The state herald., 1920-02-01
American Red Cross
Officer Tells of His
Capture by Bolsheyist

- -
Editors Note:-Captain Emmett
Fitzpatrick. the Americsn Red Gross
officer who was taken prisoner Dy the
Budenny Cavalry in South Russia in
October while working with General
Wrangel's anti-Bolshevist, has sent
out an account OF his capture. The
story was given by him verbally to
his interpreter. Miss Irene kniaje-
witch. who was captured at the same
time, but escaped and has Just ar
rived in Constantinople. 1t had been
reported that Fitzpatrick had been es-
corted to the border. but later advises
were that in December he had been
returned to jail in Moscow. Kilpat.
rick's home is in Alabama and he
served with an Alabama unit In the
World War. The Alabama division
demanded that President Wilson take
steps to release Captain Fitzpatrick.
even though ii takes an army OF ten
millian of us TO do IT," The following
story Of Fitzpatrick of his capture was
given ont by the American Red Cross
at constantinople:
By Capt Emmett Fitzpatrick. OF the
American Red Cross.
written for the United Press
We left Thedosia on October % in
box car assigned to the American
Red Cross for relief work. l had re
ceiyed a letter from General Route.
poff. inviting me to come north to his
headquarters and make an examine
tion Of conditions among the civilian
population there. After a two DAYS
journey northward we arrived at
Rickavo. where we left the boxcar
and went by auto TO the village Of
Sicragousy and thence To Rogacheck.
We had spent two days in our work
Of inspection Of health conditions
when We were notified that military
conditions had tightened and II would
be impossible for the military author
tiles to guarantee our safety. We
were therefore forced TO retire and
a drosky was furnished to take us
back to Rickoya. Alter thirty-four
hours of travel we reached Rlckoya
and reioined our boxcar. which was
attached TO a train going ssdthward
shortly before five O'Clock IN the
evening we reached Noyo,Alexevka
There was a wait in the station and
We were Just starting to pail out
when there came the sound OF guns
saw that the train was surrounded
by a nondescript group Of cavalry.
men. evidently members of the Blu.
denny Scouts. One OF the Russian
Red Cross orderlies. who constituted
the crew of our relief car, turned pale
and whispered hoarsely. I'VE are sur.
rounded by Bolshevists." I told him
not to worry: that | was an American
and that our car was protected by
the American Red Cross insignia.
One of the cavarlymen came to the
door Of the car and ordered up all to
line up outside. a group OF guards.
armed with swords and reyolvers.
surrounded us. explained to the
group that We were Red Cross work.
ers. and claimed for them all the
rights and privileges OF their human.
tartan mission.
But you are helping the White
Army" interrupted one of the soldiers.
! told him that We would help a
wounded man. no matter what his po-
litical or religious or military creed
There was short discussion
among the soldiers and II was finally
decided to bundle us of along with
everybody else aboard the train.
which consisted largely OF military
ears. Some OF the soldiers went
through my pockets and my baggage.
taking whatever pleased their fancy.
a"N ''os E'Hihh'i ApNh M Nuitn anu
money-about million rubles In
Russian paper money. A group OF
soldiers asked II had any arms or
ammunition aboard the car. said
! had nothing of the kind. but eniy
drugs medicines and little food.
They searched the car for arms but
found none. one soldier fancisd my
eyeglasses and took them on my
note Auuhor took my ring. and
some French and American money
which the FIRST man had overlooked.
Finally two soldiers came along
and ordered me to take OF all my
clothing. which was IN bctter condi.
ton than theirs. I stripped down TO
my underwear. and they took away
my shoes. leaving me barefoot |
was permitted. however, toi keep II
bathrobe, Continually new groups OF
soldiers camo uionr nnd iaol.d ns