First, to reinforce a half of another
company which is now outnumbered ten to one; second, to raise a regiment
of loyal Russian troops in the great Pinega Valley where half the people
are loyal and half are Bolo sympathizers. We hold the balance of power.
Hold up your chins and push out your chests and bear your arms proudly
when passing among the Russian people. You represent the nation that was
slow to wrath but irresistible in might when its soldiers hit the
Hindenburg Line. Make Russians respect your military bearing. The loyal
will breathe more freely because you have come. The treacherous Bolo
sympathizers will be compelled to wipe off their scowls and will fear to
try any dirty work.

"And further, just as important, remember not only to bear yourselves as
soldiers of a powerful people, but bear yourselves as men of a
courteous, generous, sympathetic, chivalrous people. Treat these simple
people right and you win their devoted friendship. Respect their
oddities. Do not laugh at them as do untactful soldiers of another
nation. Molest no man's property except of military necessity. You will
discover likable traits in the character of these Russians. Here, as
everywhere in the world, in spite of differences of language and
customs, of dress and work and play and eating and housing, strangers
among foreign people will find that in the essentials of life folks is
folks.

"You will wear your American field shoes and Arctics in preference to
the clumsy and slippery bottomed Shackleton boot. Overcoats will be
piled loosely on top of sleighs so as to be available when delay is
long. Canteens will be filled each evening at Company "G-I" can. Drink
no water in villager's home. You may buy milk. Everyone must protect his
health. We have no medical man and only a limited supply of number
nines.

"Tomorrow at noon we march. Prepare carefully and cheerfully."

The following account of the march is copied from the daily story
written in an officer's diary:

To OUIMA--FIRST DAY, DECEMBER 18TH

After the usual delay with sleigh drivers, with shoutings and "brrs" and
shoving and pullings, the convoy was off at 11:55 a. m. December 18. The
trail was an improved government road. The sun was on our right hand but
very low. The fire station of Smolny at last dropped out of the rearward
view. The road ran crooked, like the Dvina along whose hilly banks it
wound. A treat to our boys to see rolling, cleared country. Fish towns
and