Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-16


without malice or intent to harm the
crowds which they playfully dispers-
ed The troops exchanged good natur-
ed raillery with the workingmen and
women and as they rode they were
cheered by the populace.
Long lines of soldiers stationed in
dramatic attitude across the Nevsky
prospect with their guns pointed at an
imaginary foe appeared to be taking
part in a realistic tableau. Machine
guns firing roulades Of blank cartridges
seemed only to add another realistic
touch to tremendous theatric produc-
ton which was using the whole city as
stage.
Revolution Breaks
Until Sunday night this pageant con-
tinued without serious interruption.
Then in a flash the whole scene lost
It's theatric quality; it became gen.
uine revolution.
The regiments had received orders
from the commandment to fire upon peo-
pie assembled in the streets. This
caused immediate dissension among
the troops. who did not understand
why they should be compelled to take
violent measures against fellow citi-
zens whose chief offense was that
they were hungry and was ASKING the
government to supply bread. Seceral
regiments deserted, and a pitched bat
tie began between the troops who
stood with the government and those
who. refusing to obey orders, had nu-
tined.
long night battle took place be-
tween the mutined regiments and the
police at the end of st. Catherine
canal. Immediately in front of the his
toric church built over the spot where
Alexander II was killed by a bomb.
The police finally fed to roof tops all
over the city and were seen no more
in the streets during the entire term
OF the fighting
still on Monday morning the gov
eminent troops appeared to control all
the principal squares Of the city. Then
came a period when IL was impossible
to distinguish one side from the other.
There was no definite line between the
factions. The turning point appeared
TO come about o'clock in the after
noon. For two hours the opposing reg
iments passivelv confronted each other
in almost complete silence.
Officers in Doubt
From time to time, emissaries from
the revolutionary side rode to the OPP
posing ranks and exhorted them to
join the side of the people. For a
while the result seemed to hang in the
balance. The troops appeared irreso-
lutte, awaiting the commands of their
officers. who themselves were in doubt
as to what they should do.
Desultory firing continued along the
side streets between groups of govern
ment troops and revolutionists, but the
regiments on whose decision the out
come rested still confronted each other
with machine guns and rifles in read-
ness.
Suddenly a few volleys were eX-
changed: there was another period of
silent suspense; government regiments
finally marched over to join the revo-
lutionists. A few hours after the first
clash. this entire section of Petrograd
In which are located the Duma building
artillery headquarters and the chief
military barracks. passed into the hands
OF the revolutionary forces and the
warfare swept like a tornado to other
parts OF the city where the scene was
duplicated
The scenes in the streets were nv
this time remarkable The wide streets
where the troops were stationed. were
completely deserted by civilians except
for few daring individuals who.
creeping along walls and ducking into
courtyards, sped from one side to the
other But the side streets were choked
with people. Groups of students easily
distinguished by their blue caps and
dark uniforms, fell into step with
rough units of rebels and were Joined
by other heterogeneous united for the
time being by a cause greater than
partisan differences.
Cnkempt workingmen with ragged
sheepskin coats covering the conven-
tional PEASANTS costume of dark bue
and top boots stood side by side with
well groomed city clerks and shop
keepers
This strange army of people muster
ed on the street corners shouldered
their newly acquired rifles and march,
ed out to join the ranks of the desert
ing regiments.
Possession Decided
At nightfall only one small district
or the city. containing the war office,
the admiralty building. ST. Isaacs Ca
thedral and the military hotel still re-
sisleu tne onslaught or the revolution
airy forces and the battle for the pos
session came to dramatic conclusion.
In the admiralty building the council
of ministers secretly gathered for a
conference and the last regiment loyal
to the old government were drawn up
as a guard.
While the council sat in the last
meeting which they were destined to
hold. the building was surrounded and
the besiegers poured rife and machine
gun fire upon the defenders. For a few
hours the fiercest battle of the day
continued, the streets were swept bv a
steady fusillade and troops scattered
for the nearest shelter.
Red Flag Raised
Toward morning there was a sudden
iull. broken by exultant shouts which
deepened into roar and was succeed
I'd by the Russian revolution song. The
last regiment had surrendered and
zone over to the side of the revolution
lists. The ministers in the admiralty
We're then arrested and the Russian
colors Were replaced by the red flag of