The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1920-05-27
LEADS AMERICANS WHO
CAPTURE ARM0RED TRAIN
Outnumbered and With Odds
Against Them the Yanks
Gain the Victory; to
Get Medals.

Lieut. J. c. Sielnel. son Of John
Steinel Of Milwaukee. was in charge
of the American soldiers who routed
the Russian troops that attacked the
Americans with their armored train
some weeks ago. AS result he has
been recommended for the distinguish
Ell service medal by his commanding
officer.
Lieut. Steinei. who now is on his
way home. writes as follows about
the clash:
"A few days before we were Mt
tackled by the Russians In their ar
nlored car we had received orders 10
move to vladlvostok and thence to
the Philippines. Being in box cars
this was not difficult, so we loaded
10 our belongings. filed up with wood
10 keep warm.
j The Russians had armored trains
and we expected trouble with them
some time or other. Under the ex-
cuse that they are looking FOR arms
they rob. pillage and kin wherever
they please.
Train Heavily Armed.
This We would not permit in the
American sector. and gave them sew
ersl ultimatunss 10 get out They had
their trains equipped with machine
guns, grenades. rifles, one Founders
and 3-inch guns, and all engines were
protected with concrete reinforcement
and loopholes to shoot from.
They had passed us several times.
but never made move But one night
We were informed by our Interpreter
that the Russians In the neighborhood
expected trouble. We increased the
guard at the long bridge. also around
the ears In which we live. AT midnight
an armored train came into the sta
tion opposite US. They began loading
up with wood. | Immediately ordered
my men to get up but kept them in
the cars / Went to the station to see
II anything unusual had occurred. but
everything appeared quiet. | ordered
my men 10 retire. but we doubled our
guard. The other officer and myself
had just begun to retire when the SER
seant came in and reported that he
thought the Russians meant business
In about two minutes. with most OF
our 50 men still asleep. the Russians
opened fire on MS with machine guns,
rifles and grenadeS.
"our men were ordered out at once
and they got under the cars and re.
turned the fire. Ii seemed hopeless
against an arnored train. Our SER
geant was killed in a few minutes
when he attempted TO get out on the
engine. but before he was knocked off
be threw a hand grenade at the train,
which helped TO force the Russians Ia
surrender. one OF our corporals had
both legs blown of. The Russian ar.
inored train stopped about fifty yards
from our cars and for a few moments
they gave Us everything they had. Blu,
we kept after them In skirnish llns
fashion and soon they told US they
were ready to surrender.
Plan to Burn Village.
They admitted that they had been
drinking and that they intended frs,
10 XIII on all the Americans and then
burn the village. as they claimed tina,
a stock Of arms and munitions were in
this place.
They had a crew Of seven officers
and seventy men. while We had two OF.
fcers and thirty-iye men. All we had
were three automatic rifles, grenades
aud rifles. while they had eight ma
chine guns, rifles for every man. a one
pounder, a three-inch gun and gren-
AIDES
The biz prize. besides the train,
was the general who was in command
OF all their arnored trains. and their
captain.
1T was quite an exciting experience
for - minutes and something | viii
never forget. All OF our men havs
been recommended for distinguished
service medals for their gallant attack