and Capt. Watson instructed to
give more attention to the feeding of patients. With Capt. Fortescue I
visited civilian hospital two miles northwest of Beresnik; found Russian
female doctor in charge, and, looking over buildings, decided to take
same over for military hospital. Conditions of buildings fair; five in
number, and would accommodate one hundred patients in an emergency. The
equipment of the hospital was eight iron beds. Vermin of all kinds, and
cockroaches so thick that they had to be scraped from the wall and
shovelled into a container. The latrines were built in the buildings, as
is Russian custom, and were full to overflowing. The four patients who
were there were retained and cared for by the civilian doctor. While at
Beresnik we stayed at the Detention Hospital.

The following morning, Sept. 21st, with Capt. Fortescue, boarded British
motor launch. After travelling for about thirty versts we transferred on
to several tugs and barges, and on Sept. 23rd boarded hospital boat
"Vologjohnin," and left for front after hearing that there were eight or
ten casualties, several having been killed, but unable to ascertain name
of village where the wounded were.

After an hour slowly moving up stream, because of sand bars and mines,
the tug was suddenly stranded in mid-stream. After trying for two hours
the captain gave up in despair. We then arranged with engineers (a squad
on board same tug) to make a raft with two barrels. When this was about
completed two boats approached from opposite directions. We then
transferred to the "Viatka" and proceeded to Troitza and there succeeded
in commandeering twenty horses.

The following day with Capt. McCardle, American Engineer, Capt.
Fortescue and Pvt. Russel, with our horses, we crossed the river by
ferry and then proceeded to the front. Traveling very difficult on
account of the swampy territory and lack of information from natives who
seemed afraid of us. The horses sank in the mud and water above their
knees. The Bolos had told natives that the Allies would burn their homes
and take what little food they had.

Arrived at Zastrovia and saw American troops who informed us that the
hospital was located in the next village. Lower Seltso about three miles
farther. Upon arrival there we located the hospital, which was in a log
hut, considered the best the village afforded, in charge of Capt. Van
Home and Lieut. Katz with eight enlisted Medical detachment men. Lieut.
Good