Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1891 — FIERCE FIGHT IN CHILI. [ARTICLE]

FIERCE FIGHT IN CHILI.

THREE THOUSAND SOLDIERS DEAD. A Terrible Battle Lasting Th ee Days Takes Place Between Balmaceda’s Forces and Those of the Insurgents— Heavy Losses on Both Sides. In the Scale. Even while the battle was raging, news reached this country of a collision between the Congressional and Government forces of Chili. The dispatch was sent from Valparaiso, and reads: President Balmaceda and the Junta DeGobierno are c enchod in the final desperate struggle for the mastery of the Re pub ic of Chill. Tbs chosen battle grounds are in full view of the city of Valparaiso, and thousands of anxious eyes are watching from every point of vantage the battle which is to decide the fate of the country. The battle has been raging practically for three days. The first engagement was at the mouth of the Aconcagua and resulted in a reverse to the Government. The final test of strength is now being made at Vina del Mar Beach, directly across Valparaiso Bay and ess than five miles away. When the news reached here that an Quintro Bay, Balmaceda aid his generals were taken by surprise, but the utmost activity was used in getting troops to the front, so as, if possible, to prevent the invading army from crossing the Aconcagua River immediately south of the bay. The arrangement-were made hurriedly and only a little over half of the troops were available for this purpose. Six of the in-urgent war ships were anchored in Cosnon Bay, at the mouth of the river, and under the cover of their guns the army of the Junta undertook the task of forcing a passage of the river. A most de perate and bloody battleresulted, lasting nearly all day. A galling fire from the insurgent artillery, which was formed on the northern bank of the river, aided by the heavy batteries and machine guns from the ships, was too much for the government troops and they were forced to retire, which they did in good order. Both sides fought with the utmost valor and the desperate character of the battle maybe judged from the fact that, while less than 20,000 troops wore engaged, the list of casualties will foot up nearly 3,000 men killed and wounded. Balmaceda found, out that the insurgents are something more than “nitrate stealers.” The general in command of the government forces selected a strong position on the beach of Vina del Mar, the eastern shore of Valparaiso Bay, as his second line of defense, and leaving force enough in front of the enemy to check his progress somewhat, took his place there and went to work to Strengthen it as much as possible. All day long the insurgent forces pushed their way steadily forward, driving the comparatively small government force before them. It was a constant skirmish for fifteen miles over broken country. At every point of vantage the Balmacedans made a stand, and while they were constantly forced to give way before superior numbers they retarded the advance, and gave the main army at Vina del Mar a chan e to better prepare Itself fer the decisive light. It was not until late in the evening that the attacking army arrived in front of Balmaceda’s line of defense.

It was then too late to give battle. In the meantime President Balmaceda, with every available man in this department, himself in command, went to the front He had over 13,000 available fighting men, while the insurgent forces 7id been reduced to less than 7,000. At the back of the government line is Fort Callao, the heavy guns of which have done good work, both in raking the enemy by land ai d preventing the insurgent 1 eet which had entered the bay from doing anything more e ( ‘ive than long range firing. The Congressionallsts attacked in force and the battle has raged with the utmost fierceness, The war ships did all they could to aid their lan 1 forces, but they had a healthy regard for the heavy guns in the forts, and were compeiled to do their fighting at long range. They sent as n.any men as they could spare, with all their available machine and rapid fire guns, to aid as a naval auxiliary brigade the attack on Balmaceda's position. The mo t intense excitement prevails in this city. The roar of heavy attlllery and The sharp rattle of small arms resound through the streets and are echoed back from the high hills surrounding the city. Everybody who is left here has sought some place overlooking the battleground, and thousands of people are watching the desperate struggle which is being fought under their very ey<g The scene from Valparaiso is one of awful grandeur. A heavy pall of smoke hangs like a cloud over the < ontending armies. It is lit up a most continuously by sharp flashes orkghtfrom the cannon and rifles, and the thundeious roll of the artillery can be heard continuously.