Shenkursk

Five days later this section of the field hospital proceeded by hospital sidewheeler to Shenkursk and took over a large high school building for a permanent field hospital.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

Shenkursk, just as we were being notified to withdraw, a shell burst near headquarters, demolishing our telephone connections.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

English antagonism throughout but later have decided to add the following incident at Shenkursk, December 12, 1918.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

The enemy was slowly but surely closing in on Shenkursk as evidenced by the following notation, made by one of our intelligence officers in Shenkursk, set forth verbatim:

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

Shenkursk that the gallant and beloved Lt. Ralph G. Powers of the

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

The remains of these heroic men were later recovered and removed to Shenkursk, where they were buried almost under the shadows of the cathedral located there.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

Again assembling our men we once more took up our weary retreat, arriving that evening in Shenkursk, where, worn and completely exhausted, we flung ourselves on floors and every available place to rest for the coming siege, about to begin.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

Shenkursk, forty wounded American, British, and Russian soldiers lay on stretchers on the floor in British field hospital.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

At this particular season of the year our troops on the Vaga river were operating far below Shenkursk in the vicinity of Rovdinskaya and it was our good fortune to witness a typical parish fete -- celebrated in true Russian style.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead

Fortunately the garrison was quickly assembled, and by judicious use of machine guns and grenades quickly succeeded in repelling the attack and retaining possession of the position, which thus kept the road clear for the troops retreating from Shenkursk.

The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Campaigning in North Russia 1918-1919 Harry H. Mead