They Refused to Fight: Searching for Freedom

By Arlene Eslinger

They Refused to Fight is the story of two young boys sent from Germany to the Ukraine in the hope that they would have freedom and a chance to grow up. The journey on the Danube to their new home in Russia was dangerous and their innocence was lost. It is a multigenerational story of the Ebel family living in peace and growing prosperity only t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arlene Eslinger
• Release date: May 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798985598315

Arlene Eslinger

Arlene Eslinger's book Fighting for Freedom is based on her great grandfather's life in the Ukraine. It is a historical fiction about her family's perseverance in a time when Russia was intent on eliminating certain groups of people. It is a book about their faith and hope and how it impacted her grandfather and her. Arlene lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children. She is a business owner and has spent her career helping people with addictions.

Book preview

DA

1846

DA STOOD IN THE DOORWAY of his small barn, arms folded across his chest, watching his sons wrestle in the dirt. He was distracted by his thoughts,

Today is the last day. … Their last day to be children. …Their last day of being safe with their family. Today is my last day to be their da. Tomorrow, they will be gone. They will have to work for every meal, every night’s shelter. They will be scared and alone and I can’t be there; there will be nothing I can do for them.

Da, Da, shouted his youngest boy. Watch William Da, he is getting so strong. He almost pinned me!

Da looked to his 16-year-old son. William was sweating; a look of determination and will to overcome his ‘little’ brother. His teeth clenched, his arms and legs flailing, trying with all his might to get on top of Rochein.

Da knew the slim, lanky boy didn’t stand a chance against his younger brother. Rochein was built like his mother, low to the ground, wide and strong as a bull.

Good boy William, Da called out, trying to sound enthusiastic. You almost got him son, keep trying. Da’s heart was heavy as he watched them. His eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

Fourteen-year-old Rochein was enjoying the wrestling match. There was no effort on his part, no concentration or thinking needed. As he kept his brother from getting the upper hand he talked as though they were sitting at the table having a conversation. William wasn’t speaking at all. He was grunting and snarling, using all the strength he had to fight his way out from under his brother. Rochein tried to be speak softly so Da wouldn’t overhear him. He still had questions he wanted to talk about but his voice was like his body, big and strong. Da turned his back to give the boys privacy but stayed where he was, and listened to them talk.

"William, what do you think it will be like?

… I wonder how long it will take us to get there.

Do you think once we are settled Da and Ma will come live with us?

… How much money do you think we would have to make to pay for the whole family to come live with us?

… Do you think I can pass for 16? I think you can pass for 18, maybe even 19."

It was obvious to Da that Rochein had not fully grasped the situation. He closed his eyes and shook his head, Dear God, he is too young to go.

The one-sided conversation continued, "Maybe I should get a fake beard or something.

… I wonder how long it is going to take to get there.

Are you scared William?

… It’s just going to be you and me, isn’t it?

… What if we get lost?

Da said we have to pretend we are older than we are in order to apply for land in the new country.

…. I don’t like lying. I’m not good at it. Ma can always tell if I am hiding something. She can even tell if I’m thinking about lying.

…What if I say the wrong thing?

… I’m going to miss Ma and Da.

How will they get along without us? You know we do a lot of the work around the farm.

…What’s going to happen to our family?

…What’s …what’s going to happen to us?"

Rochein stopped, laid still on top of William. Looking down into the intelligent brown eyes of the brother he followed like a god, Rochein lowered his mouth to William’s ear and whispered, William, I’m a little scared.

William stopped trying to get the upper hand and looked at his brother, a little boy really. Too young to be brave.

This isn’t fair. William said, not talking about the fact that he was laying on the ground, under his brother and couldn’t move.

I don’t want to go either. But we have to! … Ma and Da need us to go. Saving our lives is the most important thing to them. It will be hard for them without us but…, William shook his head at Rochein, it will be harder if we stay.

Gently, as if he hadn’t said this to his brother a thousand times already, "We have no chance of a future if we stay. You know this. We have been over it a thousand times.

Da had argued with William for months. This situation was untenable and he knew his oldest son struggled over the idea of leaving his family too. William knew he had to leave but thought he should go alone. Rochein was still a child and wouldn’t have to worry about being drafted for a couple more years.

Maybe things would change in a couple years and the German Chancellor would stop the draft.

William, we can’t depend on ‘maybe.’ Three years in the Army, even three minutes goes against the teachings of our faith."

Da was lucky to own a small farm where they could grow their own food. In other parts of Germany, people were starving. Boys were conscripted into the Army instead of staying home and building up the German economy. Da hated Frederick Wilhelm III, for forcing young German boys into service. Even though this Kaiser had decreased the number of years they served from five to three, had improved the soldiers’ survival rate, stopped renting out soldiers to other countries, Da and his Mennonite community would not allow their boys to serve. Not for one day.

In the past, more soldiers died from starvation, freezing, or disease than from combat. Soldiers used to die by the thousands. The changes Wilhelm III made changed those statistics and reduced the number of Germans emigrating but it didn’t reduce the number of Mennonite emigrants or the number of Mennonite boys sent to jail for resisting the draft.

Da stood in the barn’s doorway, trying to come to terms with losing his two sons forever. His stomach was in his throat, his chest hurt, his eyes burned. He walked to the house to check on his wife and other children.

Inside their small, simple house, Ma was sewing money into her boys’ clothes. The house smelled of fresh bread as she packed food for their journey. Her face was scrunched up as if she was crying but her eyes were dry. There were no more tears left to cry.

Ma looked exhausted; she was slightly bent, every step slow. Three little sisters watched their mother, listened to her keening. They knew something was terribly wrong, but had not been told that tomorrow they would see their brothers for the last time. They clung to each other, eyes big with fear and worry, silently waiting for Mama to call them into her big soft arms.

Tomorrow morning two young boys will start walking from Frankfurt to Ulm, 180 miles. They have to somehow get on a zillen that floats from Ulm to Vienna. From there, a barge will float them down the Danube, 1075 miles. The barge will pass by Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria, traverse the treacherous Iron Gates where many lost their lives and on to Romania where gypsies and pirates attacked and robbed many unprepared immigrants. If the boat reached Moldova, the passengers will walk from there to Odessa, Russia, 205 miles. The Ebel boys will have to pretend they are old enough to get the 60 acres of land and the 2.7 acres for a farmyard given Germans by the Russian government. They will have to work for others and save their money for tools and oxen and seed. The land they acquire will be near the Volga River, where other Mennonites have already settled. There the boys will be part of a community. They will have to put their childhood away long before they should have to.

Da and Ma had discussed the dangers and challenges the boys would face traveling alone and concluded, In Germany, the boys will be forced into the Army. Refusing to fight will result in prison or a firing squad. If they travel to Russia alone, they still may die but at least their souls will be saved.

The Bible was very clear; the Mennonite elders taught everyone from birth that there were no exceptions. Never raise a hand against another, even if it means your own death.

Da and his wife talked long and hard about the whole family leaving Germany. In the end they couldn’t take three little girls on a dangerous trip. The letters from Russia said most children didn’t survive the trip down the Danube.

Da listened to Ma pray. Her prayers had no beginning or end. She talked to Jesus all day, sometimes all night. He let her words come from his heart as well. Bless my beloved children, keep them in your loving arms until we can see them again.

She would not lay eyes on her sons again until they met in heaven, Lord, guide them; may they remain good, God-fearing men. Help them on their road to everlasting life.

Da prayed with Ma as they worried if the family would survive this loss. Heavenly Father, we are helpless and appealing for Your mercy. … help us be brave.

Ma begged, Please keep them safe. Please God, you know their hearts, keep them in their faith.

Since Da and Ma made the decision to send the boys to Russia, wherever Ma went, whatever she did, the mantra continued. At times she would thank God for her children, for allowing her to raise them, but the prayer would always end the same, Save them, bless them, keep them safe. She thanked God for not having more sons.

Tomorrow was the date chosen for the boys to leave. For the past month, as the day approached, the grief and pain of separation got almost heavier than the parents could bear. Ma and Da vowed to each other, We must not change our minds. No matter how hard it becomes. They have to leave.

There had been a lot of planning for their children. Ma and Da stayed up long after the children went to bed, looking at maps, making lists, deciding on what needed to be done before the boys left. Da had researched the route they would take, and a contingency route in case one didn’t work out. And then a third option, just in case.

He sold what he could to make sure they had some money. The Ebel family didn’t have much financially. They lived in a Mennonite commune where everyone worked together, and shared the profits equally.

Their lives were simple and not inclusive. The community was segregated from other Germans and from other Christians. That has always been a good thing, keeping out the ungodliness of the world. They made everything needed to live, saw no reason to be inclusive. The task of preparing their sons for a world that they didn’t even know how to live in weighed heavy on Da’s shoulders. He bought the boys new clothes. While traveling, you must look like everyone else. You must blend in; leave your black hat, white shirt, and suspenders here.

Da wasn’t sure his boys could lie; they had no practice. But they had to be coached on why they were on the road, where were they going, who they were. All lies to be memorized and rehearsed.

Da and Ma made the decision to send their boys alone. Other parents are sending their sons out of Germany in groups. They think there is safety in numbers.

A group would draw attention, authorities may ask questions, and it would probably take them longer to get to Russia

Knowing William, he would take the lead and the responsibility for everyone. He will have his hands full just caring for himself and Rochein.

Ma wrote letters to German Mennonites already living in Russia. She wanted to know what routes they took, what were the dangers, what should they have done differently.

Responses came in from Russia and with every letter Da revised plans, looked for different ways for the boys to travel and added supplies. He was as prepared as he could be, but still there were so many unknowns. "We are throwing our boys out into a cruel unforgiving world without any assurance they will survive. They may not even get safely out of Germany.

If something were to happen to William, Rochein would be lost. A 14-year-old doesn’t have the instinct or the know-how to survive alone. William had always taken care of his younger brother. Except for reading, he taught Rochein many things; how to fix a wheel, milk a cow, plow a field, even comb his hair. Rochein loved to work with his hands and was quick to learn from his mentor. Rochein did the bull work and William did the paperwork. They made a great team. As long as William is there, Rochein will be all right. I have to have faith.

Da looked back on his life and felt regret and guilt for past decisions. "I wanted sons, prayed for them, and now look at the mess my sons are in. I was a selfish young man, anxious to have a wife and family and now, because I got what I prayed for, my boys will be separated from their family. Forever.

Ma was no better. She went along with the plan. So happy when she was able to give me sons. Reminded me how lucky we were, … blessed.

Now, as he suffered his fate, she tried to console him. All these years we have had the best sons. Da, no parent could wish for better.

Ma reminded him, There was no way to predict the future. How could we know? Our faith in God will keep them safe. Have faith my husband.

But Da was not so sure that God was with them. He was mad at God as well as himself. God could have warned me, given me wisdom, … something! I should have stopped having children after our sons were born. God could have made my wife barren. Then I could have taken the boys and wife to Russia, where we would have been given land to farm and the boys would grow up with their parents beside them.

When the boys were little, Germany closed the exit to Russia, forbidding emigration. At that time Da was not aware of any reason he should leave his home. Life went on. He had his farm and fathered three more children.

Isolated in the Mennonite Community he didn’t have knowledge of the changes Germany was going through. He was part of a self-sufficient commune, not needing to be on familiar terms with other Germans. Only recently, when the draft was affecting the Mennonite boys, did the men begin to worry about their sons.

Once Germany again allowed emigration, many Mennonite families left. For the Ebel family there wasn’t any way the whole family could pack up and move. There were three little girls that were to small and fragile to make an arduous journey.

Ma and Da discussed their options, Even if we were given land in Russia, even if the whole family survived the journey, there is no guarantee that we would be successful, that there would be no drought, that the land was fertile, that we would be able to build a home, that we could make enough money to buy animals.

It’s too late for us. We have to stay. The boys have to go.

Da didn’t know how he was going to live through the separation. If the boys make it alive maybe I could breathe again, but there may not be news of them for a long time, and maybe never. Life will stand still until I know their fate and maybe my heart will break waiting.

While Da and Ma worked on travel plans for the boys, they also worked on teaching them how to survive. If they were not able to get on a zillen in Ulm, they would have to make a raft or walk to Vienna. Either way they would need to feed themselves. Da took them hunting and fishing, using snares and fishing line without a pole. They learned how to make a raft and lean-to. The boys knew how to swim but had to be taught how to save each other if, God forbid, one needed saving.

Ma taught them to speak like other Germans, not the plain language that came from the Bible, but using the words ‘you and me.’ When they used the words ‘thee and thou,’ she would give them a sharp smack on the back of the head.

Ma made them knapsacks to wear on their backs. The sacks were filled with rope, a hatchet, fishing line, snares, a shovel, flint, a fry pan, canteens, knives, dried food, compass, bedrolls, underwear and extra socks.

One boy had brains, the other brawn. Da worked on their weaknesses. William needed more muscle, more information, more skills. Rochein needed to listen better and talk less. The younger brother needed to obey the older brother. And Da talked to them more than he had in his entire life. He had to fill their heads with all the information fathers took a lifetime to share. He didn’t know how much they could remember but he talked about farming; caring for the land, planting, harvesting, selling crops and making grain. He showed them how to choose and care for cows, bulls, horses, oxen, chickens, pigs. The boys had to know how to heal them or slaughter them, how to dry and smoke the meat. They were given instruction from the carpenters in the commune on building a house, furniture, sheds, wagons and outhouses.

William was most interested in farming the land and Rochein’s interest was the animals. In a few short months, Da had to cram years’ worth of knowledge into their heads.

And they were leaving in the morning. What have I forgotten? Tonight, he would talk until his voice was gone, giving them one more opportunity to ask questions. He wanted to make sure they had memorized all the things it would take to survive, not just on the trip, but for the rest of their lives. Tomorrow, the weight of what he had done would weigh on him until the day he died. An inconsolable wife will add to my grief. … Our little girls will be lost without their big brothers. They will have endless questions about where they are and when will they come home. Praying will be our language, every minute of every day.

In the morning, after a sleepless night for everyone, a mother gave her boys a lifetime of kisses as their faces were washed in their mother’s tears. A father placed his hands on his boys’ heads and gave them a final blessing,

Heavenly Father, keep these young men safe from harm, may they always be your servants and do Your will. Look after them always, until we meet again. Amen. Then he broke and his shoulders shook. The loss overwhelmed him.

The boys could barely move their feet, their desire to remain with their family so great. But with a shove from their father, they headed to the door. William quietly told his mom he loved her and would write as soon as he could. He hugged his dad, kissed his sisters and walked out the door. Rochein was bawling, sobs rendering him unable to say a word. He hugged his mother so tight, her ribs cracked. She had to push his arms down; he couldn’t seem to let go of her on his own. He squeezed his little sisters until they cried out,

Can’t breathe. Rochein stop, stop!

It was impossible for Da to say goodbye to Rochein. They stared at each other’s face and hair, shoulders and hands, ears and feet; trying to engrave the picture in their minds. With eyes so big and scared, the boy clung to Da for the last time. William waited outside for his brother, but when Rochein couldn’t leave his family on his own, William had to go back in and take his little brother by the hand and pull him along.

As if speaking to a little child William said, Come on now, we have to get going. It’s going to be all right.

As they walked Rochein cried loud, wailing sobs interspersed with Mama, Mama. I want my Da! I don’t want to go!

William kept a good grip on Rochein’s hand as he walked away. He feared if he let go, Rochein would turn around and run for home. If Rochein went back, there would be no way to get him to leave again. The family lost their ability to stand and both parents dropped to their knees, clutching each other and their remaining children, hearing their little boy’s cries long after the boys were out of sight.

WILLIAM

ROCHEIN WAS HEARTBROKEN, TRIPPING OVER his own feet as he was pulled away. William kept a grip on him, tears obstructing his own vision. He had to be the adult here and take charge. They would walk until Rochein quit crying and got himself under control. The boys walked all day. Finally, Rochein stopped sobbing and asked through shuttering breath, Where … where are we?

William was exhausted and hungry. Thank God you finally stopped crying! ... I’m not sure where we are but I’m tired. Let’s eat something and get some sleep.

He put an arm around Rochein’s shoulders, Tomorrow will be better.

There were no words, very little interest in eating. They laid down hugging each other, one silent, one whimpering. They fell into a deep sleep that lasted long into the morning.

Da had warned William that some days they wouldn’t be able to walk 20 miles a day, There will be days you will need to find a place to earn money for supplies, days when the weather is not fit for travel, days you will not be fit to travel.

Their first day out and they were having one of those days. Da had also advised the boys to walk each day until the sun was in the afternoon sky. Leave yourselves plenty of time to find food, a place to spend the night and enough time to regain your strength.

It would take about two weeks to reach Ulm. There the boys would board a small zillen that would take them to Vienna. They would transfer to a barge in Vienna that would carry them to Russia.

William continued to hold Rochein’s hand most of the next day. His younger brother had stopped bawling but was still crying. William tried to distract himself by trying to remember everything Da had said before they left.

Don’t try to hurry, you don’t want anyone to think you are running away. If anyone asks where you are going, say home to Ulm, from Grandmother’s house in Frankfurt. Say she is old and needed some help.

William had added to the lie, But she died. He had raised his eyebrows at his da and pointed toward Rochein with his eyes.

Da hesitated and then said, That should explain the crying. But don’t talk too much. If you are asked questions, keep answers short. You would get to Ulm quicker if you hitched rides, but if you think you will be uncomfortable talking to the people in the wagon, say no thanks.

Da, how can I accept wagon rides and keep my babbling brother quiet. He loves to talk to everyone and anyone and he doesn’t think before he speaks. If he has a thought, it comes out his mouth. If we take a ride, I will have to watch our language, make sure we don’t use biblical language; and make sure our lies don’t get mixed up.

Da agreed and had spoken sternly to Rochein. You must be quiet and let your brother do the talking.

William shook his head, Good luck with that.

Da didn’t have an answer, I don’t know how to keep him quiet. I’ll try again to put the fear of God in him before you leave. I can only hope it’s enough.

And how am I going to get him fed; you know what an appetite Rochein has. We’ll go through what Ma packed in a day.

Da had suggested he ask to help with chores at farms along the way in exchange for food and a barn to sleep in.

Sounds like it’s going to take a long time to get to Ulm.

Before leaving Germany, William and Rochein were told stories about the German exodus to Russia. Catherine the Great, a German princess who became the ruler of Russia, opened the door for German farmers to leave behind poverty and help her make Russia the greatest country in the world. The German people were ruled with an iron fist, and Catherine the Great promised free passage to Russia, free land, no taxes, no military service, freedom to worship and autonomy in local government. The Ebel boys were following 100,000 Germans that had gone before them.

William didn’t tell his Da but he worried. We are not adults… How are we going to get passage to Russia and how are we going to get land? … I guess we will see if we can even get to Ulm.

In Ulm, there would be a general passport issued for each group of 20. William would somehow have to find a family with room for two more children. Russia wanted grown men or men with families and William and Rochein looked too young to pass as grown men.

On the road to Ulm, William and Rochein were the picture of two sad children; red eyes, dejected look, droopy shoulders, one boy almost dragging the other along. Any wagon that had a woman in it, stopped to give them a ride. If Rochein was asked any questions, William squeezed his hand or pinched his arm or kicked his leg before he could say a word. William stopped most questions with one statement. Our grandmother died while we were staying with her and we just want to go home.

That story got them fed, a barn to sleep in, and many wagon rides. Once they got close to Ulm, the boys had to start looking for a group that could accommodate two more people.

That’s when they became orphans and William, to the wide-eyed amazement of Rochein, said Our parents died and left us all alone.

With his chin turned up bravely, tears filling his eyes, his voice quivering, We have an older brother who lives in Russia and are going to go live with him.

That wasn’t hard at all; they had their ‘new family’ by the time they saw Ulm. Rochein whispered and shook his head at this brother William, you are a liar.

And I’m a good one.

The kind, generous, blond, blue-eyed couple wanted to help the two dejected boys.