The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-01-25
| stroyed I'm order NOT 10 rmpcue rne uc-
ton Of the archdukc's artillery. which
WINS UNFORTUNATELY very Insufficient


The Tartars organized themselves
while waiting the arrival Of the two
other columns which were commanded
by the emir and his allies.
The junction of these divers corps
took place on the 25th OF September AT
the camp OF Angara. and all the army.
except the garrisons left In the princl
pal conquered towns. was concentrated
under the orders OF Feofar-Khan.
The passage OF the Angara having
been regarded by Ivan OgareI as i'm
practicable before lrlutsk, strong
body OF troops crossed at some yersts
down the river on some bridges or
boats which had been established for
that purpose The grand duke did not
attempt TO oppose that passage. lie
could only have harassed them without
preventing II. not having any field
pieces at his disposal. and this Is the
reason he remained cooped up IN Ir.
kutak.
Ivan Ogareff. clever engineer. was
certainly able TO direct the operations
OF a regular siege, but he had not the
material To- carry forward his opera
tons quickly. SO he had hoped to sur
prise lrkutsk, the end OF all his efforts.
One can see that things had turned
out otherwise than he had reckoned.
On the one hand. the march OF the Tar.
tar army delayed by the battle of
Tomsk; on the other, the rapldity with
which the works OF defense had been
carried on by the grand duke. For
these two reasons his projects had fail
ed He found himself therefore under
the necessity OF carrying on regular
siege.
Meanwhile by his advice the emir at
tempted twice TO take the town at the
price OF great sacrifice OF men. lie
threw the soldiers against the earth
works which seemed TO present some
weak points. but the two assaults were
repealed with the greatest courage. The
grand duke and his Officers sdid not
spare themselves on that occasion
They led the civil population TO the
rampaus. Civilians and mujlks did
their duty remarkably well ~ the
second assault the Tartars had succeed
ed IN forcing one OF the gates OF the
town. A fight took place at the be
ginning Of the principal street, the Boil
chala. which Is TWO vcrsts In length
and terminates az the banks of the An
CARA. But the CossacSs. the Gendarmes
and the citizens opposed 10 them a
strong resistance. and the Tartars had
10 return 10 their positions.
Ivan Ogasen thought ihen OF trying
to win rs srenchery what force co.ild
not give him isis project. Il Is known.
was 20 make h.s way alone into the
town and present himself before the
grand duke with some plausible tale
TO win his confidence and when the mo
Inent came to deliver one OF the gates
TO the besiegers afterward. that done
to glut his vengeance On the brother Of
the ear.
The gypsy. who had accompanied
him to the camp OF the Angara. urged
him to put this project into execution
4 And. indeed. IL was necessary to act
without delay. The Russian troops of
the government Of Irf:utsS were march.
ing TO the relief OF lrl;utsk They were
concentrating ON the higher waters of
the Lena and march,ag UP the valley
They would surely arrive before six
days. II was necessary. then. that ir-
kutsk should be delivered up by treach.
cry before six days.
Ivan Ogarcff did not hesitate any lon
ger.
| One evening, the ID Of October, a
council of war was being held In the
large room Of the governor generals
palace. IL was there the grand duke
resided.
This palace overlooked for a great
dlstanee the course Of the river. From
Its front windows one could perceive
the Tartar camp. and had the Tartars
possessed artillery OF a longer range
they could have rendered 1t uninhab-
table.
The grand duke. General voranzoff
and the governor Of the town, the head
merchant. with whom had been joined
number Of superior Officers. had just
passed divers resolutions.
Gentlemen" said the grand duke.
you know exactly our situation.
have a firm hope that we shall be able
to hold out until the arrival of troops
from Iakoutsk. We shall then know
well how TO drive away these barbar-
GUS hordes, and 1t will not be my fault
IL they don't pay dearly for this inva-
sion OF Russian territory"
'Your highness knows that we can
rely on the whole population OF Ir-
kutsk," replied General voranzoff.
YES" said the grand duke, "and l
render homage to Its patriotism. Thank
God. Il has not as yet suffered from the
horrors of an epidemic or famine. an
/ have reason to think IL will csc
them. But at the ramparts | cor
help admlring their courage.
the chief of the merchant
words. and beg him 10
SUCH"
Il thank your hi~
OF the town." ans
merchants. 80
when you e