Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-09
AMERICAN FIGHTING
SPIRIT TYPIFIED BY
YOUNG CHICAGO BOY
Wounded in Leg He Shoots
One of Two Huns Attacking
Him and Knocked the Other
Down With Rifle

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE. Friday. July 5.-IBy the As
ISOLATED Press.p--The American hghting
spirit and courage as displayed in as
sisting the Australians in taking Ha-
mel and Hazel and Vaire woods Thurs
DAY has brought 18th much favorable
commentator. So -SsuTs wounded in the
fighting. were glad OF the opportunity
TO meet the enemy and the general in
command OF the American troops was
exceedingly pleased with the work his
men had done.
"Our troops understood thoroughly
when ;hey went over the top that they
were expected to do no less than any
of their allies" said the general to the
correspondent today. Reports which L
have received from the Australians in
dictate that our boys conducted them
selves with great credit and did all that
could have been wished
They had more than done their bit
and he well knew it,
Eager for the Fray
The Americans were exceedingly keen
to participate in the attack, the gen
eral said, and several units which had
expected to take part were heartbroken
when they found they would not be
employed The American casualties APP
parently were very light.
Later the correspondent visited cas-
uaIty clearing stations TO see some of
the wounded Americans who had gone
through the show.
Lying on a cot thanked by British SOL
NH hptan
shot in the leg after a gallant tight
He was a blue-eyed, round-faced young
ster' who looked strangely out of place
among the older veterans. He said he
was 20 years old. The correspondent
told the little soldier how proud ev-
erbOdy was of the Americans.
Homesick and Hurt
Are you from America, too|' he
cried as he eagerly put out hand.
"Oh. I'm glad of that"
He was lonely, homesick and hurt,
and wanted comfort from somebody
who had come from home. A friendly
chat began and the soldier chung des-
perately to the correspondents hand.
Then he told the story of his part In
the battle and here is the way 1t ran:
I'VE all were very anxious to do well
and we were ready to fight to fin
ish. We knew there was trouble for
us over there in No Mans Land. None
of our boys cared for that, but the day
before the attack all the men of my
company got together and shook hands
and said goodbye, for, you see, we did
not know if we should meet again.
II worked very hard to learn to be
good soldier. for l wanted to be a cred
il to the folks back home. I guess L
must have learned some things, for my
commander gave me twenty-four Of our
chaps to lead over the top as corpor-
al And my men fought we'll"
He paused. his face glowing with
honest pride. and then continued:
AT midnight Wednesday we went
forward and laid out in the open wait
ing for the signal to advance. Then
about daylight came the barrage. 1t was
a pretty big thing, the biggest we ever
heard. 1t was just like real Fourth
OF July celebration. The time came for
the charge and we pushed out. A few
of our boys were too anxious and they
got so close to the barrage that they
were hurt. My pal was struck by a
shell beside me.
We were advancing toward Hamel
village and had to go over one slope.
then down into a little valley and I'D
another hill We got along all right,
but down in the valley there was a lot
Of barbed wire that held us up some.
I know I got caught but not for very
long.
''Our men were fighting like anything
end killing lot of boches who were
ia the trenches and shell holes A good
many OF the Germans were yelling
'kamerad' and surrendering too
Two OF the boches came running up
to me wish their hands over their
heads J didn't know what to do with
them. but an officer came along and
sent them to the rear
Two Huns Attack Him
Then we went on and had about
reached our objective when something
hit me i'm the leg and | went down
tried TO get up but my leg wouldn't
let me and I was dizzy While I was
on my knees 7 saw two boches charg-
ing at me with fixed bayonets. L had
the butt of my rifle resting on the
ground. my finger on the trigger. and
I fired when they were about Zen yards
away One of them fell over dead. but
the other kept on coming and was on
me before 1 could throw in a fresh
cartridge.
Then I knew had to fight him with
the bayonet like a man. So I got to
my feet somehow and as he jabbed at
me with his bayonet | parried il with
my rifle and then swung the rifle to
his head as hard as ] could. The blow
T.
That's all I remember until ! woke up
and found a chum beside me. He had
gone out and brought me back"
That finished the personal story Of
this boy who had fought and killed and
been wounded. but he had something
else which was very much on his mind.
After much hesitation il finally came
out
II wonder If my little girl at home
is happy" ne said anxiously referring
to his sweetheart in Chicago The
correspondent told him she certainly
would be very happy and proud to know
how well he had done.
Il hope she will be-" ne responded
thOughtfuIly. and then added:
would 10 be too much trouble Cor
you 20 drop her just a line 70 let he's
know that am all right? 7 don't know
whom 7 shall have a chance TO write
Finland on Verge Of