Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-16
MAN KNOWN HERE
WITH MARINES Who
DEFEATED GERMANS

BOMBARDM ENr AFTER TAKING
HILL FROM HUNS.
His thrilling experiences with the
Marines during the valiant fighting
around Belleau Woods, in which the
Germans though outnumbering Am
orleans two to one. were badly Dc
frated and routed at every angle. are
graphically told by Private Gus Sui.
berg. Chicago boy, now serving
with the Expeditionary Forces in
France, as a member Of that brave
little band of heroes.
Gulberg went over the top, helped
capture a well fortified German hill,
and then, under terrific lombard
ment for ten days, helped hold the
place against all German attempts to
reseize il He fought under heavy
barraEes, frequent gas attacks end
cane ont Of the fight unscathed.
In letter TO friends in Ottawa,
where Gulsberg is well known, he
saws.
Dear Friend
II has been some time since have
written to any one. so now III have
10 make up for lost time and send
batch all al once. II has been some
time since | have received any mail
as I've been isolated from the out
side world for about eighteen days
Well to begin with | am very lucky
10 be alive. | don't know how in Gods
world | ever came ont all in one piece
suppose You have already read about
The Marines going over the top.
General Pershipg was here and con
graduated US on our fighting ability
We went over the top one morning
At 4 a, m, and made an attack on a
German hlL we'll fortified with ma
GhiEc guns and mortars II cost LIS
quite a few men. but we sure stuck it
to those square heads The woods
was just covered with dead Marines
and Germans; mostly Germans.
think We captured five or six hundred
prisoners and forty machine guns. \
few Of the Dutch got away by beating
il across the fields before We could
get to them, We took up positions
AZ once, aud then We got he'll for
seven days think they were afraid
10 come over in person so they start
ed an awful bombardment First they
used shraWnel and high explosive for
about fourteen hours and it just rain
ed steel all over that hill The next
morning they came over thinking
that they had blown us out, and 1t
Vas then that my gun was christen
ed by our first two Germans. We
drove them back TO their lines at
once.
They then used mustard gas on US
They rained few thousand gas shells
ed gas resprators for a few hours.
Some Of the boys We're gaSed but the
line held as strong as ever. Every
morning Just before daylight we were
greeted with a heavy barrage.
think they pulled that off to stop
possible attack. which they thought
we might make.
was certainly glad to get out Of
that place when did We were an
awful looking outfit when we came
out. Not a wash or a shave for ten
DAYS, and all in from sleepleSs nights
! am not going to growl or Kick
because that is 10 be expected in a
game like this, but if there is any
such thing as he'll. it can't be any
worse than an active fighting front.
Anyway the Dutch got good taste
of American grit and perseverance.
Well had good bath and change
of clothing and feel great I've also
got a beautiful straw bunk, and |
slept for eleven hours without a
break
How are things going along at the
shop. and how are you, the Mrs and
klddies? | hope you are all we'll We
are having some fine weather here
now
: was going to write to O'llara and
some of the other boys, but | have
only limited supply of paper and
so many letters to write, so this viii
have TO suffice for the Felt d Tarrant
MAJ nfacturng company. | received
thos, two parcels of letters and have
netrly all Of them read hoping to
h'ac from You soon" or words to that
effect But | know YOU understand
M predicament as to replying to all
Euhsrrlha for tina Erpa rNta...r Iaurna