Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1905 — FAMOUS SIEGES OF MODERN TIMES. [ARTICLE]

FAMOUS SIEGES OF MODERN TIMES.

Alexandria, Egypt—(Shortest siege on record) taken In two days —July, o*B2. Badajoz—March, 1811-Aprll, 1812—French compelled to surrender. Cawnpore—lßs7—After a siege of three weeks the English defenders surrendered and were massacred. Cartagena—Four mouths’ siege in 181 a,.. In which nearly all the Inhabitants perished; surrcndcrcd to the Spaniards. Delhi May-September, 1857—Captured by the English. , Gibraltar- (Principal siege)—June, li 19-Oc-tober, 1780—British, under Lord Heathtleld, hold the "Hock.” Kars—June-November, 1855 —Taken by tns Russians. „„„ Khartum—February, 1884-January, 188ce— Mabdi's forces storm the town and Chinese" (Jordon is killed. „ Ladysmith—lß99-1900—Held by the English 118 days, when the Boers are forced to retiro. Limerick—l69o-1691—Surrendered to th* English. „ , , Londonderry —April-July, 1689—Besieging army under King James forced to retire. Metz —August-October, 1870 —Surrendered to the Germans. _ Paris —September, 1870-March, 1871 Surrendered to the Germans. ... Petersburg, Va.—1864-1865—Surrendered to the federals. _ . . Plevna—April C-Dec. 10, 1877—Captured by the Russians. Richmond, Va.—March, 1864-Aprll, 1860 — Taken by the federal forces. Port Arthur —May 28. 1904-Jan. 1, 1905, 217 days—(The land siege practically be*an the day after the capture of Nanslian). Santiago, Cuba —June-July, 1898—Captured by the Americans. Sebastopol—October, 1854-September, 1800 — Captured by the allies. Strasbnrg—Apgust-September, 18<0 Surrendered to the Germans. Vicksburg—May 18-July 4, 1863—Surrenrendered to the federals. ■' STOESSEL IS CRITICISED.. Tokio Opinion on Hio Blowing; Up • Russian Ships. In Tokio Gen. Stoessel is being sharply criticised for destroying the Russian warships, attempting to choke the entrance to the harbor of Port Arthur and dispatching the torpedo boat destroyers to Chefoo, subsequently to his offer to surrender the fortress. The Nichi Nichi says that while Gen. Stoessel made a gallant defense, his action in blowing up the ships after he had offered to' surrender leaves a lasting blemish upon his military reputation. His action indicates a want of sincerity and leaves no room for an extension of treatment of him commensurate with the reputation won by the bravery and gallantry of his defense.