e
impossible to reach this place by boat, because they had quite a time in
getting through with a small boat. They would not believe that we had
come up the river so far, and made the remark that we had been within a
few yards of the Bolshevik lines.

On Oct. 11th, after getting in touch with Major Whittaker, who stated
that the Royal Scots would be placed on the left bank of the river
opposite Seltso, I ordered the boat to Seltso to make another attempt to
get the Royal Scots. Although we had the window well covered, the
Bolsheviks must have seen the light from a candle which was used to
light the cabin. They began firing, but could not get the range of the
boat. We then returned without success.

On the afternoon of Oct. 12th, while Seltso was under shell fire, the
"Vologjohnin" was docked about twenty-nine yards behind the Allied barge
with the big naval gun, and did not leave until the shell fire became
heavy. About 8:00 p.m., after transferring the sick troops and female
nurses from the "Vologjohnin," another attempt was made, although the
Russian crew refused to make another trip, and would not start until I
insisted that the trip had to be made and placed several armed guards,
American Medical men, on the boat. On this night the medical supplies
were handed over to Capt. Griffiths, R. A. M. C, and casualties were
safely placed on board. After returning to Toulgas the female nurses and
sick troops who had been left there were again placed on board. The
"Vologjohnin" proceeded to Beresnik where all casualties, totaling
forty-three, were handed over to the 337th Field Hospital.

(The Major modestly omits to tell that he with his pistol compelled the
crew to run the boat up to get the wounded men. General Pershing
remembered Major Hall later with a citation. He repeated the deed two
days later, that time for Americans instead of Scots.)

Left Beresnik Oct. 14th with hospital boat for Seltso and upon arrival
there, the town was again under shell fire. All afternoon and evening
the hospital boat was docked within twenty-five yards of the big gun.
Received reports that several Americans had been wounded so I ordered
the Russian crew and medical personnel of boat, with stretchers, to
upper Seltso to get the wounded. The seriously wounded had to be carried
on stretchers through mud almost knee deep, while the others were placed
on two-wheeled carts and brought to the boat, a distance of two miles.
After two hours they