THE SOUTH AMERIAN WAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 76, 30 March 1881, Page 4

THE SOUTH AMERIAN WAR.

THE FALL OF LIMA. " Telegrams in American papers give a succinct account of the circumstances attending the capture of the Peruvian capital. On January 14 the Chilians advanced in a heavy fog, unobserved, until the second Chilian line was vithin four hundred metres of the enemy, and their first line engaged in a hand to hand conflict for two hours. The Peruvians maintained the fi^ht for twelve hours, until 4 p.m., when, being nearly flanked, by the Chilians, who lost heavily, they were obliged to .retire. Two days later the Peruvian reserve of 6000 young men of Lima resisted the Chilian advances, firing from breastworks for five hours, when the Chilians forced their way into the town of Miraflores and reduced it to astiesi The losses in killed and wounded in the two battles are eeti mated at 9COO Peruvians and 7000 lOhjuMaxiß. The Peruvian loss in fjpi&jterial is immense, and leaves the army of the centre entirely without 'means of war. The Chilians entered Lima 'on Jan. 17 without resistance, rand established a local Government,! ■with Godsej formerly Chilian Minister, to Ecuador, as Prefect. The capital is orderly. The populace burned the ..Chinese quarters on Jan. 15, on ac/count of the alleged enmity of the; Chinese to the country. Pierola, the Cbmmander-in- Chief and President! of Peru; could do nothing to withstand; the effect of the surprise of Jan. 13,: nor the slaughter of Jan. 5. He fled; with an escort to the interior. Before his departure, he gave orders that if Peruvian officers in command of ships desired to save them by flight, trusting to their superior speed; they were privileged to do so. None made the attempt, and oa the surrender of Lima and Callao, the forts, batteries, and chips were blown up or burned. Several forts were blown up with considerable loss, it is said, to the invaders, but there was not the slightes* evidence that the city waß so generally ruined ■, as the Peruvians claimed. General Le Cosera, commander of the Peruvian reserve, ib accused of treason, cowardice, and all sorts of crimes, and was forced to take refuge in the British Legation. Be went to Tusyuquil by Santiago, and on the way Buffered many indignities at the hands of the populace at the various ports and from the passengers oa board. The Army of the Centre, the finest Peru ever put in the - field, has been completely beaten and • demoralised, and practically wiped out 'of existence.