Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-29

MEN KILLED - BEIMkcED&s WHEREABOUTS
USKNowN-HIs AIarY pLfEArED BY SUPERIOR
ARMS OF THE coSoREssIoNALrsrs-o FoI-
LOWS THE STRUGGLE
A New York Herald correspondent ct Val
paraiso telegraphed last night the following ac-
count of yesterdays decisive battle:
Balmaceda's power in Chill is broken. His
army has been crushed sitter five hours hard
lighting. and is scattered beyond all hope of
reorganization. The revolutioniss have taken
possession Of Valparaiso. The future of Chill
Tor the time has been settled, and settled con-
ciusively, on the hills to the east of this city
today by the grim arbitrament Of war.
With Balmaceda practically fugitive with
out resources in men or money; with the prin-
c1pal seaports of the country in the hands OF
the congressionalists. and a consequent shut
ting oil OF all income from customs receipts;
with President-elect Vicuna a refugee on board
German war ship. and the country focking
en- masse to the standard of the invaders, it Is
matter of only few days when the capital will
fall into the hands of the revolutionary leaders.
Gen. Canto and his army won today's battle
by superior generalship, good hard fighting.
assisted by good fortune in the killing of Bal
maceda s generals and the consequent demorali-
cation OF the army and the desertion of entire
regiments The position up to this morning
to make an offensive movement and devoted
ms time and energies to making his defenses as
strong as possible.
Then all not harmony in the military
councils OF the president Both Gems. Iarbosa
and Alzerreca wanted to have supreme COM
mand of the forces in the field. This friction
and jealousy resulted in almost an open rup-
ture yesterday and the two officers worked at
cross purposes.
CANro NOT IN A HURRY
Gen. Canto was in no hurry to move on the
enemy, because he was receiving constant ac-
cessions to his ranks from the people in the
surrounding country, which is populated
largely by those bound by ties of blood or in
terest to the leaders Of the revolution, many of
whom are natives Of the province. Then he
had Il strongly intrenched position and could
well afford to wait. Early this morning the
Doom OF cannon announced to the people of
Valparaiso that movement beyond the ordi-
nary shlrmishes had begun.
The occasional loud reports Of the heavy
guns soon swelled into one continuous roar
and then 1t was known that the final decisive
| struggle which. at the cost of thousands Of
lives, perhaps. was to decide whether Balma-
ceda or the Junta was to be the ruling power
in Chill had begun.
Excitement was intense in Valparaiso. The
streets were crowded with people, women pre-
dominating, anxiously waiting for news and
talking Of the momentous contest which was
In full progress only few miles away.
Affairs had come TO such a pass that il was
necessary for President Balmaceda to make
some move, and IA little after daylight this
morning the word was given to attack the
position held by the revolutonists. and, led by
Generals Barbosa and Alzerreca, the govern
ment troops LETT their breastworks and adj
yanced on the enemy under cover Of heavy
fire from their batteries. The insurgents were
generally armed with Mannlicher rifles and
used snlokeless powder. The government
troops were not SO well armed.
THE GREAT BATTLE.
As soon as the approaching columns
got within range OF the Mannlichers
they were met by q destructive fire
from the intrenched revolutionists The
Chllians are brave, however, whether govern
ment troops or revolutionists, and advanced
with much steadiness to the attack. They were
soon near enough to do effective work with
their pieces, and the engagement became gem
eral. Shot and shell, grape and canister and
rifle bullets tore through the ranks of the ad-
vancing troops until it became too hot and
despite the efforts of the officers they broke
and retired almost in panic. Officers worked
like beavers to reform their columns soon as
they got withou. the range Of the deadly Mann
lichers and at last succeeded.
Then came another ATTACK. In steady ranks
the government troops started on double
quick up into the torrent of fire and lead which
v,
TWO GENERALS KILLED.
Early in the second charge Gen. Barbosa was
shot down and was killed. The line wavered,
but kept on. Then Gen. Alzerreca fell from his
horse, wounded unto death. He was removed
from the field and died within an hour
Another break and then Gen. Canto gave the
order TO charge. With wild yell the con-
gressionalist army left their defenses and
| charged on the retreating enemy. Their artil-
lery poured deadly fire into the ranks of Bal
macedas army. The loss of thei- generals left
| them without head and all the efforts Of the
| subordinate officers to rally them to meet the
| onset OF Canto's regiments and squadrons were
of no avail
The retreat became rout the rout panic,
and then came utter decentralization.
The government cavalry made a stand, but il
| was short. They were literally cut to pieces.
Volley after yO!ley was poured into the de-
moralized mob of Balmacedists Whole regi-
| ments which had not lost their regimental
| formation went over to the victorious troops
of Canto and joined in the attack on their late
comrades.
These deserters were generally the "volun-
teers" who had been impressed into service by
Daimaceda since the commencement of hostili-
ties. Their sympathics have all along been
with the insurgents and they took this, the
first opportunity, to go over to them.
FIVE HOURS OF BATTLE.
iue uSutiHS asteu a uttle less tlGn nve
hours, and its desperate character may be
judged by the fact that fully 5000 men were
killed and wounded. The country for miles
around is filled with men, many of them
wounded, who were this morning the depend
ence of President Balmaceda.
The defeat of the government is absolute and
complete. There is no possibility of a reOrgan-
cation, and if he does not succeed in making his
escape through the mountain passes which are
yet open the chances are that he will be cap
tured and shot.
Early this morning stragglers from the battle
field began to come in. As the day wore on
they came in greater and constantly growing
numbers, and 1t became apparent that the gov.
eminent troops were getting the worst Of it.
yICUNA SEEKS A REFUGE
The reports they brought in became more
alarming. President-eiect Vicuna took the
alarm early and went aboard the German flag
ship and asked protection of the admiral, winch
was granted. Then the intendente, Oscar Wei,
sent communication to Admiral Brown and
the commanding officers of the other foreign
fleets in the harbor requesting them to send
men ashore and protect their citizens, as the
probabilities were that there might be trouble.
A landing party of blue jackets and marines
from the San Francisco were ordered ashore by
Admiral Brown and took up position about
the American consulate. The other naval Of
| ficers followed suit and soon there were enough
| foreign men-of-warsmen ashore to protect the
city against any possible outbreak.
The streets OF the city by IL O'Clock were
| filed with a disorganized mob of Balmacedau
| soldiers. The execution among the officerS hnd