The Hattiesburg news., 1915-03-02
AMERICANS ESCAPE !
FROM THE CAUCASUS
STORY is TOLD OF HOW PARTY
GETS AWAY FROM MINES
IN WAR ZONE.
(By Associated PreSs.)

tbV ASSOAtubtU Ftoo')
London, March THE gauntlet of
dangers through which small band
Of Americans and Englishmen passed
in their escape from copper mining
camp in the Caucasus mountains at
the time of the outbreak of war be-
tween Turkey and Russia is told by
A. H. Trotter of Syracuse, N. Y, chief
engineer of the company, who has
finally reached London. Their adven-
lures form one Of the most exciting OF
the minor episodes of the war
The mining village where the party |
was caught is called Dzansoul, ann
lies high up in the mountains about 40
miles from the Russian port OF Batoum
on the Black Sea-. The defense OF
these mountain villages was left to
| onl, a few companies of Russian po
lice armed with old black-powder rifles.
The report that the Turks were ad'
vanciny in force from the south, and
| had driven in some of the Russian out
posts. reached the village in Novem
ber, and this was the first news that
hostilities had begun. The people IN
the smelter camp we're slow to realize
the danger that surround them, and
took no steps to escape until the Amer
lean manager of the company, X. 1.
| .Ix4 SunhaV
while on his way from the camp to the
mines. some miles higher up in the
mountains.
White was riding up the trail when
shot suddenly poured upon him from a
ridge across a ravine. Both he and
his horse were struck, and he fell from
the animal, wounded IN the leg. From
noon until evening he hay in the shell
ter of the rock, sniped at every time
he showed his head. At dusk, par
I ty, of which Trotter was member
sneaked up the trail TO effect his res
:" cue They brought him down to camp
u and then sent him to Batoum-
Il The following evening some Russian
soldiers. with a battery Of three-incl
field guns moved up. They statione'
two of the guns near the smelter an
four others lower down at Kura. MOS
of the non-e ambatants Of the viliag
). ,eft for Batoum, but small party Q
Americans and British remained
- Camp. The situation was not take
. seriously, as the Turks were though
" to be only a. small party of marauder
:. The next morning when the Nv
- Russian guns at the mine opened u
~ at the crest held by the TURKS. u
infantry which had been increased
about 400 men at the mine, WEI
!" forced into their trenches by the b.
return fire. OF the Russians, only
y. small band of Cossacks carried mo
~ ern guns, the reservists having on
-" single shot pieces. The mountain
I'LL lice who were in the majority we
''' armed with ancient guns, as said,
Il" ing black powder and lead bullets
'e' The fighting became so intense, u
. Trotter decided to make his escal
les One the way down the mountain
'eu often had to take refuge from the II
the At Kura he met Russian ammuniti
'e'' train whose officers arrested him
German spy and seized pacha
of bank notes he had with him
Meanwhile, however, the Turks /
slipped across the crest of the oppos
trid7e and had begun a surprise
tack on the ammunition train 1
horses which got the worst of 1t, b
will ed down the mountain, wrecSihg
Ill shey ran many Of the carts OF supp
and ammunition.
Troter tried to jump on one OF
wagons to escape, but was prodded
with bayonets, and sought co
+, When a motor car filled with woun
the came by he tried his luck again,
wing was unable to explain himself, for
.one OF Russian, and was again bayone'
The OF the car.
IN The Russian commandant, con
4. II up later in an automobile gave
for safe conduct to Borchka, where
.aan ammunition train was overtaken
Trotter's money recovered. Wit