The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-29


Hurled Back. Both His Generals
Slain and His Troops Psnic- Stricken
Whole Regiments OF ..voIunteers''
Deserf-Complcte Collapse OF the
Usurper's Government and Glorious
Triumph of the Congressionalists.
NEW YoRK, Aug. s.-The Herald this
morning deyotes page 10 Chilean news.
Its Valparaiso dispatch says: Balma-
ceda'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 revolutionsts have
taken possession of Valparaiso, with Bal
maceda practically a fugitive without re-
sources in men or money; with the princi-
pal seaports in the hands of the congress
ionalists; with President-elect Vicuna a
refugee on board German war ship and
the country fiocking in masses to the
standard of the invaders, it is matter of
only few days when the capital will fall
,.
General Canto and his army won today's
battle by superior generalship and hard
fighting, assisted by good fortune in kill
ing of Balmaceda's generals and the con-
sequent decentralization of the army and
desertion of entire regiments. Further
more, there has not been harmony in the
military councils of President Balmaceda.
Both Barbora and Alzerreca wanted the
supreme command. This jealousy resulted
In an almost open rupture. and these Off
GERS worked at cross purposes. Baimaceda
was In no condition to assume the often-
sive, and Canto was in no hurry to move,
partly because he was receiving constant
accession to his ranks and partly because
he had strongly intrcnched position
Early this morning, however, the BOOM
ing OF cannon announced to the people
that movement beyond tlfe skirmish of
the past few days had begun. The occa-
sional loud report Of cannon soon swelled
into continuous roar.
Canto's position was on the hills above
the race track at Vina del Mar He had
absolute control of the railroad 10 SAM
tiago and commanded the ordinary roads.
Affairs had come to such pass that il was
necessary for Balmaceda to make some
move. Accordingly, at daylight this morn
ing word was given to take the position
held by the revolutionists, and the govern
ment troops advanced under cover of a
heavy fire from their batteries.
AS soon as the approaching columns
got within range a destructive fire was
opened by the entrenched revolutionists.
The government troops, however. adj
utaaHiIx- Fhaty
enough to return the fire, but shot. shell,
grape and canister tore through their
ranks until, despite the efforts of the
officers, they broke and retired almost in
a panic. As soon as they got ont of range
of the deadly FIRE the officers worked like
beavers to reform their columns, and at
last succeeded.
Then came another attack. The un-
steady ranks OF the government troops
started on the double quick up into the
torrents of fire and lead that blazed from
the insurgents ranks. General Barbora
was killed. The line wavered for an in
slant. but then went on. A short distance
further on General Alzerreca fell from his
horse, wounded unto death.
Again the line wayered, and then GEN
eral Canto gave the order TO charge. With
a wild yell the congressional army left
their defenses and charged on the now re-
treating enemy. The artillery poured
deadly fire into the ranks of Balmaceda's
troops. The loss of the general officers
had left the latter without head. and all
the efforts of subordinate officers to rally
them were OF no avail.
The retreat became rout panic. and
then utter decentralization. The govern
ment cavalry made a stand. but it was
shot. They were literally cut TO pieces.
Volley after yolley was poured into the
demoralized mob. A whole regiment.
which had not lost their regimental for
nation. went over 10 the victorious troops
and Joined in the attack on their late
comrades. These deserters were gener-
ally volunteers who had been impressed
by Baimaceda since the beginning OF hos
tilities. Their sympathies had all along
been with the insurgents, and they
grasped this first opportunity to go over
10 them.
The lighting lasted less than five 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 titled with men. many of them
wounded, who were this morning the de-
pendence of Balmaceda.
The defeat of the government is abso-
lutte. There IS no possibility Of reoryani-
cation, and if Balmaceda does not succeed
in making his escape through the noun
tains the chances are that he viii De cap
tured and shot. President-elect Vicuna
early took alarm. When stragglers began
coming in from the battlefield, he went
aboard a German flagship and asked the
protection of the admiral Ii was granted.
Then Intendent Veil sent eOmmunica-
ton to Admiral Brown. Of the United
States navy, and the commanding officers
OF the other foreign fleets, requesting
them TO send men ashore TO protect their
citizens. as the probabilities were that
there might ne trouble.
A party OF blue jackets and marines
from the cruiser San Francisco quickly
came ashore and took up position about
the American consulate. Other naval Of
ncers followed suit, and soon there were
enough foreign sailors and marines on
shore 10 protect the city against intruders
The streets Of the city by IL O'Clock were
hlled WITH disorgsnixed Balmacedan sol