Hostilities Chilean Civil War of 1891

1 hostilities

1.1 battle of pozo almonte
1.2 sinking of blanco encalada
1.3 congressional offensive
1.4 battle of concón
1.5 lo cañas massacre
1.6 battle of la placilla

hostilities

the first shot fired, on 16 january, blanco @ valparaiso batteries, , landing parties warships engaged small parties of government troops @ various places during january , february. balmaceda s principal forces stationed in , iquique, coquimbo, valparaíso, santiago , concepción. troops @ iquique , coquimbo isolated rest , each other, , military operations began, in campaign of 1879 in quarter, naval descent upon pisagua followed advance inland dolores.

the congressional forces failed @ first make footing (16–23 january), but, though defeated in 2 or 3 actions, brought off many recruits , quantity of munitions of war. on 26th retook pisagua, , on 15 february balmacedist commander, eulogio robles, offered battle in expectation of receiving reinforcements tacna, defeated on old battlefield of san francisco. robles fell along railway, called troops iquique, , beat invaders @ huara on 17 february, iquique in meanwhile fell congressional fleet on 16 february.

battle of pozo almonte


general estanislao del canto

the pisagua line of operations @ once abandoned, , military forces of congress moved sea iquique, whence, under command of colonel estanislao del canto, started inland. battle of pozo almonte, fought on 7th of march, desperately contested, del canto superior in numbers, , robles himself killed , army dispersed. after other balmacedist troops in north gave struggle. driven peru, others bolivia, , 1 column made laborious retreat calama santiago, in course of twice crossed main chain of andes.

sinking of blanco encalada

early in april portion of revolutionary squadron, comprising armoured frigate blanco encalada , other ships, sent southward reconnoitring purposes , put port of caldera. during night of april 23, , whilst blanco encalada lying quietly @ anchor in caldera bay, almirante lynch torpedo gunboat, belonging balmaceda faction, steamed bay of caldera , discharged torpedo @ rebel ship. blanco encalada sank in few minutes , 300 of crew perished. coup severely weakened congressional squadron.

congressional offensive

members of revolutionary junta (sitting) surrounded revolutionary ministers

the revolutionary junta, created on april 13, firmly established in iquique prosecuted war vigorously, , end of april whole area in hands of rebels peruvian border outposts of balmacedists @ coquimbo , la serena. junta began formation of organized army next campaign, which, believed universally on both sides, directed against coquimbo. necessary arms , ammunition arranged in europe; shipped in british vessel, , transferred chilean steamer @ fortune bay, in tierra del fuego, close straits of magellan , falkland islands, , thence carried iquique, safely disembarked in july 1891. force of 10,000 men raised junta, , preparations rapidly pushed forward move south object of attacking valparaiso , santiago, because in few months arrival of new ships europe reopen struggle command of sea congressional party no longer aim @ methodical conquest of successive provinces, compelled attempt crush presidentialist forces @ blow.

general emil körner

where blow fall not decided last moment, instrument deliver prepared care possible under circumstances. del canto made commander-in-chief, , ex-prussian officer, emil körner, chief of staff. army organized in 3 brigades of arms, @ iquique, caldera , vallenar. korner superintended training of men, gave instruction in tactics officers, caused maps prepared, , in general took every precaution experience suggest ensure success. del canto himself no mere figurehead, thoroughly capable leader had distinguished himself @ tacna (1880) , miraflores (1881), in present war. men enthusiastic, , officers unusually numerous. artillery fair, cavalry good, , train , auxiliary services organized. one-third of infantry armed austrian mannlicher magazine rifle, made first appearance in war, remainder had french gras , other breech-loaders, armament of dictator s infantry. balmaceda wait upon events, prepared forces best able, , torpederas harried congressional navy. end of july del canto , korner had done work time permitted, , in august troops prepared embark, not coquimbo, valparaiso itself.

battle of concón

the battles of concón , la placilla

in middle of august 1891 rebel forces embarked @ iquique, numbering in 9,000 men, , sailed south. expedition sea admirably managed, , on 10th of august congressist army disembarked @ quintero, 20 km. north of valparaiso , not many miles out of range of batteries, , marched concón, balmacedists entrenched.

balmaceda surprised, acted promptly. first battle fought on aconcagua river @ concón on 21st. eager infantry of congressional army forced passage of river , stormed heights held gobiernistas. severe fight ensued, in troops of president balmaceda defeated heavy loss. killed , wounded of balmacedists numbered 1,600, , prisoners, 1,500 men, enrolled in rebel army, more made loss of 1,000 killed , wounded.

lo cañas massacre

this reverse roused worst passions of president, , ordered arrest , imprisonment of persons suspected of sympathy revolutionary cause. population were, however, distinctly antagonistic balmaceda; , feeling had become accentuated since august 17, on date had ordered execution of number of youths belonging military college @ lo cañas on charge of seditious practices. shooting of these boys created feeling of horror throughout country, , sensation of uncertainty measures of severity might not practised in future if balmaceda won day.

battle of la placilla


general orozimbo barbosa

after victory @ concón insurgent army, under command of general campos, pressed on towards valparaiso, brought strong fortified position of balmacedist general orozimbo barbosa @ viña del mar, whither balmaceda hurried available troops valparaiso , santiago, , concepcion. del canto , korner resolved on daring step. supplies of kinds brought quintero front, , on 24th of august army abandoned line of communications , marched inland. flank march conducted great skill, little opposition encountered, , rebels appeared southeast of valparaiso.

there, on august 28, final struggle in conflict took place: decisive battle of la placilla. concon had been perhaps little more destruction of isolated corps; second battle fair trial of strength, balmaceda s generals barbosa , alcerreca prepared, had massed troops in strong position , had under command greater part of existing forces of president. splendid fighting qualities of congressional troops , superior generalship of leaders prevailed in end on every obstacle , resulted in victory rebels. government army practically annihilated, 941 men killed, including barbosa , second in command, , 2,402 wounded. congressional army lost on 1,800 men.

valparaiso occupied same evening , 3 days later victorious insurgents entered santiago , assumed government of republic afterwards. there no further fighting, great effect of battles of concon , la placilla coquimbo troops surrendered without firing shot.