Las Vegas free press., 1892-01-26

town a short distance up the river.
This report the Chileans believe to
be true. And rumors were also prev
alent to the eff ct that the son of
United States Minister, Egan had re-
ceived donation of very extensive
interests in the nitrate fields, which
were there in the hands of the insur-
gents, and that Minister Egan was
rendering all possible aid to Balma-
ceda in order that these fields might
be returned to the government and
the valuable donation realized by his
son. There were also rumors to the
effect that United States naval Off
GERS had taken active part in cutting
the telegram lines north of Iquique,
in order to cut off the insurgents
from communication with other coun-
tries. All these rumors the Chilean
citizens steadfastly believed and
their feeling that the cause for which
they were fighting was being in
jured, their animosity towards United
States officers and citizens knew
no bounds. However, the insurgents
pressed forward with an eagerness
that knew no defeat.
On the 2lst an engagement oc-
CURED on the Aconcogua without
definite results. On the 23d fierce
battle was fought near Vena del
Mars Beach, some distance to the
north of Valparaiso. The slaughter
was great and on the oath the two
armies under q truce cared for the
dead and wounded, and Canto, the
insurgent general, intrenched his
men on the beach while the govern
ment troops, under Barbosa were
well intrenched on the hills east of
the beach.
On the evening of the oath it was
conceded by all informed persons
that the final struggle, which was to
decide the futures destiny of the
republic, was at hand, and the in
tense eagerness on both sides be-
came very great, while excitement
reigned supreme. The regulars and
the very great number of officers,
under the pay Of Balmaceda, stood
firm for the tyrant because it was to
their interest to overcome the insur-
gents, but the better classes OF citi-
zens favored the cause of the rebels,
and during the night hundreds of
men stole out of Valparaiso and
joined the insurgent camp, the sold
iers slept on their arms, or eagerly
awaited the coming day. AT the
break of day, on the 25th, all forces
were in motion. The cannonading
opened about sunrise, Canto drew
up his men for battle, and with 5000
picked men, advanced against Bar
bosa, who had more than 1000 men
under his command and all well in
trenched on the hills. The insur-
gent forces were composed of var
ious classes; many of the soldiers
belonging to the best families of the |
and large number of
young Englishmen and Americans
were in the ranks, some having en-
listed through love of adventure,
some through love for the cause, and
many had been given commissions
in the army as inducements. As the
insurgents were drawn up for battle
they seemed very nervous and un-
easy, knowing that they were to
fight against heavy odds, but upon
their countenances was the express
sion OF determination that could |
not be swerved. Canto advanced |
with his lines in good order, to with
in 800 yards of the governmental
lines when the battle opened with a
roar of musketry; dense
clouds of smoke darkened the sky,
while rank after rank was mown
down like grass. The governmental
men Of war running close up to the
beach, also played their heavy guns
on the insurgent lines with deadly
effect. The expression on the faces
of the soldiers as they advanced in
to battle was beyond description;
careworn from loss of sleep and
several days hard fighting,