Page:A history of Chile.djvu/344

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312
A HISTORY OF CHILE

to oppose Lynch, Caceres commanded the center, defending Santa Teresa and San Juan, Davila was on the extreme left, Suarez' division formed a reserve.

At the break of day, Lynch's division moved forward and gained a position within four or five hundred yards of Iglesias' position on the right, before he was discovered. This brought on desultory firing which gradually became heavier as the other Chilean divisions approached the Peruvian lines. This was about 5 a.m., and from this time the firing grew more and more brisk. Some of the torpedoes which the Peruvians had placed before their intrenchments exploded, and this so exasperated the Chileans that they subsequently showed little quarter. San Juan was carried in about an hour, the defenders flying for shelter. The Peruvian right was steadily forced back, notwithstanding that the artillery there played constantly upon the advancing Chileans, until it rested upon the Morro Solar. The center was at San Juan, and this having been cut, the Peruvian left wing was driven from its position and compelled to retreat in a rout toward Miraflores. The right, still fighting obstinately at the Morro Solar, was now attacked in front and flank and driven back toward Chorrillos. The Chileans at this juncture let loose their cavalry, which charged the fugitives from the center and left all along the roads to Lima, cutting them down mercilessly.

On the right the fighting was still continued desperately. Colonel Iglesias sent appeal after appeal for reinforcements, but none came. Lynch was supported from the center and the Peruvians made a stand behind the houses and garden-walls of Chorrillos; finally they were forced back and took up a position behind the batteries on the hill. The Chileans opened an artillery fire upon them which at 2 p.m., forced the gal-