Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-29


men or money, with the principal sea-
port in the hands OF the Congressional
lists, with President-elect Vicufia 4
refugee on board German war ship,
and the country focking in vast masses
to the standard of the invaders, it is .
matter of only few days wheu the
capital win fall into the hands OF the
revolutionary leaders.
General Canto and his army won, to-
day, battle by superior generalship
and hard fighting, assisted by good for
tune in the killing Of Balmaceda's gen.
erals, and the consequent. de-
moralization Of his army, and the
desertion OF entire regimentg. Further
more, there has not been harmony in
the military councils Of President Bal
maceda. Both Barbora and Alzerreca
wanted supreme command. This jeal-
ousy resulted in almost open rupture,
and these officers worked at cross pur-
poses.
CANTo's CoIGN OF VANTAGE.
Balmaceda was in no condition to as
sumo 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 .
strongly entrenched position.
Early this morning, however, the
booming Of cannon announced to the
people that movement beyond the
skirmish OF the past few days. had be-
gun. The occasional loud report of a
cannon, soon swelled into q continuous
roar. Canto's position was ON the hills
above the race track at Vina Del Mar.
He had absolute control Of the railroad
to Santiago, and commanded the ordi-
nary roads.
Affairs had come to. such . pass that
it was necessary for Balmaceda to make
some move.
THE ATTACK BEGUN.
Accordingly. at daylight this morning,
word was given to attack the position
held by the revolutionists, and the gov
ernment troops advanced under cover Of
heavy fire from their batteries.
As soon as the approaching columns
got within range, q destructive fire was
opened by the entrenched fevolutionists.
The government troops. however, ad-
vanced steadily. They were soon near
enough to return the fire, but shot,
shell, grape and cannister tore
through their ranks until, despite
the efforts sof the officers, i they
broke and retired almost in panic. As
soon as they got outside the range Of the
deadly fire, the officers worked like
beavers 10 reform their columns, and at
last sncceeded. Then came another
attack.
In steady ranks the government troops
started on the double Quick up into the
torrent Of fire and lead which blazed
from the insnrgent ranks. General Bar
bora was killed. The line wavered for
an instant, but then went on. A short
distance further on. General Apzerreca
fell from his horse, wounded unto death.
W THE BALMAcRDIsTs ROUTED.
S Again the line wavered, and then Gen.
Canto gave the order to charge. With
wild yelFthe Congressional army left
their defenses and charged on the
now retreating enemy. The artillery
poured deadly fire into the ranks
OF Balmaceda's troops. The loss of
the general officers had left the latter
without head, and all the efforts of the
subordinate officers to rally them were
OF no avail. The retreat became rout,
the rout a. panic, and then utter de-
moralization. The government cav
airy made stand. but it was short.
They were literally cut to pieces. Vol
ley after volley was poured into the de-
moralized mob.
WHOLE REGIMENTS CHANGE SIDES.
Whole regiments which had not lost
their regimental formation went over to
the victorious troops Of Canto, and
joined in the attack on their late com
rades. These deserters were generally
volunteers who had been impressed by
Balmaceda since the beginning Of hos
tilities. a.
Their sympathies all along had been
with the Insurgents, and they grasped
this, the first opportunity, to 90 over to
them.
The fighting lasted less than five hours,
and its desperate character may be
judged by the fact that fully five thou.
sand were killed and wounded.
THE DfcrAToR's DEFEAT ABSOLUTE.
Balmaceda's defeat is absolute. There
islno possibility Of reorganization, and
if Balmaceda does not succeed in max.
| ing his escape through the mountain
passes, the chances are that he will be
captured and shot.
President-elect Vicufia early took the
alarm when stragglers began coming
from the battlefield. He went aboard
the German flagship, and asked the
protection Of the Admiral. It wal
| granted.
| BLUE JACKETS PROTECTING THE CITY.
Then Intendente vielsent commu
nication to the admiral Of the United
States navy, and the commanding off
GERS Of the other foreign fleets, requesting
them to send men ashore to protect theil
citizens, a. the probabilities were there
might be trouble. A party Of blue jack
ete and marines from the cruiser Ear