THE IRISH IN CHILI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 510, 19 January 1883, Page 13

THE IRISH IN CHILI.

DonParticio Lynch, who in the recent war between the rival Republics of Chili arid Peru obtained a well-deserved' celebrity, is *t present Commander-in-chief of the Chilian army an occupation of Lima. Son of a wealthy Irish merchant who married a' Chilian lady, Rear- Admiral Lynch was born in Santiago in 1825/ His naval career began on board the tloop-of-war Libertad, which formed part of the expeditionary squadron, sent by Chili to Peru, in 1837, with the view of liberating that Republic from the tyranny of Santa Cruz, a Bolivian adventurer, who had unified two republics, in the hope of erecting a throne on tbe ruins of popular liberty in Peru and Bolivia. In that expedition young Lynch exhibited so much address, intrepidity, and intelligence that the Government of Chili sent him to England, where he entered the Navy and served under Admiral Ross. In the war against China, on board the .frigate Calliope, and under command of an Irishman, named Sir Thomas Herbert, he was repeatedly rewarded with knightly distinctions ,for brilliant services in naval engagements. On returning to England he successively served in several men-of-war, and in this way visited the most celebrated harbours in the Mediterranean, whose historical renown excited hil scholarly interest. In 1847, he returned to Chili, where he entered tho Navy as Lieutenant. We find him, when, 3o years of age, in command of a frigate, which he gave up to the' Government in 1854, and retired from the service, when the frigate in question was converted into a State prison for the detention of political prisoners. Eleven years afterwards, in 1865, he re-entered the^ service when Spain was waging war against. the Republics of the Pacific! and' the naval talents of Lynch were deemed necessary to the safety «nd honour of Chili. ■In this war he _kekl successively the appointment of Naval Governor of Valparaiso, Colonel Organiser of National Guarda.-and Commander of a man-of-war. In 1872 he became Minister of Maritime Affairs, and in 1879, when war broke out between Chili online one hand and Peru and Bolivia on the other, .he . was still a member of the Government. Among the many services which he rendered to Chili during this memorable war, the most brilliant was unquestionably his expedition to the North of Peru. At the head of a naval and military expedition he undertook the invasion of the Northern Provinceof Peru, which up to that' time had been unvisited by war, and -which furnished the enemy with abundant supplies. This ex* pedition, which required on the part of the Admiral, courage and science of no ordinary character, was conducted with consummate ~ .ability and terminated in brilliant success. With a mere handful of he ravaged the enemy's territory, spread desolation far and wide, captured cities containing 10,000 inhabitants, and then, retreat- ' ing to the South, took part in a campaign which reduced Lima, and terminated in a glorious and decisive manner the war between Chili 'and Peru. A division of the Chilian army was commanded by Admiral Lynch, in the famous battles of Miraflores and Chonnilles, whsre the Chilians, 27,000 in number, routed the Peruvians, - in» trenched in. admirable positions and 40,000 strong. In this battle the part taken by Admiral Lynch was decisive in its results, perilous in its daring, and glorious in its renown. — Tha Catholic World.