A DESPERATE FIGHT IN PERU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7485, 26 February 1885, Page 6

A DESPERATE FIGHT IN PERU.

The Peruvians, not content with their thrashings at the hands of the Chilians, have been fighting ever since among themselves in the sanguinary manner peculiar to internecine struggles. A despatch from Lima, dated Oct. 22, gives an account of the capture of Trujilio by the Government forces on Oct. 10. The fighting is described as being the most desperate and bloody ever seen in Peru. The place was defended by Captain Gregorio Mire Quezada, a naval officer, with 1200 men and seven small field pieces, most of which were cast from the bells of the larger churches. The assault was made by Colonel Iglesias, brother of the President, and Minister of War Echenrique, at the head of as many more soldiers, provided with field pieces and mitrailleuses. Quezada had erected barricades inthestreetsleadingtothe Plaza. The church towers were converted into fortresses, and were filled with riflemen and men throwing hand grenades into the ranks of the attacking columns. The Plaza itself constituted the centre of resistance, and the Town Hall was strengthened on the outside by large sheets of iron nailed to it. After various summonses to surrender, which were disdainfully rejected, the advance began in the morning, and after 7 hours of street fighting, the Government troops gained the Plaza, and put the rebels to flight, capturing nearly all their principal officers. The small guns of the rebels did good service from the barricades in the narrow street. The fire from the towers, and the hand grenades thrown on the enemy were severe in their effects, but the Government soldiers halted at no obstacle, and showed no quarter. Three hundred were killed on both sides, and 400 wounded. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 cartridges were burnt. Don Jesus Elios, who had supplanted Puga, and who afterwards gave over the leadership to Quezada, was captured, as was also Quezada, with three severe, bullet wounds. After the victory the Government troops commenced an indiscriminate sack of the houses of the people, whom they considered as inimical, and several mercantile establishments were broken open, the effects stolen? and the buildings greatly damaged. Diplomatic claims against Peru will soon be presented on this account. Some Spanish and German merchants lost heavily in the general loot. The Government captured seven field pieces, 600 rifles, 26,000 rounds of fixed ammunition, a number of the pestilent hand grenades referred to, and a quantity of dynamite.