The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-08-26
FIERCE FIGHT In CHILL.
THREE THOUSAND SOLDIERS
DEAD.
a Terrible Battle Lasting Til ee Days
Takes Place Between Bamac-da's
Forces and Those of the insurgents
Heavy Losses on Both Sides.
In the Seals.

In the ScaIs.
Evcl while the BATTLE was raging,
news reached tbs country OF collision
between the Congressional and Govern
mcnt sorccs Of hill. The dispatch was
sent from Valparaiso and reads:
President Balmac da and the Junta
DeGobiernO are enched in the final
desperate struggle for the mastery Of
the Rcpub ic of Chill.
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 a reverse to the Government.
The final test of strength is now be-
ing made at Nina del Mar Beach,
directly across Valparaiso Bay and ess
than five miles away
When the news reached here that an
army of 1000 rebels had been landed at
Quintro Bay, Balmaceda I'd his gen.
erals were taken by surprise, bu. the
utmost activity was used in getting
troops TO the front, 80 as, if possible. TO
prevent the Invading army from cross
ing the Aconcagua River Immediately
south of the bay
The arrangement were made hurried
ly'and only a lite o er half Of the
troops were available for this purpose.
Six of the in urgent var ships were an
choreJ in Cosnon Bay, at the mouth Of
the river, and under the cover Of their
guns the army of the Junta III dertook
the task of forcing passage of tie
river.
most dc perate and blcoiy battle re-
suited, lasting nearly all day.
CALLING fire from the insurgent ar
tllt ry, which was formed Oh the northerl
bank of the river, aided by the heavy
batteries and machine guns from the
ships, was too much for the government
troops and the were forced to retire,
which they did in good order.
Both sdeS 70, ght with the utmost
valor and the dc 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
stcalerS The general in command of
the government forces selected a strong
pos on on the beach of Nina del Mar,
the eastern shore of Valparaiso Bay, as
his second line of defense, and lea ing
force enough in front Of the enemy 10
check his progress somewhat, took his
place there and went TO work to
strengthen it rs much as possible.
All day long The insurgent 70 ceS
pushed their way steadily forward,
driving the comparatively small govern
ment force before them. 1t was Il con-
slant skirmish for fifteen miles over
broken country.
At every point Of vantage the Balma-
cedans made a stand, and while they
were constantly forced TO give way be-
fore superior numbers they e,ardcd the
advance, and gave the main army at
Vina del Mar chan TO better prepare
itself for the decisive fight
1t was not until late in the evening
that the attacking army arrived in
front of Balmaceda's line OF defense.
IL was then too late TO give battle. In
the meantime President Bamaceda,
with every avail able man in this depart
ment, himself in command, went to
the front He had over 5000 available
fighting men. while the nsurgent 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 rlkilg the
enemy by land "a d pr, venting the in
surgent eet which had entered the lay
from doing anything more effective than
long range firing.
The CongressionaliSts attacked i'm
force and the battle has ragged with the
utmost fe cencss The wIr ships did
all they could TO all their ian forces,
but they had healthy regard for the
heavy guns i'm the ortS, and were COM
pc led To do their fighting ut long range.
They sent as II any 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-
ceda's position.
The mo- I intense excitement prevails
in this city. The roar of heavy artillery
and Che 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
SOU bit some p ace overlooking the battle
ground and thousands Of people are
watching the desperate struggle which
is being fought unGer teir 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 he thunde Gus roll Of the
artillery can be heard continue sly.