From a report in the newspaper "Struggle" about the rout of the Menshevik detachments in Tskhinval
Weapon volleys struck, bullets whistled, and Sandro Ketskhoveli fell to the ground as a lifeless corpse. George Machabeli gave orders to the guards who took positions. He stood openly in the middle of the street, waiting for any minute for help from Gori according to the agreed sign (this sign should have been a wire break), but the wires were broken and help did not come. He was losing hope. Then suddenly the red banner appeared, followed by the people.