United States or United Kingdom ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Our next position was Kitsa, which was situated about twenty miles further down the river toward Beresnik, the single trail to which ran straight through the forests without a single house or dwelling the entire way. This would have been almost impossible to patrol, due to the scarcity of our numbers, consequently, it was decided to continue our retreat to this position.
Shenkursk Surrounded By Bolsheviki Enemy Artillery Outranged Ours British General At Beresnik Orders Retreat Taking Hidden Trail We Escape Shenkursk Battalion Of Russians Fails Us Description Of Terrible March Casting Away Their Shackletons Resting At Yemska Gora Making Stand At Shegovari Night Sees Retreat Resumed Cossacks Cover Rear Holding Ill-Selected Vistavka Toil, Vigilance And Valor Hold Village Many Days Red Heavy Artillery Blows Vistavka To Splinters In March Grand Assault Is Beaten Off For Two Days Lucky Cossacks Smash In And Save Us Heroic Deeds Performed Vistavka Is Abandoned.
There were hundreds of trails leading through the forests from town to town and it would be but a matter of days or even hours for the enemy to occupy these positions and then strike at Beresnik, thus cutting off not only our forces at Shenkursk but those at Toulgas far down the Dvina as well. Already he had begun destroying the lines of communication behind us.
We arrived tired, but safely, where the boat was waiting and returned eight miles through ice. Waited until morning before going farther and at daybreak started for Chamova. Stopped there while dentist cared for several Co. "D" men. Finally reached Beresnik after being stuck on sand bars many times, as river was very shallow at that time of the year and channel variable.
Handed patients over and spent night at Field Hospital 337. Following day found it necessary to be deloused. We had nothing but Serbian barrels for clothing disinfectors at that time. Reported that a thresh delouser had been started for Beresnik. Sanitation greatly improved.
Between our positions and Beresnik, our river base, more than a hundred miles distant, were but two occupied positions, the closest being Shegovari, forty-four miles in rear of us, with but two Russian platoons, and Kitsa, twenty miles further with but one platoon and a few Russian troops.
Anchored opposite an island and at daybreak proceeded further, finally reaching the only boat, the "Yarrents," left on the river front. Before leaving Beresnik three more men were placed on board the boat. The personnel aboard at this time consisted of Capt. Hall in charge, two Russian female nurses, five American medical men and two British.
The following day after leaving a few medical supplies with Canadian Artillery Headquarters and arranging transportation for myself and personnel, with a few cooking utensils and blankets, we started for Beresnik. Stopped at Charastrovia and looked over several buildings but nothing available worth while. Natives very unfriendly and suspicious.
Small wonder that our little force was daily decreased by sickness and death. After five days of this slow, monotonous means of travel, we finally arrived at the town of Beresnik, which afterward became the base for the river column troops. The following day "A" Company, 339th Infantry, under Capt.
Russel and Stihler again embarked on hospital boat "Vologjohnin," and the following morning at 8:00 a.m. proceeded to Beresnik with a few Russian wounded, arriving at 2:00 p.m. Made inspection of hospital. Capt. Martin with one-half of Field Hospital working overtime, making beds, cleaning wards and hospital grounds, and at the same time caring for thirty sick and wounded patients.
Word Of The Day