861.00/4910: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26, 1:25 a.m.]
2623. Following from [Cole at] Archangel:
“1342. July 24, 4 p.m. Referring to my telegram number 1339, July 22, 6 p.m., 144 [150] to Paris.44 No attempt has been made to attack the mutineer and Bolshevik forces at Chelenavo or Onega. Cordons have been thrown into the area between Archangel and the Onega River. Fronts composed largely of Russian troops are being stiffened by the addition of British troops taken from the Dvina River positions.
This morning’s military reports show that a heavy Bolshevik attack on the railroad front was to be made simultaneously with the mutiny planned for 3 a.m., July 21st. Both failed as reported. On the 22d Bolsheviki attacked again and held all our advanced positions which however were retaken on the 23d. Bolsheviki now attacking verst post 455 east of Vologda railroad, 93 miles south of Archangel in an attempt to cut off positions at verst 444, 11 versts to south which [is] strongest position on railroad front.
All the British officers and men in the city of Onega were allowed to go on board the British Monitor after the mutiny and by agreement the city was not bombarded. Twenty English officers and 20 men who were inland are still missing. Revolutionary forces affected 4,000 Russian troops and the attempted mutiny on the railroad front from four to five companies and cruiser Des Moines and two eagles [Page 643] will arrive from the Murmansk tomorrow. The British staff states that the situation is well in hand and that disabled [the?] British troops are in good spirits. An American lieutenant, who was on the railroad front to register graves, reports that the fighting there is heavy and that he and his fit [five?] men were requested to assist.
Understand Russian staff is making plans with a view to possible evacuation from Archangel to Murmansk. Cole.”
- Transmitted in telegram from the Ambassador in Great Britain, no. 2609, July 24, 11 a.m., supra.↩