Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-04-05
CAPTIVITY IN SIBERIA.

CAPTIVITY IN SIBERIA.
Alexander l., Emperor of Russia
he who took part in the great European
war against Napoleon-died after short
illness at Taganrog, December l, 1926.
His decease caused some political con-
fusion. Alexander had no son, but he
had three younger brothers, Constantine,
Nicholas, and Michael, and the eldest,
Constantine, was the rightful successor.
In deed, however, dated in 1922, Con-
stantine had renounced his right so
that at Alexander's death, the success
sion fell to the next brother, Nicholas
but as he was unpopular, the opinion
was industriously circulated that Con
stautine's remuneration had been obtain
ed by force. There was accordingly
considerable opposition to the accession
of Nicholas, and several regiments be-
came compromised, not only as adher-
ents to Constantine, but as being con-
nected with certain secret societies who
sought to promote reform in state
policy. A tumult ensued, which led to
bloodshed and stern measures of repres-
sion.
1t was altogether an ill-managed af-
fair, and was not followed by sooth-
ing course of policy on the part of the
victors. Many of the conspirators
so they were called-were taken prison
ers, and subjected to exile in Siberia.
What that punishment .infers is pretty
well known, from the pathetic tale of
Madame Coffin. The banishment to
this wild Asiatic region is no light mat
ter. Some of the exiles are doomed to
hard labor in the mines others are put
to less laborious but compulsory occu-
pations and third class are settled
in specified districts under surveillance
of the police, and allowed to employ
themselves as they please.
Among the unfortunate prisoners on
the occasion referred to was the young
and spirited Baron Rosen, who, on being
taken from his family, was kept in a
species of guard-room in the Winter
Palace at st. Petersburg, where he re-
manned fourteen days without bed,
and almost without food. Then, after
some trivial examinations, he was trans
ferred, blindfold, to the fortress, and
immured in the darkest cell, as if he
had been the vilest of criminals. Sub
iect to occasional examinations, and
permitted at times to write few lines
to his wife, Rosen experienced horrid
doubts as to what was to be his fate.
Often, to beguile the dreariness of his
imprisonment, he sang songs expressive
of his feelings and of love for his coun-
try. In state too wretched to be de-
scribed, Rosen was confined for several
months, and then, without any regular
trial, he was condemned to ten years
forced labor and perpetual banishment
to Siberia. For large number of his
comrades, the sentence was slightly
modified. Several were condemned to
death. All had the indignity of being
stripped of their uniforms, and having
their swords broken over their heads
by the public executioner.
Rosen's banishment did not take
place Immediately. He was recommit-
ted 10 the fortress of st. Petersburg
and being kept in cell better lighted
than the one he formerly occupied, and
allowed the solace of books, his suffer.
ings we're in degree softened. Every
ten days he was allowed to walk on the
ramparts, which he esteemed a luxury,
but the greatest of his alleviations con.
sisted in being permitted to read the
novels of Sir Walter Scott, which he
devoured with the greatest delight.
In this sort of life the prisoners re.
mained till taken away in detaehments
of five at time under On escort to ST.
IBERIA. On one occasion, Baron Rosen's
wife was allowed to have an interview
with him in the house of the command.
ant. 1t was a sorrowful meeting. She
brought her infant son, six weeks old.
The parting can be imagined; the dis
tracted wife wished to give thousand
roubles in bank-notes to her husband
but the gift was refused as unnecessary,
and all he would take was a large water.
proof cloak of gray cloth, with fur, tc
shelter him from rain and cold on the
dismal journey that lay before him.
After being confined more than O
year, and with health broken down by
the damp air of the cells, the time came
for departure on the long journey Of
$500 versts, or 4,125 English miles, tc
Siberia. 1t was at midnight, in the
depth of winter, that five sledges were
in attendance to receive the Baron and
several of his equally miserable com.
panions. There was a ceremony to per.
form before mounting the sledges. A
chain was fixed by rings and n paddock
on the ankles of the respective convicts,
who, by means of cord from the girdle,
could sustain the chain, so as to allow
of restrained movement. All being pre-
pared, the sledges set out under q
proper escort, by the light of the moon
and stars. The air was dreadfully cold,
but was at first felt to be refreshing
after the long confinement. All were
wrapped In warm furs, and with punches
of dry hay stuffed round their feet to
prevent frost-bite.
AS the different stations were reached,
the travellers were transferred to fresh