Group of the famous "Black Watch of Japan"

Group of the famous "Black Watch of Japan"

198

This is a splendid, life-like picture of a group of soldiers from the famous Ninth Regiment of Japan, known as the "Black Watch." The regiment lost ninety per cent of its men in the furious assault in August, 1904, on the fortress of the Eternal Dragon (Tanlung), one of the powerful forts of Port Arthur. The picture was taken before the deadly assault. It represents admirably the general character of the men, who appeared more like little, innocent, frolicsome, good-natured boys at vacation than like invincible warriors, who could outdo Caesar's legions and Napoleon's guards in devotion to their country and their leaders, who could fight and die with the enthusiastic heroism that alone enabled the Japanese to conquer Russia, for it was not science, not generalship, nor race bravery that reduced Port Arthur, but it was these boys, childlike and unassuming, fed on rice and dried fish, before whose determination Russian pride sank to the ground.

1 stereograph. 2 photomechanical prints on stereo card : halftone, stereograph, color ; 9 x 18 cm

1905 Ingersoll, T.W.

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