Company A—Capt. Stewart A. Betts, 1st Lieut. John L. McDonald, 1st Lieut. Robert L. Chavis, 2nd. Lieut. Wycham Tyler, 2nd Lieut. Howard F. Bell, 2nd Lieut. Willis Stearles.

Company B—Capt. Stuart Alexander, 1st Lieut. Robert P. Hurd, 1st Lieut. Franklin McFarland, 1st Lieut. Samuel Ransom, 2nd Lieut. Fred K. Johnson, 2nd Lieut. Samuel Block.

Company C—Capt. James H. Smith, 1st Lieut. Samuel S. Gordon, 1st Lieut. Harry N. Shelton, 1st Lieut. Arthur Jones, 2nd Lieut. Elmer J. Myers, 2nd Lieut. Roy B. Tisdell.

Machine Gun Company—Captain Devere J. Warner, 1st Lieut. George C. Lacey, 2nd Lieut. Thomas A. Painter, 2nd Lieut. Bernard McGwin, 2nd Lieut. Homer C. Kelly, 2nd Lieut. Julian D. Rainey.

Second Battalion—Capt. John H. Patton, commanding; 1st Lieut. Samuel A. McGowan, battalion adjutant; 1st Lieut. James F. Lawson, medical officer; 1st Lieut. Rufus H. Bacote, medical officer; 1st Lieut. William Nichols, battalion supply officer.

Company F—Capt. Rufus Reed, 1st Lieut. Carter W. Wesley, 2nd Lieut. Edward Douglas, 2nd Lieut. Robert A.D. Birchett.

Company G—Capt. George M. Allen, 1st Lieut. Durand Harding, 1st Lieut. Gerald C. Bunn, 1st Lieut. Harvey E. Johnson, 2nd Lieut. Clarence H. Bouchane.

Company H—Capt. James C. Hall, 1st Lieut Harry L. Allen, 1st Lieut. George L. Amos, 1st Lieut Binga Dismond, 2nd Lieut Lawrence Willette, 2nd Lieut. John A. Hall.

Machine Gun Company No. 2—Capt. Lilburn Jackson, 2nd Lieut. Frank T. Logan, 2nd Lieut. Junius Walthall, 2nd Lieut. William A. Barnett.

Third Battalion—Lieut. Col. Otis B. Duncan, commanding; 2nd Lieut. Stanley B. Norvell, battalion adjutant; 1st Lieut. Claudius Ballard, medical officer; 1st Lieut. William J. Warfield, battalion supply officer.

Company I—Capt Lorin O. Sanford, 1st Lieut. Howard R. Brown, 2nd Lieut. D. Lincoln Reid, 2nd Lieut. Edmond G. White, 2nd Lieut. Oswald Des Verney, 2nd Lieut. Harry J. Douglas.

Company L—Capt. William B. Crawford, 1st Lieut. Frank Robinson, provost officer; 1st. Lieut Frank W. Bates, 2nd Lieut. James H. Peyton, 2nd Lieut Luther J. Harris.

Company M—Capt. Edward W. Spearman, 1st Lieut Osceola A. Browning, 1st Lieut. Jerome L. Hubert, 2nd Lieut. Lawson Price, 2nd Lieut. Irving T. Howe, 2nd Lieut. Larkland F. Hewitt.

Machine Gun Company No. 3—Capt. Matthew Jackson, 1st Lieut. William C.P. Phillips, 2nd Lieut. Charles C. Jackson, 2nd Lieut Clyde W. Donaldson, 2nd Lieut George F. Proctor.

Special Units

Headquarters Company—Capt. Lewis E. Johnson, 1st Lieut Robert A.J. Shaw, 1st Lieut. Benote H. Lee, 2nd Lieut Elias F.E. Williams, pioneer officer; 2nd Lieut. Rufus B. Jackson, Stokes mortar; 2nd Lieut. Reginald W. Harang, signal officer.

Supply Company—Capt. Lloyd G. Wheeler, 1st Lieut. Harry Wheeler, 1st Lieut. James A. Riggs, 1st Lieut. Dan M. Moore, medical officer; 2nd Lieut Augustus M. Fisher, veterinary surgeon.

Depot Company K—Capt Wm. H. Lewis, commanding; 2nd Lieut. Alvin M. Jordan, adjutant; 1st Lieut. Norman Garrett, 1st Lieut. Napoleon B. Roe, dentist; 1st Lieut. George W. Antoine, medical officer; 2nd Lieut Avon H. Williams; 2nd Lieut. Edward L. Goodlett, 2nd Lieut Frank Corbin, 2nd Lieut Frederick L. Slade, 2nd Lieut. Walter H. Aiken, 2nd Lieut. Rufus A. Atkins, 2nd Lieut James T. Baker, 2nd Lieut. John S. Banks, 2nd Lieut. Marcus A. Bernard, 2nd Lieut. Charles E. Bryant, 2nd Lieut Henry H. Carr, 2nd Lieut. Horace E. Colley, 2nd Lieut. Ira R. Collins, 2nd Lieut. Charles H. Conley, 2nd Lieut. Bernie B. Cowan, 2nd Lieut. Flenoid Cunningham, 2nd Lieut. Frank P. Dawson, 2nd Lieut. Samuel A. Dillard, 2nd Lieut. John W. Harris.

ROLL OF HONOR

Heroes of Old 8th Illinois

Negro National Guardsmen known in France as the 370th Infantry, who were decorated with the Croix de Guerre. The exploits of some of these men and also of some of those in the appended list decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, are mentioned in the chapters devoted to the regiment.

Col. T.A. Roberts (white) Lieut. Col. Otis B. Duncan Major James R. White Capt. John H. Patton Capt. Chester Sanders Capt. John T. Prout Capt. Samuel R. Gwynne Capt. Devere J. Warner Capt. Wm. B. Crawford Capt. George M. Allen Capt. James C. Hall Capt. Stuart Alexander Capt. Mathew Jackson Capt. James H. Smith Lieut. Park Tancil Lieut. Osceola A. Browning Lieut. George C. Lacey Lieut. Frank Robinson Lieut. Claudius Ballard Lieut. Charles C. Jackson Lieut. William J. Warfield Lieut. Samuel S. Gordon Lieut. Robert P. Hurd Lieut. Henry N. Shelton Lieut. Henry P. Cheatham Lieut. Stanley B. Norvell Lieut. Roy B. Tisdell Lieut. Thomas A. Painter Lieut. Lawson Price Lieut. Lincoln D. Reid Lieut. Elmer J. Myers Sergt. Norman Henry Sergt. Clarence T. Gibson Sergt. Matthew Jenkins Sergt. Cecil Nelson Sergt. Howard Templeton Sergt. Chas. T. Monroe Sergt. Derry Brown Corp. James R. Brown Corp. Lewis Warner Corp. Joseph Henderson Corp. Maceo A. Tervalon Corp. William Stevenson Corp. Emil Laurent Corp. Charles T. Brock Pvt. Nathaniel C. White (deceased) Pvt. Robert Pride Pvt. George B. White Pvt. Howard Sheffield Pvt. Cornelius Robinson Pvt. Ulysses Sayles Pvt. William Cuff (deceased) Pvt. Hugh Givens Pvt. Arthur Johnson Pvt. Rufus Pitts Pvt. Olbert Dorsey Pvt. William Hurdle Pvt. Bee McKissic Pvt. Jonas Paxton Pvt. Harry Pearson Pvt. Paul Turlington Pvt. Reed J. Brown Pvt. Paul Johnson Pvt. Reedy Jones Pvt. Alonzo Keller Pvt. Leroy Lindsay Pvt. Lavern Massey Pvt. Josiah Nevees Pvt. Ira Taylor Pvt. Jesse Ferguson Pvt. William M. Robinson

Awarded Distinguished Service Crosses by General Pershing:

Capt. William B. Crawford Lieut. William J. Warfield Sergt. Norman Henry Sergt. Ralph Gibson Sergt. Robert Barnes Sergt. Charles T. Monroe Sergt. Emmett Thompson Sergt. Lester Fossie Sergt. Matthew Jenkins Pvt. Tom Powell (deceased) Pvt. Andrew McCall Pvt. Wm. Cuff (deceased) Pvt. Spirley Irby Pvt. Alfred Williamson Pvt. William G. Hurdle Pvt. Harry Pearson Pvt. Alonzo Walton Pvt. Leroy Davis Pvt. James Fuquay Pvt. Nathaniel C. White (deceased) Pvt. Arthur Johnson



CHAPTER XVIII.

BLOOD OF THE BLACK AND WHITE IN ONE RIVULET OF DEPARTING LIFE

LINCOLN'S PROPHETIC WORDS—NEGROES ALONGSIDE BEST SOLDIERS IN THE WORLD—HOLD THEIR OWN—THE 372ND REGIMENT—BRIGADED WITH VETERANS OF THE MARNE—FAMOUS "RED HAND" DIVISION—OCCUPY HILL 304 AT VERDUN—NINE DAYS BATTLE IN "BLOODY ARGONNE"—ADMIRATION OF THE FRENCH—CONSPICUOUS COMPONENTS OF 372ND—CHRONOLOGY OF SERVICE.

They will probably help in some trying time to keep the jewel of liberty in the family of freedom.—Abraham Lincoln.

Prophetic words uttered by the Great Emancipator concerning the Negroes of America. The Negroes helped. They would have helped in much greater measure had they been given the opportunity.

Fighting for the first time on the soil of the world's most famous battleground—Europe—and for the first time brought into direct comparison with the best soldiers of the world, they proved themselves able to hold their own where tests of courage, endurance and aggressiveness were most severe.

They fought valiantly in the vicinity of Chateau Thierry, on the Vesle, on the Aillette, in the Argonne, and various other sectors; and in the final drive at Metz. They vanquished the Germans who opposed them; the heaviest fire of the enemy failing to stop their advance.

No part of the 93rd Division made a more gallant record than the 372nd regiment. Throughout its service in France it was a part of the famous French 157th Division known as the "Red Hand" division, under the command of General Goybet. It was this division which first opposed the Huns at the Marne in 1914. To brigade the Negro soldiers with such famous veterans was a rare mark of distinction and placed the black men on their mettle at all times.

The 372nd arrived in France on April 14 and went into training with the French eleven days later. On May 29 the regiment took over a sector in the Argonne and on June 20 was sent to the trenches just west of Verdun, occupying the famous battle-swept Hill 304, and sections at Four de Paris and Vauquois. On Hill 304 thousands of French and Germans had fallen as the battle line swung back and forward. That this hill was given to the Negroes to hold demonstrated that as soldiers they had already won the confidence of the French.

The regiment's first engagement was in the Champagne sector with Monthois as an objective. Here came the real test. The Negroes were eager to get into the fight. They cheered and sang when the announcement came that their opportunity had arrived—but the question was; back of their enthusiasm had they the staying qualities drilled into European troops through centuries of training in the science of warfare.

The answer was that some of the heaviest and most effective fighting of the day was done by the Negro regiment. From June 6th to September 10th, the 372nd was stationed in the bloody Argonne forest or in the vicinity of Verdun. On the night of September 25th they were summoned to take part in the Argonne offensive and were in that terrific drive, one of the decisive engagements of the war, from September 28th to October 7th.

In the nine days' battle the Negroes not only proved their fighting qualities in an ordeal such as men rarely have been called upon to face, but these qualities in deadly striking power and stubborn resistance in crises, stood out with such distinction that the coveted Croix de Guerre was bestowed upon the regiment.

The casualty list of the 372nd in this and previous fighting carried 500 names of men killed, wounded and gassed. For their achievements they were at once cited for bravery and efficiency in General Orders from the corps commander transmitted through their French divisional chief. It was dated October 8th and read as follows:

In transmitting you with legitimate pride the thanks and congratulations of General Garnier Duplessis, allow me, my dear friends of all ranks, American and French, to address you from the bottom of the heart of a chief and soldier, the expression of gratitude for the glory you have lent to our good 157th Division. During these nine days of hard fighting you have progressed eight kilometers (4.8 miles) through powerfully organized defenses, taken 600 prisoners, captured 15 heavy guns, 20 minenwerfers and nearly 150 machine guns, secured an enormous amount of engineering material and important supplies of artillery ammunition, and brought down by your fire three enemy aeroplanes. The "Red Hand" sign of the division, has, thanks to you, become a bloody hand which took the Boche by the throat and made him cry for mercy. You have well avenged our glorious dead. GOYBET.

In a communication delivered to the colonel of the regiment on October 1st, General Goybet said:

Your troops have been admirable in their attack. You must be proud of the courage of your officers and men, and I consider it an honor to have them under my command. The bravery and dash of your regiment won the admiration of the Moroccan Division, who are themselves versed in warfare. Thanks to you, during these hard days, the division was at all times in advance of all other divisions of the Army Corps. I am sending you all my thanks and beg you to transmit them to your subordinates. I call on your wounded. Their morale is higher than any praise.

The high honor of having its flag decorated with the Croix de Guerre was bestowed upon the regiment in the city of Brest just a few days before it embarked for the return to America. Vice Admiral Moreau, the French commander of the port of Brest, officially represented his government in, the ceremony. It was intended as France's appreciation of the services of these Negro fighters.

The decoration took place at one of the most prominent points in the city and was witnessed by thousands of French soldiers and civilians, as well as by sailors and soldiers of several nations.

One of the conspicuous components of the 372nd was the battalion, formed from what formerly was known as the 1st Separate Battalion of the District of Columbia National Guard. This famous old Washington organization has a long, proud history. Many of the members were veterans of the Spanish-American war. At the close of the European war, the organization numbered 480 men from the city of Washington, twenty of whom had been decorated one or more times for individual bravery under fire.

The battalion was first assembled at Potomac Park on the Speedway in Washington, shortly after the declaration of war. The men spent almost half a year at the camp, during which time they had the important assignment of guarding railway and highway bridges and adjacent points around the National Capitol. They also had the proud distinction of guarding the secret archives and departments at Washington, a duty which required unquestioned loyalty and for which the Negroes were well selected.

It seemed at the time an inconspicuous bit of war time soldiering, and they were long trying days to the men. But it was a service which required intelligence and nerve, as the likelihood was great that the enemy's agents in this country would strike in the vicinity of the seat of government. That such responsible duty was delegated to the Negroes was a high compliment from the military authorities. The manner in which they discharged the duty is shown in the fact that no enemy depredations of any consequence occurred in the vicinity of Washington.

After a period of training at Camp Stewart, Newport News, Va., the battalion was sent to France. Its colored commander was dead. Other colored officers were soon superseded, leaving the chaplain, Lieutenant Arrington Helm, the only colored officer attached to the organization.

Arriving at St. Nazaire, France, April 14, 1918, the battalion was soon sent to Conde en Barrois, where it underwent a period of intensive training with special preparation for sector warfare. The instructors were French. Lessons were hard and severe, but the instructors afterwards had much cause for pride in their pupils.

From the training camp the battalion and regiment proceeded to the Argonne front, at first settling in the vicinity of La Chalade. It was there the soldiers received their first taste of warfare, and it was there their first casualties occurred.

September 13th the outfit withdrew and retired to the rear for a special training prior to participation in the general attack from Verdun to the sea. On the morning of September 28th the District of Columbia battalion was sent to the front to relieve a regiment of famous Moroccan shock troops. It was at this time that the Champagne offensive took such a decided turn and the Washington men from that time on were taking a most active and important part in the general fighting. They distinguished themselves at Ripont just north of St. Menehold. They suffered greatly during their valiant support of an advanced position in that sector. Despite its losses the battalion fought courageously ahead. Prior to that it had occupied Hill 304 at Verdun. It had the distinction of being the first American outfit to take over that sector. The battalion fought doggedly and bravely at Ripont and succeeded in gaining much valuable territory, as well as enemy machine guns and supplies and ninety Hun prisoners.

Later the battalion held a front line position at Monthois, and it finally formed a salient in the line of the 9th French Army Corps. It was subjected to a long period of gruelling fire from the Boches' famous Austrian 88s and machine guns, and an incessant barrage from German weapons of high caliber.

The regiment moved south to the Vosges, where the battalion took up a position in sub-sector B, in front of St. Marie Aux Mines, where it was situated when word of the armistice came.

The record of the Negro warriors from the District of Columbia is very succinctly contained in a diary kept by Chaplain Lieutenant Arrington Helm. It relates the activities of the unit from the time they sailed from Newport News, March 30, 1917, until the end of the war. It is also a condensed account of the major operations of the 372nd regiment. The diary follows:

March 30—Embarked from Newport News, Va., for overseas duty on the U.S.S. Susquehanna.

April 17—Disembarked at St. Nazaire and marched to rest camp.

April 21—Left rest camp. Base section No. 1 and entrained for Vaubecourt.

April 23—Arrived at Vaubecourt at 7 p.m. Left Vaubecourt at 8:30 p.m. and hiked in a heavy rainstorm to Conde en Barrois.

April 25—Assigned to school under French officers.

May 26—Left Conde en Barrois at 8 a.m. in French motor trucks for Les Senades.

May 29—Our regiment today took over the sector designated as Argonne West.

May 31—In front line trenches.

June 20—Changed sectors, being assigned to the Vauquois sector, a sub-sector of the Verdun front. The 157th Division is stationed in reserve. The enemy is expected to attack.

July 13—Left for Hill 304 on the Verdun sector. Colonel Young has been relieved from command and Colonel Herschell Tupes has assumed command.

July 25—Left Sivry la Perche to take over Hill 304. Arrived at Hill 304 at 9 p.m.

August 16—Heavily shelled by regiment of Austrians opposing us. Two Americans and one Frenchman in the regiment killed.

August 20—Lieutenant James Sanford, Company A, captured by the Germans.

August 21—Fight by French and German planes over our lines. Very exciting.

September 8—Left Hill 304. Relieved by 129th infantry of the 33rd Division. Hiked in rain and mud for Brocourt.

September 14—Arrived at Juvigny at noon.

September 17—Left Juvigny for Brienne la Chateau at 8 p.m. Passed through Brienne la Chateau and reached Vitray la Francois this afternoon. The city is near the Marne.

September 18—Hiked to Jessecourt. All colored officers left the regiment today.

September 28—Arrived at Hans. The regiment was in action in the vicinity of Ripont. The third battalion took up a battle position near Ripont.

September 29—The third battalion went over the top. The Germans are in retreat. Our positions are being bombarded. The machine gun fire is terrific and 88 millimeter shells are falling as thick and fast as hailstones. We are unable to keep up with the enemy. This afternoon it is raining. This makes it bad for the wounded of whom there are many.

September 30—The first battalion is now on our right and advancing fast despite the rain and mud. The machine gun opposition is strenuous. Our casualties are small. We have captured a large number of prisoners.

October 1—Our advance is meeting with increased opposition. The enemy has fortified himself on a hill just ahead. The ground prevents active support by the French artillery. Still we are giving the Germans no rest. They are now retreating across the valley to one of their supply bases. The enemy is burning his supplies. We have taken the village at Ardeuil. Our losses have been heavy but the Germans have lost more in killed, wounded and taken prisoner than have our forces. On our right the first battalion has entered the village of Sechault, after some hard fighting by Company A.

October 4—The Second battalion is going in this morning. We are resting at Vieux three kilometers from Monthois, one of the enemy's railroad centers and base hospitals. The enemy is destroying supplies and moving wounded. We can see trains moving out of Monthois. Our artillery is bombarding all roads and railroads in the vicinity. The enemy's fire is intense. We expect a counterattack.

October 5—The enemy's artillery has opened up. We are on the alert. They have attacked and a good stiff hand to hand combat ensued. The Germans were driven back with heavy losses. We have taken many prisoners from about twelve different German regiments. We continued our advance and now are on the outskirts of Monthois.

October 6—The enemy is throwing a stiff barrage on the lines to our left where the 333rd French Infantry is attacking. We can see the Huns on the run. The liaison work of the 157th Division is wonderful; not the slightest gap has been left open. Our patrols entered Monthois early this morning and were driven out by machine gun fire, but returned with a machine gun and its crew. We will be relieved by the 76th infantry regiment at 8 p.m. We hiked over the ground we had fought so hard to take to Minnecourt, where the regiment proceeded to reorganize.

October 12—Left Valmy today and continued to Vignemont.

October 13—Arrived at Vignemont. Hiked fifteen kilometers to St. Leonard.

October 15—Left St. Leonard for Van de Laveline in the Vosges. We arrived at Van de Laveline at 10:15 p.m. and took over a sector.

November 11—A patrol of Company A took several prisoners from a German patrol. Received word of the signing of the armistice at 11 a.m. today. Martial music was played. The colors of the regiment are displayed in front of the post command.

It is related that the Washington fighters, as well as the other members of the 372nd regiment, received the news of the armistice with more of disappointment than joy, for they had made all preparations to advance with the French through Lorraine.



CHAPTER XIX

COMRADES ON THE MARCH. BROTHERS IN THE SLEEP OF DEATH.

POLICY OF SUBSTITUTING WHITE OFFICERS—-INJUSTICE TO CAPABLE NEGROES—DISAPPOINTMENT BUT NO OPEN RESENTMENT—SHOWED THEMSELVES SOLDIERS—INTENSER FIGHTING SPIRIT AROUSED—RACE FORGOTTEN IN PERILS OF WAR—BOTH WHITES AND BLACKS GENEROUS—AFFECTION BETWEEN OFFICERS AND MEN—NEGROES PREFERRED DEATH TO CAPTIVITY—OUTSTANDING HEROES OF 371ST AND 372ND—WINNERS OF CROSSES

Changing from Negro to white officers was in accordance with the military policy of the American Government; the generic inspiration and root being found in national prejudice, incident to the institution of slavery and the spirit of racial caste and narrowness, that still disgraces it. Doubt was pretended to be entertained of the ability of the colored man to command, and although there were not lacking champions for the policy of placing capable Negroes in command of Negro units, the weight of opinion; superinduced and fostered by racial prejudice, inclined to the opposite course.

In the light of the fine record made by such Negro officers as were given responsible commands, let us hope for the future honor of the nation; preening herself as being in the vanguard of the progressive commonwealths of the age, that a policy so unjust, narrow and unworthy will; as quickly as feasible be abandoned. In favor of Negro commanders is the additional testimony of high French generals, who knew no color distinction and could see no reason why a Negro should not command his own race troops if he had intelligence, courage and military skill. Indeed there are not wanting in the annals of French warfare brilliant examples where men of African blood commanded not only mulattoes and blacks, but heroic whites as well. It is not of record that those white Frenchmen showed any reluctance to follow such leaders or viewed them with less affection than they did their white officers.

One should not say that the Negro troops would have fought any better under the men of their own race. They achieved all possible glory as it was. They simply did their duty whether their officers were white or black. But that they did not fight any the less valiantly or efficiently under men of their own race is abundantly proven by the record of the 370th, or the 8th Illinois as the soldiers and their people still prefer to call it; and other units which had Negroes in responsible positions.

That there was disappointment, chagrin and anger in the rank and file of the Negro soldiers when their own officers were taken from them and white men substituted was natural and quite to be expected.

However, there was little open murmuring. While the Negro regarded the removal of the officers who had trained him and were, in a sense, his comrades, unfair and uncalled for, his fighting spirit, seemed to burn with an intenser heat; a determination to do his best to show and shame the spirit that robbed him of his own race leaders, and at the same time convince his white commanders of the stuff he was made of.

There was much disappointment in the ranks of the District of Columbia battalion, when the place of its old leader was taken by Major Clark L. Dickson, twenty-seven years of age, one of the youngest—if not the youngest—of battalion commanders in the American army. But their disappointment was soon allayed, for Major Dickson made an enviable record. He received the Croix de Guerre with this citation:

"Most efficient officer, valorous and intrepid, acting in dual capacity as regimental adjutant and operation officer. Displayed the utmost energy in issuing operation orders during the period between September 26th and October 6th, 1918, and especially distinguished himself in crossing a roadway under violent artillery fire to give assistance to a wounded brother officer. His clear view of the situation at all times and the accuracy with which he issued the necessary orders required of him, contributed largely to the success of the regiment."

Many of his men have stated that the citation only hinted at the real accomplishments of Major Dickson.

In the rigors of war and the perils of battle, men serving side by side, forget race. They simply realize that they are sharing hardships in common; are beset by a common foe and are the subjects of common dangers. Under such circumstances they become comrades. They learn to admire each other and willingly give to each other a full measure of praise and appreciation. The Negro soldiers generally, have expressed unstintedly, approbation and praise of their white officers; and the officers have been equally generous. Here is an appreciation by one of the officers of the 372nd regiment, Lieutenant Jerome Meyer of Washington, concerning the men of that organization:

"Casualties were heavy because the colored lads fought to the last, cheerfully accepting death in preference to captivity. Their adeptness in mastering the throwing of hand grenades and in operating the machine guns quickly won them the esteem of the French. Remember, that the colored lads were quite new to warfare. But in the Champagne they fought with a persistence and courage that enabled them to hold permanently the ground they gained and won for many of them their decorations. Not a few of the prisoners taken by the regiment declared that the Germans were in positive fear of the Negroes, who, they complained, would never quit even under terrible fire."

One of the outstanding heroes of the 372nd regiment was Sergeant Ira Payne, of 325 Fifteenth Street, Washington, D.C. He won the Croix de Guerre and the Distinguished Service Cross, and according to his comrades, "was not afraid of the devil himself." His story as related by himself on his return home, follows:

"During the fighting at Sechault the Germans were picking off the men of my platoon from behind a bush. They had several machine guns and kept up a deadly fire in spite of our rifle fire directed at the bush. We did our best to stop those machine guns, but the German aim became so accurate that they were picking off five of my men every minute. We couldn't stand for that.

"Well, I decided that I would get that little machine gun nest myself, and I went after it. I left our company, detoured, and, by a piece of luck got behind the bush. I got my rifle into action and 'knocked off' two of those German machine gunners. That ended it. The other Germans couldn't stand so much excitement. The Boches surrendered and I took them into our trenches as prisoners."

Not a long story for such an able and courageous exploit, yet it contains the germ for an epic recital on bravery.

First Sergeant John A. Johnson a colored member of Company B, was decorated with the Croix de Guerre with palm for exceptional bravery during a charge over the top, and for capturing single-handed, two Hun soldiers who later proved valuable as sources of information. Sergeant Johnson's home was at 1117 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, D.C. He was equally reticent about boasting of his deeds.

"Near Sechault during the time the District men were making a big effort to capture the town," said Johnson, "I was put in the front lines not fifty feet away from the enemy. A greater part of the time I was exposed to machine gun fire. I suppose I got my medal because I stuck to my men in the trenches and going over the top. Quite a few of the boys were bumped off at that point."

Another hero was Benjamin Butler, a private. The citation with his Croix de Guerre read: "For displaying gallantry and bravery and distinguishing himself in carrying out orders during the attack on Sechault, September 29, 1918, under heavy bombardment and machine gun fire."

"I did very little," Butler said. "During this fight with several others, I carried dispatches to the front line trenches from headquarters. They decorated me, I suppose, because I was the only one lucky enough to escape being knocked off."

Private Charles E. Cross of 1157 Twenty-first street, Washington, D.C. was awarded the Croix de Guerre, his citation reading: "For his speed and reliability in carrying orders to platoons in the first line under the enemy's bombardment on September 29, 1918." In some cases he had to creep across No Man's Land and a greater part of the time was directly exposed to the enemy's fire.

Private William H. Braxton, a member of the machine gun company of the regiment, whose residence was at 2106 Ward Place, Washington D.C., received the Croix de Guorre for "displaying zealous bravery."

"An enemy party," reads his citation, "having filtered through his platoon and attacked same in the rear. Private Braxton displayed marked gallantry in opening fire on the enemy and killing one and wounding several others, finally dispersing the entire party."

"The men who stuck by me when death stared them in their faces," said Braxton, "deserve just as much credit as I do. I was only the temporary leader of the men."

Corporal Depew Pryor, of Detroit, Michigan, was awarded the Medal Militaire, one of the most coveted honors within the gift of the French army, as well as the American Distinguished Service Cross. Pryor saw Germans capture a Frenchman. Grabbing an armful of grenades, he dashed upon the Germans killing, wounding or routing a party of ten and liberating the Frenchman.

Sergeant Bruce Meddows, 285 Erskine street, Detroit, Michigan, brought home the Croix de Guerre with silver star, which he won for bringing down an aeroplane with an automatic rifle.

To have forty-six horses which he drove in carting ammunition up to the front lines, killed in five months was the experience of Arthur B. Hayes, 174 Pacific Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. He returned home sick, with practically no wounds after risking his life daily for months.

Sergeant George H. Jordan of Company L, whose home was in Boston, Mass., won the Croix de Guerre and palm for taking charge of an ammunition train at Verdun, when the commanding officer had been killed by a shell. He saved and brought through eight of the seventeen wagons.

Lieutenant James E. Sanford of Washington, D.C., one of the early Negro officers of the 372nd, was captured in Avocourt Woods near Verdun, August 19, 1918. He was endeavoring to gain a strategic position with his men when he was met by an overpowering force concealed behind camouflaged outposts, he was taken to Karlsruhe and transferred to three other German prison camps, in all of which he suffered from bad and insufficient food and the brutality of the German guards.



Major Johnson led his battalion of the 372nd in an attack in the Champagne which resulted in the capture of a German trench, 100 prisoners, an ammunition dump, thirty machine guns and two howitzers. He received the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor decoration from the French, as well as the Distinguished Service Cross from General Pershing.

Company B of the 372nd, took at Sechault in a raid, seventy-five prisoners and four machine guns.

One of the distinguished units of the 372nd, was the old and famous Company L of the Massachusetts National Guard. This unit was assembled at Camp Devens and left soon after the declaration of war for the south. It was stationed for a time at Newport News, and was then incorporated with the 372nd, went to France with that organization and saw its share of service throughout the campaign. Other distinguished units were the well known Ninth Ohio Battalion National Guard, and National Guard companies from Connecticut, Maryland and Tennessee.

Brigaded with the 372nd in the French "Red Hand" division, was another Negro regiment, the 371st, made up principally of selectives from South Carolina. It was commanded by Colonel P.L. Miles. Among the officers were Major Thomas Moffatt and Captain William R. Richey from Charleston.

The regiment saw practically the same service as the 372nd under General Goybet, was mentioned in divisional and special orders, was decorated by Vice Admiral Moreau, Maritime Prefect of Brest, at the same time the honor was conferred on the 372nd. The two regiments were together for seven months. The men of the 371st especially distinguished themselves at Crete des Observatories, Ardeuil and in the plains of Monthois. Seventy-one individual members received the Croix de Guerre and some the Distinguished Service Cross. Among the latter were the following:

Sergeant Lee R. McClelland, Medical Detachment, home address, Boston, Mass., for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 30, 1918.

Corporal Sandy E. Jones, Company C, home address Sumter, S.C.; for extraordinary heroism in action in the Champagne, September 28 and 29, 1918.

Private Bruce Stoney, Medical Detachment, home address, Allendale, S.C.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29, 1918.

Private Charlie Butler, Machine Gun Company, home address, McComb, Miss.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29, 1918.

Private Willie Boston, Machine Gun Company, home address, Roopville, Ga.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29, 1918.

Private Tillman Webster, Machine Gun Company, home address, Alexandria, La.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29, 1918.

Private Ellison Moses, Company C, home address, Mayesville, S.C.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 30, 1918.

Private Hunius Diggs, Company G, home address, Lilesville, N.C.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 30, 1918.

The two regiments, besides the regimental Croix de Guerre, awarded for gallantry in the Champagne, won individual decorations amounting in the aggregate to 168 Croix de Guerre, 38 Distinguished Service Crosses, four Medal Militaire and two crosses of the Legion of Honor.

An incident of the service of the 371st and particularly emphasizing the honesty and faithfulness of the Negro Y.M.C.A. and the regiment's medical detachment, was the case of Prof. H.O. Cook, a teacher in the Lincoln High School at Kansas City, Mo. Professor Cook, a Y.M.C.A. man attached to the sector which the 371st was holding during the great offensive in September, went with the men to the front line trenches and rendered valuable aid among the wounded until he was gassed. Owing to the fact that there were no facilities at that particular time, for the safe keeping of money and valuables, he carried on his person more than 150,000 francs (in normal times $30,000) which boys in the regiment had given him to keep when they went over the top.

After being gassed he was walked over for an hour before being discovered. The money was found and sent by Sergeant Major White also colored, to general headquarters at Chaumont. When Prof. Cook was discharged from the hospital and made inquiry about the money, it was returned to him. Not a cent was missing. Colonel Miles recommended that General Pershing award Prof. Cook a Distinguished Service Cross.

The men of the 93rd Division and other Negro divisions and organizations will never forget their French comrades and friends. It was a lad of the 371st regiment who wrote the following to his mother. The censor allowed the original to proceed but copied the extract as a document of human interest; in that it was a boyish and unconscious arraignment of his own country—for which he with many thousands of others, were risking their lives.

"Mammy, these French people don't bother with no color line business. They treat us so good that the only time I ever know I'm colored is when I look in the glass."

The 371st regiment had 123 men killed in action and about 600 wounded or gassed. The casualties of the 372nd consisted of 91 killed in action and between 600 and 700 wounded or gassed. Like the other Negro regiments of the 93rd Division, there was comparatively little sickness among the men, outside of that induced by hard service conditions.

HEROES OF THE 371ST AND 372ND.

The names listed below are cross and medal winners. The exploits of some are told in detail in the chapters devoted to their regiments. There are many known to have received decorations whose names are not yet on the records.

Cross of the Legion of Honor 372ND REGIMENT. Major Johnson

Medal Militaire 372ND REGIMENT. Corp. Depew Pryor Corp. Clifton Morrison Pvt. Clarence Van Allen

Distinguished Service Cross 371ST REGIMENT. Sergt Lee R. McClelland Corp. Sandy E. Jones Pvt. Bruce Stoney Pvt. Charlie Butler Pvt. Willie Boston Pvt. Tillman Webster Pvt. Ellison Moses Pvt. Hunius Diggs

372ND REGIMENT Major Johnson Sergt. Ira M. Payne Corp. Depew Pryor

Croix de Guerre 372ND REGIMENT. Col. Herschell Tupes Major Johnson Major Clark L. Dickson Lieut. Jerome Meyer Sergt. Major Samuel B. Webster Sergt. John A. Johnson Sergt. Ira M. Payne Sergt James A. Marshall Sergt. Norman Jones Pvt. Warwick Alexander Pvt. George H. Budd Pvt. Thomas A. Frederick Pvt. John S. Parks Pvt. Charles H. Murphy Pvt. William N. Mathew Pvt. Ernest Payne Sergt. Homer Crabtree Sergt. Norman Winsmore Sergt. William A. Carter Sergt. George H. Jordan Sergt. Bruce Meddows Sergt. Harry Gibson Corp. John R. White Corp. Benjamin Butler Corp. March Graham Pvt. Joseph McKamey Pvt. William Dickerson Pvt. William Johnson Pvt. Walter Dennis Pvt. Charles E. Cross Pvt. William H. Braxton Pvt. Nunley Matthews



CHAPTER XX

MID SHOT AND SHELL

IN TRENCH AND VALLEY—THE OPEN PLAIN—ON MOUNTAIN TOP—IN NO MAN'S LAND—TWO CLASSES OF NEGRO SOLDIERS CONSIDERED—TRAINED GUARDSMEN AND SELECTIVES—GALLANT 92ND DIVISION—RACE CAN BE PROUD OF IT—HAD SIX HUNDRED NEGRO OFFICERS—SETS AT REST ALL DOUBTS—OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION—AT PONT A MOUSSON—GREAT BATTLE OF METZ—SOME REFLECTIONS—CASUALTIES CONSIDERED

History, as made in France by the Negro soldier, falls naturally into two divisions; that which was made by the bodies of troops which had an organization prior to the war, and whether trained or not, could lay claim to an understanding of the first principles of military science; and that made by the raw selectives—the draft soldiers—to whom the art of war was a closed book, something never considered as likely to affect their scheme of life and never given more than a passing thought.

We have followed the first phase of it in the wonderful combat-records of the colored National Guard, its volunteers and recruits. We have seen them like a stone wall bearing the brunt of attack from the finest shock troops of the Kaiser's Army. We have seen them undaunted by shot and shell, advancing through the most terrific artillery fire up to that time ever concentrated; rout those same troops, hold their ground and even advance under the most powerful counter attack which the enemy could deliver. We have followed them from trench to plain, to valley and into the mountains and read the story of their battles under all those varying conditions. We have pitied them in their trials, sympathized with their wounded and ill, been saddened by their lists of dead and finally have seen the survivors come home; have seen them cheered and feted as no men of their race ever were cheered and feted before.

Much of the nation's pride in them was due to the fact that it knew them as fighting men; at least as men who were organized for fighting purposes before the war. When they marched away and sailed we had confidence in them; were proud of their appearance, their spirit, their willingness to serve. The country felt they would not fail to clothe with luster their race and maintain the expectations of them. That they fulfilled every expectation and more; had come back loaded with honors; finer, manlier men than ever, increased the nation's pride in them.

Now we come to a contemplation of the other class; the men who knew nothing of military life or military matters; who, most of them, wished to serve but never dreamed of getting the opportunity. Many of them employed in the cotton fields or residing in the remote corners of the country, hardly knew there was a war in progress. Some of them realized that events out of the ordinary were transpiring through the suddenly increased demand for their labor and the higher wages offered them. But that Uncle Sam would ever call them to serve in his army and even to go far across seas to a shadowy—to them, far off land, among a strange people; speaking a strange language, had never occurred to most of them even in dreams.

Then all of a sudden came the draft summons. The call soon penetrated to the farthest nooks of our great land; surprised, bewildered but happy, the black legions began to form.

It already has been noted that with the exception of the 371st regiment, which went to the 93rd Division, the selectives who saw service in the fighting areas, were all in the 92nd Division. This was a complete American division, brigaded with its own army, commanded through the greater part of its service by Major General Ballou and towards the end by Major General Martin.

While the 92nd Division as a whole, did not get into the heavy fighting until the last two weeks of the war, individual units had a taste of it earlier. Service which the division as a whole did see, was some of the most severe of the war. The Negroes of the country may well be proud of the organization, for its record was good all the way through and in the heavy fighting was characterized by great gallantry and efficiency.

One of the outstanding features of the division was the fact that it had about six hundred Negro commissioned officers. Its rank and file of course, was composed exclusively of Negro soldiers. The fine record of the division must forever set at rest any doubts concerning the ability of Negro officers, and any questions about Negro soldiers following and fighting under them. It was a splendid record all the way through, and Negro officers rendered excellent service at all times and under the most trying circumstances. Many of these officers, be it understood, were entirely new to military life. Some had seen service in the National Guard and some had come up from the ranks of the Regular Army, but the majority of them were men taken from civilian life and trained and graduated from the officer's training camps at Fort Des Moines, Camp Taylor, Camp Hancock and Camp Pike. A few received commissions from the officers' training schools in France.

The 92nd Division was composed of the 183rd Infantry Brigade, consisting of the 365th and 366th Infantry Regiments and the 350th Machine Gun Battalion; the 184th Infantry Brigade, composed of the 367th and 368th Infantry Regiments and the 351st Machine Gun Battalion; the 167th Artillery Brigade consisting of the 349th, 350th and 351st Artillery Regiments; and the 349th Machine Gun Battalion, the 317th Trench Mortar Battalion, the 317th Engineers' Regiment, the 317th Engineers' Train, the 317th Ammunition Train, the 317th Supply Train, the 317th Train Headquarters, the 92nd Military Police Company; and the Sanitary Train, comprising the 365th, 366th 367th and 368th Field Hospital and Ambulance Companies.

Briefly summarized, the operations of the 92nd Division may be stated as follows: Arrived in France the summer of 1918. After the usual period of intensive training in the back areas it was divided into several groups for training alongside the French in front line trenches.

In August they took over a sector in the St. Die region near the Lorraine border. September 2nd they repulsed an enemy raid at LaFontenelle. On September 26th the division was a reserve of the First Army Corps in the first phase of the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

On October 10th they moved to the Marbache sector in the vicinity of Pont a Mousson. November 10th they advanced, reaching Bois Frehaut and Bois Cheminot, capturing 710 prisoners. These positions were being consolidated on November 11th when the armistice put an end to the fighting. Of course there was fighting by some units of the division from the time early in the summer when they went into the trenches.

When the Marbache sector was taken over by the 92nd Division, "No Man's Land" was owned by the Germans and they were aggressively on the offensive. They held Belie Farm, Bois de Tete D'Or, Bois Frehaut, Voivrotte Farm, Voivrotte Woods, Bois Cheminot and Moulin Brook. Raids and the aggressiveness of the patrols of the 92nd Division changed the complexion of things speedily. They inflicted many casualties on the Germans and took many prisoners.

Each of the places named above was raided by the doughty black men as was also Epley, while their patrols penetrated north nearly to the east and west line through Pagny. The Germans were driven north beyond Frehaut and Voivrotte to Cheminot bridge. In their desperation they tried to check the Americans by an attempt to destroy the bridge over the Seille river. They succeeded in flooding a portion of the adjacent country; these tactics demonstrating that they could not withstand the Negro soldiers. West of the Seille river excellent results followed the energetic offensive, the Germans losing heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners. In nearly every instance the raids were conducted by Negro line officers.

Up to this time the division as a whole, had never been in a major battle. The only regiment in it that had seen a big engagement was the 368th infantry, which took part in the action in the Argonne Forest in September.

The division's chance came in the great drive on Metz, just before the end of the war. They were notified at 4 o'clock Sunday morning, November 10th. The motto "See it through" of the 367th infantry, known as the "Buffaloes," echoed through the whole division.

They began their advance at 7 o'clock from Pont a Mousson. Before them was a valley commanded by the heavy guns of Metz and by innumerable nests of German machine guns. The Negroes seemed to realize that here for the first time was the opportunity to show their mettle—that for the first time they were going to battle as a division. A sense of race pride seemed to stir and actuate every man. Here was a chance to show what this great body, composed of cotton-field Negroes, of stevedores, mechanics, general laborers, trades, professional men and those from all walks of civilian life who but recently had taken up the profession of arms, could do. An opportunity to enact a mighty role was upon them, and they played it well.

Not only were the black infantry and machine gun units up at the front; in the thickest of it, but the artillery—the 167th Brigade—was on the line behaving like veterans. They laid down a barrage for the infantry that was wonderfully effective. They established a reputation which has been made by but few, among French, British or Americans, of laying down a barrage that did not entrap; and fatally so, their own comrades.

It was a glorious day for the division. The casualty roll was heavy for the sector was strongly fortified and the enemy made a most determined resistance. Metz is considered by experts to be the strongest fortified inland city in the world.

Indeed it is almost as strong, if not quite so, as Gibraltar or the Dardanelles. But from the way the Americans hammered at it, military authorities say that only the signing of the armistice prevented the taking of it by assault. As it was, the close of fighting saw Negro troops on German soil.

The fortitude and valor of the Negroes, especially in the action against Metz, won them high praise from their commanding officers. Entire units were decorated by the French with the Croix de Guerre. Fourteen Negro officers and forty-three enlisted men were cited for bravery in action and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing. This is a splendid showing considering that up to November 10th, 1918, the greater portion of the division had to content itself with making daily and nightly raids on the German front line trenches to harass the foe and capture prisoners. This, however, required daring and courage and, in some ways, was more trying and dangerous than being in a big engagement. A total of 57 citations by the American military authorities, besides honors bestowed by the French, is a splendid showing for a division which won most of its honors during its first great baptism of fire.

The casualties of the 92nd Division amounted to an aggregate of 1,511 of all kinds. Six officers were killed in action and one died from wounds. Among the non-commissioned officers and privates 103 were killed in action, 50 died from wounds, 47 were missing in action and five were taken prisoner. Forty enlisted men died from disease. Sixteen officers and 543 enlisted men were wounded; thirty-nine officers and 661 enlisted men were gassed. The number of gassed was unusually large, a reason being, perhaps, that the men in the front line trenches were exceptionally daring in making raids into the enemy's territory. One of the main reliances of the Germans against these raids was poison gas, a plentiful supply of which they kept on hand at all times, and which they could utilize quickly and with great facility.

The small number in this division who were taken prisoner by the enemy verifies the assertion made before that the Negro would sacrifice his life or submit to deadly wounds rather than be captured. When only five out of a total of about 30,000 fell into the Germans' hands alive, it gives some idea of the desperate resistance they put up. Perhaps the stories they had heard about the wanton slaughter of prisoners by the Hun or the brutalities practiced on those who were permitted to live, had something to do with the attitude of the Negroes against being captured; but a more likely solution is that their very spirit to advance and win and to accept death in preference to being conquered, caused the small number in the prisoner list, and the large number in the lists of other casualties.

Considering the desperate advance made by the 92nd Division from Pont a Mousson the morning of November 10th, through a valley swept by the tremendous guns of Metz and thousands of machine guns, the casualty list really is slight.

Advancing over such dangerous ground to gain their objective, it appears miraculous that the division was not wiped out, or at least did not suffer more heavily than it did. An explanation of this seeming miracle has been offered in the rapidity of the advance.

No two battles are ever fought alike. Offensives and defensives will be planned along certain lines. Then will suddenly obtrude the element of surprise or something that could not be foreseen or guarded against, which will overturn the most carefully prepared plans.

No soldiers in the world were ever trained to a higher degree of efficiency than the Germans. Mathematical precision ruled everywhere; the ultimate detail had been considered; and all students of military matters were forced to admit that they had reduced warfare seemingly, to an exact science. But it was a mistake. The Germans were the victims of surprise times innumerable. Some of the greatest events of the war, notably the first defeat at the Marne in its strategic features, was a complete surprise to them.

Everything about war, can, it seems, be reduced to a science except strategy. Certain rules can be laid down governing strategy, but they do not always work. Generally speaking, it is psychology; something which exists in the other man's mind. To read the other man's mind or make a good guess at it, defeats the most scientifically conceived strategy. Napoleon outwitted the best military brains and was himself the greatest strategist of his time, because he invariably departed from fixed military customs and kept his opponent entirely at sea regarding what he was doing or intended to do. Very seldom did he do the thing which his enemy thought he would do; which seemed most likely and proper according to military science. He thought and acted quickly in crises, relied constantly on the element of surprise and invented new strategy on the spur of the moment.

It was the big new strategy, the big new surprises, with which the Germans found themselves unable to cope. The strategy of Foch which developed in the offensive shortly after the battle of Chateau Thierry in July and was well under way in the early part of August, was a surprise to the Germans. Pershing surprised them in his St. Mihiel and following operations, especially the battles of Argonne Forest, and had a greater surprise in store for them in the Lorraine campaign had the war continued.

Perhaps the Germans figured at Metz, that owing to the extreme difficulty of the ground to be covered, their strong fortifications and great gun power, any advance, especially of Negro troops, would be slow. They accordingly timed their artillery action and their defensive measures for a slow assault.

But they were surprised again. Officers could not hold back the Negro fighters and German guns and soldiers could not stop them. They plunged on to Preny and Pagny, and they rushed into the Bois Frehaut, and held for thirty-six hours, this place from which picked Moroccan and Senegalese troops were forced to retreat in ten minutes after they had entered it. The Bois Frehaut was an inferno under the murderous fire of the Germans. Holding it for thirty-six hours and remaining there until hostilities ceased, it is surprising that the casualty list of the 92nd Division did not amount to many times 1,511.

It is not intended to convey the impression that the Negroes were entirely responsible for the victory before Metz. Many thousands of white troops participated and fought just as valiantly. But this History concerns itself with the operations of Negro soldiers and with bringing out as many of the details of those operations as the records at this time will supply.



CHAPTER XXI

THE LONG, LONG TRAIL

OPERATIONS OF 368TH INFANTRY—NEGROES FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND AND SOUTH—IN ARGONNE HELL—DEFEAT IRON CROSS VETERANS—VALIANT PERSONAL EXPLOITS—LIEUTENANT ROBERT CAMPBELL—PRIVATE JOHN BAKER—OPERATIONS OF 367TH INFANTRY—"MOSS'S BUFFALOES"—365TH AND 366TH REGIMENTS—THE GREAT DIVIDE—THEIR SOULS ARE MARCHING ON—PRAISED BY PERSHING—SOME CITATIONS

When the history of the 92nd Division is written in detail, much prominence will necessarily be given to the operations of the 368th Infantry. This unit was composed of Negroes mostly from Pennsylvania, Maryland and the Southern states. They went abroad happy, light-hearted boys to whom any enterprise outside of their regular routine was an adventure. They received adventure a plenty; enough to last most of them for their natural lives. They returned matured, grim-visaged men who had formed a companionship and a comradeship with death. For months they were accustomed to look daily down the long, long trail leading to the Great Divide. They left behind many who traveled the trail and went over the Divide. Peril was their constant attendant, danger so familiar that they greeted it with a smile.

It has been noted that this unit of the division saw real service prior to the campaign leading from Pont Mousson to Metz. Their first action was in August in the Vosges sector. This was largely day and night raiding from front line trenches. A month later they were in that bit of hell known as the Argonne Forest, where on September 26th, they covered themselves with glory.

They were excellent soldiers with a large number of Negro officers, principally men who had been promoted from the ranks of non-commissioned officers in the Regular Army.

Their commander during the last six weeks of the war, the time when they saw most of their hard service, was Lieutenant Colonel T.A. Rothwell, a Regular Army officer. He went abroad as commander of a machine gun battalion in the 80th Division, later was transferred to the 367th infantry and finally to the 368th. Many of the officers of the latter organization had served under Colonel Rothwell as non-commissioned officers of the Regular Army. He paid them a high tribute in stating that they proved themselves excellent disciplinarians and leaders. He was also very proud of the enlisted men of the regiment.

"The Negroes proved themselves especially good soldiers during gas attacks," said Colonel Rothwell, "which were numerous and of a very treacherous nature. During the wet weather the gas would remain close to the ground and settle, where it was comparatively harmless, but with the breaking out of the sun it would rise in clouds suddenly and play havoc with the troops."

Green troops as they were, it is related that there was a little confusion on the occasion of their first battle, when the regiment encountered barbed wire entanglements for the first time at a place in the woods where the Germans had brought their crack gunners to keep the line. But there was no cowardice and the confusion soon subsided. They quickly got used to the wire, cut their way through and cleaned out the gunners in record time.

Every one of the enemy picked up in that section of the woods was wearing an iron cross; the equivalent of the French Croix de Guerre or the American Distinguished Service Cross. It showed that they belonged to the flower of the Kaiser's forces. But they were no match for the "Black Devils," a favorite name of the Germans for all Negro troops, and applied by them with particular emphasis to these troops and others of the 92nd Division.

On October 10th, the regiment went to Metz and took part in all the operations leading up to that campaign and the close of the war. In the Argonne, before Metz and elsewhere, they were subjected constantly to gas warfare. They behaved remarkably well under those attacks.

Major Benjamin P. Morris, who commanded the Third Battalion, has stated that in the drive which started September 26th, he lost nearly 25 per cent of his men through wounding or gassing. The battalion won eight Distinguished Service Crosses in that attack and the Major was recommended for one of the coveted decorations.

The regiment lost forty-four men killed in action, thirteen died from wounds and eight were missing in action. The list of wounded and gassed ran over three hundred.

Individual exploits were quite numerous and were valiant in the extreme. Here is an instance:

It became necessary to send a runner with a message to the left flank of the American firing line. The way was across an open field offering no covering or protection of any kind, and swept by heavy enemy machine gun fire.

Volunteers were called for. A volunteer under such circumstances must be absolutely fearless. The slightest streak of timidity or cowardice would keep a man from offering his services. Private Edward Saunders of Company I, responded for the duty. Before he had gone far a shell cut him down. As he fell he cried to his comrades:

"Someone come and get this message. I am wounded."

Lieutenant Robert L. Campbell, a Negro officer of the same company sprang to the rescue. He dashed across the shell-swept space, picked up the wounded private, and, with the Germans fairly hailing bullets around him, carried his man back to the lines. There was the case of an officer who considered it more important to save the life of a heroic, valuable soldier than to speed a message. Besides the wounded man could proceed no farther and there were other ways of getting the message through and it was sent.







For the valor shown both were cited for the Distinguished Service Cross. Lieutenant Campbell's superiors also took the view that in that particular instance the life of a brave soldier was of more importance than the dispatch of a message, for as a result, he was recommended for a captaincy.

Another single detail taken from the same Company I:

John Baker, having volunteered, was taking a message through heavy shell fire to another part of the line. A shell struck his hand, tearing away part of it, but the Negro unfalteringly went through with the message.

He was asked why he did not seek aid for his wounds before completing the journey. His reply was:

"I thought that the message might contain information that would save lives."

Has anything more heroic and unselfish than that ever been recorded? Nature may have, in the opinions of some, been unkind to that man when she gave him a dark skin, but he bore within it a soul, than which there are none whiter; reflecting the spirit of his Creator, that should prove a beacon light to all men on earth, and which will shine forever as a "gem of purest ray serene" in the Unmeasurable and great Beyond.

Under the same Lieut. Robert Campbell, a few colored soldiers armed only with their rifles, trench knives, and hand grenades, picked up from shell holes along the way, were moving over a road in the Chateau Thierry sector. Suddenly their course was crossed by the firing of a German machine gun. They tried to locate it by the sound and direction of the bullets, but could not. To their right a little ahead, lay a space covered with thick underbrush; just back of it was an open field. Lieutenant Campbell who knew by the direction of the bullets that his party had not been seen by the Germans, ordered one of his men with a rope which they happened to have, to crawl to the thick underbrush and tie the rope to several stems of the brush; then to withdraw as fast as possible and pull the rope making the brush shake as though men were crawling through it. The purpose was to draw direct fire from the machine gun, and by watching, locate its position.

The ruse worked. Lieutenant Campbell then ordered three of his men to steal out and flank the machine gun on one side, while he and two others moved up and flanked it on the other side.

The brush was shaken more violently by the concealed rope. The Germans, their eyes focused on the brush, poured a hail of bullets into it. Lieutenant Campbell gave the signal and the flanking party dashed up; with their hand grenades they killed four of the Boches and captured the remaining three—also the machine gun. There was an officer who could think and plan in an emergency, and evolve strategy like a Napoleon.

First Lieutenant Edward Jones, of the Medical Corps of the regiment, was cited for heroism at Binarville. On September 27th Lieutenant Jones went into an open area subjected to direct machine gun fire to care for a wounded soldier who was being carried by another officer. While dressing the wounded man, a machine gun bullet passed between his arms and body and a man was killed within a few yards of him.

In a General Order issued by the commander of the division, General Martin, Second Lieutenant Nathan O. Goodloe, one of the Negro officers of the regimental Machine Gun Company, was commended for excellent work and meritorious conduct. During the operations in the Argonne forest, Lieutenant Goodloe was attached to the Third Battalion. In the course of action it became necessary to reorganize the battalion and withdraw part of it to a secondary position. He carried out the movement under a continual machine gun fire from the enemy. General Martin said: "Lieutenant Goodloe's calm courage set an example that inspired confidence in his men."

General Martin also cited for meritorious conduct near Vienne le Chateau, Tom Brown, a wagoner, who as driver of an ammunition wagon, displayed remarkable courage, coolness and devotion to duty under fire. Brown's horses had been hurled into a ditch by shells and he was injured. In spite of his painful wounds he worked until he had extricated his horses from the ditch, refusing to quit until he had completed the work even though covered with blood from his hurts.

Private Joseph James of the 368th, received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action, September 27th, in the Argonne forest.

A regiment of the 92nd Division which gained distinction, received its share of decorations and was mentioned several times in General Orders from the high officers, was the 367th Infantry, "Moss's Buffaloes." This title was attached to them while they were undergoing training at Yaphank, N.Y., under Colonel James A. Moss of the Regular Army. It stuck to the outfit all through the war and became a proud title, a synonym of courage and fighting strength.

The 367th went to France in June 1918 and spent two months training back of the lines. It was sent to supporting trenches August 20th and finally to the front line at St. Die, near Lorraine border. It remained there until September 21st and was then transferred to the St. Mihiel salient where Pershing delivered his famous blow, the one that is said to have broken the German heart. It was at any rate, a blow that demonstrated the effectiveness of the American fighting forces. In a few days the overseas commander of the Yankee troops conquered a salient which the enemy had held for three years and which was one of the most menacing positions of the entire line.

On October 9th, the regiment was sent to the left bank of the Moselle, where it remained until the signing of the armistice.

Colonel Moss was taken from combatant duty early in October to become an instructor at the training school at Gondrecourt, the regiment passing under the command of Colonel W.J. Doane.

Composed of selectives mostly from the state of New York, the regiment was trained with a view to developing good assault and shock troops, which they were.

Casualties of all descriptions in the 367th, amounted to about ten per cent of the regimental strength. A number of decorations for personal bravery were bestowed, and the regiment as a whole was cited and praised by General Pershing in his review of the 92nd Division at Le Mans.

The entire First Battalion of the 367th, was cited for bravery and awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French. The citation was made by the French Commission because of the splendid service and bravery shown by the regiment in the last engagement of the war, Sunday and Monday, November 10th and 11th in the drive to Metz. The men went into action through the bloody valley commanded by the heavy guns of Metz, and held the Germans at bay until the 56th regiment could retreat, but not until it had suffered a heavy loss. The First Battalion was commanded by Major Charles L. Appleton of New York, with company commanders and lieutenants, Negroes.

Another distinguished component of the 92nd Division was the 365th Infantry made up of selectives principally from Chicago and other parts of Illinois. This regiment saw about the same service as the 367th, perhaps a little more severe, as the casualties were greater. In the action at Bois Frehaut in the drive on Metz, the 365th lost forty-three men killed in action and dead from wounds. In addition there were thirty-two missing in action, most of whom were killed or succumbed to wounds. About 200 were wounded or gassed.

In General Orders, issued by the commander of the division, a number of Negro officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the 365th were commended for meritorious conduct in the actions of November 10th and 11th. Those named were; Captain John H. Allen, First Lieutenants Leon F. Stewart, Frank L. Drye, Walter Lyons, David W. Harris, and Benjamin F. Ford; Second Lieutenants George L. Games and Russell C. Atkins; Sergeants Richard W. White John Simpson, Robert Townsend, Solomon D. Colson, Ransom Elliott and Charles Jackson; Corporals Thomas B. Coleman, Albert Taylor, Charles Reed and James Conley, and Privates Earl Swanson, Jesse Cole, James Hill, Charles White and George Chaney.

Captain Allen of the Machine Gun Company of the 365th, died in France of pneumonia. Only a short time before his death he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing, for exceptional gallantry before Metz.

Private Robert M. Breckenridge of Company B, 365th regiment, also gave his life in France, but had received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action at Ferme de Belwir, October 29th, 1918.

Corporal Russell Pollard of Company H received his Distinguished Service Cross shortly before his return home. He was cited for extraordinary heroism in action in the first days battle at Metz.

The remaining infantry regiment of the Division not heretofore specially mentioned, was the 366th, a highly efficient organization of selectives assembled from the mobilization and training camps of various sections of the country. Like the other regiments of the division, the greater number of these men were assembled in the autumn of 1917, trained continuously in this country until the early part of the summer of 1918, sent to France and given at least two months' intensive training there. During the training periods their instructors were mostly officers from the Regular Army or the military instruction schools of this country and France. Some English officers also assisted in the training. That they possessed the requisite intelligence for absorbing the instruction they received is evidenced by the high type of soldier into which they developed, their records in battle, and the unstinted praise which they received from their superior officers, the French commanders and others who witnessed or were familiar with their service.

The 366th went through the campaign in the Marbache sector and suffered all its rigors and perils. In the final two days of fighting they were right at the front and achieved distinction to the extent that in the review at Le Mans they also were singled out by General Pershing for special commendation. During the campaign the regiment had a loss of forty-three men killed in action or died of wounds. Seven men were missing in action. The wounded and gassed were upwards of 200.

In General Orders issued by the commander of the division, First Lieutenant John Q. Lindsey was cited for bravery displayed at Lesseux; Sergeant Isaac Hill for bravery displayed at Frapelle and Sergeant Walter L. Gross for distinguished service near Hominville. These men were all colored and all of the 366th regiment.

Wherever men were cited in General Orders or otherwise, it generally followed that they received the Distinguished Service Cross or some other coveted honor.



CHAPTER XXII

GLORY THAT WONT COME OFF

167TH FIRST NEGRO ARTILLERY BRIGADE—"LIKE VETERANS" SAID PERSHING—FIRST ARTILLERY TO BE MOTORIZED—RECORD BY DATES—SELECTED FOR LORRAINE CAMPAIGN—BEST EDUCATED NEGROES IN AMERICAN FORCES—ALWAYS STOOD BY THEIR GUNS—CHAPLAIN'S ESTIMATE—LEFT SPLENDID IMPRESSION—TESTIMONY OF FRENCH MAYORS—CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR—SOLDIERLY QUALITIES.

To the 92nd Division belonged the distinction of having the first artillery brigade composed entirely of Negroes, with the exception of a few commissioned officers, ever organized in this country. In fact, the regiments composing the brigade, the 349th, the 350th and 351st were the first complete artillery regiments of Negroes and the only important Negro organizations in the artillery branch of the service, ever formed in this country.

Their record was remarkable considering the brief time in which they had to distinguish themselves, and had the war continued, they would surely have gained added glory; General Pershing in the review at Le Mans complimenting them particularly, stating that when the armistice came he was planning important work for them. Following are the general's words which brought much pride to the organization:

"Permit me to extend to the officers and men of the 167th Field Artillery Brigade, especially the 351st regiment, my congratulations for the excellent manner in which they conducted themselves during the twelve days they were on the front. The work of the unit was so meritorious that after the accomplishments of the brigade were brought to my attention I was preparing to assign the unit to very important work in the second offensive. You men acted like veterans, never failing to reach your objective, once orders had been given you. I wish to thank you for your work."

The unit was organized largely from men of Western Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Camp Meade, near Washington, D.C., was their principal training point from the fall of 1917 until June, 1918, when they went abroad.

To the brigade belongs the additional distinction of being the first in the service to be motorized. Tractors hauled the big guns along the front at a rate of twelve miles an hour, much better than could have been done with horses or mules.

Brigadier General W.E. Cole commanded the unit until about the middle of September, 1918, when he was elevated to a major generalship and the command of the 167th passed to Brigadier General John H. Sherburne. In a General Order issued by the latter shortly before he left the unit, he said:

"I will ever cherish the words of the Commander in Chief, the compliment he paid, in all sincerity to this brigade, when he watched it pass in review. I wish the brigade to understand that those words of appreciation were evoked only because each man had worked conscientiously and unflaggingly to make the organization a success. The men went into the line in a manner to win the praise of all."

The history of the brigade from the time it left Camp Meade until the end of the war may be summarized as follows:

June 27—Disembarked from ship at Brest, France.

July 2—Started for the training area, reaching there July 4.

July 5—Began a period of six weeks training at Lathus in the Montmorillion section.

August 20—Went to La Courtine and remained until September 16th, practicing at target range. Its gun squads excelled in target work and the brigade, especially the 351st regiment, won distinction there.

October 4—Finished training at La Courtine and moved into a sector directly in front of Metz, where about three weeks were spent in obtaining the tractors and motor vehicles necessary for a completely motorized artillery outfit.

October 25—Preparing for action. The enemy had noted the great movement of troops in the vicinity and German planes constantly hovered over the unit dropping missiles of death upon it.

The brigade supported the infantry of the division in its attacks on Eply, Cheminot, Bouxieres, Bois Frehaut, Bois La Cote, Champey, Vandieres, Pagny and Moulin Farm. Attacks of more than mediocre importance were: Pagny, November 4 and 5; Cheminot, November 6, Epley, November 7; Bois Frehaut, November 10; Bois La Cote and Champey, November 11.

In addition to those attacks certain machine gun nests of the enemy were destroyed and strategic points were bombarded. During the entire advance the batteries of the brigade were in front positions and very active. The attack on Bois La Cote and Champey began at 4:30 in the morning and ended just fifteen minutes before the beginning of the armistice. During the engagement the batteries kept up such a constant fire that the guns were almost white with heat.

Private Carl E. Southall of 2538 Elba street, Pittsburgh, Pa., claims to have fired the brigade's last shot. He was a member of Battery D, 351st regiment. When the watch showed the last minute of the war, he jumped forward, got to the gun ahead of his comrades and fired.

Had the war continued the artillery brigade would have taken part in the offensive which was to have begun after November 11 with twenty French and six American divisions investing Metz and pushing east through Lorraine.

The history of one regiment in the artillery outfit is practically the same as another, with the exception that the 351st seems to have had the most conspicuous service. This unit of the brigade was commanded by Colonel Wade H. Carpenter, a West Pointer.

Owing to the technical requirements, a thorough knowledge of mathematics especially being necessary before one can become a good non-commissioned or commissioned officer of artillery, this branch of the service appeals to men of schooling. It has been claimed that the 351st regiment contained the best educated group of Negroes in the American forces; most of them being college or high school men. They were praised highly by their officers, especially by Colonel Carpenter:

"When the regiment trained at Camp Meade," he said, "the men showed the best desire, to make good soldiers. In France they outdid their own expectations and shed glory for all.

"We didn't get into action until October 28th, but after that we kept at the Germans until the last day.

"The men of the 351st were so anxious to get into service that before they were ordered to the front they found it difficult to restrain their impatience at being held back. However, their long training in France did them a lot of good, the experience of being taught by veteran Americans and Frenchmen proving of great value when it came to actual battle.

"They never flinched under fire, always stood by their guns and made the famous 155 millimeter French guns, with which we were equipped, fairly smoke.

"I have been a regular army man for many years, and have always been in command of white troops. Let me say to you that never have I commanded a more capable, courageous and intelligent regiment than this. It would give me the greatest pleasure to continue my army career in command of this regiment of Negroes.

"Not only was their morale splendid but they were especially ready to accept discipline. They idolized their officers and would have followed them through hell if necessary.

"Fortunately, though many were wounded by shrapnel and a number made ill by gas fumes, we suffered no casualties in the slain column. About twenty-five died of sickness and accidents, but we lost none in action.

"When the armistice came our hits were making such tremendous scores against the enemy that prisoners taken by the Americans declared the destruction wrought by the guns was terrific. On the last day and in the last hour of the war our guns fairly beat a rat-a-tat on the enemy positions. We let them have it while we could."

Lieutenant E.A. Wolfolk, of Washington, D.C., chaplain of the regiment, said:

"The morale and morals of the men were splendid. Disease of the serious type was unknown. The men were careful to keep within bounds. They gave their officers no trouble, and each man strove to keep up the high standard expected of him. From the time we reached France in June, 1918, until the time we quit that country we worked hard to maintain a clean record and we certainly succeeded."

At the Moselle river, Pont a Mousson and Madieres, the regiment first saw action. The first and second battalions went into action immediately in the vicinity of St. Genevieve and Alton. The third battalion crossed the river and went into action in the vicinity of Pont a Mousson. That was on October 31st. The balance of the regiment's service corresponds to that of the brigade, already mentioned.

As already gleaned from the reports of generals, regimental officers and the testimony of the chaplain of the 351st, the artillery boys created a good impression and left behind them a clean record everywhere. It has remained for the officers of the 349th regiment to preserve this in additional documentary form in the shape of regimental orders and letters from the mayors of French towns in which the regiment stopped or was billeted. The following are some of the bulletins and letters:

Headquarters 349th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, France, A.P.O. 722, September 6, 1918. The following letter having been received, is published for the information of the regiment, and will be read at retreat Saturday, September 7, 1918. By order of COLONEL MOORE. JOSEPH H. McNALLY, Captain and Adjutant. FRENCH REPUBLIC Town Hall of Montmorillion (Vienne) Montmorillion, August 12, 1918. Dear Colonel: At the occasion of your departure permit me to express to you my regrets and those of the whole population. From the very day of its arrival your regiment, by its behavior and its military appearance, it excited the admiration of all of us. Of the sojourn of yourself and your colored soldiers among us we will keep the best memory and remember your regiment as a picked one. From the beginning a real brotherhood was established between your soldiers and our people, who were glad to welcome the gallant allies of France. Having learned to know them, the whole population holds them in great esteem, and we all join in saying the best of them. I hope that the white troops replacing your regiment will give us equal satisfaction; but whatever their attitude may be, they cannot surpass your 349th Field Artillery. Please accept the assurance of my best and most distinguished feelings. G. DE FONT-REAULX, Assistant Mayor. Headquarters 349th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, France, A.P.O. 766, January 25, 1919. The following letter having been received is published for the information of the regiment. By order of COLONEL O'NEIL. GEORGE B. COMPTON, Captain and Adjutant. MAIRIE DE DOMFRONT (Orne) Domfront, January 22, 1919. The mayor of the town of Domfront has the very great pleasure to state and declare that the 349th regiment of the 167th Field Artillery Brigade, has been billeted at Domfront from the 28th of December, 1918, to the 22nd of January, 1919, and that during this period the officers as well as the men have won the esteem and sympathy of all the population. The black officers as well as the white officers have made here many friends, and go away leaving behind them the best remembrances. As to the private soldiers, their behavior during the whole time has been above all praise. It is the duty of the mayor of Domfront to bid the general, officers and men a last farewell, and to express to all his thanks and gratitude for their friendly intercourse with the civilian population. F. BERLIN, Mayor.