THE HORRORS OF WAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1242, 18 December 1885, Page 3

THE HORRORS OF WAR.

A Panama despatch of September 14 states that the latest advices from Lima give details of the battle at C mta on the Iftth ult. On the morning of that day the detachment of Government troops occupying the town of Conta, 60 miles from Lima, in a valley running parrallel to that of Rimac was surprised by a division of General Cacere’s army, and after a sharp action of several hours was forced to fly in disorder. The Government troops operating against Canta were 350 men of the line, with one Gatling gun j 50 cavalrymen, and 50 mounted gendarnr.es, the whole force being commanded by Colonel Torres. Canta had been occupied far several days, the Montener .us or irregular revolutionary forces retiring on the approach of this detachment. Ou Friday evening news arrived of the approach of a considerable nivision of the enemy, and upon Colonel Bustament’s advice, it was decided to defend the town. On Saturday at 7 a in., the hills enclosing Canta were occupied by the eneiuv, apparently 1500 2000 strong, and with about 200 cavalry. Tire latter were stationed at the outlets of the valley leading towards the coast and the interior, so that from the first the Government forces were effectually corralled. Colonel Torres had placed his men in the barracks situated in the principal spuare of the town, having also small outlying squ ids behind some of the walls in the su mbs Cacere’s artillery, tour small I field pieces, opened fire from a hill at Hnvachullani, at 7.30 o’clock, ami in ! a few moments tire firing became general The enemy descended the hill and attempted to enter the town, \ but were repeatedly driven back. For two hours the positions of the combatants were unaltered the fire being nil the time very heavy. M , midd iy the defenders of the place began io slacken iheir fire, for their amuution was rapidly becoming exhausted, and for one hour they received without reply the voile , a of the attacking party at 2 o’clock a desperate j attempts was made to drive the labels from the, which they bad entered at I the point of the bayonet. This failed I and then the defeat was accomplished. The fight was hand to baud in the i streets, no quarter being given. The most dreadful scenes of carnage oc-1 curred. Houses where some of the defeated soldiers' had taken refuge were broker, open and all found within murdered without distinction of age, sex, or character, and then the build ings were burned. A few ot the most determined of the Government cavalrymen, headed by Colonel Pachas, cut their wav through their opponents and made good their escape. Colonel Bustamente, to whose counsel the de feat was due, seeing that all was lost blew his buiins out on the field of the field ot action. Colonel Torres t scaped early in the fight, and the Government has named another officer to command the survivors of the Oa<'a« marie battalion Of 500 or (iOO men engaged on the government side probably 200 escaped by flying to the mountain,or following Colonel Pachas. They a e still coining in in parties of two nr three. Very few prisoners were taken for as has been ets ted, no quirter was given. The GacerLts were commanded by Colonel Morales Bermudas, and it is stated that Caceres with his staff arrived at Ponta the day after the battle. Ihe losses of the revolutionary forces are not known From the fact chat the • ag.marie ba all’on was do cidedly the finest i i the government, service the partisans oi Cac ‘res here are jubila t over his success. The 5000 sdilirrs i i the garrison at Lima are not at all effected In the tewerse, and the officers are confident of their loyalty in caso of an attack on the citx Energetic prec.au ioimry nu asu es are being taken. The C lurch towers are occupied at night by sir ng detachments of Riflemen, and the Prefect has a n tice offering r rewaid of from 50 to 1000 soles to any one who may din mice the existence of conspiracies or aid the police in their efforts. The Government force has bee , withdrawn f om Ch sioa, and is now stationed at Santa Clara. 16 miles nearer to Lima. v o'liirjj positive Is known regard ng the whereabouts of Caceres.

A tim» ! v nof Hop Bitta-s (A rm icin Co.'s) will keep a wbote fa nly in ml oat Waltb a ye\t with but little cost. Bead