The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-01
GOES over TO
At why RI6(E
Former Montana Rancher
Writes II His Exp@
riences in Battle.
IN CANADIAN FORCE
Tells Of Cr0uching in Funk
Hole 48 Hours Under
BOnlbardrneTt.

Starr Adamson. young man who
formerly was engaged in ranchine in
north central Montana, and who en-
listed in the Canadian army and went
overseas in 1915. has been i'm the ma
jority OF the battles thel Canadians
have taken part in since that time.
Young Adamson is the third of his
family to see service in the great war.
One brother, who enlisted in Africa.
held a commission under General Botha
and was, reported missing two years
ago; another brother Is now a prisoner
in Germany. Starr Adalnson himself
was at vimy Ridge, Hill No. 20. and
Passchendaele Ridge and has cxpe-
rienced many thrilling moments on the
western front.
In letter to Charles S. Cooper,
court reporter of Helena, and-an old
friend. Private Adamson says that
when he goes "over the top" he has
the same feeling he used to have when,
on a moose hunt. he had cornered his
quarry" His letter follows in part:
Soon of for "6lighty."
II will be getting a day leave to
'bllghty' about February 1. You have
absolutely no idea how good it will
seen to me to be clean again; once
more to feel warm and comfortable
and cat a nice meal. It win be a real
soldiers dream Of joy and l am eS
cited about it already.
War has very few secrets from me
now. / know the joys. sorrows and
discolnforts Of it. have been in some
big battles and have been over the
top twice. SO I have known the fierce
joy Of beating the enemy and making
him run. and of digging in on the
ground won.
"On Passchendaele Ridge, too. |
knew what 1t was to sit tight under a
terrific bombardment for 4s hours. ex-
pecting every minute TO be my last.
After IL hours my nerves were SO alb
solutely worn out that I had no con
troll over them and l just shook all
over in my funk hole.
Thought II Shell.
when we came out and were resting
after storming the ridge. / was asleep
when a fellow dropped boot on the
floor and awoke in an awful fright
thinking shell had dropped into my
funk hsle.n Thrift syas inussfA;a sto.
you the state my nerves were in. But
am quite Q. X. now. except for slight
touch Of rheumatism in one knee.
Il was in the fight last August when
we took Hill No. 20. l was slightly
'gassed there. Simy Ridge was fairly
easy 80 far as my battalion was con-
cerned. although some had a bad time
It would be hard for me to tell you
how n fellow feels when going over
the top You have. way back in your
mind. the feeling that the dropping
shells and whining bullets can hurt
YOU. but you certainly don't think of
getting killed.
When you are close to the enemy
whether they are fighting you or run
ming away (they generally do the la,-
ter when the Canucks go oyera you
feel. at least l do, the same as when
you are out hunting moose. and have
found the quarry-just terribly fierce
l have seen all / want of war and
would be quite content to get away
from France. but just the same I would
sooner stick than see u premature
peace.
We have Fritz beat on the west
ern front right now aud he knows ii.
but is just hanging on and doing as
much damage as he can. Ills men
surrender easily when VIC 20 over and
don't put up any kind of a tight at all. "
In a postscript to his letter, Private
Adamson adds:
Have just remembered something
] wanted to tell yon. Il was in a big
battle In the early morning, we had
gone over behind tremendous bar
rage and beat Fritz, taking many pfis-
orers We had no time te dig good
trenches and Fritz bombarded our new
positions all day and evening.
1T was a black, rainy night and