THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR.

Kumara Times, Issue 898, 16 August 1879, Page 4

THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR.

Files of Panama papers from May 8 to May 21, do not contain a description of the disastrous battle between the Chilian and Peruvian war vessels. Much that is interesting is, however, to be found in them. The Panama Star and Herald of May 8 contains a letter from its special correspondent of Lima, which is dated April 24. He says : “During the past week Admiral Rebolledo, with the Chillian man-of-war, arrived at Pisagua from Mollendo. Here the reception was warmer than was expected. Rebolledo attempted to land soldiers and marines, but was repulsed by the garrison with heavy loss. Pisagua is held by 300 troops of the Line regiment ‘Ayacoucho.’ These soldiers, well protected by the nature of the ground, suffered comparatively little loss ; but the Chilians, as usual, appeared to the assistance of their canton, and speedily reduced the town to ashes. The loss in property, principally belonging to foreigners, is estimated at about a million of dots. It is impossible to state the number of casualties on the Chilian side, as they carried away their dead and wounded. An English ship laden with coal was captured by the enemy ; but her name has not transpired, all this intelligence having been communicated in the most laconic telegrams. This affair at Pisagua occurred on the 18 th. On the 19th the Chilian squadron was again anchored off Iquique, the blockade having been vigilantly kept up all the night by some of the smaller ships. About 8 o’clock on the 19th the Chilian Admiral opened fire on Iquique, without having given any official warning, merely a notification that he might have to destroy the water-con-denser on shore, and 11 shots were discharged, aimed principally at the railway station. General Buendia, commanding the Sonthern Division, telegraphed to Lima that the damage done was slight and that he had everything in readiness to repel any attempt to land troops on the part of the Chilians, it being known that Robelledo has a large force on board his squadron. ■ It has even been conjectured that it might be a part of the Chilian plan to prevent a junction between the Peruvian army in the south and the Bolivian troops, some 5000 strong, under President Dava, marching down from La 'Paz, who are due at Tacna to-day or tomorrow. From Tacna Daza would have to follow the Coast, marching for abou t four days before he meets with Buendia’s right wing at Pisagua; but should such an attempt be contemplated by the Chilian Admiral, it may be safely predicted that it will fail. The Chilians have lifted the branch cable leading into Iquique from southward* and, having established the necessary apparatus on board, are now in a direct communication with Santiago. The line from Iquique to Lima has not been interefered with. Meantime the Peruvian transports have been busy carrying troops and munitions of war to the south, in some cases landing the soldiers almost within sight of the Chilian squadron. Anca is now tolerably well fortified, having seven heavy guns in position ; and if Admiral Rebolledo is desirous of showing himself to be a man of courage, he might measure forces with the impromptu battery instead of bombarding and destroying undefended ports, without even giving time for non-com-batants to look for safety. The following is another account of the naval engagement between the Peruvian corvettes and the Chilian gunboat : “Coldera, April 17,1879. “ Off the mouth of the river Lea, the Peruvian corvettes La Union and Pilcomayo lay in wait for the Chilian transport Copiago, but instead of this steamer they met the Chilian gunboat Magellanes, and proceeded to open upon her a vigorous attack. The Magellanes upon sighting the enemy increased her speed, but, having been overtaken by the La Union, in£ mediately faced her, and accepted the unequal combat. The Magellanes fired 47 suells, disabling the La Union, killing 36 men, and proceeded quietly on her way to Iquique. The people on board the Magellanes were at first afraid of being sunk, as they had only two guns to oppose the 18 of of the enemy. Commandor La Torre made his final arrangements with this possibility in view. Before entering into the engagement he nailed his colors to the mast, and prepared to sink his vessel if necessary, to prevent her fallilia into the bands of the enemy. He delivered a speech to his crew and then went into action.