Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-22
DA CANA FOOLED BY A CLEVER RuSE

One Engagement of Brazil's Opera Bouffe
Revolution That Was Deadly and in
Earnest--The Battle of February 9th, ut
ArmRcao MOuntain-There. Was Heavy
Firing aud Severe Losses on Both sides
How Da Gama's Forces We're De-
tented.
Correspondence Associated Press.
RIO DE JAHEIRo. Feb. ll.-What was
by far the bloodiest battle in this story OF
the Brazilian revolution was fought at
Armacao mountain in the early morning
hours of Friday. February 9th, 1891.
After a desperate fight the rebels cap
tured the batteries and planted their
standards for the first time in five months
on the shores of Rio bay. Two hours later
the government forces, reinforced re-
turned to the attack, drove out the rebels
and recaptured all they had lost, not, how
ever, before the enemy had time to spike
the most formidable guns in the batteries.
The losses were very heavy on both sides.
Probably the government 800 in killed
and wounded, and the rebels about 80.
including IS prisoners, three of whom
were officers. IL is said that Admiral
Ia Cana was twice shot In the neck and
in the leg, neither wound being serious.
The tight began about midnight Thurs
day with the customary dcsullory BON.
bardment of the forts and city OF Nicthe.
roy. But as the hours sped on, instead of
slackening the fire grew hotter and hotter,
and little groups of people began to collect
on the hills to watch the unusually vivid
display of pyrotechnics.
At $ o'clock Friday morning, the Acquid.
aban sent up rocket which was answered
from dozen different points of the bay
as the insurgents directed their fire on the
batteries at that point. In line of battle
approached the Aquidaban. the Trajano
the Guanobara, the Libertade, with Da
Canals flag at the masthead, the Jupiter
Suinze De Noyembro, the Gilblas and Il
or more small but well-armed tugs and
launches. The Tamandarc, u huge helpless
monster with crippled engines, lay al
anchor afar off and sent her shots whist.
ling between the other ships of the rebel
squadron.
For five hours the fire continued, grow
ing always sharper and quicker Suddenly
the batteries of the ArmacAo Point slack.
ehed AID finally stopped. A moment latei
those of the Point Areia also ceased to fire
With shouts of triumph the rebels pressed
i'll, threw their men on shore and grasped
the coveted prize. The government troops
seized by panic Us the insurgents claim,
or as ruse to entrap the enemy as the
government now declares, had fled befor,
their foes had put foot on shore and left
their guns and entertainments at the
mercy of the enemy.
Not moment was lost by the rebels.
Gun after gun was blown up or spiked
and in an hour the large guns ut Armacao
Point were mere wrecks. Those at Point
Areia were not SO much injured.
Meanwhile the Libertade. Jupiter and
the smaller boats were cruising TRANQUILITY
up and down the narrow channel between
the Areia and Mocongue Island, while the
Aquidaban and Fort Villagaignon were
Smelling Fort Gragoata at the southern enc
of Nictheroy.
Suddenly came burst of flames and .
| perfect storm Of shot poured down upon
the surprised rebels Joined by frest
| troops the government forces had rallied
passed unperceived back along the cres
Of Armacao Mountain. and now sent theii
shots quick and fast down It's slope upoi
the new owners of the batteries. SURPRISED
and demoralized by the suddenness anC
| and severity of the attack, the rebeli
rushed to the ships, which fled with al
speed from the new danger that menaceC
| them.
| Then the government soldiers charged
down the mountain with fixed bayonet
and in u few seconds were again masters o
the land. They took 30 prisoners, includ
ing three officers. and picked up nearly 2U
dead and wounded rebels upon the field
Later, heavily loaded launches went from
| the rebel ships to the hospital island o
| Enchadas, carrying many more presume
bly, wounded men. Admiral Da CANT
had sllenced the heavy guns, as he said h
| would but 1t had cost him full fourth o
his small force to do it.