Mobilisation in the Capital
Yesterday was the second day of the mobilisation and, like the first, it passed in an orderly way . . .
From 6am reservists began lining up at the turnpikes that had been installed at assembly points in the city. They came with their wives and children.
Understandably, many women were in tears.
The men vigorously controlled their emotions. Many of them were joking.
Police supervised the proceedings assiduously, checking lists and directing people to the assembly points.
“What were you?,”
“A clerk!”
“A gunner!”
“A sapper!”
And so on.
They worked quickly.
Soon the reservists were formed into groups and, accompanied by police, led off to the assembly points.
There were touching scenes as the reservists marched briskly away with their women, sisters, children and girlfriends bringing up the rear . . .
Demonstrators turned up at many assembly points to welcome the reservists as future heroes.
At the City War Department
Efforts to build food stocks in the city were stepped up yesterday.
By 10am bread, meat, cabbage and other ingredients had already been delivered to the assembly points.
Before noon, the city war department was informed that tables had been installed at all the assembly points and the steam from fresh cabbage soup was rising from the stoves.
Horse Duty
Yesterday the mobilisation of horses took place.
The whole city was packed with participants.
A special commission to marshall and inspect the horses has been formed, including representatives of the city authorities, members of the cavalry service, the governor and vets.
Horse owners parted willingly with their animals, even in some cases expensive race horses.
“Let our horsy work against the Germans for a while. What’s wrong with that!”
Measures have been taken to ensure that Petersburg is not left without [horse-drawn] cabs . . .
After all the official formalities were fulfilled, the horses were taken away from their owners. Large numbers of stables have already been prepared for the horses.
Peterburgski Listok
August 2nd, 1914
(series concluded)
