The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-29
The Latter Strongly Intrenched on
the Hillside, Their Position
Impregnable.
Valiant Charges by Balmacedan
Troops Repulsed With Terrific
Slaughter.
The Insurgent Forces Charged
Putting the Enemy to Rout
in Panic.
Five Thousand Killed in the Struggle
The City in Charge Of AdmiraIs
of Foreign Fleets.

New York, Aug. 29.--The Herald this
morning devoted page to Chill news. Its
Valparaiso dispatch says Balmaceda's
power in Chill is broken. His army has
been crushed after five hours' hard fight
ing and scattered beyond all hope of reor-
ganization. Revolutionists have taken
possession of Valparaiso, with Balmaceda
practically fugitive, without resources in
men or money, with the principal seaport
in the hands of the congressionaiists with
President-elect Vicuna refugee on board
German war ship and the country flock
ing in masses to the standard of the invad-
ers. 1t is a matter of only few days when
the capital will fall into the hands of the
revolutionary leaders. Gen. Canto and
army won to-day's battle by superior gen
eralship and hard fighting, assisted by good
fortune in killing off Balmaceda's generals
and consequent Generalization of the army
and the desertion of entire regiments. Fur
thermore, there has not been harmony in
the military councils of President Balma-
ceda. Both Barbora and Alzerreca wanted
supreme command. This Jealousy resulted
in almost an open rupture and these officers
worked at cross purposes.
Bamaceda was in no condition to assume
the offensive and Canto was in no hurry to
move, partly because he was receiving con-
slant accessions to his ranks and partly be-
cause he had strongly entrenched posi-
tion. Early this morning, how
ever, the booming of cannon
announced to the people that
a 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 Vina del
Mar. He had absolute control of the rail-
road to Santiago aud commanded the Or
dinary roads.
Affairs had come to such a pass that it
was necessary for Balmaoeda to make some
move. Accordingly, at daylight this morn
held by revolutionists, and government
troops advanced under cover of
As As soon as the approaching col.
umns got within range a destructive
fire WAS opened by the entrenched revolu-
tlonsts The government troops. however,
advanced steadily. They were soon near
enough to return the fl e, but shot, shell,
grape and oannister tore through their
ranks until, despite the efforts of the Off
Gers they broke and retired almost in a
panic. AS soon as they got outside of the
range of the deadly fire the officers worked
like beavers to reform their columns. and
at last succeeded. Then came another at
tack. In steady ranks the government
troops started on the double quick up into
the torrent of fire and lead which blazed
from the insurgent ranks. Gen. Barbora
was killed. The line wavered for
an instant and then went on.
Alzerreca fell from his horse wounded
unto death. Again the line wavered. and
then Gen. Canto gave the order to charge.
With wild yell the congressional army
left their defsnses and charged the now
retreating enemy. The artillery poured a
deadly fire into the ranks of Balmaceda' 8
troops. The loss of general officers had
left the latter without head
and all efforts of subordinate officers to
rally them were of no avail. The retreat
became rout and panic and then utter de-
mornlization. Government cavalry made a
stand, but it was short. They were
literally cut to pieces. Voley after vol
lev was poured into the demoralized mob. A
whole regiment, which had not lost its regi.
ment ii formation, went over to the victor
ions troops of Cante and joined in the at
tack on their late comrades. These desert
ers were generally volunteers who had been
impressed by Balmaceda since the begin
ming of hostilities.
Their sympathies had ali along been with
the insurgents, and thev grasped this fl st
opportunity to go over to them. The light
ing lasted less than five hours. and its des-
perate character may be Judged by the fact
that fully five thousand men were killed and
wounded. The country for miles around ID
filled with men, many of them wounded.
who were this morning the depen ience OF
Balmaceda. The defeat of the government
is absolute. There is no possibility of re-
organization and if Balmaceda does
not succeed Ill making his
escape through mountain passes
tho chances are that he will be captured
and shot. Presldont Elect Vicuna early
took alarm when the stragglers began COM
ing in from the battlefield. He went aboard
the German flagship and asked the
protection of the admi,al. II
WAS granted. Communications were
sent to Admiral Brown. of the
officers of other foreign fleets requesting
them to send men ashore to pro-
tect their citizens. as the proba-
bilities were there might be trouble.
party of blue jackets and mar
ines from the cruiser San Francisco quickly
came ashore and took up positions about
the American consulate, Other naval otli-
Gers followed suit and soon there were
enough foreign sailors and marines on
shore to protect the city against any out
break.
The streets of the city by II o'clock were
filled with disorganizea mob of Balma-
cedan soldiers. The execution among
the officers had been terrific. In
addition to Generals Rarboia and
Alzerreoa nearly all the staff officers
had been killed or wounded and fatalities
among line officials had been great. To
avoid tho bloodshed which would
probably have resulted flom
| the victorious army entering
city, heated with the fire of battle, flag
was sent to Gen. Canto with proposition
to surrender the oity. 1t WAS accepted and
enor Walker MARTINI, congressionaiist
! leader, took possession of the clty.
Shortly after noon tho victorious army
| al nra,g lad Inv (3eO.