Mr. Buck to Mr. Bayard.
Lima, Peru, October 10, 1885. (Received November 6.)
Sir: The deserters who arrived in Lima on the 3d instant from the command of the revolutionist, Pacheco Cespedes, estimate the forces of General Cáceres at not exceeding 2,000 men; this agrees with estimate from another quarter, that of Iglesias Lozer, who believes the revolutionary leader has only from 1,800 to 2,000 men. Colonel Ibarra left Arequipa on the 2d instant with 300 men, having been apparently reinforced previously by some troops under Major Cortez. It is stated he left only 280 men in Arequipa, and he started from that place in direction of Cuzco.
It appears from La Libertad, published in the latter place, that the provinces in the department of Cuzco which were reported to have declared for General Iglesias have been pacified in the interest of General Cáceres, and the report that the city has renounced allegiance to General Cáceres was untrue. A file of celedores (policemen) had been sent from there to Santa Rosa to receive rifles for the battalion Cazadores del Cuzco, composed, as is stated, of 370 men.
A letter published in La Opinion Nacional of September 27, from Truxillo, states that Romero is moving in the direction of Cajamarca, perhaps [Page 623] ultimately to join General Cáceres in the valley of the Janja, as hertofore intimated. It is also said dissensions among Cáceresta leaders in the north resulted in the arrest and execution of Becerra, and other chiefs affiliated with him, by La Barrara and Romero, upon which Becerra’s men, estimated at 400, disbanded and dispersed. I can state no definite particulars.
The Government forces which moved out of this city on September 25, reoccupied Canta without resistance. They also seem to have reoccupied and opened the whole line of the Oroya Railroad to its terminus, Chiclayo, Colonel Chocano having arrived at the latter place.
From San Bartolome, on that line, Subprefect Alcazar reports that the revolutionist column, Remac, composed of 250 men, has disbanded; and Colonel Chocano reports from Mattucana, also on line of that railroad, that part of the squadron Sama Pachia revolted and dispersed at Antarana on the 6th instant, leaving Cespedes Pacheco (revolutionist) only a few Arequipeños.
General Cáceres is reported drawing his forces back to Tarma.
I am, &c.,