The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-16
VALPARAISO CAPTURED.
Balmaceda's Army Routed by
the Insurgents.
The Demoralized Government
Troops Fleeing to Santiago.

A dispatch from Washington says: The
first official news from the seat Of war in
Chilli reached the State Department this
evening, in the shape of dispatch from the
United States Consul at Valparaiso. Its
contents put new and surprising face on
the contest which has been carried on for the
last six months or more between the GoT-
ernment of President Balmacada and the So
calle'i Congressional party. According to
the Statement of the American Consul at
Chil2s chief seaport. that city, the most inn
portans in tine Republic, has fallen into the
hands 0: the Congressional army, and Bal
maceda's forces have sustained defeat
which is almost certain to prove fatal to the
Government cause.
TIE Congressional army, which boldly
landed north of Valparaiso few days ago,
seems 20 have crushed the forces with which
Balmaceda and his Generals fastened
to the defence Of that cisy; and the
victorious Congressional troops after q
hard struggle, are now in possession OF
the great port on whose control the main
tenance of Government at Santiago, only
thirty miles distant, absolutely de-
pends Consul McCreery's dispatch to
the State Department is unequivocal as to
the outcome Of the battle between the Con-
gressionalists and the Balmacedists, and the
subsequent surrender of Valparaiso. Here
is what he sends to the State Department by
the cable line, which apparently has just
been reopend:
''Valparaiso.-Battle fought near this city
this morning. Government forces badly
beaten. Heavy losses both Sides City sur
rendered to Opposition, but in hand Of Ad-
mirals American, German, French and
English fleets for good order No conmu-
nication from Santiago. Opposition forces
now entering the city. McCREERY."
Mr.. Julio NJ. Foster, who is assisting the
Congressional ENJOYS in this city, received
. "Balmaceda is defeated. Valparaiso in
our power. Viva Chill. TRUMBULL."
The sender is Richard Trumbull, one OF
the Congressional agents, who is now under
indictment for violation Of the neutrality
laws in connection with the equipment OF
the Itata.
An hour after the despatch from Mr..
Trumbull came to hand tho following des-
patch from Mr.. Viel, the confidential agent
addressed 70 Mr.. Pedro Montt, the principal
Congressional envoy in this city, was re-
ceived at the headquarters Of the party
here:
Triumph complete. Valparaiso surren-
dered."
The Chilian rebellion began in January.
There had been strugglefor many months
between President Balmaceda and the
majority in Congress- each charging
the other with Unconstitutional con-
duct. The President dissolved Con.
press: thereupon the majority Of
Congress went on board the fleet, which
hoisted the banner Of insurrection. The
army remained faithful to Balmaceda. The
feet took possession of Iquique, in northern
Chill, and made that city headquar-
ters Of the insurgent forces with Montt,
Silva and Barros Luco as a governing junta.
The most interesting naval engage
ment of the war was the destruction by tor
pedoes Of the insurgent flagship Blance En-
calada- Owing to intervening descent and
mountains, Iquique was safe from land at
tack, and up to the present expedition against
Valparaiso there had been no important land
engagement.
Before the rebels started for Valparaiso. or,
to give the exact landing place, Vina del Mar,
they gave commissions in their forces TO a
number of adventurous Ensllshmen and
Americans Of some military experience. Upon
their first attack at Vina del Mar upon the
Bal1naceda army of about Il, 900 men, the in
sursents were repulsed, aud upon this fact
graphed throughout the world the state
ment that the insurgents had been completely
defeated. 1t appears, however, that the lat
tar were only strengthening themselves for
another attack, which has now proved sue
cessful. Fighting for their lives, they
could harlly hope for mercy; where
as the Balmaceda party, with leglti-
macy on their side, could hardly e1-
pect any severe punishment to follow de-
Feat. The rebels, therefore. proved victor
ious, and the absence Of any dispatches from
Balmaceda source goes to show that they
have won.
The successful insurgent commander was
formerly Colonel Cantor in the Gillian
army, and is said to have been dismissed the
service. He distinguished himself IN the
Peruvian war. All the Generals OF the
Chilian army have been with Balmaceda,
not one deserting to the rebel cause.