The Junta had arranged for necessary arms…
July 1891 CE
A force of ten thousand men is now raised by the junta, and preparations are rapidly pushed forward for a move to the south with the object of attacking Valparaiso and Santiago, because in a few months the arrival of the new ships from Europe will reopen the struggle for command of the sea.
Thus, the Congressional party can no longer aim at a methodical conquest of successive provinces, but is compelled to attempt to crush the Presidentialist forces at one blow.
Where this blow is to fall will not be decided up to the last moment, but the instrument which is to deliver it is prepared with all the care possible under the circumstances.
Del Canto is made commander-in-chief, and an ex-Prussian officer, Emil Körner, chief of staff.
The army is organized in three brigades of all arms, at Iquique, Caldera and Vallenar.
Korner superintends the training of the men, gives instruction in tactics to the officers, causes maps to be prepared, and in general takes every precaution that his experience can suggest to ensure success.
Del Canto is himself no mere figurehead, but a thoroughly capable leader who had distinguished himself at Tacna (1880) and Miraflores (1881), as well as in the present war.
The men are enthusiastic, and the officers unusually numerous.
The artillery is fair, the cavalry good, and the train and auxiliary services well organized.
About one-third of the infantry are armed with the Austrian Mannlicher magazine rifle, which now makes its first appearance in war; the remainder have the French Gras and other breech-loaders, which are also the armament of the dictator's infantry.
Balmaceda can only wait upon events, but he prepares his forces as best he is able, and his torpederas constantly harry the Congressional navy.
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