New Britain herald., 1915-07-07
MISS ROGERS TELLS
 OF BATTLE AT VAN
Local Missionary Writes American
 Mission Was Bombarded by Turks RUSSIAN FORCES SAVE DAY

Czar's Forces Arrive Just in Time to
 Prevent Possible Masscacre by
 Bloodthirsty Turks-Are Caring for
 Women and Children.
 After many weeks of anxious wait ing, MT. and Mrs. D. o. Rogers of Camp street, have received letter from their daughter, Miss Gertrude Rogers. who is an American mission ary at Van, Turkey, the scene of hard fought and bloody battle between tn Turks and Russians. Miss Rogers writes of the stirring times there and says that the Russian rorces arrived just in time to save herself and the rest of the American colony as we'll as Armenian fugitives from probable massacre and annihilation at the hands of the barbarious Turks
 Americans Protect Fugitivcs.
 The letter written by Miss Rogers to her parents was dated May 30, after the Russians had arrived, and was the first word received from her in many weeks. Miss Rogers writes that be- fore the Russians arrived thousands of Aimenians fugftives, fleeing from the terrible Turks, sought protection at the American missions and that many of them brought their beds with them So crowded were conditions in the faission that .the fugitives were com pelled tS sleep on the floors of the school rooms, in the corridors and any other place where there was room and in many places there was not room for a person to walk about after they had retired for the night.
 Food Supply Scarce.
 For one month the American mis- sjonaries cared for these unfortunate people but in a short time their own supply of food began to run low ana there was no way of replenishing the stock as they were besieged by the Turks As the scarcity of food be- came more pronounced the suffering increased within the mission and at one time some of the people were in danger of starving
 ' Mission Is Bombarded.
 Incensed because the American missionaries had succored the Arlnen- iaas, the Turks devised a murderous scheme for retaliation and for a day end a half, writes Miss Rogers, the American school, mission ana entire white colony was subjected to fierce bcm bardment by cannon and rlf1e nre During that entire thirty-six hours the shot and shell flew thick and fast into the American district but fortunately none of the Americans was killed, ai- though many of the fugitives were struck. Just when it seend that the little colony could not withstand the twithering fire any longer the Russian advance guard arrived. followed by the main battalions Of the Czar's forces. The arrival of these soldiers saved the day for the missionaries and after a bloody battle the Turks were driven back with great losses.
 As soon as the Turks mad been dis persed and had retreatcd from that district the terror stricKen Armenians were enabled to leave the shelter of the mission and return to their homes.
 Caring for Turkish Women.
 Miss Rogers writes that the Russian leaders and the Russian soldiers are very kind men and are doing all in their power to prevent further de- struction of life and property. She says that for fear Turkish women and children left behind by the Turkish warriors may be injured Tn subsequent fehting the Russians have brought 1. GOO of them to the American mission for protection These unfortunate people have no beds or additional clothing and are sleeping on the floors of the school buildings and even in the xards. The Russian government had sent sufficient money to provide. food for these women for week when Miss Rogers penned her letter to her parents
 Missionaries as Nurses.
 She says that there are hundreds of wounded people in the city of Van and ! that there is but one doctor there and he is kept busy night and day caring tor the wounded, the sick and dying Tn order to assist the doctor and also care for the injured, the American have also volunteered their services and are acting as nurses.
 The many friends of Miss Rogers in this city will breath a thankful sigh of relief to hear that she is safe even though she is in the midst of the ter | rible strife. Ever since the war broke ! out and the vicinity of Van became | field of carnage Miss Rogers parents l have been kept in a constant state or | worry for fear that their daughter | might fall victim of the fighting or | of the murderous Turks and as word was received here of the serious con- dition at Van their fears increased i until the present letter was received, . stating that all is we'll