after unloading medical and Red Cross supplies, to Pianda, which is
about twelve versts back up river on a tributary of the Dvina River,
and report on the situation at Charastrovia for billets or building for
convalescent hospital. Left Bereznik for Pianda Oct. 28th and had to
run boat through two miles of almost solid ice, four inches thick. At
the mouth of this tributary had to make three attempts before
successfully penetrating ice enough to get into channel of stream.
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.
Arrived at Beresnik, reported to the General and spent the night at
Field Hospital 337.
Oct. 30th left on tug “Archangel” for Kurgomin with dentist. Received
report that several casualties were there to be evacuated. Reached
Pless but found the river full of ice again. Captain of boat stated
that he could not get to Kurgomin, but within about three miles of the
place. Docked boat and walked through mud and water to my knees to
Kurgomin. Found there had been a small detention hospital of fifteen
beds established by Capt. Fortescue in charge of Capt. Watson, R. A. M.
C. Good building at Pless for a hospital of fifty or seventy-five beds,
which was necessary to be taken over and used as advance base
evacuating hospital after Dvina froze. Sent dentist with equipment over
to opposite bank to take care of men’s teeth of Co. “B”, then holding
the front on the left bank. Getting his field equipment together and
using cabin as his office, he was able to care for twenty men. All to
be evacuated were walking cases. Very dark and mud twelve inches deep.
Officially reported that Bolos were coming around the rear that night.
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.
After a few days’ rest and arranging with engineers to make ambulance
sled, started again on tug “Archangel” for Dvina front. On the way only
one hour when boat ran aground, and after two hours’ work (pushing with
poles by all on board) we succeeded getting into channel and anchored
for the night.
Started again at daybreak and stopped at Chamova. “D” Company 339th
Infantry at that place with one medical enlisted man, who had taken
three years in medicine. The only man with medical knowledge available.
He had established an aid station with two stretchers for beds. Place
comfortable and clean. General sanitation and billeting the same as in
all other Russian villages.
Reached Pless and left some medical stores with Capt. Watson, then
proceeded to Toulgas with medical and Red Cross supplies. On way to
headquarters a few stray shots were fired by snipers, but no harm done.
Left medical and Red Cross supplies at Lower Toulgas and took aboard
eight sick and wounded troops. Started for Beresnik. Stopped at Chamova
to pick up one sick and one wounded American.
Arrived at Beresnik Nov. 8th. With medical and Red Cross supplies left
for Shenkursk on hospital ship “Currier.” Natives very friendly along
the Vaga River and anxious to barter. Arrived at Shenkursk Nov. 11th.
Over one hundred patients in hospital. Officers had taken over an
additional building for contagious ward which was full of “flu” and
pneumonia cases. With every caution against the spread of the disease,
the epidemic was growing. Russian soldier seems to have no resistance,
probably due to the lack of proper kind of food for the last four
years. Seven at hospital morgue at one time, before we could get
coffins made. People were dying by hundreds in the neighboring
villages. Found it necessary to try and organize medical assistance in
order to combat the epidemic. Funerals of three or four passed wailing
through the streets every few hours.
The Russian funeral at Shenkursk was as follows: Corpse is carried out
in the open on the lid of the coffin, face exposed, and a yellow robe
(used for every funeral) is thrown over the body. The body is then
carried to the church where there is little or no ventilation except
when the doors are opened. Here during the chants every member of the
funeral party, at different times during the service, proceeds to kiss
the same spot on an image, held by the priest. It is their belief that
during a religious service it is impossible to contract disease.
Visited civilian hospitals Nov. 16th, which were in a most horrible
state. No ventilation and practically all with Spanish influenza and,
in addition, many with gangrenous wounds. Tried to enlighten the
Russian doctor in charge with the fact that fresh air would be
beneficial to his cases. But he seemed to think I was entirely out of
my sphere and ignored what I said. I reported the situation to British
headquarters and thereafter he reluctantly did as I suggested. Then
arranged with headquarters to send Russian medical officer and felchers
with American medical officers out to villages where assistance was
needed most, instructing each to impress on the natives the necessity
of fresh air and proper hygiene. They found there was such a shortage
of the proper kind of food that the people had no resistance against
disease, and were dying by the hundreds. In the meantime established
annex to civilian hospital in a school building. Had wooden beds made
and placed felchers in charge.
Tried to segregate cases in Shenkursk and immediate vicinity as much as
possible. After getting everything in working order I found a shortage
of doctors. So I proceeded to villages not yet reached by others.
Report from Ust Padenga that Lieut. Cuff and fourteen enlisted men
killed or missing on patrol Nov. 29th; some of the bodies recovered.
Weather growing colder. Twenty degrees below zero, with snow four
inches deep. Evacuated sick and wounded from Ust Padenga eighteen
versts beyond Shenkursk in sleds filled with hay and blankets necessary
for warmth. Shakleton shoes had not arrived at that time. Most cases
coming back in good condition, but pneumonia cases would not stand the
exposure. Condition at Ust Padenga very uncertain. Lieut. Powers and
Lieut. Taufanoff in charge of ten-bed detention hospital. Advised them
to keep their hospital clear for an emergency.
Action reported on Dvina and hospital captured; later retaken. Slight
action every day or so at Ust Padenga. Lieut. Powers caring for all
civilians in and around that place. Visited one home where I found the
father sick and in adjoining room the corpse of his wife and two
children. In another village I found twenty-four sick in four families;
eight of which were pneumonia cases. In one peasant home, six in
family, all sick with a child of eight years running a fever, but
trying to care for others. All sleeping in the same room; three on the
floor and balance together in a loft made by laying boards between the
sills. They informed me that no food had been cooked for them for three
days. The child eight years old was then trying to make some tea. This
same room was used as a dining room and kitchen. It had double windows,
all sealed air-tight.
Russian troops very difficult to discipline along sanitary or hygienic
lines and have no idea of cleanliness. A guard on the latrine was an
absolute necessity. I adopted this plan in hospital, but impossible to
get their officers to follow this rule at their barracks latrines.
Reported it to British headquarters but they stated that they could not
do anything.
Dec. 8th, 1918. Left by sled for Ust Padenga to inspect hospital.
Arrived at 11:00 a.m. Very cold day. General conditions very good
considering circumstances. Using pits out in open for latrines. Men
living in double-decker beds, and as comfortable as possible in the
available billets. Hospital consisted of two rooms in a log hut, but
light, dry and comfortable. Beds improvised with stretchers laid across
wooden horses. Had three casualties which they were evacuating that
day.
Started for Shenkursk at 3:00 p.m. Began snowing and my driver
proceeded in circles leaving the horse go as he chose. A Russian custom
when they lose their bearings. I got somewhat anxious and had been
trying to inquire with the few Russian terms I had been forced to
learn. Driver stated that he did not know the way, and we ran into snow
drifts, into gullies, over bluffs, through bushes, and after
floundering around in the snow for six hours I heard the bugle from
Shenkursk which was just across the river. I then started the direction
which I thought was up the river and by good luck, ran into the road
that led across the Vaga to Shenkursk.
December 12th, 1918. Hospital inspected by Major Fitzpatrick of
American Red Cross.
December 14th, 1918. Left Shenkursk for Shegovari where Lieut.
Goodnight and 337th Ambulance men were running a detention hospital of
eight beds and infirmary for American platoon, stationed at that place
which is forty versts down Vaga river from Shenkursk toward Beresnik,
where we arrived at 6:00 p.m. Looked over his hospital and continued on
to Kitsa. Remained over night and left at daylight December 15th, going
across Vaga through woods to Chamova, arriving at noon. Very cold day.
Here given a team of horses and proceeded to Toulgas, the farthest
Dvina front. Found small hospital with several sick at Lower Toulgas in
charge of British medical officer. Stayed over night at headquarters
two versts further up the river. The following day some artillery
firing. Proceeded to front line dressing station in charge of Lieut.
Christie and ten 337th Ambulance men. One from advance headquarters on
left bank, British holding front. One company of Americans and one of
Scots on right bank. Stopped at Shushuga on return, eight versts from
Toulgas. Across the river from this place is Pless where an evacuation
hospital was conducted by Capt. Watson, R. A. M. C., with fourteen
British and one American Ambulance man, used as a cook and interpreter.
Stretchers used for beds. Casualties held here for two or three days
and evacuated by sled to Beresnik about fifty versts to the rear. At
Shushuga there were two Ambulance men conducting a first aid station.
Village held by one platoon of Americans.
Returned to Beresnik making a change of horses at Chamova and Ust Vaga.
The latter place held by twenty-eight American engineers and about one
hundred Russians. First aid given by a Russian felcher.
Inspected wards, kitchen, food, etc. Found there was no complaint as to
treatment received. December 16th, 1918. With rations for five days
left for Archangel by sleigh, making a change of horses about every
twenty versts. Arrived at Archangel at 2:00 p.m., December 23, 1918.
XII
ARMISTICE DAY WITH AMERICANS IN NORTH RUSSIA
“B” And “D” Busy With Attacking Bolos—“L” Vigilantly Holding Front Near
Kodish—Quiet On Other Fronts—Engineers Building Blockhouses With
Willing Assistance Of Doughboys—How Was Our Little War Affected—“We’re
Here Because We’re Here”—No Share In Victory Shouting—“F” On Lines Of
Communication.
Armistice Day, November 11th, 1918, with American soldiers in North
Russia, was a day of stern activity for continued war. A great thrill
of pride possessed the entire force because the Yanks on the Western
Front had been in at the death of Hun militarism. The wonderful drives
of our armies under Pershing which crushed in the Hindenberg Lines, one
after another, had been briefly wirelessed and cabled up to Russia. We
got the joyful news in Archangel on the very day the fighting ceased on
the Western Front.
But the “B” and “D” Company men were too busy on Armistice Day to
listen to rumors of world peace. The Reds had staged that awful
four-day battle, told next in this story, and the American medical and
hospital men were sadly busy with thirty bleeding and dead comrades who
had fallen in defending Toulgas. “C” was far out at Ust Padenga
earnestly building blockhouses. “A” was at Shenkursk with Colonel
Corbley, resting after two months stiff fighting and with American
Engineers of the 310th building blockhouses. For they correctly
suspected that the Reds would not quit just because of the collapse of
the Germans.
“L” Company and Ballard’s Machine Gun platoon were hourly prepared to
fight for their position at the Emtsa River against the Red force
flushed with the victorious recapture of Kodish. 310th Engineers were
skillfully and heartily at work on the blockhouses and gun emplacements
and log shelters for this Kodish force, doomed to a desperate winter,
armistice or no armistice. Old “K” Company, breathless yet from its
terrific struggle to hold Kodish, was back at base headquarters at
Seletskoe waiting patiently for “E” Company to relieve them.
Captain Heil’s company had left Archangel by railroad and was somewhere
on the cold forest trail between Obozerskaya and Seletskoe.
“F” Company, as we have seen, was now on the precious lines of
communication, now more subject to attack because of the numerous
winter trails across the hitherto broad, impassable expanses of forest
and swamp, which were now beginning to freeze up. Far out on their left
flank and to their rear was the little force of “G” Company who were
holding Pinega and a long sector of road which was daily becoming more
difficult to safeguard. And hundreds of miles across this state of
Archangel in the Onega Valley our “H” Company comrades felt the
responsibility of wiring in themselves for a last ditch stand against
the Reds who might try to drive them back and flank their American and
Allied comrades on the railroad.
On the railroad the 3l0th Engineers were busy as beavers building, with
the assistance of the infantrymen, blockhouses and barracks and gun
emplacements and so forth. For, while the advanced positions on the
railroad were of no value in themselves, it was necessary to hold them
for the sake of the other columns. Obozerskaya was to be the depot and
sleigh transportation point of most consequence next to Seletskoe,
which itself in winter was greatly dependent on Obozerskaya.
“I” and “M” Companies were resting from the hard fall offensive
movement, the former unit at Obozerskaya, the latter just setting foot
for the first time in Archangel for a ten day rest, the company having
gone directly from troopship to troop train and having been “shock
troops” in everyone of the successive drives at the Red army positions.
In Archangel “Hq.” Company units were assisting Machine Gun units in
guarding important public works and marching in strength occasionally
on the streets to glare down the scowling sailors and other Red
sympathizers who, it was rumored persistently, were plotting a riot and
overthrow of the Tchaikowsky government and throat-cutting for the
Allied Embassies and military missions.
Oh, Armistice Day in Archangel made peace in our strange war no nearer.
It was dark foreboding of the winter campaign that filled the thoughts
of the doughboy on duty or lying in the hospital in Archangel that day.
Out on the various fronts the American soldiers grimly understood that
they must hold on where they were for the sake of their comrades on
other distant but nevertheless cotangent fronts on the circular line
that guard Archangel. In Archangel the bitter realization was at last
accepted that no more American troops were to come to our assistance.
Of course every place where two American soldiers or officers exchanged
words on Armistice Day, or the immediate days following, the chief
topic of conversation was the possible effect of the armistice upon our
little war. Vainly the scant telegraphic news was studied for any
reference to the Russian situation in the Archangel area. Was our
unofficial war on Russia’s Red government to go on? How could armistice
terms be extended to it without a tacit recognition of the
Lenine-Trotsky government?
As one of the boys who was upon the Dvina front writes: “We would have
given anything we owned and mortgaged our every expectation to have
been one of that great delirious, riotous mob that surged over Paris on
Armistice Day; and we thought we had something of a title to have been
there for we claimed the army of Pershing for our own, even though we
had been sent to the Arctic Circle; and now that the whole show was
over we wanted to have our share in the shouting.”
But the days, deadly and monotonous, followed one another with ever
gloomy regularity, and there was no promise of relief, no word, no news
of any kind, except the stories of troops returning home from France.
Doubtless in the general hilarity over peace, we were forgotten. After
all, who had time in these world stirring days to think of an
insignificant regiment performing in a fantastic Arctic side show.
Truth to tell, the Red propagandists on Trotsky’s Northern Army staff
quickly seized the opportunity to tell the Allied troops in North
Russia that the war was over and asked us what we were fighting for.
They did it cleverly, as will be told elsewhere. Yet the doughboy only
swore softly and shined his rifle barrel. He could not get information
straight from home. He was sore. But why fret? His best answer was the
philosophic “We’re here because we’re here” and he went on building
blockhouses and preparing to do his best to save his life in the
inevitable winter campaign which began (we may say) about the time of
the great world war Armistice Day, which in North Russia did not mean
cease firing.
Before passing to the story of the dark winter’s fighting we must
notice one remaining unit of the American forces, hitherto only
mentioned. It is the unit that after doing tedious guard duty in
Archangel and its suburbs for a couple of months, all the while
listening impatiently to stories of adventure and hardship and heroism
filtering in from the fronts and the highly imaginative stories of
impending enemy smashes and atrocities rumoring in from those same
fronts and gaining color and tragic proportions in the mouth-to-mouth
transit, that unit “F” Company, the prize drill company of Camp Custer
in its young life, now on October 30th found itself on a slow-going
barge en route to Yemetskoe, one hundred and twenty-five versts, as the
side wheeler wheezed up the meandering old Dvina River.
There in the last days of the fall season this company of Americans
took over the duty of patrolling constantly the line of communications
and all trails leading into it so that no wandering force of Red Guards
should capture any of the numerous supply trains bound south with food,
powder and comforts—such as they were—for the Americans and Allied
forces far south on the Dvina and Vaga fronts.
It was highly important work admirably done by this outfit commanded by
Captain Ralph Ramsay. Any slackening of alertness might have resulted
disastrously to their regimental comrades away south, and while this
outfit was the last of the 339th to go into active field service it may
be said in passing that in the spring it was the last unit to come away
from the fighting front in June, and came with a gallant record, story
of which will appear later. Winter blizzards found the outfit broken
into trusty detachments scattered all the way from Kholmogori, ninety
versts north of Yemetskoe, to Morjegorskaya, fifty-five versts south of
company headquarters in Yemetskoe. And it was common occurrence for a
sergeant of “F” Company with a “handful of doughboys” to escort a mob
of Bolshevik prisoners of war to distant Archangel.
XIII
WINTER DEFENSE OF TOULGAS
General Ironside Makes Expedition Aim Defensive—Bolsheviki Help Give It
Character—Toulgas—Surprise Attack Nov. 11th By Reds—Canadian Artillery
Escapes Capture—We Win Back Our Positions—“Lady Olga” Saves Wounded
Men—Heroic Wallace—Cudahy And Derham Carry Upper Toulgas By
Assault—Foukes—A Jubilant Bonfire—Many Prisoners—Ivan Puzzled By Our
War—Bolo Attack In January Fails—Dresing Nearly Takes Prisoner—Winter
Patrolling—Corporal Prince’s Patrol Ambushed—We Hold Toulgas.
General Ironside had now taken over command of the expedition and
changed its character more to accord with the stated purpose of it. We
were on the defensive. The Bolshevik whose frantic rear-guard actions
during the fall campaign had often been given up, even when he was
really having the best of it, merely because he always interpreted the
persistence of American attack or stubbornness of defense to mean
superior force. He had learned that the North Russian Expeditionary
Force was really a pitifully small force, and that there was so much
fussing at home in England and France and America about the justice and
the methods of the expedition, that no large reinforcements need be
expected. So the Bolsheviks on Armistice Day, November 11, began their
counter offensive movement which was to merge with their heavy winter
campaign. So the battle of November 11th is included in the narrative
of the winter defense of Toulgas.
Toulgas was the duplicate of thousands of similar villages throughout
this province. It consisted of a group of low, dirty log houses huddled
together on a hill, sloping down to a broad plain, where was located
another group of houses, known as Upper Toulgas. A small stream flowed
between the two villages and nearly a mile to the rear was another
group of buildings which was used for a hospital and where first aid
was given to the wounded before evacuating them to Bereznik, forty or
fifty miles down the river.
The forces engaged in the defense of this position consisted of several
batteries of Canadian artillery, posted midway between the hospital and
the main village. In addition to this “B” Company, American troops, and
another company of Royal Scots were scattered in and about these
positions. From the upper village back to the hospital stretched a good
three miles, which of course meant that the troops in this position,
numbering not more than five hundred were considerably scattered and
separated. This detailed description of our position here is set forth
so specifically in order that the reader may appreciate the attack
which occurred during the early part of November.
On the morning of November 11th, while some of the men were still
engaged in eating their breakfasts and while the positions were only
about half manned, suddenly from the forests surrounding the upper
village, the enemy emerged in attack formation. Lieut. Dennis engaged
them for a short time and withdrew to our main line of defense. All
hands were immediately mustered into position to repel this advancing
wave of infantry. In the meantime the Bolo attacked with about five
hundred men from our rear, having made a three day march through what
had been reported as impassable swamp. He occupied our rearmost
village, which was undefended, and attacked our hospital. This forward
attack was merely a ruse to divert the attention of our troops in that
direction, while the enemy directed his main assault at our rear and
undefended positions for the purpose of gaining our artillery. Hundreds
of the enemy appeared as if by magic from the forests, swarmed in upon
the hospital village and immediately took possession. Immediately the
hospital village was in their hands, the Bolo then commenced a
desperate advance upon our guns.