Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XLIV. 1877. THE CONFESSION OF NAKAHABA HI8AO.--OUTBREAK OF THE REBELLION.--REBEL LEADERS.--ARREST AND DEGRADATION OF- OYAMA T8UNAYOSHI.-- FIRST BATTLE, AND DEATH OF 8HINOWARA. REPORTED OVERTURES FOR A COMPROMISE. FIRMNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT.--SAIGO TAKAMORI AND HIS INFLUENCE. -- DESCRIPTION OF SAIGO TAKAMORI.--BELOVED BY THE COMMON PEOPLE.--HIS DEFENCE.--PROGRESS OF THE REBELLION. HOPELESSNESS OF THE REBEL CAUSE. SUCCESSION OF IMPERIAL VICTORIES. DISPERSION OF THE REBELS AND FLIGHT OF SAIGO. -- SUPPOSED CLOSE OF THE WAR. SUDDEN REAPPEARANCE OF SAIGO AND KIRINO AT KAGO 8HIMA. RENEWED ACTIVITY OF THE IMPERIALISTS.--ATTACK ON THE REBEL POSITION.--DEFEAT OF THE REBELS, AND DEATH OF SAIGO AND KIRINO.--CLOSE OF THE REBELLION.-- GENERAL VIEW. The last line of the preceding chapter states that a full confession of the plot to murder Saigo Takamori was made by one of the conspirators captured while attempting to break out of the house in which the Commander-in-Chief resided. This alleged confession was made February 5th, 1877, by one Nakahara Hisao, a police corporal, who declared, as the conclusion of a number of somewhat involved and irrelevant statements, --" Now in consequence of your "examination I have confessed that by the order of "I formed a plot to assassinate Saigo, and "further planned a scheme to raise misunderstandings "and trouble in the minds of the people; for which acts "I am truly ashamed. The above statements which I have "made are correct." This is the confession upon which so much stress was laid by the advocates of the cause of the South, and the partisans of Saigo. The testimony of the person credited with this confession does not stand alone; but if it is to be accepted, it is clear that some of the highest officers...