The Iola register., 1902-02-28


the diversion which had been agreed |
upon, and It was being made in the |
most ostentatious manner. Moreover,
Ivan Ogareff did not conceal from the
grand duke that some attack was to be
feared on that side. He knew, he sald'
that an assault would be made ut the
two extremities of the town along the
river, and he counseled the grand duke
TO re-enforce those two points more di-
rectly menaced.
me preparations that had been no.
tlced coming to the support of Ivan
| Ogareffs recommendations, 1t was nee
essary to take some account OF them.
| Thus after n council of war which was
held at the palace orders were given to
concentrate the GCfCGsc on the right
bank of the Angara and at the two eX-
tremities of the town. where the forti-
| fed terraces rested on the river
This was precisely what Ivan Oga-
ref wished. He evidently did not reck-
on that the Bolchaia gate would re-
main without defenders, but they would
be there only in n small number. Be
sides, Ivan Ogareff was about to give
to the diversion such importance that
the grand duke would be obliged to OPP
pose it with all his dlsposable forces.
And indeed an incident of an eXcep-
tionable gravity, devised by Ivan Oga-
ref, was to powerfully aid in the ac-
complishment Of his projects. For even
If Irkutsk had not been attacked at
points distant from the Bolchaia gate
and along the right bank of the river
that incident would have sutliced to
draw the chief body of the defenders
to the place where Ivan Ogarem wish
ed precisely to bring them. 1t would
cause at the same time most terrible
catastrophe.
All the chances were then that the
gate. being free at the hour fixed, would
be given up to the thousands of Tar
: tars who were waiting under the thick
cover of the forest on the east. During
that day the garrison and population OF
: Irkutsk were constantly on the alert.
; All the measures which were required
! to repel an attack on points never be-
fore threatened were taken.
The grand duke and General Noran-
y zoff visited the various posts which had
y been strengthened by their orders. The
y picked corps of Wassili Feodor occu
L pied the north of the town, but will
q the injunction to march at once tC
: where the danger should be most press
e ing. The right bank of the Angara was
e. protected by the only artillery a. thei
disposal
u With these measures taken in time
Is thanks to the opportune recommenda
u tions of Ivan Ogareff, there was ever.
IL reason to hope that the prepared attacl
81 would not succeed. In that case tn
le Tartars, discouraged for the time, with
10 out doubt would defer for few day
is any new attack against the town. Bt
Oh sides, the troops expected by the gran
OF duke might arrive any hour. The safe
ty or the loss of Irkutsk hung on
s' thread.
H. On that day the sun, which had rise
DE at twenty minutes past g, had set O
$40. Twilight would still have to strut
en- gle with night for two hours. The
IN space would be filed with thick darl
OF ness, for heavy clouds hung still in IL
air. and the moon would not appea
ad This profound obscurity would fave
he more completely the plans of Ivan Og
ID ref.
SIX Already, for some days, an eXtreme
err keen frost had come as prelude
gi- the rigors of the Siberian winter, M
ne on that night the cold was still mo
ut piercing The soldiers posted on Il
ere right bank of the Angara, being force
the to hide their presence, had not kindl'
RS. any fires. They therefore suher'
em dreadfully from great lowering of q
temperature. At some feet below the
de the ice blocks floated past, followiI
1t the current of the river.
mis- During all that day they had SCI
ons them in close ranks floating rapid
me between the two banks. That circul
I'M stance, observed by the grand duke a
dge his officers, had been considered as II
eve tunat. 1t was evident that If the b
,ile, before the Russian corps should arr
'un- in sight of Irkutsk. The resolution
van Ivan Ogareff was taken, and that W
ca night from :he top of the rampant
him note fell irto the hands of Sangar
the of the river became obstructed the p
ght sage of it would become altogether
: at practicable.
van rho Tortors vouId NOT he able
manage either raItS or Doats' AS
attempting to cross the river over
blocks of ice when the cold should hi
Joined them, that was not possible. 2
ref field, newly cemented, would not hi
the been strong enough for the pass
less over it of an attacking column.
uni But Ivan Ogareff did not regret t
they circumstance, although it appeared
was vorable TO the defenders of Irkutsk,
Boil the traitor knew well that the Tart
end were not seeking TO cross the Ang
de- ana that at least on that sue tne
that tempt would only DE remit Ne'
that theless toward lo O'Clock at nlght