The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-25
FIERCE FIGHTING IN CHILL.
4 Battle Raging al The Very Gates Of
The Chillan Capital.
MOST DESPERATE AND BLOODY CONTEST.
What the Secretary OF the Congressional
Envoy at Washington says About
the Probable Result.


NEW YORK, August PA special from Val
paraiso to the New York Herald to-day gives
an account Of battle going on five miles from
that city.
When news reached Valparaiso thatan army
OF 8 600 rebels had been landed at Qumtoro
bay Thursday, Balmaeeda and his generals
were taken by surprise, but the utmost actlv-
ity was used in getting troops TO tho front 80
AS, if possible, TO prevent the invading army
from crossing the Aconcagua river immedi-
stely south of the bay. The arrangements
were made hurriedly and only little over
half the troops were available for this pur-
pose.
Six of the insurgent war ships were an
chored 10 COsnon bay. at the mouth or tue
river. and under the cover Of their guns the
army of the Junt0 undertook the task OF
forcing passage of the river Friday morning.
A most desperate and bloody battle re-
suited. lasting pretty nearly al day.
A CALLING fire from the insurgent artillery.
which was parked On the northern bank OF
the river. aided by the heavy batteries and
machine guns from the ships, was too much
for the Government troops. and they were
forced to retire. which they did III good order.
Both sides fought with the utmost valor,
and the desperate character OF the battle may
be Judged from the fact that while less than
20 900 troops were engaged the list ot casual,
ties will foot up nearly 5000 killed and
wounded
The general in command OF the Govern
ment forces selected strong position on the
beach of Vina de Mar. the eastern shore Of
Valparaiso bay as his second line OF defense
and leaving force enough in front Of tho
enemy 10 check his progress somewhat took
his place there yesterday and went 10 work TO
strengthen il as much as possible.
DRIVING THE TROOPS BEFORE THEM.
All day long yesterday the insurgent forces
pushed their way steadily forward. driving the
comparatively small ttoyernment force before
them. II was a constant skir1nish for bftoen
miles. over broken country. At every point
Of vantage the Bamacedlsts made stand,
and while they constantly we're forced 70 give
yav before superior numbers they retarded
the advance aud gave tho main Lrmy at Nipa
del Mar chance TO better prepare itself for
the decisive fight.
II was not until late in tho evening that the
attacking army arrived IN fronto Baimsceda
main line Of defense. lt Was then too late %
give battle. .,
In the meantime President Balmaceda, with
every ayailable man in this department, With
himself in command. went % the front he
had over IL 900 available lighting men. while
the insurgent forces had been reduced TO less
than 900.
There was some desultory firing lstelyester-
day afternoon. but it was only skirmishing.
The CongressiOnalists attacked III iorce this
morning, and ali day long tho battle has
ragged with the utmost herceness. Inc re-
SIlt IL not yot known.
AL the Government officials are confident
that Balmaceda will drive theinsurgents back,
and if he does not entirely destroy them COM
pei the remnants TO re-embark IN tholf trans
ports and 90 back to the north.
Admiral Brown, commanding the American
feet hore. and the commanding officers OF tho
other foreign naval forces nave combined 10
protect the lives and property OF the foreign
citizens and in case Of an attack on tho city
marines and blue jackets from tho ioreign
war ships will probably DO landed to SEQ that
order. 80 far as the foreign element Is con
cerned. is preserved.
The fall of Valparaiso would mean the prac-
teal collapse Of Baimaceda's power.
THE INSURGENTS REPULsED.
TTfA. August 24.-The latest telegraph ad-
vice, from Valparaiso state that Balmaceda 8
army at Nina Del Mar has repuised an insur-
gent attack.
The telegram adds that Balmaceda has or
dered all the available forces IN the province
! Of Valparaiso 10 concentrate at the capital and
II 900 troops stationed at COqulmbo 10 pro-
ceed against Iquique.
WHAT Mr.. FOSTER SAYS.
WASHINGTON, d. C.. August 24-The ",
ported battle between the C0ngressional
| forces and Balmaceda's troops near Val
paraiso has excited considerable interest here,
| though nothing definite is known and no ofh-
cial Information concerning the reported bat
| tls has been received by the Government.
| A reporter had talk this morning with
| Julio Foster, the secretary OF the Congres,,
sional envoy at Washington. Mr. Foster SAID
! that he had no later information. but that hs
| had reasons to believe that the special 10 the
| New York Herald from Valparaiso was correct
and he believed that a battle before Bamace-
! da's stronghold had been fought. AT the last
report. - he said we had been successful ny
| To a certain point. and nothing further u yet
! known. We were in front OF the strong tort,
| CallaO. where we we're exposed 20 thelr neaVy
! guns When our troops reached that polnl
| the worst of Il was over, and am confident oi
| a complete victory. IL we have captured
| Vins del Mar and Fort Calla0 II Ii tho
| end of Palmaceda's power Balmaceda Il
present himself TO keep down instruction IN
| his own troops. Many OF them are in synDa
| tby with US. Valparaiso ~ the city OF our
! friends. we own it. There would be q demon
strstion from that quarter but tor the iac
that the citizens have no means Ot armnf
themselves. They cannot fight with coDbi'
| stones"
But suggested the reporter, suppose
you fail 10 capture Fort Caliao"
Then the war will continue. We VIII ngn'
until Balmaceda has been yanquished, de
feat for Ballnaceda now will end him: for as q
defeat means merely prolongatlon Of th'
struggle"
INDIGNANT AT THEIR TREATMENT.
Mr.. Foster spoke most Indignantly Of thC
manner in which the Congressional party hac
been treated by the United states. We made
mistake in ever coming % the United states
for recognition Throughout hissirnggie tho,
| have sided with the tyrant against the people
and constitutional government | suppos'
there is some politics in 1t. but We neNel
| thought that republican Government
with the love Of free institutions th'
| United States is supposed to fee
would aid tyrant IN an attemp
! 10 destroy the constitution of ID free people
AS an envoy We might have gone 10 Europe
and found fr ends. Here We have been ~
fused the least recognition. We have no
been treated with ordinary politeness. Ih'
| officials have refused 20 speak with US On.
cannot talk about il. | suppose when bai
maceds is dead and the constitutional gov
eminent has been restored the United state