The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-03-04
KAISER, ON THE FIRING
LINE, SEES HIS TROOPS
DRIVE The RUSSIANS OUT
OF EASTERN PRUSSIA

in the swampy forests. Large bodies
of Russians were still surrounded in
the swamps, while the balance of the
army was fleeing in the direction Of
the fortress of GrodDo. 1t was known
at that time that the Russian pris-
oners numbered $4,000. that II guns.
over 100 machine guns, $50 ammuni-
ton wagons and thousands of rides
had been taken. The Russian dead
and wounded was estimated at be-
tween 10000 and 10000.
In their retreat. the Russians de
troyed property ruthlessly Between
Lyck and the border, they took re-
venge by burning every house and
farm establishment In Lyck itself,
they demolished the interiors of
houses. wrecked furniture and smeared
the walls with vile filth.
The frontier town of Prostken. 12.
miles south of I.yck, appeared as if
it had been cut in two with a knife.
The Russians destroyed every building
on the German side of the town, They
didn't touch the buildings on the Rus
sian side.
1t must be said for the Germans
that with the exception of half a
dozen houses damaged by shell, shot
hardly a building was destroyed by
the kaisers troops this time OF when
they retreated from Russia many
weeks ago.
At Grajevo. I met Gen. Won Hahn
dorff, who ever since October with a
/, brigade of $4,000 had defended Loetz-
en-, in the center of the Mazurian
Lake region. against Russian force
estimated at 10000. His army is
now part of the German right wing.
Gen Won Hahndorf told me that
TIE Russians sent part of the imperial
guard. with other troops, from the
!, fortresses of Ossowetz, Lomza and
Ostrolenka, in an endeavor to turn
the German right wing, but were de-
, feated.
Il l reached Augustof a few hours af-
l ter the Germans took the town,
l taking 5000 prisoners. The forces in
: Russian barracks three miles from
, Augustof had been taken by surprise
| and the barracks stormed the night
I before. The dead we're lying every
, where.
In one barracks dead and wounded
, were still lying together A German
, captain told me that the Russian
: wounded clung so piteously to their
/ dead comrades it was difficult to re-
move them. One Russian, his clothes
partly torn off and weltering in blood.
, said he had been wounded in the fight
ing three days before and had bee
without medical attention.
Il am not guilty of anything" he
moaned. why let me die this way ?'
|. Owing to the fearful pace of the
pursuit. no physicians were left be-
hind. The wounded were told that
they would be removed to the hospi-
tai within few hours. Outside the
barracks. / saw countless bodies,
partly covered by snow and scattered
about beneath the trees and around
the barracks and nearby church.
u Numerous German divisions which
concentrated concentrically on Aug
ustof conyerged on a single road in
places, marching three to FIVE columns
deep through the frozen swamps and
, lake region. AS arrived. the work
OF disentangling them and setting
them at new operations was being
begun.
u Between Crajevo and Suwalki,
passed more than 20 miles OF solid
columns OF troops, marching through
binding snowstorms. Horses were
!, continually falling on the icy roads.
Every piece of artillery and wagon
was accompanied by sleigh runners
to be used under the wheels when
1t was necessary. This endless snake
of human units. vending its way in
marvellous order and organization
through the swamps and forests form
ed a most impressive and imposing
sight.
j The long columns OF Russian prison
ers which saw made a remarkably
|, good impression. The men were
well fed and well equipped. Generally
they we're Of splendid physique.
The Russian commander Of Angus
tof who was compelled at the last
moment to abandon his wounded at
the railroad station, also left be-