Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-30
BALMACEDA IS BANGED
The Would be Dictator OF
Chile Has Taken to
the Woods
Valparaiso Surrendcrs to the
Victorious Forces and
Peace is in Sight
Graphic Description of the
Gallant Fight Which
Ended the Strife

VALPARAISO, Aug. 29-Balmaceda' s
power In Chile is broken. His army
has been crushed, after five hours OF
hard fighting, and scattered beyond
all hope of reorganization. The rev.
olutionists have taken possession of
Valparaiso, with Balmaceda practi-
cally a fugitive without resources In
men or money; with the principal sea-
ports In the hands OF the congresslon-
allsts; with President-elect Vicuna
refugee on board German war-ship
and the country flocking in masses to
the standard Of the invaders, it is a
matter OF only a few days when the
capital will fall into the hands Of the
revolutionary leaders.
General Canto and his army won
today's battle by superior generalship
and hard fighting, assisted by good
fortune In killing off Balmaceda's gen
erals and the consequent demOraliza-
tion OF the army and desertion OF
tUIlIt IT VI llbitS
there has not been harmony In the
military councils of President Balma-
ceda. Both Barbora and AlZerreca
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 assume the offensive, and
Canto was In no hurry to move, partly
hn ranniNlpn 1nnGtHnt
accession to his ranks and partly be-
cause he had strongly entrenched
position. Early this morning, how
ever, the booming Of cannon an
nounced to the people that move
ment beyond the skirmish OF the past
few days had begun. The occasional
loud report OF cannon soon sweHed
into a continuous roar.
Canto's position was on the hills
above the race track at Nina del Mar.
lie had absolute control OF the rail
road to Santiago and commanded the
ordinary roads. Affairs had come TO
such pass that 1t was necessary for
Balmaceda to make some move. Ac-
cordingly, at daylight this morning,
word was given TO take the position
held by the reyOlutionists, and the
government troops advanced under
cover of a heavy fire from their bat
teries.
AS soon as the approaching columns
got within range a destructive fire was
opened by the entrenched revolution
lists. The government troops, how
ever, advanced steadily. They were
soon near enough to return the fire
but shot, shell, grape and canister
tore through their ranks until despite
the efforts OF the officers, they brOk'
and retired almost in a panic. A
soon as they got out Of range OF th'
deadly fire the officers worked lik'
beavers to reform their columns, anC
at last succeeded.
Then came another attack. Th'
unsteady ranks OF the governmen
troops started on the double quick vi
into the torrents OF fire and lead tina
blazed from the insurgents ranks
General Barbora was killed. The line
wavered for an instant, but then wen
on. A short distance further on Gen
eral AlZerreca fell from his horse
wounded unto death.
Again the line wayered, and theT
General Canto gave the order u
charge. With a wild yell the cor
gressional army left their defense
and charged on the now retreatin
enemy. The artillery poured deadl
fire into the ranks OF Balmaceda'
troops. The loss Of the general Off
Z GERS had left the latter without
I head, and all the efforts of subord
3 nate officers TO rally them were OF n
avail.
The retreat became rout, panic
and then utter Generalization. Th
government cavalry made a stand, bJ
II was short. They were literally Gu
, to pieces.
: Volley after volley was poured int
/, the demorafized mob. A whole reg
ment which had not lost their reg
mental formation, went over TO u
victorious troops and joined In III
attack on their late comrades. The'
desertcrs were generally voluntee
who had been impressed by Balm
ceda since the beginning OF hostilltie
Their sympathles had all along bee
with the insurgents, and they graspC
4 this first opportunity to go over
~ them.
The fighting lasted less than fl
hours and its desperate character m;
be Judged by the fact that fully 90
men were killed and wounded. III
country for miles around Is filled Wi
men, many Of them wounded, wi
1 were this morning the dependence
Balmaceda.
The defeat Of the government
absolute. There is no possibility
reorganization, and II Balmaceda do
not succeed In making his esca
n through the mountains, the chanc
- are that he will be captured and she
- President-elect Vicuna early to-
alarm. When stragglers began co
Ing In from the battlefield, he we
aboard the German flagship and ask
the protection OF the admiral. IL "
granted Then Intendent Veil sent
I'M Communication TO Admiral Brown,
the United States navy, and the co
manding officers OF the other fOrei
fleets, requesting them To send m
ashore to protect their citizens, as I
20 probabilities were that there might