Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-06-17
Yankee ROuTS
RUSSIAN FORCE
Leads Americans Who Capture
an Armored Train.
WRITES OF HARD BATTLE
outnumbered and With Odds Against
Them the Yanks Gain the Victory
Under Pretense Of Seeking Arms
Russians Rob, PiIIage and XIII
Wherever They Please--To Get
Medals

Lieut.. ]. G. Steinel, 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 q result he has
been recommended for the distinguish
ed service medal by his commanding
officer
Lieut.. Ste'nel. who now Is on his
way home, writes as follows about
the clash:
"A few days before we were at
tackled by the Russians In their ar
mOred car we had received orders to
move to VladivOstok and thence to
the Philippines. Being i'm box cars,
this was not difficult, so we loaded
up our belongings. filled up with wood
to keep warm.
1.-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 aud kill wherever
they please.
Train Heavily Armed.
"This we would not permit in the
American sector, and gave them sew
eral ultimat'lms to get out. They had
their trains equipped with machine
guns, grepades, 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 cars In which We live. At midnight
an armOred train came into the sta
ton opposite us. They began loading
up with wood. / Immediately ordered
my men to get up, but kept them in
the cars. l went to the station to see
II anything unusual had occurred, but
everything appeared quiet. I ordered
my men to retire, but we doubled our
guard. The other officer and myself
had just begun to retire when the SER
geant came in and reported that he
thought the Russians meant business
In about two minutes, with most of
our 35 men still asleep. the Russians
opened fire on us with machine guns
rifles and grenades.
sour men were ordered ONt at once
and they got under the cars and re.
turned the fire. 1t seemed homeless
against an armOred train, Our ser
geant was killed In few minutes
when he attempted to get out on the
he threw hand grenade at the train,
which helped to force the Russians to
surrender One Of our corporals had
both legs blown off. The Russian ar
mored train stopped about fifty yards
from our cars and for a few moments
we kept after them in skirmlsh line
fashion and soon they told us t.ey
were ready to surrender.
Plan to Burn Village.
"They admitted that they had been
drinking and that they intended first
to kill Off all the Americans and then
burn the village, as they claimed that
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-five men. All we had
were three, automatic rifles, grenades
and rifles, while they had eight ma
chine guns. rifles for every man, one
FOUNDER, a three-inch gun and gren-
AIDES.
1.-THE big prize, besides the train,
was the general who was in command
Of all their armered trains. and their
captain.
ut was quite an exciting experience
for as minutes and something ! will
never forget. All Of our men have
been recommended for distinguished
service medals for their gallant attack
ooo;n,k m rr,orad in