The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-23
AN AMERICAN GIRLS STORY.
Thrilling Account or Ci.ilian Affairs mt
the time of IsalHaceda'a Fall.

+"
the time of salHaeeda'a Fall.
NEW YonK Nov. 22.---Some interesting
details regarding ChiIinn events immcai-
atoly following tho battles which resulted
in the downfall of Balmacedn and his fol-
lowers are contained In q private letter re-
ceived from q young American girl who has
been living in Valparaiso and Santiago.
The writer has been d member Of the house.
bold Of some Of the most influential fam
lilies In Chill, including that of Bhlnaceda
himgolf. and also was for a long time with
the Edwards family. who were exiled by
Balmaceda ana aftefward allowed to return
to Santiago. The letter is dated Santiago,
Sept. ID. Referring to the treatment Of tho
defeated leaders Of I3almaceda's forces after
the fall of Valparaiso, the writer says: 1T
is sickening to even write ii, but saw that
mob fight for a bone, a hand, q small
piece of flesh, anything out OF the carts con-
tanning the bodies of the dead generals; and
six officers Of tho junta looked on and
smiled. The generals had done nothing
but remain loyal to the government. They
were not good men, but they led Balma-
ceda's army, and after the battle were
found wounded on the field. When the
enemy found them and demanded their
swords they answered Generals. never SUR
render So they were killed, their bodies
stripped, cut to pieces and carted around
Valparaiso. Women. mothers with their
daughters, looked on and said well done,
this 10 the vengeance Of the constitutions
party. Catch Balmaceda and roast him."
Speaking OF the battles Of Concon ana
Vindn, Delmar, the writer, says:
From the top OF the house
We could see the tents and
hear every shct. Thousands Of the gov
ernment troops passed over to the opposi-
tion on the morning of the 18th. After the
final battle of Placilla, the firing continued
an hour and a half, Then it ceased en-
tirely. Twenty minutes later the remnants
of the artillery dashed by as though the
devil was after them, and one shouted nr
to us 'all is lost We Immediately signalled
the Baltimore and the San francisco for
help and the marine corps soon arrived.
About noon tho opposition came in. All
the church and fire bells Immediately rang
medley. The whole population turned
out to meet the invaders. Never was Il
town 80 willing to be taken. Ladies
pulled the officers from their horses and
hugged and kissed them. Pandemoniunl
L
GUS parts of the oity GOO men, women and
children were found dead. Balmaceda
turned the government over to General
] Boquedano, who was NEUTRAL sent his wife
to Minister Egan and then disappeared. A
week ago to-day we returned to Santiago
and as soon as we arrived the ChiliAns shut
US up III the house. We telephoned to ERar
and SO received assistance. The Chilian!
wanted to search for Balmaceda but were
not allowed to, but they appointed q guard
to watch our going and coming. lhs guart
is still watching. S W.
! 1.-THE last battle occurred Friday. Til,
4 victorious army forgot its 5000 dead ane
wounded at the battle-f field, and the frs
5|amhutanre sent was by iforsi iQners, on Sun
i [sday morning. For ten DAYS aasistet
4 the surgeons Of the Baltimore am
the San Francisco. Many wounded
4 whom attended did no
know what they had been fighting for. At
ter each battle the government men wh'
had been wounded were all killed. At on
time. III Valparaiso, there were 400
wounded congressonalists. When tue sol
iiers went to bury the dead they first stol
their clothes and arms. For a day or tWt
they dug deep wells, into which the bodie
I we're pitched headlong, but this occaslonet
too much work, 80 they piled up the dead
poured kerosene over them and burnet
them. Our doctors did noble work. and
although called Yankee spies. soon won tn
good will Of every one" =.