I felt like sobbing, and I knew I could not master myself....
The great Russian writer saw the Jewish cantonists on the road, but he knew nothing of what happened to them later on, in the recesses of the barracks into which they were driven.

This terrible secret was revealed to the world at a later period by the few survivors among these martyred Jewish children.
Having arrived at their destination, the juvenile conscripts were put into the cantonist battalions.

The "preparation for military service" began with their religious re-education at the hands of sergeants and corporals.

No means was, neglected so long as it bade fair to bring the children to the baptismal font.

The authorities refrained from giving formal instructions, leaving everything to the zeal of the officers who knew the wishes of their superiors.