers had lief
~ the latter without a head and all effort
= OF subordinate officers to rally them wert
q of no avail. The retreat became route
then panic, and then utter demoralizs
n ton. The government cavalry made
e stand, but 1t was short. They were liter
It ally cut to pieces. Valley after volley wa
t, poured into the demoralized mob. /
IS whole regiment which had nc
,e lost its regimental formation wen
to over to the victorious troop
If of Canto and Joined in the attack on thei
) late comrades. These deserters were gen
$ orally volunteers who had been pressed
by sBalmaceda since the beginning of hol
tilities Their sympathies all along ha
been with the insurgents, and they graspe
a this first opportunity to go over to them.
80 The lighting lasted less than five houl
- and its desperate character may be judge
le by the fact that fulty nye Thousand me
Re were killed and wounded. The country Il
tn miles around is filed with men, many
them wounded, who were this morning u
dependence of Balmaceda. The d,
feat of the government is absolute
st, there is no possibility of
al reorganization, and if Balmacet
at does not succeed in making his esca,
jn through the mountain passes, the chanc
are ne will be captured and shot. Pres
is dent-elect Vicuna early took the alar
ed when strazglers began coming in from IL
to battlefield. He went aboard the Germ,
In. flagship and asked the protectit
to of the admiral. 1t was granite
Id Then Intendent Veil sent a col
munication To Admiral Brown,
United States navy and the commando
officers of other foreign fleets requestil
them to send men ashore to protect the
Ter citizens az the probabilities we
he there might be trouble. A par
ng of blue jackets and marines frc
to the cruiser San Francisco quickly car
as. ashore and took UP positions about t