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MATHIES GENEALOGY

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REMEMBERANCES OUT OF RUSSIA

FROM JOHANN J MATHIES, VINELAND, ONTARIO, 1965

[Johann - brother of A. J. Mathies]

[Interviewed by Annie Krause]

Return

[1914]

When the war against Germany and Turkey broke out, fifty men volunteered as Sanitaiter, among them also was I. The government gladly took us. We got word to be in Jekaterinoslau by October 17. We then left Asow on October 16 on ordered transportation from the Russian village of kaltscheck. Our Governor the Toerster W. Sijakow in uniform and Sergij Mukotiwsch Tschaban had come to say farewell. W. Sijakow put us in a row in front of him, with the remaining staying, in two rows beside him. He then proceeded to give a speech of praise to the Orchestra, consisting of horns, played "God protect our Kaiser". As we stepped into our wagon, it was evident that even the higher ups were moved by this as were the kommandos who waved to us with their caps and tears in their eyes.

In looking back, the Forstei Service was the best time in our life. You learned to understand one another and life was not just one-sided. Our loving God has made no mistake in making us all different in so we might learn from another, the bad however to leave alone. There are those who think more of themselves than they do of others. Even so, there are those also who lift up their eyes to the hills, from whence cometh their help - Jesus Christ.

As we arrived in Jekaternoslaw, we were around 300 of us from the Forstei and came before the high military Personal. We were greeted in a friendly way. He said among other things that until now we had been under civil authority, but now we were coming under the military command and where it might be harsher.

In Moscow we entered the all Russian Semsstwo-Verband. In Asower we separated and boarded the Sanitaets train No. 205 and 206. I was in 206. We had room for 1200 wounded, 2 doctors, 6 nurses, 1 head sanitaeter, 1 foreman, 1 secretary, 3 cooks, and about 40 of us in the sanitate. The head sanitaeter was an intelligent young Russian from Pensa where he had studied. His name was Nikilai Ewgenewitsch. Our foreman was a J. Koslowsky, and had been our [starschy?] the last year at Asow. The secretary was P. Klassen from Einlage, Altkolonie.

In Moscow we were outfitted from head to foot in military clothes with a red Cross on the cap and arm of our leather jackets B. Z. C. With this Sanitaetz insignia we drove for only a short time. We loaded up the wounded from the hospitals in Moscow, took them through Wologda, Wjlatka, Perm over the Ural onto Nischni - Tagil, around 2000 Werst altogether.We were greeted with horn music on our arrival. Here at Nischni-Tagil the Huge Iron mountain of the World supposedly existed.

During our return trip, the wagons were disinfected with high pressurized steam using formalin to rid us of such insects as lice. All twelve beds were brought back in order, as were the cooking utensils and dishes, since no one knew when a kontrolle might appear. On our return over Ural we gazed with awe at God’s nature like the vast forests. Then God seemed very great. As we wandered through the train you would find some writing letters others studying the bible, and and still others drinking coffee or tea they had gotten from the kitchen. They had managed to create a lived in togetherness and had the greatest fun with one another.

When the day was over one said a silent evening prayer, and went to a restful sleep as the wheels continued to tick-tack along. It was a long ride to Moscow.

We made several more trips from Moscow to Wolgo around about 700 Werst. Also some shorter trips. Then our trains were given to the polmischen Volunteers and we were given three other trains. No, 207-208 v. 209. I was on 209. These three trains fully equipped with doctors, etc., were put in a Schalon [without the wagons of the wounded], and driven to the kauskasus to the Turkish front.

It was first and second class of higher Personal, 3rd class for sanitaeter, kitchen and dining room staff, and 4th class for those transported medically. We were all vaccinated against various diseases, especially for malaria, which was prevalent in Kaukas. December 21, 1914, we left Moscow, on to Rostow - on the Don, where it was already better, further to Mineralinol Vody, Grosny, Chaswawjurt by Tereck, Petrowsk, and Derbent by the Caspian Sea, a city surrounded by a wall containing beautiful gardens stretching to the beaches of the sea. The temperatures were like in the spring.

We always had the lovely mountain Elbrus (18481 feet) which we had earlier driven past here, and the Kasbeck (12886 feet high). Amazingly beautiful is God's nature! Onward went the drive to Baladshary till Baku, a large market city on the Caspian Sea. Here are oil wells where Nafta-gasoline and such is available. Further on to Aluatu, Elisawetpol, where many Lutheran and German Evangelical were growing grapes, then over Naftlug and to the lovely Tiflis. It was December 30, 1914. We had gone 2900 werst.

At Tiflis, wounded as well as others (who would go along) had their wagons readied, as well as preparations for 209 Sanitaetzug was finalized as we proceeded to the Turkish Front over Naftlug, Sinain, between the mountains always higher ahead. There were two locomotives in the front and a double one added at the back. It was magnificent to hear the echo's re-vibrate. It was getting colder. Here and there snow was visible on the mountains. We travelled through some small tunnels and other longer ones all darkened. On exit we encountered snow on Ebnene and were forced to keep in readiness our sheepskins we'd gotten in Tiflis. Altitude of mountains here was 8989 feet.

We were nearing Alexandropol. Here was a welfare station, then southeast toward the Persian border towards Dshalfa over Etschmiadsin, Uluchallu, Eriwan, Nachitschewan Dshulfa the border by Persia on the Rivwer Araks that flows by Mt. Ararat forming a Russian-Persian borderand flowing into the caspian Sea.

After Alexandropol over Kars, a small Festung then Beglieschmett where Kurden [Mohammads] live in their caves and finally to Sarikamis attitude 10,000 location of the Russian-Turish Front. It was bitter cold.

Bodies were lying all around here. Two Turkish dead lay at the end of the tracks near the train station, frozen in ice and wouldn't be able to be buried until spring. You seriously begin to wonder why such things have to be. Many parents, mothers, and wives await heartbreakingly not knowing where their loved ones have been killed.

Many wounded were loaded up, mostly Turks with frozen hands and feet. The smell of infection was very strong. Many of Typhoid on the way to Tiflis about 300 werst trip. We cared for them sympathizingly and transported them to the hospital where many had their legs amputated. Here at Naftlug we again added more wounded onto the train and continued on through Baku, Baldshary, Chasawjurt then Tireck, Prochladnaja (where already some Mennonites had settled), as well as at Soworowka, Armavir and finally Rostow on the Don. This trip took over 7 days and we cared for the sick day and night.

It was still easy because I was healthy and strong and glad that I was allowed to do it. Many a sick or wounded I carried on my back. How thankful they all were whether friend or foe. To us they were not an enemy. I am thankful to God that I was privileged to do this work. I want to believe that  the Mennonites were called to do this and did their duty in this sanitaets job loyally. 

We had seen a train load of Turks arrive on a siding near the hospital and had to wait there. There were no Mennonites on that Sanitaetz-train, instead at every door stood an armed soldier. After a while I walked by and hurriedly glanced inside. Dead were lying everywhere on straw, and so were the sick, begging for water, which the soldier wouldn't give him. A wounded would jump outside half-dressed, and bend down to get water from a puddle (where it had rained) for  drink. He'd get it with the back of the gun and back he'd have to go. We didn't have any guns, but between us we convinced them to give them water.

We also travelled the same road from Alexadropol the Dshulfa. It was like a desert, hot and tropical. Here we picked up the sick and wounded from Urmia-See and Van-See. Our Mennonites also were faithful in their duty with cars and transport in this area. This was always dangerous due to the robbers (the Mohammedans) who lived here. Not all of our Mennonites returned from this place, such as a Gossen and Asower.