gs,
willing to trade most anything for a few cigarettes or a little tobacco.

Arrived at Shenkursk at 5:00 p. m., Sept. 29th, and about one-half hour
later the American Headquarters boat docked next to the hospital boat.
When the various boats docked at Shenkursk all the natives of the town
came down to the banks of the river and were very curious as well as
friendly. The village of Shenkursk is situated on a hill and surrounded
by forest. One company of Americans and a detachment of Russians in
control of town. It had been taken only a few days before.

Capt. Fortescue and I looked over civilian hospital and found it to be
very filthy. Owing to the fact that it was so small and occupied to its
full capacity, decided to look further. Directing our steps to the
school, we found a very clean, desirable building, large enough to
accommodate at least one hundred patients.

After consulting the town commandant, were given permission to take over
building for military hospital. Capt. Watson and Capt. Daw, with
equipment for thirty beds, were placed in charge. Stretchers were used
as beds, until it was possible to make an improvement or procure some
from base. Employed two Russian female nurses. Wired to Major Longley
for one-half of Field Hospital 337th to take over this hospital, and in
addition more medical officers and personnel, for Ambulance work. On
Oct. 2nd Capt. Fortescue returned to Beresnik, which left me as A. D. A.
D. M. S. river forces. The same day we took quarters with Russian
professor and established an office in same building.

Upon investigation we found that the American troops had not been issued
any tobacco or cigarettes for several weeks and were smoking tea leaves,
straw or anything that would smoke. The paper used for these cigarettes
was mostly news and toilet paper.

On Oct. 3rd, with Russian medical officer and six American enlisted
medical men, we proceeded to Rovidentia, the advance front, about
thirty-five miles from Shenkursk on Vaga River. Established a small
detention hospital here of ten beds, leaving the Russian medical officer
and six American enlisted medical men in charge. This village was
occupied by two platoons of Americans and about one hundred Russians.

In comparison to previous villages I visited in Russia, Shenkursk was an
improvement over most of them. Mainly because of its location, there
being a natural drainage, and the water was much better, containing very
little anim