Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1907-12-06
An Episode Of the ]
Russo japanese War. ]

'r.' sOriginal. s%.53 * ".H S&$$:
At the commencement Of the Russo
Japanese war Sessap Herano, a young.
japanese. left his weeping mother and |
sweetheart to 60 with his battery to-
Manchuria. r $@f&{F
While the separation and knowledge
of their beloved Sessan's peril con-
stantly wore upon the women, they
were from time to time made happy
by news of the young mans steady
rise, he soon attaining the rank of
captain of battery. His promotions
delighted the loved ones at home. and
little Tsusima Amakuki's eyes alter
nately shone brightly at the hope that:
her lover would come home great
warrior and were sad with the thought
that he might never come home alive.
But one day news was received Of a
very different kind Captain Herano
had been stationed at an important
point with his battery and ordered to
hold it at any cost. He had been at
tackled by small force. which had
come on steadily in face of terrific
fire with no loss whatever. and before
they reached the japanese position He
rano and his men found it necessary
either to desert their guns or be taken
prisoners. Herano drew off the COM
mand. leaving the guns. which it was
impossible to save. But before the
Russians came near enough to prevent
him he seized caisson containing am
munition and with the help of his men
dragged it away. This was the only
part Of the battery saved.
His general, seeing his retreat, rode
up and ordered him to go to the rear
under arrest
General" said the captain, 81 have
a request to make. / desire that the
caisson we have saved be placed under
the care of my first sergeant"
whats a caisson compared with a
whole battery?" snarled the general.
"You should have died at your guns"
'That would have involved the death
Of many more who may live and con-
quer by my retreat"
The captain had been an excellent
engaged with weightier matters to
hear more at the time, SO he granted
the strange request and ordered the
first sergeant to take charge Of the:
caisson. AS soon as there was lull
In the fighting court martial was Or
dered to try Captain Herano for his
inglorious retreat When his little
rf hao I'd nF TOW Oh,
was more panied than If he had died
In defense of his guns. Sessan wrote
only the facts, not venturing any opin-
lon as to what punishment would be
melted out to him. His case was a
mystery to his sup.riors, for they were
all aware of his brilliant record up to
the time of his disgrace.
Finally the court convened, and the
captain was brought before it under a
charge Of coward1ce and ineficiency,
the specifications being, first, that be
had not died at his guns, but had him.
self given the order for his men to re-
treat; second, that he had not trained
his men In craftsmanship. since his
shots had done no damage to the en-
envy; third. that he had dragged away
a caisson Of ammunition when the same
effort might have saved a gun which
was far more valuable,
Some witnesses testified that the
gunners fred too low. others that they
fired too high. One witness declared
that he could tell the difference nv
sound between shotted gun and
nd <1nk Acs
Herano's guns were not shotted. This
was the most damaging testimony OF :
the prosecution. for a commander who s
would receive an enemy with blank
cartridges must be mad. When the
evidence against him was all in Cap !
tain Herano was called upon for his :!
defense. At his elbow stood hts first X
eergeant, at whose feet were piled q
dozen shells. At word from Herano
tie sergeant took up 81, which he i
lifted with such ease as to .aru 70 alIs
present and placed It 80 ~ sic bel
hind which ant the p.,s,as.-- !: ae the
court. ss'+ / q r." 4, a &:
There" said the accused. as one #
Of the shells with which, VS., lie ,enerd j
ourselves in the recent attack. 5 $s2 43 5.s5
: Taking a heavy artillery saber from
the sergeant. Herano raised It ana held u
1t poised for moment above the she'll,
The court. seeing hts intention td bring g
the sword down on the explosive, +
Jumped. from their sra.s t,ut toy late. +
The saber's edge desc.nded With ter. n
rific force on the shell y }< iS S5$s*
Was Herano SO desperate as to com
init suicide and kill those who sat In /:
Judgment over hint: p 55 4 81 II 3$
y: No. There was surprise In store
for those who looked on,%wIth eyebai (:
starting from their sockets. The shell /,
was split In two like wood ii II
was-and out poured d hemp OF ID W
dust, while "a red dust of brick rose
from the part
S: a Z nltlemen the cap tain. do
you wonder We were beaten with
such means of defense Oh think ~ j &
should have
suppose 49, feuld I'D
5knesyn stse character OF: this an,.,1rs.