Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-08-29
The Insurgents Capture Val
paraiSO.
A HORRIBLE CASE
Pine Nut Mine, United in Death,
Prairie Fire, A Fratricide, The
Grangers, Fell Through a Floor,
Cruise Of the Mermaid, Great R,
R. Scheme, State and Foreign
News, Etc.
NOW IT IS THE orHERwAY.


Secretary Wharton, of the state de
partment, received the following
cablegram last night from U. S,
Consul McCreary, at Valparaiso.
"a battle was fought near the
city this morning. The government
forces were badly beaten. Heavy
loss on both sides. The city surren
Tered 10 the opposition, but is in the
hands Of the admirals of the Ameri
,an, German, French and English
fleets, for good order. No commu-
nication with Santiago. The OPP
position forces are now entering this
city.
VALPARAISO CAPTURED.
NEW YoRK, Aug. 20. The Herald
yesterday devoted a page to Chill
news. Its Valparaiso dispatch says
that Balmaceda's power in Chill is
broken, his army has been crushed
after five hours hard fighting, and
scattered beyond all hope of reorgan-
ization. The revolutionists b ave
taken possession Of Valparaiso with
Balniaceda practically a fugitive
without resources in men or money,
with the principle seaports In the
hands Of the congressionalists
with President-elect Vicuna refu-
zee on board a German war ship,
and the country fiocking in masses
TO the standard of the invaders, II is
matter Of only few days when
the capital will fall into the hands
Of the revolutionary leaders. Gen
eral Canto and his army won to
days battle by superior generalship
and hard fighting, assisted by good
fortune in killing off Balmaceda's
generals and the consequent demor-
alization Of the army and desertion
of entire regiments. Furthermore,
there has not been harmony In the
military councils Of President Bal
maceda, as both Barbora and Alzer-
reca wanted the supreme command
This jealousy resulted In an almost
open rupture, and these officers
worked at cross purposes.
Balmaceda was in no condition to
a sumo the ofIesiye and Canto was
In no hurry to move, partly because
he was receiving constant accession
to his ranks and partly because he
bad strongly entrenched his posi-
ton. Early this morning, however
the booming of cannon announced
: to the people that movement be
yond the skirmish Of the past few
days had begun, and the occasional
loud reports of cannon soon swellet
into n continuous roar. Cantoi
position was on the hills above thu
racetrack at Vina del Mar. He haC
absolute control of the railroad Il
Santiago and commanded the ordi
nary roads. Affairs had come Il
such a pass that 1t was necessary 10
Balmaceda TO make some move
Accordingly, at daylight this morn
ing word was given to take the posi-
tlon held by the revolutionists, anC
the government troops advanced un
der cover Of a. heavy fire from theil
batteries.
AS soon as the approaching
columns got within range a destruct
i've fire was opened 10y the entrench
ed revolutionists. The government
troops, however, advanced steadily
They were soon near enough to re
turn the fire, but shot, shell, grape
and canister tore through thril
ranks, until, despite the efforts o
the officers, they broke and retired
almost in panic, As soon as they
got outside Of the range of the dead
" fire, the officers worked like beav'
ers TO reform their column, and al
last succeeded. Tken came another
attack. In steady ranks the govern
ment troops started on double-qulch
time up into the torrents OF fire anc
lead which blazed from the insur
gents ranks. General Barbora wai
killed aud the line wavered for M
instant but then went on. A shor
distance farther on, General Alzer
reca fell from his horse wounded
unto death. Again the line wavereC
and General Canto gave the orde
to charge, with wild yell. Th'
congressional army left their de
fences and charged ON the now re
treating enemy. Theartillery poured
deadly fire into the ranks Of bal
maceda's troops. The loss of officer
had left the latter without a heaC
aud all efforts Of the subordinate
officers to rally them were of M
avail. The retreat became n rou
aud panlc aud then utter demoral
izatiou. The government cavalr,
made stand, but II was short
They were literally cut to pieces
Volley after volley was poured int
the demoralized mob.
A whole regiment, which had no
lost its reglmental formation, wen
over to the victorious troops OF Can
TO, aud Joined In the attack on lhei
late comrades. These descrten
were generally volunteers who ha,
been impressed by Balmacedia sioc'
the beginning OF the hostililics
Their symp,thles all along had beef
with the Insurgents aud they grasp
cd this first opportunity to so owe
A.. 49,. M. f..hfi.... laafal laa,