The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-08-27
FIERCE FIGHT IN CHILL.
THREE THOUSAND SOLDIERS
DEAD.
A Terrible Battle Lasting Three Days
Takes Place Between Balmaceda's
Forces and Those of the Insurgents
Heavy Losses on Both Sides.
In the Scale.

HeaFy Losses on BOCn SIDES
In the Scale.
Even while the battle was raging,
news reached this country of collision
between the Congressional and Govern
ment forces of Chill. The dispatch was
sent from Valparaiso. and reads:
President Balmaceda and the Junta
DeGobierno are c,enched in the final
desperate struggle for the mastery of
the Republic of Chilli.
The chosen battle grounds are in full
view of the city of Valparaiso, and thou
sands of anxious eyes are watching from
every point of vantage the battle which
is to decide the fate OF the country.
The battle has been raging practically
for three days. The first engagement
was at the mouth of the Aconcagua and
resulted in reverse to the Government.
The final test of strength is now be-
ing made at VIVA del Mar Beach,
directly across Valparaiso Bay and .eSS
than five miles away.
When the news reached here that an
army Of g. O0O rebels had been landed at
Quintro Bay, Balmaceda and his gen
erals were taken by surprise, but the
utmost activity was used in getting
troops to the front, so as, if possible to
prevent the invading army from cross
ing the Aconcagua River Immediately
south of the bay.
The arrangements were made hurried
ly and only little over half of the
troops were available for this purpose.
Six of the insurgent war ships were an
chored in Cosnon Bay, at the mouth of
the river, and under the cover Of their
guns the army of the Junta undertook
the task of forcing passage of the
river.
A most de perate and bloody battle re-
suited lasting nearly all day.
A CALLING fire from the insurgent ar
tillery, which was formed 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 in good order.
Both sides fought with the utmost
valor and the de ;perate character of the
battle may be judged from the fact that,
while less than 20, 900 troops were en-
gagged, the list Of casualties will foot up
nearly 5000 men killed and wounded
Balmaceda found out that the insur-
gents are something more than nitrate
stealers The general in command of
the government forces selected strong
position on the beach Of Vina del Mar,
the eastern shore of Valparaiso Bay, as
his second line of defense, and leaving
force enough in front of the enemy to
check his progress somewhat, took his
place there and went to work to
strengthen it as much as possible.
All day long the insurgent forces
pushed their way steadily forward,
driving the comparatively small govern
ment force before them. 1t was q con-
slant skirmish for fifteen miles over
broken country.
At every point of van tage the Balma-
cedans made a stand, and while they
were constantly forced to give way be-
! fore superior numbers they retarded the
advance, and gave the main army at
Vina del Mar chan e to better prepare
itself for the decisive fight
It was not until late in the evening
that the attacking army arrived in
front of Balmaceda's line OF defense.
1t was then too late to give battle. In
the meantime President Balmaceda,
with every available man in this depart
ment, himself in command, went to
the front He had over Is, 900 available
fighting men. while the insurgent forces
had been reduced to less than 1000.
At the back of the government line is
Fort Callao, the heavy guns of which
have done good work, both in raking the
enemy by land ard preventing the in
surgent f eet which had entered the bay
from doing anything more effective than
long range firing.
The Congressionalists attacked in
force and the battle has ragged with the
utmost fierceness. The war ships did
all they could to aid their lanI forces,
but they had healthy regard for the
heavy guns in the FORTS ard were COM
PEELED TO do their fighting at long range.
They sent as many men as they could
spare, with all their available machine
and rapid fire guns, to aid as a naval
auxiliary brigade the attack on Balma
lsceda's position.
The mo t intense excitement prevails
in this city. The roar Of heavy artillery
and 3he sharp rattle Of small arms re-
sound through the streets and are echoed
back from the high hills surrounding the
city. Everybody who is left here has
sought some place overlooking the battle
ground and thousands of people are
watching the desperate struggle which
is being fought under their very eyes
The scene from Valparaiso is one of
awful grandeur, A heavy pal of smoke
hangs like cloud over the Contending
armies. 1t is lit up most continuously
by sharp flashes of light from the cannon
and rifles, and the thundelous roll of the
artillery can be heard continue sly.
FLOODED THE TOWN.