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Title: History of the American Negro in the Great World War
His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including
a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars
of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the
Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and
the Late Imbroglio With Mexico
Author: W. Allison Sweeney
Release Date: August 26, 2005 [EBook #16598]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR
HIS
SPLENDID RECORD IN THE BATTLE ZONES OF EUROPE
INCLUDING A RESUME OF HIS PAST SERVICES TO HIS COUNTRY IN THE WARS OF
THE REVOLUTION, OF 1812, THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, THE INDIAN WARS ON THE
FRONTIER, THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, AND THE LATE IMBROGLIO WITH
MEXICO.
BY
W. ALLISON SWEENEY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR OF THE CHICAGO
DEFENDER.
PROFUSELY AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED
1919
THIS HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR IS
REINFORCED BY THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT INCLUDING TRIBUTES FROM
FRENCH AND AMERICAN COMMANDERS
SPOKEN AND WRITTEN WORDS BY
J.E. MORELAND INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY
Y.M.C.A.
ROBERT SENGSTACKE ABBOTT EDITOR CHICAGO DEFENDER
RALPH
TYLER EX-THIRD AUDITOR THE NAVY
JULIUS ROSENWALD
PHILANTHROPIST
COLONEL CHARLES YOUNG UNITED STATES ARMY
WILLIS O.
TYLER MEMBER LOS ANGELES BAR
CAPT. R.P. ROOTS VETERAN SPANISH-AMERICAN
WAR
* * * * *
WITH A COMPLETE SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE 370th "OLD EIGHTH" IN THE
WORLD WAR FROM THE COUNTRY'S CALL TO THE DAY OF ITS MUSTERING OUT
BY
CAPT. JOHN H. PATTON, ADJUTANT
HISTORY
OF THE
AMERICAN NEGRO
IN THE
GREAT WORLD
WAR
CONTENTS
Chapter
I. SPIRITUAL EMANCIPATION OF NATIONS.
THE MARCH OF CIVILIZATION—WORLD SHOCKS TO STIR THE WOULD
HEART—FALSE DOCTRINES OF THE HUN—THE IRON HAND CONCEALED—THE WORLD BEGINS TO
AWAKEN—GERMAN DESIGNS REVEALED—RUMBLINGS IN ADVANCE OF THE STORM—TRAGEDY THAT
HASTENED THE DAY—TOLSTOY'S PROPHECY—VINDICATION OF NEGRO FAITH IN PROMISES OF
THE LORD—DAWN OF FREEDOM FOR ALL RACES
Chapter
II. HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.
LIKENED TO BELSHAZZER—THE KAISER'S FEASTS—IN HIS HEART BARBARIC
PRIDE OF THE POTENTATES OF OLD—GERMAN MADNESS FOR WAR—INSOLENT
DEMANDS—FORTY-EIGHT HOURS TO PREVENT A WORLD WAR—COMMENT OF STATESMEN AND
LEADERS—THE WAR STARTS—ITALY BREAKS HER ALLIANCE—GERMANIC POWERS WEIGHED AND
FOUND WANTING—SPIRIT WINS OVER MATERIALISM—CIVILIZATION'S LAMP DIMMED BUT NOT
DARKENED
Chapter
III. MILITARISM AND AUTOCRACY DOOMED.
GERMANY'S MACHINE—HER SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOR TO MOLD
SOLDIERS—INFLUENCE ON THOUGHT AND LIVES OF THE PEOPLE—MILITARISM IN THE
HOME—THE STATUS OF WOMAN—FALSE THEORIES AND FALSE GODS—THE SYSTEM ORDAINED TO
PERISH—WAR'S SHOCKS—AMERICA INCLINES TO NEUTRALITY—GERMAN AND FRENCH TREATMENT
OF NEUTRALS CONTRASTED—EXPERIENCES OF AMERICANS ABROAD AND ENROUTE HOME—STATUE
OF LIBERTY TAKES ON NEW BEAUTY—BLOOD OF NEGRO AND WHITE TO
FLOW
Chapter
IV. AWAKENING OF AMERICA.
PRESIDENT CLINGS TO NEUTRALITY—MONROE DOCTRINE AND WASHINGTON'S
WARNING—GERMAN CRIMES AND GERMAN VICTORIES—CARDINAL MERCIER'S LETTER—MILITARY
OPERATIONS—FIRST SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES—THE LUSITANIA OUTRAGE—EXCHANGE OF
NOTES—UNITED STATES AROUSED—ROLE OF PASSIVE ONLOOKER BECOMES IRKSOME—FIRST
MODIFICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF WASHINGTON AND MONROE—OUR DESTINY
LOOMS
Chapter
V. HUNS SWEEPING WESTWARD.
TOWARD SHORES OF ATLANTIC—SPREAD RUIN AND DEVASTATION—CAPITALS OF
CIVILIZATION ALARMED—ACTIVITIES OF SPIES—APOLOGIES AND LIES—GERMAN ARMS
WINNING—GAIN TIME TO FORGE NEW WEAPONS—FEW VICTORIES FOR ALLIES—ROUMANIA
CRUSHED—INCIDENT OF U-53
Chapter
VI. THE HOUR AND THE MAN.
A BEACON AMONG THE YEARS—TRYING PERIOD FOR PRESIDENT
WILSON—GERMANY CONTINUES DILATORY TACTICS—PEACE EFFORTS FAIL—ALL HONORABLE
MEANS EXHAUSTED—PATIENCE CEASES TO BE A VIRTUE—ENEMY ABANDONS ALL
SUBTERFUGES—UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE—GERMAN INTRIGUES WITH MEXICO—THE
ZIMMERMAN NOTE—AMERICA SEIZES THE SWORD—WAR IS DECLARED—PERSHING GOES
ABROAD—FIRST TROOPS SAIL—WAR MEASURES—WAR OPERATIONS
Chapter
VII. NEGROES RESPOND TO THE CALL.
SWIFT AND UNHALTING ARRAY—FEW PERMITTED TO VOLUNTEER—ONLY NATIONAL
GUARD ACCEPTED—NO NEW UNITS FORMED—SELECTIVE DRAFT THEIR OPPORTUNITY—PARTIAL
DIVISION OF GUARDSMEN—COMPLETE DIVISION OF SELECTIVES—MANY IN TRAINING—ENTER
MANY BRANCHES OF SERVICE—NEGRO NURSES AUTHORIZED—NEGRO Y.M.C.A. WORKERS—NEGRO
WAR CORRESPONDENT—NEGRO ASSISTANT TO SECRETARY OF WAR—TRAINING CAMP FOR NEGRO
OFFICERS FIRST TIME IN ARTILLERY—COMPLETE RACIAL
SEGREGATION
Chapter
VIII. RECRUDESCENCE OF SOUTH'S INTOLERANCE.
CONFRONTED BY RACIAL PREJUDICE—SPLENDID ATTITUDE OF NEGRO SHAMED
IT—KEPT OUT OF NAVY—ONLY ONE PERCENT OF NAVY PERSONNEL NEGROES—MODIFIED
MARINES CONTEMPLATED—FEW HAVE PETTY OFFICERS' GRADES—SEPARATE SHIPS
PROPOSED—NEGRO EFFICIENCY IN NAVY—MATERIAL FOR "BLACK SHIPS"—NAVY OPENS DOOR
TO NEGRO MECHANICS
Chapter
IX. PREVIOUS WARS IN WHICH NEGRO FIGURED.
SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD—CRISPUS ATTUCKS—SLAVE LEADS SONS OF
FREEDOM—THE BOSTON MASSACRE—ANNIVERSARY KEPT FOR YEARS—WILLIAM NELL,
HISTORIAN—3,000 NEGROES IN WASHINGTON'S FORCES—A STIRRING HISTORY—NEGRO WOMAN
SOLDIER—BORDER INDIAN WARS—NEGRO HEROES
Chapter
X. FROM LEXINGTON TO CARRIZAL.
NEGRO IN WAR OF 1812—INCIDENT OF THE CHESAPEAKE—BATTLE OF LAKE
ERIE—PERRY'S FIGHTERS 10 PERCENT NEGROES—INCIDENT OF THE "GOVERNOR
TOMPKINS"—COLONISTS FORM NEGRO REGIMENTS—DEFENDERS OF NEW ORLEANS—ANDREW
JACKSON'S TRIBUTE—NEGROES IN MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS—IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN
WAR—NEGROES IN THE PHILIPPINES—HEROES OF CARRIZAL—GENERAL BUTLER'S TRIBUTE TO
NEGROES—WENDELL PHILLIPS ON TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE
Chapter
XI. HOUR OF HIS NATION'S PERIL.
NEGRO'S PATRIOTIC ATTITUDE—SELECTIVE DRAFT IN EFFECT—FEATURES AND
RESULTS—BOLD RELIANCE ON FAITH IN PEOPLE—NO COLOR LINE DRAWN—DISTRIBUTION OF
REGISTRANTS BY STATES—NEGRO AND WHITE REGISTRATIONS COMPARED—NEGRO PERCENTAGES
HIGHER—CLAIMED FEWER EXEMPTIONS—INDUCTIONS BY STATES—BETTER PHYSICALLY THAN
WHITES—TABLES, FACTS AND FIGURES
Chapter
XII. NEGRO SLACKERS AND PACIFISTS UNKNOWN.
SUCH WORDS NOT IN HIS VOCABULARY—DESERTIONS EXPLAINED—GENERAL
CROWDER EXONERATES NEGRO—NO WILLFUL DELINQUENCY—STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO MEET
REGULATIONS—NO "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS"—NO DRAFT EVADERS OR RESISTERS—NEGRO'S
DEVOTION SUBLIME—JUSTIFIES HIS FREEDOM—FORGETS HIS SORROWS—RISES ABOVE HIS
WRONGS—TESTIMONY OF LOCAL BOARDS—GERMAN PROPAGANDA WASTED—A NEW
AMERICANISM
Chapter
XIII. ROSTER OF NEGRO OFFICERS.
COMMISSIONED AT FORT DES MOINES—ONLY EXCLUSIVE NEGRO TRAINING
CAMP—MOSTLY FROM CIVILIAN LIFE—NAMES, RANK AND RESIDENCE
Chapter
XIV. ACROSS DIVIDING SEAS.
BLACK THOUSANDS ASSEMBLE—SOLDIERS OF LIBERTY—SEVERING HOME
TIES—MAN'S WORK MUST BE DONE—FIRST NEGROES IN FRANCE—MEETING WITH FRENCH
COLONIALS—EARLY HISTORY OF 15TH NEW YORK—THEY SAIL AWAY—BECOME FRENCH FIGHTING
MEN—HOLD 20 PERCENT OF AMERICAN LINES—TERROR TO GERMANS—ONLY BARRIER BETWEEN
BOCHE AND PARIS—IMPERISHABLE RECORD OF NEW YORKERS—TURNING POINT OF
WAR
Chapter
XV. OVER THERE.
HENRY JOHNSON AND NEEDHAM ROBERTS—THE TIGER'S CUBS—NEGRO FIRST TO
GET PALM—JOHNSON'S GRAPHIC STORY—SMASHES THE GERMANS—IRVIN COBB'S
TRIBUTE—CHRISTIAN AND MOHAMMEDAN NEGROES PALS—VALOR OF 93RD DIVISION—LAUGHTER
IN FACE OF DEATH—NEGRO AND POILU HAPPY TOGETHER—BUTTE DE MESNIL—VALIANT AND
HUMOROUS ELMER MCCOWIN—WINNING WAR CROSSES—VERDICT OF THE FRENCH—THE NEGRO'S
FAITH
Chapter
XVI. THROUGH HELL AND SUFFERING.
COLORED OFFICERS MAKE GOOD—WONDERFUL RECORD OF THE 8TH
ILLINOIS—"BLACK DEVILS" WIN DECORATIONS GALORE—TRIBUTE OF FRENCH COMMANDER—HIS
FAREWELL TO PRAIRIE FIGHTERS—THEY FOUGHT AFTER WAR WAS OVER—HARD TO STOP
THEM—INDIVIDUAL DEEDS OF HEROISM—THEIR DEAD, THEIR WOUNDED AND SUFFERING—A
POEM
Chapter
XVII. NARRATIVE OF AN OFFICER.
SPECIAL ARTICLE BY CAPTAIN JOHN H. PATTON, ADJUTANT OF 8TH
ILLINOIS—SUMMARIZES OPERATIONS OF THE REGIMENT—FROM FIRST CALL TO MUSTERING
OUT—AN EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT—IN TRAINING CAMPS, AT SEA, IN FRANCE—SERVICE IN
ARGONNE FOREST—MANY OTHER ENGAGEMENTS—A THRILLING RECORD—BATTALION OPERATIONS
IN DETAIL—SPECIAL MENTION OF COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS
Chapter
XVIII. BLOOD OF BLACK AND WHITE IN ONE RIVULET.
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
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
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
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
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
Chapter
XXIII. NOR STORIED URN, NOR MOUNTING SHAFT.
GLORY NOT ALL SPECTACULAR—BRAVE FORCES BEHIND THE LINES—325TH
FIELD SIGNAL BATTALION—COMPOSED OF YOUNG NEGROES—SEE REAL FIGHTING—SUFFER
CASUALTIES—AN EXCITING INCIDENT—COLORED SIGNAL BATTALION A SUCCESS—RALPH
TYLER'S STORIES—BURIAL OF NEGRO SOLDIER AT SEA—MORE INCIDENTS OF NEGRO VALOR—A
WORD FROM CHARLES M. SCHWAB
Chapter
XXIV. THOSE WHO NEVER WILL RETURN.
A STUDY OF WAR—ITS COMPENSATIONS AND BENEFITS—ITS RAVAGES AND
DEBASEMENTS—BURDENS FALL UPON THE WEAK—TOLL OF DISEASE—NEGROES SINGULARLY
HEALTHY—NEGROES KILLED IN BATTLE—DEATHS FROM WOUNDS AND OTHER
CAUSES—REMARKABLE PHYSICAL STAMINA OF RACE—HOUSEKEEPING IN KHAKI—HEALTHIEST
WAR IN HISTORY—INCREASED REGARD FOR MOTHERS—AN IDEAL FOR CHILD MINDS—MORALE
AND PROPAGANDA
Chapter
XXV. QUIET HEROES OF THE BRAWNY ARM.
NEGRO STEVEDORE, PIONEER AND LABOR UNITS—SWUNG THE AXE AND TURNED
THE WHEEL—THEY WERE INDISPENSABLE—EVERYWHERE IN FRANCE—HEWERS OF WOOD, DRAWERS
OF WATER—NUMBERS AND DESIGNATIONS OF UNITS—ACQUIRED SPLENDID
REPUTATION—CONTESTS AND AWARDS—PRIDE IN THEIR SERVICE—MEASURED UP TO MILITARY
STANDARDS—LESTER WALTON'S APPRECIATION—ELLA WHEELER WILCOX'S POETIC
TRIBUTE
Chapter
XXVI. UNSELFISH WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD.
MITIGATED THE HORRORS OF WAR—AT THE FRONT, BEHIND THE LINES, AT
HOME—CIRCLE FOR NEGRO WAR RELIEF—ADDRESSED AND PRAISED BY ROOSEVELT—A NOTABLE
GATHERING—COLORED Y.M.C.A. WORK—UNSULLIED RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT—HOW THE "Y"
CONDUCTED BUSINESS—SECRETARIES ALL SPECIALISTS—NEGRO WOMEN IN "Y" WORK—VALOR
OF A NON-COMBATANT
Chapter
XXVII. NEGRO IN ARMY PERSONNEL.
HIS MECHANICAL ABILITY REQUIRED—SKILLED AT SPECIAL TRADES—VICTORY
DEPENDS UPON TECHNICAL WORKERS—VAST RANGE OF OCCUPATION—NEGRO MAKES GOOD
SHOWING—PERCENTAGES OF WHITE AND COLORED—FIGURES FOR GENERAL
SERVICE
Chapter
XXVIII. THE KNOCKOUT BLOW.
WOODROW WILSON, AN ESTIMATE—HIS PLACE IN HISTORY—LAST OF GREAT
TRIO—WASHINGTON, LINCOLN, WILSON—UPHOLDS DECENCY, HUMANITY,
LIBERTY—RECAPITULATION OF YEAR 1918—CLOSING INCIDENTS OF
WAR
Chapter
XXIX. HOMECOMING HEROES.
NEW YORK GREETS HER OWN—ECSTATIC DAY FOR OLD 15TH—WHITES AND
BLACKS DO HONORS—A MONSTER DEMONSTRATION—MANY DIGNITARIES REVIEW TROOPS—PARADE
OF MARTIAL POMP—CHEERS, MUSIC, FLOWERS AND FEASTING—"HAYWARD'S SCRAPPING
BABIES"—OFFICERS SHARE GLORY—THEN CAME HENRY JOHNSON—SIMILAR SCENES
ELSEWHERE
Chapter
XXX. RECONSTRUCTION AND THE NEGRO.
BY JULIUS ROSENWALD, PRESIDENT SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO, AND
TRUSTEE OF TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE—A PLEA FOR INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
NEGRO—TRIBUTE TO NEGRO AS SOLDIER AND CIVILIAN—DUTY OF WHITES POINTED
OUT—BUSINESS LEADER AND PHILANTHROPIST SOUNDS KEYNOTE
Chapter
XXXI. THE OTHER FELLOW'S BURDEN.
AN EMANCIPATION DAY APPEAL FOR JUSTICE—BY W. ALLISON
SWEENEY
Chapter
XXXII. AN INTERPOLATION.
HELD—
BY DISTINGUISHED THINKERS AND WRITERS, THAT THE NEGRO
SOLDIER SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE FOR PROMOTION AS WELL AS A CHANCE TO DIE.
WHY—
WHITE OFFICERS OVER NEGRO SOLDIERS?
Chapter
XXXIII. THE NEW NEGRO AND THE NEW AMERICA.
THE OLD ORDER
CHANGETH, YIELDING PLACE TO NEW.
THROUGH THE
ARBITRAMENT OF WAR, BEHOLD A NEW AND BETTER AMERICA!
A NEW AND GIRDED
NEGRO!
"THE WATCHES
OF THE NIGHT HAVE PASSED!"
"THE WATCHES
OF
THE DAY BEGIN!"
FOREWORD
He was a red headed messenger boy and he handed me a letter in a NILE GREEN
ENVELOPE, and this is what I read:
Dear Mr. Sweeney:
When on the
25th of March the last instalment of the MSS of the "History of the American
Negro in the Great World War" was returned to us from your hands, bearing the
stamp of your approval as to its historic accuracy; the wisdom and fairness of
the reflections and recommendations of the corps of compilers placed at your
service, giving you full authority to review the result of their labors, your
obligation to the publishers ceased.
The transaction between us, a purely
business one, had in every particular upon your part been complied with. From
thenceforward, as far as you were obligated to the publishers, this History;
what it is; what it stands for; how it will be rated by the reading
masses—should be, and concretely, by your own people you so worthily represent
and are today their most fearless and eloquent champion, is, as far as any
obligation you may have been under to us, not required of you to
say.
Nevertheless, regardless of past business relations now at an end,
have you not an opinion directly of the finished work? A word to say; the growth
of which you have marked from its first instalment to its last?
-The
Publishers-
* * * * *
HAVE I—
A word to say? And of this fine book?
THE BEST HISTORY
OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR, THAT AS YET HAS BEEN WRITTEN OR
WILL BE FOR YEARS TO COME?
* * * * *
DOES—
The rose in bud respond to the wooing breath of the mornings of
June?
IS—
The whistle of robin red breast clearer and more
exultant, as its watchful gaze, bearing in its inscrutable depths the mystery of
all the centuries; the Omniscience of DIVINITY, discovers a cherry tree bending
to—
"The green grass"
from the weight of its blood red fruit?
* * * * *
DOES—
The nightingale respond to its mate; caroling its amatory
challenge from afar; across brake and dale and glen; beyond a
"Dim old
forest" the earth bathed in the silver light of the harvest moon!
* * * * *
EVEN SO—
And for the same reason which the wisest of us cannot
explain, that the rose, the robin and nightingale respond to the lure that
invites, the zephyrs that caress, I find myself moved to say not only a word—a
few, but many, of praise and commendation of this book; the finished work, so
graciously and so quickly submitted for my inspection by the
publishers.
THERE ARE—
Books and books; histories and histories,
treatise after treatise; covering every realm of speculative investigation;
every field of fact and fancy; of inspiration and deed, past and present, that
in this 20th century of haste and bustle, of miraculous mechanical equipment,
are born daily and die as quickly. But there are also books, that like some men
marked before their birth for a place amongst the "Seats of the MIGHTY"; an
association with the IMMORTALS, that
"Were not born to die."
This book seems of that glorious
company.
* * * * *
IN THE—
Spiritualized humanity that broadened the vision and inspired
the pens of the devoted corps of writers, responding to my suggestions and
oversight in its preparation; the getting together of data and facts, is
reflected the incoming of a NEW AND BROADER CHARITY—a stranger in our midst—of
glimpse and measurement of the Negro. Beyond the written word of the text, the
reader is gripped with a certain FELT but unprinted power of suggestion, a sense
of the nation's crime against him; the Negro, stretching back through the
centuries; the shame and humiliation that is at last overtaking it, that has not
been born of the "Print Shops" since the sainted LINCOLN went his way, leaving
behind him a trail of glory, shining like the sun; in the path of which, freed
through the mandate of his great soul, MARCHED FOUR MILLION NEGROES, now swollen
to twelve, their story, the saddest epic of the ages, of whom and in behalf of
whom their children; the generation now and those to come, this History was
collated and arranged. It is an EVANGEL proclaiming to the world, their
unsullied patriotism; their rapid fire loyalty, that through all the years of
the nation's life, has never flickered—
"Has burned and burned
Forever the same",
from Lexington to the cactus groves of Mexico; in the
slaughter hells of Europe; over fields and upon spots where, in the centuries
gone, the legions of Caesar, of Hannibal and Attila, of Charlemagne and Napoleon
had fought and bled, and perished! Striding "Breast forward" beneath the Stars
and Stripes as this History crowds them on your gaze, through the dust of
empires and kingdoms that; before the CHRIST walked the earth; before
Christianity had its birth, wielded the sceptres of power when civilization was
young, but which are now but vanishing traditions.
You are thrilled!
History nor story affords no picture more inspiring.
MAKING DUE
ALLOWANCE—
For its nearness to the living and dead, whose heroic and
transcendant achievements on the battle spots of the great war secured for them
a distinction and fame that will endure until—
"The records of valor decay",
it is a most notable
publication, quite worthy to be draped in the robes that distinguishes History
from narrative; from "a tale that is told"; a story for the entertainment of the
moment.
AS INTERPOLATED—
By the writers of its text; read between
the lines of their written words; it is a History; not alone of the American
Negro on the "tented field"; the bloody trenches of France and Belgium, it is
also a History and an arraignment, a warning and a prophecy, looking backwards
and forward, the Negro being the objective focus, of many things.
IT
PRESENTS—
For the readers retrospection, as vividly as painted on a
canvas, a phantasmagoric procession of past events, and of those to come in the
travail of the Negro; commencing with the sailing of the first "Slaver's Ship"
for the shores of the "New World", jammed fore and aft, from deck to hold, with
its cargo of human beings, to the conclusion of the great war in which,
individually and in units he wrote his name in imperishable characters, and high
on the scroll on which are inscribed the story of those, who, in their lives
wrought for RIGHT and, passing, died for MEN! For a flag; beneath and within its
folds his welcome has been measured and parsimonious;—a country; the construing
and application of its laws and remedies as applied to him, has inflicted
intolerable INJUSTICE: Has persecuted more often than blessed. And so and thus,
its perusal finished, its pages closed and laid aside, you are shaken and swayed
in your feelings, even as a tree, bent and riven before the march and sweep of a
mighty hurricane.
* * * * *
LOOKING BACKWARDS—
The spell of the book strong upon you, you see in
your mind's eye, thousands of plantations covering a fourth of a continent of a
new and virgin land. The toilers "Black Folk"; men, women and
children—SLAVES!
* * * * *
YOU HEAR—
The crack of the "driver's" lash; the sullen bay of pursuing
hounds.
* * * * *
JUST OVER YONDER—
Is the "Auction Block". You hear the moans and
screams of mothers torn from their offspring. You see them driven away, herded
like cattle, chained like convicts, sold to "master's" in the "low lands", to
toil—
"Midst the cotton and the cane."
YOU
LISTEN—
Sounding far off, faint at first, growing louder each second, you
hear the beat of drums; the bugle's blast, sounding to arms; You see great
armies, moving hitherward and thitherward. Over one flies the Stars and Stripes,
over the other the Stars and Bars; a nation in arms! Brother against brother!
* * * * *
YOU LOOK—
And lo, swinging past are many Black men; garbed in "Blue",
keeping step to the music of the Union. You see them fall and die, at Fort
Pillow, Fort Wagner, Petersburg, the Wilderness, Honey Hill—SLAUGHTERED! Above
the din; the boom of cannon, the rattle of small arms, the groans of the wounded
and dying, you hear the shout of one, as shattered and maimed he is being borne
from the field; "BOYS, THE OLD FLAG NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND!"
* * * * *
THE SCENE SHIFTS—
Fifty years have passed. You hear the clamor, the
murmur and shouts of gathering mobs. You see Black men and women hanging by
their necks to lamp posts, from the limbs of trees; in lonely spots—DEAD! You
see smoke curling upwards from BURNING HOMES! There are piles of cinders
and—DEAD MENS BONES!
* * * * *
NEARING ITS END—
The procession sweeps on. Staring you in the face;
hailing from East, West, North and South are banners; held aloft by unseen
hands, bearing on them—the quintessence of AMERICA'S INGRATITUDE,—these
devices:
"For American Negroes:
JIM CROW steam and trolley cars;
JIM
CROW resident districts;
JIM CROW amen corners;
JIM CROW seats in
theatres;
JIM CROW corners in cemeteries."
* * * * *
HEREIN—
Lies the strength and worth of this unusual book, well and
deservingly named: A History of the American Negro in the Great World War.
Beyond merely recounting that story; than which there has been nothing finer or
more inspiring since the long away centuries when the chivalry of the Middle
Ages, in nodding plume and lance in rest, battled for the Holy Sepulchre, it
brings to the Negro of America a message of cheer and reassurance. A sign,
couched in flaming characters for all men to see, appealing to the spiritualized
divination of the age, proclaiming that God is NOT DEAD! That a NEW day is
dawning; HAS dawned for the Negro in America. A NEW liberty; broader and BETTER.
A NEW Justice, unshaded by the spectre of: "Previous condition!" That the unpaid
toil of thirty decades of African slavery in America is at last to be
liquidated. That the dead of our people, upon behalf of this land that it might
have a BIRTH, and having it might not PERISH FROM THE EARTH, did not die in
vain. That, in their passage from earth, heroes—MARTYRS—in a superlative sense
they were seen and marked of the Father; were accorded a place of record in the
pages of the great WHITE BOOK with golden seals, in the up worlds; above the
stars and beyond the flaming suns.
IT IS A HISTORY—
That will be
read with instruction and benefit by thousands of whites, but, and mark well
this suggestion, it is one that should be OWNED AND BEAD BY EVERY NEGRO IN THE
LAND.
* * * * *
TYPOGRAPHICALLY—
Mechanically; that is to say, in those features that
reflect the finished artistic achievement of the Print, Picture and Binding art;
as seen in the bold clear type of its text, its striking and beautiful
illustrations, its illuminating title heads of division and chapter; indicating
at a glance the information to follow; the whole appealing to the aesthetic; the
sticklers for the rare and beautiful; not overlooking its superb binding, it is
most pleasing to the sight, and worthy of the title it bears.
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR
CHAPTER I.
SPIRITUAL EMANCIPATION OF NATIONS.
THE MARCH OF CIVILIZATION—WORLD SHOCKS TO STIR THE WORLD HEART—FALSE
DOCTRINES OF THE HUN—THE IRON HAND CONCEALED—THE WORLD BEGINS TO AWAKEN—GERMAN
DESIGNS REVEALED—RUMBLINGS IN ADVANCE OF THE STORM—TRAGEDY THAT HASTENED THE
DAY—TOLSTOY'S PROPHECY—VINDICATION OF NEGRO FAITH IN PROMISES OF THE LORD—DAWN
OF FREEDOM FOR ALL RACES.
The march of civilization is attended by
strange influences. Providence which directs the advancement of mankind, moves
in such mysterious ways that none can sense its design or reason out its import.
Frequently the forces of evil are turned to account in defeating their own
objects. Great tragedies, cruel wars, cataclysms of woe, have acted as
enlightening and refining agents. Out of the famines of the past came
experiences which inculcated the thrift and fore-handedness of today.
Out
of man's sufferings have come knowledge and fortitude. Out of pain and
tribulation, the attribute of sympathy—the first spiritual manifestation
instrumental in elevating the human above the beast. Things worth while are
never obtained without payment of some kind.
Individual shocks stir the
individual heart and conscience. Great world shocks are necessary to stir the
world conscience and heart; to start those movements to right the wrongs in the
world. So long as peace reigned commerce was uninterrupted, and the acquisition
of wealth was not obstructed, men cared little for the intrigues and ambitions
of royalty. If they sensed them at all, they lulled themselves into a feeling of
security through the belief that progress had attained too far, civilization had
secured too strong a hold, and democracy was too firmly rooted for any ordinary
menace to be considered.
So insidious and far reaching had become the
inculcation of false philosophies summed up in the general term Kultur, that the
subjects of the autocratic-ridden empires believed they were being guided by
benign influences. Many enlightened men; at least it seems they must have been
enlightened, in Germany and Austria—men who possessed liberated intellects and
were not in the pay of the Kulturists—professed to believe that despotism in the
modern world could not be other than benevolent.
The satanic hand was
concealed in the soft glove; the cloven hoof artistically fitted into the
military boot; the tail carefully tucked inside the uniform or dress suit;
fiendish eyes were taught to smile and gleam in sympathy and humor, or were
masked behind the heavy lenses of professorial dignity; the serpent's hiss was
trained to song, or drowned in crashing chords and given to the world as a
sublime harmony.
Suddenly the world awoke! The wooing harmony had changed
to a blast of war; the conductor's baton had become a bayonet; the soft wind
instrument barked the rifle's tone; its notes were bullets that hissed and
screamed; tinkling cymbals sounded the wild blare of carnage, and sweet-throated
horns of silver and brass bellowed the cannon's deadly roar.
Civilization
was so shocked that for long the exact sequence of events was not comprehended.
It required time and reflection to clear away the brain benumbing vapors of the
dream; to reach a realization that liberty actually was tottering on her throne.
German propagandists had been so well organized, and so effectively did they
spread their poison; especially in the western world that great men; national
leaders were deceived, while men in general were slow to get the true
perspective; much later than those at the seat of government.
A few
far-seeing men had been alive to the German menace. Some English statesmen felt
it in a vague way, while in France where the experience of 1870-71, had produced
a wariness of all things German, a limited number of men with penetrating,
broadened vision, had beheld the fair exterior of Kaiserism, even while they
recognized in the background, the slimy abode of the serpent. For years they had
sounded the warning until at last their feeble voices attracted
attention.
France, with her traditions of Napoleon, Moreau, Ney, Berthier
and others, with rare skill set about the work of perfecting an army under the
tutelage and direction of Joffre and Foch. The defense maintained by its army in
the earlier part of the struggle provided the breathing space required by the
other allies. All through the struggle the staying power of the French provided
example and created the necessary morale for the co-operating Allied forces,
until our own gallant soldiers could be mustered and sent abroad for the
knockout blow.
As is usual where conspiracies to perform dark deeds are
hatched a clew or record is left behind. In spite of Germany's protestations of
innocence, her loud cries that the war was forced upon her, there is ample
evidence that for years she had been planning it; that she wanted it and only
awaited the opportune time to launch it. It was a gradual unearthing and
examination of this evidence that at length revealed to the world the astounding
plot.
It is not necessary to touch more than briefly the evidence of
Germany's designs, and the intrigues through which she sought world domination
and the throttling of human liberty. The facts are now too well established to
need further confirmation. The ruthless manner in which the Kaiser's forces
prosecuted the war, abandoning all pretense of civilization and relapsing into
the most utter barbarism, is enough to convince anyone of her definite and well
prepared program, which she was determined to execute by every foul means under
the sun.
She had skillfully been laying her lines and building her
military machine for more than forty years. As the time approached for the blow
she intended to strike, she found it difficult to conceal her purposes. Noises
from the armed camp—bayings of the dogs of war—occasionally stirred the sleeping
world; an awakening almost occurred over what is known as the Morocco
incident.
On account of the weakness of the Moroccan government,
intervention by foreign powers had been frequent. Because of the heavy
investment of French capital and because the prevailing anarchy in Morocco
threatened her interests in Algeria, France came to be regarded as having
special interests in Morocco. In 1904 she gained the assent of Britain and the
cooperation of Spain in her policy. Germany made no protest; in fact, the German
Chancellor, von Bulow, declared that Germany was not specially concerned with
Moroccan affairs. But in 1905 Germany demanded a reconsideration of the entire
question.
France was forced against the will of her minister of foreign
affairs, Delcasse, to attend a conference at Algeciras. That conference
discussed placing Morocco under international control, but because France was
the only power capable of dealing with the anarchy in the country, she was left
in charge, subject to certain Spanish rights, and allowed to continue her work.
The Germans again declared that they had no political interests in
Morocco.
In 1909, Germany openly recognized the political interests of
France in Morocco. In 1911 France was compelled by disorders in the country to
penetrate farther into the interior. Germany under the pretext that her
merchants were not getting fair treatment in Morocco, reopened the entire
question and sent her gunboat Panther, to Agadir on the west coast of Africa, as
if to establish a port there, although she had no interests in that part of the
country. France protested vigorously and Britain supported her.
Matters
came very close to war. But Germany was not yet ready to force the issue. Her
action had been simply a pretext to find out the extent to which England and
France were ready to make common cause. She recalled her gunboat and as a
concession to obtain peace, was permitted to acquire some territory in the
French Congo country. But German newspapers and German political utterances
showed much bitterness. Growling and snarling grew apace in Germany, and to
those who made a close study of the situation it became evident that Germany
sooner or later intended to launch a war.
One of the characteristic
German utterances of the time, came from Albrect Wirth, a German political
writer of standing, in close touch with the thought and aims of his nation. The
utterance about to be quoted may, in the light of later events, appear
indiscreet, as Germany wished to avoid an appearance of responsibility for the
world war; but the minds of the German people had to be prepared and this could
not be accomplished without some of the writers and public men letting the cat
out of the bag. Wirth said:
"Morocco is easily worth a big war, or
several. At best—and even prudent Germany is getting to be convinced of this—war
is only postponed and not abandoned. Is such a postponement to our advantage?
They say we must wait for a better moment. Wait for the deepening of the Kiel
canal, for our navy laws to take full effect. It is not exactly diplomatic to
announce publicly to one's adversaries, 'To go to war now does not tempt us, but
three years hence we shall let loose a world war'—No; if a war is really
planned, not a word of it must be spoken; one's designs must be enveloped in
profound mystery; then brusquely, all of a sudden, jump on the enemy like a
robber in the darkness." The heavy footed German had difficulty in moving with
the stealth of a robber, but the policy here recommended was followed.
In
1914, the three years indicated by Wirth had expired. There began to occur dark
comings and goings; mysterious meetings and conferences on the continent of
Europe. The German emperor, accompanied by the princes and leaders of the German
states, began to cruise the border and northern seas of the Fatherland, where
they would be safe from listening ears, prying eyes, newspapers, telephones and
telegraphs. It became known that the Kaiser was cultivating the weak-minded
Russian czar in an attempt to win his country from its alliance with England and
France. There were no open rumblings of war, but the air was charged with
electricity like that preceeding a storm.
An unaccountable business
depression affected pretty much the entire world. Money, that most sensitive of
all things, began to show nervousness and a tendency to go into hiding. The bulk
of the world was still asleep to the real meaning of events, but it had begun to
stir in its dreams, as if some prescience, some premonition had begun to reach
it even in its slumbers.
Finally the first big event occurred—the tragedy
that was not intended to accomplish as much, but which hastened the dawn of the
day in which began the Spiritual Emancipation of the governments of earth. The
Archduke Francis Ferdinand, nephew of the emperor of Austria, heir to the throne
of Austria-Hungary and commander in chief of its army, and his wife the duchess
of Hohenburg, were assassinated June 28, 1914, by a Serbian student, Gavrio
Prinzip. The assassination occurred at Sarajevo in Bosnia, a dependency, or
rather, a Slavic state that had been seized by Austria. It was the lightning
flash that preceeded the thunder's mighty crash.
Much has been written of
the causes which led to the tragedy. Prinzip may have been a fanatic, but he was
undoubtedly aided in his act by a number of others. The natural inference
immediately formed was that the murder was the outcome of years of ill feeling
between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, due to the belief of the people in the
smaller state, that their aspirations as a nation were hampered and blocked by
the German element in the Austrian empire. The countries had been on the verge
of war several years before over the seizure of Bosnia and Herzegovina by
Austria, and later over the disposition of Scutari and certain Albanian
territory conquered in the Balkan-Turkish struggle.
Events are coming to
light which may place a new construction on the causes leading to the
assassination at Sarajevo. It was undoubtedly the pretext sought by Germany for
starting the great war. Whether it may not have been carefully planned to serve
that object and the Serbian Prinzip, employed as a tool to bring it about, is
not so certain.
Several years prior to the war, the celebrated Russian,
Tolstoy, gave utterance to a remarkable prophecy. Tolstoy was a mystic, and it
was not unusual for him to go into a semi-trance state in which he professed to
peer far into the future and obtain visions of things beyond the ken of average
men. The Russian czar was superstitious and it is said that the German emperor
had a strong leaning towards the mystic and psychic. In fact, it has been stated
that the Kaiser's claim to a partnership with The Almighty was the result of
delusions formed in his consultations with mediums—the modern descendants of the
soothsayers of olden times.
Tolstoy stated that both the Czar and the
Kaiser desired to consult with him and test his powers of divination. The three
had a memorable sitting. Some time afterwards the results were given to the
world. Tolstoy predicted the great war, and he stated his belief that the torch
which would start the conflagration would be lighted in the Balkans about
1913.
Tolstoy was not a friend of either Russian or German autocracy,
hence his seance may have been but a clever ruse to discover what was in the
minds of the two rulers. Germany probably was not ready to start the war in
1913, but there is abundant warrant for the belief that she was trimming the
torch at that time, and, who knows, the deluded Prinzip may have been the
torch.
The old dotard Francis Joseph who occupied the throne of
Austria-Hungary, was completely under the domination of the Germans. He could be
relied upon to further any designs which the Kaiser and the German war lords
might have.
The younger man, Francis Ferdinand, was not so easy to handle
as his aged uncle. Accounts agree that he was arrogant, ambitious and had a will
of his own. He was unpopular in his country and probably unpopular with the
Germans. Being of the disposition he was, it is very likely that the Kaiser
found it difficult to bend him completely to his will. Being a stumbling block
in the way of German aims, is it not reasonably probable that Germany desired to
get rid of him, thus leaving Austria-Hungary completely in the power of its tool
and puppet, Francis Joseph, and in the event of his death, in the power of the
young and suppliant Karl; another instrument easily bent to the German
will?
The wife of the archduke, assassinated with him, was a Bohemian,
her maiden name being Sophie Chotek. She was not of noble blood as Bohemia had
no nobles. They had been driven out of the country centuries before and their
titles and estates conferred on indigent Spanish and Austrian adventurers. Not
being of noble birth, she was but the morgantic wife of the Austrian heir.
Titles were afterwards conferred upon her. She was made a countess and then a
duchess. Some say she had been an actress; not unlikely, for actresses possessed
an especial appeal to Austrian royalty. The cruel Hapsburgs rendered dull witted
and inefficient by generations of inbreeding, were fascinated by the bright and
handsome women of the stage. At any rate, Sophie Chotek belonged to that virile,
practical race Bohemians, (also called Czechs) that gave to the world John Huss,
who lighted the fires of religious and civil liberty in Central Europe, giving
advent later to the work of Martin Luther.
Bohemians had always been
liberty-loving. They had been anxious for three centuries to throw off the yoke
of Austria. There is no record that Sophie Chotek sympathized with the aims of
her countrymen or that she was not in complete accord with the views of her
husband and the political interests of the empire. But the experiences of the
Germans and Austrians had taught them that a Bohemian was likely to remain
always a Bohemian and that his freedom-loving people would not countenance plans
having in view the enslavement of other nations. The Germans may have looked
with suspicion upon the Bohemian wife of the archduke and thought it advisable
to remove her also.
Prinzip was thrown into prison and kept there until
he died. No statement he may have made ever had a chance to reach the world. No
one knows whether he was a German or a Serbian tool. He does not seem to have
been an anarchist; neither does he seem to have been of the type that would
commit such a crime voluntarily, knowing full well the consequences. It is not
hard to believe that he was under pay and promised full
protection.
Probably no Bohemian considers Sophie Chotek a martyr;
indeed, the evidence is strong that she was not. Her heart and soul probably
were with her royal spouse. But an interesting outcome is, that her
assassination, a contributing cause to the war, finally led to the downfall of
Germany, the wreck of Austria, the freedom of her native country, and that
Spiritual Emancipation of nations and races, then so gloriously under
way.
Also, to the thoughtful and philosophic observer of maturing
symptoms transpiring continuously in the affairs of mankind; the fate of those
nations of earth that in their strength and arrogance mock the Master, furnish a
striking corroborative vindication of the Negro's faith in the promises of the
Lord; the glory and power of His coming. From the date, reckoning from moment
and second, that Gavrio Prinzip done to death the heir to the throne of
Austria-Hungary and his duchess, there commenced not alone a new day, a new hope
and Emancipation of the whites of earth; empire kingdom, principality and tribe,
but of the blacks; the Negro as well, so mysteriously; bewilderingly, moves God
His wonders to perform.
It was that subliminated faith in the ubiquity
and omniscience of God; the unchangeableness of His word; than which the world
has witnessed; known nothing finer; the story of the concurrent causes that
projected the Negro into the World War, from whence he emerged covered with
glory, followed by the plaudits of mankind, that became the inspiration of this
work—his story of devotion, valor and patriotism; of unmurmuring sacrifice;
worthy the pens of the mighty, but which the historian, as best he may will
tell: "NOTHING extenuate, nor set down AUGHT in malice."
CHAPTER II.
HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.
Likened to Belshazzar—The Kaiser's Feasts—In His Heart Barbaric Pride of the
Potentates of Old—German Madness for War—Insolent Demands—Forty-eight Hours to
Prevent a World War—Comment of Statesmen and Leaders—The War Starts—Italy Breaks
Her Alliance—Germanic Powers Weighed and Found Wanting—Spirit Wins Over
Materialism—Civilization's Lamp Dimmed but not Darkened.
Belshazzar
of Babylon sat at a feast. Very much after the fashion of modern kings they were
good at feasting in those olden days. The farthest limits of the kingdom had
been searched for every delight and delicacy. Honeyed wines, flamingo's tongues,
game from the hills, fruits from vine and tree, spices from grove and forest,
vegetables from field and garden, fish from stream and sea; every resource of
Mother Earth that could contribute to appetite or sensual pleasure was brought
to the king's table. Singers, minstrels, dancers, magicians, entertainers of
every description were summoned to the palace that they might contribute to the
vanity of the monarch, and impress the onlooking nations about him.
He
desired to be known and feared as the greatest monarch on earth; ruling as he
did over the world's greatest city. His triumphs had been many. He had come to
believe that his power proceeded directly from the god Bel, and that he was the
chosen and anointed of that deity.
This was the period of his prime; of
Babylon's greatest glory; his kingdom seemed so firmly established he had no
thought it could be shaken. But misleading are the dreams of kings; his kingdom
was suddenly menaced from without, by Cyrus of Persia, another great monarch.
There were also dangers from within, but courtiers and flatterers kept this
knowledge from him. Priests of rival gods had set themselves up within the
empire; spies from without and conspirators within were secretly undermining the
power of the intrenched despot.
Such was Belshazzar in his pride; such
his kingdom and empire. And, so it was, this was to be an orgy that would set a
record for all time to come.
Artists and artisans of the highest skill
had been summoned to the work of beautifying the enormous palace; its gardens
and grounds, innumerable slaves furnishing the labor. The gold and silver of the
nation was gathered and beaten into ornaments and woven into beautiful designs
to grace the occasion. There was a profusion of the most gorgeous plumage and
richest fabrics, while over all were sprinkled in unheard of prodigality, the
rarest gems and jewels. It was indeed to be a fitting celebration of the glory
of Bel, and the power and magnificence of his earthly representative; heathen
opulence, heathen pride and sensuality were to outdo themselves.
The
revel started at a tremendous pace. No such wines and viands ever before had
been served. No such music ever had been heard and no such dancers and
entertainers ever before had appeared, but, fool that he was, he had reckoned
without his host; had made a covenant with Death and Hell and had known it not,
and the hour of atonement was upon him; the handwriting on the wall of the true
and outraged God, conveyed the information; short and crisp, that he had been
weighed; he and his kingdom in the balance and found wanting; the hour—his hour,
had struck; the time of restitution and atonement long on the way, had come;
Babylon was to fall—FELL!—and for twenty-five centuries its glory and its power
has been a story that is told; its magnificence but heaps of sand in the desert
where night birds shriek and wild beasts find their lair.
In the Kaiser's
heart was the same barbaric pride, the same ambition, the same worship of a
false god and the same belief that he was the especial agent of that
deity.
His extravagances of vision and ambition were no less demoralizing
to humanity and civilization, than those that brought decay and ruin to the
potentates of old. He graced them with all the luxury and exuberance that modern
civilization, without arousing rebellious complaint among his subjects, would
permit. His gatherings appeared to be arranged for the bringing together of the
bright minds of the empire, that there might be an exchange of thought and
sentiment that would work to the good of his country and the happiness of the
world. Frequently ministers, princes and statesmen from other countries were
present, that they might become acquainted with the German idea—its
kultur—working for the good of humanity.
Here was The Beast mentioned in
Revelations, in a different guise; wearing the face of benevolence and clothed
in the raiment of Heaven. There were feasts of which the German people knew
nothing, and to which foreign ambassadors were not invited. At these feasts the
wines were furnished by Belial. They were occasions for the glorification of the
German god of war; of greed and conquest; ambition and vanity; without pity,
sympathy or honor.
Ruthless, vain, arrogant minds met the same qualities
in their leader. Some knew and welcomed the fact that the devil was their guest
of honor; perhaps others did not know it. Deluded as they all were and blinded
by pride and self-seeking, the same handwriting that told Belshazzar of disaster
was on the wall, but they could not or would not see it. There was no Daniel to
interpret for them.
German madness for war asserted itself in the
ultimatum sent by Austria to Serbia after the assassination at Sarajevo.
Sufficient time had hardly elapsed for an investigation of the crime and the
fixing of the responsibility, before Austria made a most insolent demand upon
Serbia.
The smaller nation avowed her innocence of any participation in
the murder; offered to make amends, and if it were discovered that the
conspiracy had been hatched on Serbian soil, to assist in bringing to justice
any confederates in the crime the assassin may have had.
 |
| NEGRO SOLDIERS ON THE RIFLE RANGE AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. BEING
TAUGHT MARKSMANSHIP. AN IDEAL LOCATION RESEMBLING BATTLE AREAS IN
FRANCE. |
 |
| MEDICAL DETACHMENT 365TH INFANTRY. A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF MEDICAL
OFFICERS AND THEIR FIELD ASSISTANTS. THIS BRANCH OF THE 92ND DIVISION
RENDERED MOST VALOROUS SERVICE. |
 |
| BAYONET EXERCISES IN THE TRAINING CAMP. |
 |
| SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN THE TRAINING
CAMP. |
 |
| NEGRO TROOPS DRILLING. SCENE AT CAMP MEADE, MD., WHERE A PORTION OF
THE 93RD DIVISION AND OTHER EFFICIENT UNITS WERE
TRAINED. |
 |
| AN EQUINE BARBER SHOP NEAR THE CAMP. ONE OF THE DUTIES INCIDENT TO THE
TRAINING CAMP. |
 |
| TROOPERS OF 10TH CAVALRY GOING INTO MEXICO. THESE HEROIC NEGRO
SOLDIERS WERE AMBUSHED NEAR CARRIZAL AND SUFFERED A LOSS OF HALF THEIR
NUMBER IN ONE OF THE BRAVEST FIGHTS ON RECORD. |
 |
| TENTH CAVALRY SURVIVORS OF CARRIZAL. DESPOILED OF THEIR UNIFORMS BY
THE MEXICANS THEY ARRIVE AT EL PASO IN OVERALLS. LEM SPILLSBURY, WHITE
SCOUT IN CENTER. EACH SOLDIER HAS A BOUQUET OF
FLOWERS. |
 |
| AMERICA'S WAR TIME PRESIDENT. THIS PHOTOGRAPH OF WOODROW WILSON WAS
ESPECIALLY POSED DURING THE WAR. IN HIS STUDY AT THE WHITE
HOUSE. |
 |
| DR. J.E. MOORLAND, SENIOR SECRETARY OF COLORED MEN'S DEPT.,
INTERNATIONAL Y.M.C.A. THE MAN LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCCESS OF HIS RACE
IN "Y" WORK. |
 |
| A TYPICAL GROUP OF "Y" WORKERS, SECRETARY SNYDER AND STAFF. Y.M.C.A.
NO.7, CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. |
 |
| PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON (AT HEAD OF TABLE) AND HIS WAR CABINET.
LEFT—W.G. MCADOO SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY; THOMAS W. GREGORY, ATTY.
GENL.; JOSEPHUS DANIELS, SEC. OF NAVY; D.F. HOUSTON, SEC. OF AGRICULTURE;
WILLIAM B. WILSON, SEC. OF LABOR. RIGHT—ROBERT LANSING, SEC. OF STATE;
NEWTON D. BAKER, SEC. OF WAR; A.S. BURLESON, POSTMASTER-GENERAL; FRANKLIN
K. LANE, SEC. OF INTERIOR; WILLIAM C. REDFIELD, SEC. OF
COMMERCE. |
With a war likely to involve the greater part of Europe hanging on the issue,
it was a time for cool judgment, sober statesmanship and careful action on all
sides. Months should have been devoted to an investigation.
But Germany
and Austria did not want a sober investigation. They were afraid that while it
was proceeding the pretext for war might vanish. As surmised above, they also
may have feared that the responsibility for the act would be placed in quarters
that would be embarrassing to them.
On July 23, 1914, just twenty-five
days after the murder, Austria delivered her demands upon Serbia and placed a
time limit of forty-eight hours for their acceptance. With the fate of a nation
and the probable embroiling of all Europe hanging on the outcome, forty-eight
hours was a time too brief for proper consideration. Serbia could hardly summon
her statesmen in that time. Nevertheless the little country, realizing the awful
peril that impended, and that she alone would not be the sufferer, bravely put
aside all selfish considerations and practically all considerations of national
pride and honor.
The records show that every demand which Austria made on
Serbia was granted except one, which was only conditionally refused. Although
this demand involved the very sovereignty of Serbia—her existence as a
nation—the government offered to submit the matter to mediation or arbitration.
But Austria, cats-pawing for Germany, did not want her demands accepted. The one
clause was inserted purposely, because they knew it could not be accepted. With
Serbia meeting the situation honestly and going over ninety percent of the way
towards an amicable adjustment, the diplomacy that could not obtain peace out of
such a situation, must have been imbecile or corrupt to the last
degree.
An American historian discussing causes in the early stages of
the war, said:
"The German Imperial Chancellor pays no high compliment to the
intelligence of the American people when he asks them to believe that 'the war
is a life-and-death struggle between Germany and the Muscovite races of
Russia', and was due to the royal murders at Sarajevo.
"To say that all
Europe had to be plunged into the most devastating war of human history
because an Austrian subject murdered the heir to the Austrian throne on
Austrian soil in a conspiracy in which Serbians were implicated, is too absurd
to be treated seriously. Great wars do not follow from such causes, although
any pretext, however trivial, may be regarded as sufficient when war is
deliberately sought.
"Nor is the Imperial Chancellor's declaration that
'the war is a life-and-death struggle between Germany and the Muscovite races
of Russia' convincing in the slightest degree. So far as the Russian menace to
Germany is concerned, the Staats-Zeitung is much nearer the truth when its
editor, Mr. Ridder, boasts that 'no Russian army ever waged a successful war
against a first-class power.'
"The life-and-death struggle between
Germany and the Muscovite races of Russia is a diplomatic fiction invented
after German Autocracy, taking advantage of the Serbian incident, set forth to
destroy France. It was through no fear of Russia that Germany violated her
solemn treaty obligations by invading the neutrality of Belgium and Luxemburg.
It was through no fear of Russia that Germany had massed most of her army near
the frontiers of France, leaving only six army corps to hold Russia in check.
Germany's policy as it stands revealed by her military operations was to crush
France and then make terms with Russia. The policy has failed because of the
unexpected resistance of the Belgians and the refusal of Great Britain to buy
peace at the expense of her honor."
A nearer and equally clear view
is expressed for the French by M. Clemenceau, who early in the war said:
"For twenty-five years William II has made Europe live under the
weight of a horrible nightmare. He has found sheer delight in keeping it in a
state of perpetual anxiety over his boastful utterances of power and the
sharpened sword.
"Five threats of war have been launched against us
since 1875. At the sixth he finds himself caught in the toils he had laid for
us. He threatened the very springs of England's power, though she was more
than pacific in her attitude toward him.
"For many years, thanks to
him, the Continent has had to join in a giddy race of armaments, drying up the
sources of economic development and exposing our finances to a crisis which we
shrank from discussing. We must have done with this crowned comedian, poet,
musician, sailor, warrior, pastor; this commentator absorbed in reconciling
Hammurabi with the Bible, giving his opinion on every problem of philosophy,
speaking of everything, saying nothing." M. Clemenceau summed up the Kaiser as
"another Nero; but Rome in flames is not sufficient for him—he demands the
destruction of the universe."
The Socialist, Upton Sinclair,
speaking at the time, blamed Russia as well as Germany and Austria. He also
inclined to the view that the assassination at Sarajevo was instigated by
Austria. He said:
"I assert that never before in human history has there been a war
with less pretense of justification. It is the supreme crime of the ages; a
blow at the very throat of civilization. The three nations which began it,
Austria, Russia and Germany, are governed, the first by a doddering imbecile,
the second by a weak-minded melancholic, and the third by an epileptic
degenerate, drunk upon the vision of himself as the war lord of Europe. Behind
each of These men is a little clique of blood-thirsty aristocrats. They fall
into a quarrel among themselves. The pretext is that Serbia instigated the
murder of the heir apparent to the Austrian throne. There is good reason far
believing that as a matter of fact this murder was instigated by the war party
in Austria, because the heir apparent had democratic and anti-military
tendencies. First they murder him and then they use his death as a pretext for
plunging the whole of civilization into a murderous strife."
Herman
Ridder, editor of the Staats-Zeitung of New York contributed a German-American
view. Mr. Ridder saw the handwriting on the wall and he very soundly deprecated
war and pictured its horrors. But he could not forget that he was appealing to a
large class that held the German viewpoint. He therefore found it necessary to
soften his phrase with some hyphenated sophistry. He dared not say that Germany
was the culprit and would be the principal sufferer. His article was:
"Sooner or later the nations engaged in war will find themselves
spent and weary. There will be victory for some, defeat for others, and profit
for none. There can hardly be any lasting laurels for any of the contending
parties. To change the map of Europe is not worth the price of a single human
life. Patriotism should never rise above humanity.
"The history of war
is merely a succession of blunders. Each treaty of peace sows the seed of
future strife.
"War offends our intelligence and outrages our
sympathies. We can but stand aside and murmur 'The pity of it all. The pity of
it all.'
"War breeds socialism. At night the opposing hosts rest on
their arms, searching the heavens for the riddle of life and death, and
wondering what their tomorrow will bring forth. Around a thousand camp fires
the steady conviction is being driven home that this sacrifice of life might
all be avoided. It seems difficult to realize that millions of men, skilled by
years of constant application, have left the factory, the mill, or the desk to
waste not only their time but their very lives and possibly the lives of those
dependent on them to wage war, brother against brother.
"The more
reasonable it appears that peace must quickly come, the more hopeless does it
seem. I am convinced that an overwhelming majority of the populations of
Germany, England and France are opposed to this war. The Governments of these
states do not want war.
"War deals in human life as recklessly as the
gambler in money.
"Imagine the point of view of a commanding general
who is confronted with the task of taking a fortress; 'That position will cost
me five thousand lives; it will be cheap at the price, for it must be
taken.'
"He discounts five thousand human lives as easily as the
manufacturer marks off five thousand dollars for depreciation. And so five
thousand homes are saddened that another flag may fly over a few feet of
fortified masonry. What a grim joke for Europe to play upon
humanity."
There were not wanting those to point out to Mr. Ridder
that the sacrifice of life could have been avoided had Germany and its tool
Austria, played fair with Serbia and the balance of Europe. Also, his statement
that the government of Germany did not want the war has been successfully
challenged from a hundred different sources.
H.G. Wells, the eminent
English author, contributed a prophecy which translated very plainly the
handwriting on the wall. He said:
"This war is not going to end in diplomacy; it is going to end
diplomacy.
"It is quite a different sort of war from any that have gone
before. At the end there will be no conference of Europe on the old lines, but
a conference of the world. It will make a peace that will put an end to Krupp,
and the spirit of Krupp and Kruppism and the private armament firms behind
Krupp for evermore."
Austria formally declared war against Serbia,
July 28, 1914. During the few days intervening between the dispatch of the
ultimatum to Serbia and the formal declaration of war, Serbia and Russia, seeing
the inevitable, had commenced to mobilize their armies. On the last day of July,
Germany as Austria's ally, issued an ultimatum with a twelve hour limit
demanding that Russia cease mobilization. They were fond of short term
ultimatums. They did not permit more than enough time for the dispatch to be
transmitted and received, much less considered, before the terms of it had
expired. Russia demanded assurances from Austria that war was not forthcoming
and it continued to mobilize. On August 1, Germany declared war. France then
began to mobilize.
Germany invaded the duchy of Luxemburg and demanded
free passage for its troops across Belgium to attack France at that country's
most vulnerable point. King Albert of Belgium refused his consent on the ground
that the neutrality of his country had been guaranteed by the powers of Europe,
including Germany itself, and appealed for diplomatic help from Great Britain.
That country, which had sought through its foreign secretary, Sir Edward Grey,
to preserve the peace of Europe, was now aroused. August 4, it sent an ultimatum
to Germany demanding that the neutrality of Belgium be respected. As the demand
was not complied with, Britain formally declared war against
Germany.
Italy at that time was joined with Germany and Austria in what
was known as the Triple Alliance. But Italy recognized the fact that the war was
one of aggression and held that it was not bound by its compact to assist its
allies. The sympathies of its people were with the French and British.
Afterwards Italy repudiated entirely its alliance and all obligations to Germany
and Austria and entered the war on the side of the allies. Thus the country of
Mazzini, of Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel, ranged itself on the side of
emancipation and human rights.
The refusal of Italy to enter a war of
conquest was the first event to set the balance of the world seriously thinking
of the meaning of the war. If Italy refused to join its old allies, it meant
that Italy was too honorable to assist their purposes; Italy knew the character
of its associates. When it finally repudiated them altogether and joined the war
on the other side, it was a terrific indictment of the Germanic powers, for
Italy had much more to gain in a material way from its old alliance. It simply
showed the world that spirit was above materialism; that emancipation was in the
air and that the lamp of civilization might be dimmed but could not be darkened
by the forces of evil.
CHAPTER III.
MILITARISM AND AUTOCRACY DOOMED.
GERMANY'S MACHINE—HER SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOR TO MOLD SOLDIERS—INFLUENCE ON
THOUGHT AND LIVES OF THE PEOPLE—MILITARISM IN THE HOME—THE STATUS OF WOMAN—FALSE
THEORIES AND FALSE GODS—THE SYSTEM ORDAINED TO PERISH—WAR'S SHOCKS—AMERICA
INCLINES TO NEUTRALITY—GERMAN AND FRENCH TREATMENT OF NEUTRALS
CONTRASTED—EXPERIENCES OF AMERICANS ABROAD AND ENROUTE HOME—STATUE OF LIBERTY
TAKES ON NEW BEAUTY—BLOOD OF NEGRO AND WHITE TO FLOW.
Those who had
followed the Kaiser's attitudes and their reflections preceeding the war in the
German military party, were struck by a strange blending of martial glory and
Christian compunction. No one prays more loudly than the hypocrite and none so
smug as the devil when a saint he would be.
During long years the
military machine had been under construction. Human ingenuity had been reduced
to a remarkable state of organization and efficiency. One of the principal
phases of Kultur was the inauguration of a sort of scientific discipline which
made the German people not only soldiers in the field, but soldiers in the
workshop, in the laboratory and at the desk. The system extended to the schools
and universities and permeated the thought of the nation. It particularly was
reflected in the home; the domestic arrangements and customs of the people. The
German husband was the commander-in-chief of his household. It was not that
benevolent lordship which the man of the house assumes toward his wife and
family in other nations. The stern note of command was always evident; that
attitude of "attention!" "eyes front!" and unquestioning
obedience.
German women always were subordinate to their husbands and the
male members of their families. It was not because the man made the living and
supported the woman. Frequently the German woman contributed as much towards the
support of the family as the males; it was because the German male by the system
which had been inculcated into him, regarded himself as a superior being and his
women as inferiors, made for drudgery, for child-bearing, and for contributors
to his comforts and pleasures. His attitude was pretty much like that of the
American Indian towards his squaw.
Germany was the only nation on earth
pretending to civilization in which women took the place of beasts of burden.
They not only worked in the fields, but frequently pulled the plow and other
implements of agriculture. It was not an uncommon sight in Germany to see a
woman and a large dog harnessed together drawing a milk cart. When it became
necessary to deliver the milk the woman slipped her part of the harness, served
the customer, resumed her harness and went on to the next stop. In Belgium, in
Holland and in France, women delivered the milk also, but the cart always was
drawn by one or two large dogs or other animals and the woman was the driver. In
Austria it was a strange sight to foreigners, but occasioned no remark among the
people, to see women drawing carts and wagons in which were seated their lords
and masters. Not infrequently the boss wielded a whip.
The pride of the
German nation was in its efficient workmen. Friends of the country and its
system have pointed to the fact of universal labor as its great virtue; because
to work is good. Really, they were compelled to work. Long hours and the last
degree of efficiency were necessary in order to meet the requirements of life
and the tremendous burdens of taxation caused by the army, the navy, the
fortifications and the military machine in general; to say nothing of the
expense of maintaining the autocratic pomp of the Kaiser, his sons and
satellites. Every member of the German family had his or her task, even to the
little three-year-old toddler whose business it was to look after the brooms,
dust rags and other household utensils. There was nothing of cheerfulness or
even of the dignity of labor about this. It was hard, unceasing, grinding toil
which crushed the spirits of the people. It was part of the system to cause them
to welcome war as a diversion.
To the German mind everything had an
aspect of seriousness. The people took their pleasures seriously. On their
holidays, mostly occasions on which they celebrated an event in history or the
birthday of a monarch or military hero, or during the hours which they could
devote to relaxation, they gathered with serious, stolid faces in beer gardens.
If they danced it was mostly a cumbersome performance. Generally they preferred
to sit and blink behind great foaming tankards and listen to intellectual music.
No other nation had such music. It was so intellectual in itself that it
relieved the listeners of the necessity of thinking. There was not much of
melody in it; little of the dance movement and very little of the lighter and
gayer manifestations of life. It has been described as a sort of harmonious
discord, typifying mysterious, tragic and awe-inspiring things. The people sat
and ate their heavy food and drank their beer, their ears engaged with the
strains of the orchestra, their eyes by the movements of the conductor, while
their tired brains rested and digestion proceeded.
To the average German
family a picnic or a day's outing was a serious affair. The labor of preparation
was considerable and then they covered as much of the distance as possible by
walking in order to save carfare. In the parade was the tired, careworn wife
usually carrying one, sometimes two infants in her arms. The other children
lugged the lunch baskets, hammocks, umbrellas and other paraphernalia. At the
head of the procession majestically marched the lord of the outfit, smoking his
cigar or pipe; a suggestion of the goose-step in his stride, carrying nothing,
except his dignity and military deportment. With this kind of start the reader
can imagine the good time they all had.
MILITARISM AND AUTOCRACY DOOMED
Joy to the German mind in mass was an unknown quantity. The literature on which
they fed was heavier and more somber than their music. When the average German
tried to be gay and playful he reminded one of an elephant trying to caper.
Their humor in the main, manifested itself in coarse and vulgar
jests.
For athletics they had their turn vereins in which men went
through hard, laborious exercises which made them muscle-bound. Their favorite
sports were hunting and fencing—the desire to kill or wound. They rowed some but
they knew nothing of baseball, boxing, tennis, golf or the usual sports so
popular with young men in England, France and America. Aside from fencing, they
had not a sport calculated to produce agility or nimbleness of foot and
brain.
Their emotions expanded and their sentiments thrilled at the
spectacle of war. Uniforms, helmets and gold lace delighted their eyes. The
parade, the guard mount, the review were the finest things they knew. To a
people trained in such a school and purposely given great burdens that they
might attain fortitude, war was second nature. They welcomed it as a sort of
pastime.
In the system on which Kultur was based, it was necessary to
strike deeply the religious note; no difference if it was a false note. The
German ear was so accustomed to discord it could not recognize the true from the
false. The Kaiser was heralded to his people as a deeply religious man. In his
public utterances he never failed to call upon God to grant him aid and bless
his works.
One of the old traditions of the Fatherland was that the king,
being specially appointed by God, could do no wrong. To the thinking portion of
the nation this could have been nothing less than absurd fallacy, but where the
majority do not think; if a thing is asserted strongly and often enough, they
come to accept it. It becomes a belief. The people had become so impressed with
the devoutness of the Kaiser and his assumption of Divine guidance, that the
great majority of them believed the kaiser was always right; that he could do no
wrong. When the great blow of war finally was struck the Kaiser asked his God to
look down and bless the sword that he had drawn; a prayer altogether consistent
coming from his lips, for the god he worshipped loved war, was a god of famine,
rapine and blood. From the moment of that appeal, military autocracy and
absolute monarchy were doomed. It took time, it took lives, it took more
treasure than a thousand men could count in a lifetime. But the assault had been
against civilization, on the very foundation of all that humanity had gained
through countless centuries. The forces of light were too strong for it; would
not permit it to triumph.
The President of the United States, from the
bedside of his dying wife, appealed to the nations for some means of reaching
peace for Europe. The last thoughts of his dying helpmate, were of the great
responsibility resting upon her husband incident to the awful crisis in the
lives of the nations of earth, that was becoming more pronounced with each
second of time.
The Pope was stricken to death by the great calamity to
civilization. A few minutes before the end came he said that the Almighty in His
infinite mercy was removing him from the world to spare him the anguish of the
awful war.
The first inclination of America was to be neutral. She was
far removed from the scenes of strife and knew little of the hidden springs and
causes of the war. Excepting in the case of a few of her public men; her
editors, professors and scholars, European politics were as a sealed book. The
president of the United States declared for neutrality; that individual and
nation should avoid the inflaming touch of the war passion. We kept that
attitude as long as was consistent with national patience and the larger claims
of HUMANITY and universal JUSTICE.
As an evidence of our
lack of knowledge of the impending conflict, a party of Christian men were on
the sea with the humanitarian object in view of attending a world's peace
conference in Constance, Germany—Germany of all places, then engaged in trying
to burn up the world. Arriving in Paris, the party received its first news that
a great European war was about to begin. Steamship offices were being stormed by
crowds of frantic American tourists. Martial law was declared. The streets were
alive with soldiers and weeping women. Shops were closed, the clerks having been
drafted into the army. The city hummed with militarism.
Underneath the
excitement was the stern, stoic attitude of the French in preparing to meet
their old enemy, combined with their calmness in refraining from outbreaks
against German residents of Paris. One of the party alluding to the incongruous
position in which the peace delegates found themselves, said:
"It might be interesting to observe the unique and almost humorous
situation into which these peace delegates were thrown. Starting out a week
before with the largest hope and most enthusiastic anticipation of effecting a
closer tie between nations, and swinging the churches of Christendom into a
clearer alignment against international martial attitudes, we were instantly
'disarmed,' bound, and cast into chains of utter helplessness, not even
feeling free to express the feeblest sentiment against the high rising tide of
military activity. We were lost on a tempestuous sea; the dove of peace had
been beaten, broken winged to shore, and the olive branch lost in its general
fury."
Describing conditions in Paris on August 12, he says:
"We are in a state of tense expectation, so acute that it dulls
the senses; Paris is relapsing into the condition of an audience assisting at
a thrilling drama with intolerably long entr'acts, during which it tries to
think of its own personal affairs.
"We know that pages of history are
being rapidly engraved in steel, written in blood, illuminated in the margin
with glory on a background of heroism and suffering, not more than a few score
miles away.
"The shrieking camelots (peddlers) gallop through the
streets waving their news sheets, but it is almost always news of twenty-four
hours ago. The iron hand of the censor reduces the press to a monotonous
repetition of the same formula. Only headlines give scope for originality. Of
local news there is none. There is nothing doing in Paris but steady
preparation for meeting contingencies by organizing ambulances and relief for
the poor."
From the thousands of tales brought back by American
tourists caught in Germany at the outbreak of the war, there is more than enough
evidence that they were not treated with that courtesy manifested towards them
by the French. They were arrested as spies, subjected to all sorts of
embarrassments and indignities; their persons searched, their baggage and
letters examined, and frequently were detained for long periods without any
explanation being offered. When finally taken to the frontier, they were not
merely put across—frequently they were in a sense thrown across.
Nor were
the subjects of other nations, particularly those with which Germany was at war,
treated with that fine restraint which characterized the French. Here is an
account by a traveller of the treatment of Russian subjects:
"We left
Berlin on the day Germany declared war against Russia. Within seventy-five miles
of the frontier, 1,000 Russians in the train by which they were travelling were
turned out of the carriage and compelled to spend eighteen hours without food in
an open field surrounded by soldiers with fixed bayonets.
"Then they were
placed in dirty cattle wagons, about sixty men, women and children to a wagon,
and for twenty-eight hours were carried about Prussia without food, drink or
privacy. In Stettin they were lodged in pig pens, and next morning were sent off
by steamer to Rugen, whence they made their way to Denmark and Sweden without
money or luggage. Sweden provided them with food and free passage to the Russian
frontier. Five of our fellow-passengers went mad."
The steamship
Philadelphia—note the name, signifying brotherly love, so completely lost sight
of in the conflict—was the first passenger liner to reach America after the
beginning of the European war. A more remarkable crowd never arrived in New York
City by steamship or train. There were men of millions and persons of modest
means who had slept side by side on the journey over; voyagers with balances of
tens of thousands of dollars in banks and not a cent in their pocketbooks; men
able and eager to pay any price for the best accommodations to be had, yet
satisfied and happy sharing bunks in the steerage.
There were women who
had lost all baggage and had come alone, their friends and relatives being
unable to get accommodations on the vessel. There were children who had come on
board with their mothers, with neither money nor reservations, who were happy
because they had received the very best treatment from all the steamship's
officers and crew and because they had enjoyed the most comfortable quarters to
be had, surrendered by men who were content to sleep in most humble
surroundings, or, if necessary, as happened in a few cases, to sleep on the
decks when the weather permitted.
Wealthy, but without funds, many of the
passengers gave jewelry to the stewards and other employees of the steamship as
the tips which they assumed were expected even in times of stress. The crew took
them apologetically, some said they were content to take only the thanks of the
passengers. One woman of wealth and social position, without money, and having
lost her check book with her baggage, as had many others of the passengers, gave
a pair of valuable bracelets to her steward with the request that he give them
to his wife. She gave a hat—the only one she managed to take with her on her
flight from Switzerland—to her stewardess.
The statue of Liberty never
looked so beautiful to a party of Americans before. The strains of the Star
Spangled Banner, as they echoed over the waters of the bay, were never sweeter
nor more inspiring. As the Philadelphia approached quarrantine, the notes of the
American anthem swelled until, as she slowed down to await the coming of the
physicians and customs officials, it rose to a great crescendo which fell upon
the ears of all within many hundred yards and brought an answering chorus from
the throngs who waited to extend their hands to relatives and
friends.
There was prophecy in the minds of men and women aboard that
ship. Some of them had been brought into actual contact with the war; others
very near it. In the minds of all was the vision that liberty, enlightenment and
all the fruits of progress were threatened; that if they were to be saved,
somehow, this land typified the spirit of succor; somehow the aid was to proceed
from here.
Liberty never had a more cherished meaning to men of this
Republic. In the minds of many the conviction had taken root, that if autocracy
and absolute monarchy were to be overthrown; that "government of the people, by
the people, for the people" should "not perish from the earth," it would
eventually require from America that supreme sacrifice in devotion and blood
that at periods in the growth and development of nations, is their last resort
against the menace of external attack, and, regardless of the reflections of
theorists and philosophers, the best and surest guarantee of their longevity;
that the principles upon which they were builded were something more than mere
words, hollow platitudes, meaning nothing, worthy of nothing, inspiring nothing.
It was the dawning of a day; new and strange in its requirements of America
whose isolation and policy, as bequeathed by the fathers, had kept it aloof from
the bickerings and quarrels of the nations that composed the "Armed Camp" of
Europe, during which, as subsequent events proved, the blood of the Caucasian
and the Negro would upon many a hard fought pass; many a smoking trench in the
battle zone of Europe, run together in one rivulet of departing life, for the
guarantee of liberty throughout all the earth, and the establishment of justice
at its uttermost bounds and ends.
CHAPTER IV.
AWAKENING OF AMERICA.
PRESIDENT CLINGS TO NEUTRALITY—MONROE DOCTRINE AND WASHINGTON'S
WARNING—GERMAN CRIMES AND GERMAN VICTORIES—CARDINAL MERCIER'S LETTER—MILITARY
OPERATIONS—FIRST SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES—THE LUSITANIA OUTRAGE—EXCHANGE OF
NOTES—UNITED STATES AROUSED—ROLE OF PASSIVE ONLOOKER BECOMES IRKSOME—FIRST
MODIFICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF WASHINGTON AND MONROE—OUR DESTINY
LOOMS.
August 4, 1914, President Wilson proclaimed the neutrality of
the United States. A more consistent attempt to maintain that attitude was never
made by a nation. In an appeal addressed to the American people on August 18th,
the president implored the citizens to refrain from "taking sides." Part of his
utterance on that occasion was:
"We must be impartial in thought as well as in action, must put a
curb upon our sentiments as well as upon every transaction that might be
construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before
another.
"My thought is of America. I am speaking, I feel sure, the
earnest wish and purpose of every thoughtful American that this great country
of ours, which is, of course, the first in our thoughts and in our hearts,
should show herself in this time of peculiar trial a nation fit beyond others
to exhibit the fine poise of undisturbed judgment, the dignity of
self-control, the efficiency of dispassionate action; a nation that neither
sits in judgment upon others, nor is disturbed in her own counsels, and which
keeps herself fit and free to do what is honest and disinterested and truly
serviceable for the peace of the world.
American poise had been
somewhat disturbed over the treatment of American tourists caught in Germany at
the outbreak of the war. American sentiment was openly agitated by the invasion
of Belgium and the insolent repudiation by Germany of her treaty obligations.
The German chancellor had referred to the treaty with Belgium as "a scrap of
paper." These things had created a suspicion in American minds, having to do
with what seemed Germany's real and ulterior object, but in the main the people
of this county accepted the president's appeal in the spirit in which it was
intended and tried to live up to it, which attitude was kept to the very limit
of human forbearance.
A few editors and public men, mostly opposed to the
president politically, thought we were carrying the principle of neutrality too
far; that the violation of Belgium was a crime against humanity in general and
that if we did not at least protest against it, we would be guilty of national
stultification if not downright cowardice. Against this view was invoked the
time-honored principles of the Monroe Doctrine and its great corollary,
Washington's advice against becoming entangled in European affairs. Our first
president, in his farewell address, established a precept of national conduct
that up to the time we were drawn into the European war, had become almost a
principle of religion with us. He said:
"Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you
to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to
constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is
one of the most baneful foes of republican government—Europe has a set of
primary interests which to us have none or a very remote relation. Hence she
must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially
foreign to our concern. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate
ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics or
the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or
enmities."
The Monroe Doctrine was a statement of principles made by
President Monroe in his famous message of December 2, 1823. The occasion of the
utterance was the threat by the so-called Holy Alliance to interfere forcibly in
South America with a view to reseating Spain in control of her former colonies
there. President Monroe, pointing to the fact that it was a principle of
American policy not to intermeddle in European affairs, gave warning that any
attempt by the monarchies of Europe "to extend their system to any portion of
this hemisphere" would be considered by the United States "as dangerous to our
peace and safety." This warning fell in line with British policy at the time and
so proved efficacious.
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| OFFICIAL RED CROSS PHOTOGRAPHS NEGRO SOLDIERS AND RED CROSS WORKERS IN
FRONT OF CANTEEN, HAMLET, N.C. |
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| PHOTO FROM UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y. COLORED RED CROSS WORKERS
FROM THE CANTEEN AT ATLANTA, GA., FEEDING SOLDIERS AT RAILWAY
STATION. |
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| OFFICIAL RED CROSS PHOTOGRAPHS COLORED WOMEN IN HOSPITAL GARMENTS
CLASS OF BRANCH NO. 6. NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER, AMERICAN RED CROSS. LOUISE J.
ROSS, DIRECTOR. |
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| PHOTO FROM UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y. RED CROSS WORKERS.
PROMINENT COLORED WOMEN OF ATLANTA, GA., WHO ORGANIZED CANTEEN FOR RELIEF
OF NEGRO SOLDIERS GOING TO AND RETURNING FROM
WAR. |
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| THE GAME IS ON. A BASEBALL MATCH BETWEEN NEGRO AND WHITE TROOPS IN ONE
OF THE TRAINING AREAS IN FRANCE. |
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| OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, U.S. ARMY COL. WILLIAM HAYWARD OF 369TH INFANTRY
PLAYING BASEBALL WITH HIS NEGRO SOLDIERS AT ST. NAZAIRE,
FRANCE. |
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| JAZZ AND SOUTHERN MELODIES HASTEN CURE. NEGRO SAILOR ENTERTAINING
DISABLED NAVY MEN IN HOSPITAL FOR
CONVALESCENTS. |
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| ENJOYING A BIT OF CAKE BAKED AT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS CANTEEN AT
IS-SUR-TILLE, FRANCE. |
 |
| CORPORAL FRED. McINTYRE OF 369TH INFANTRY, WITH PICTURE OF THE KAISER
WHICH HE CAPTURED FROM A GERMAN OFFICER. |
 |
| LIEUT. ROBERT L. CAMPBELL, NEGRO OFFICER OF THE 368TH INFANTRY WHO WON
FAME AND THE D.S.C. IN ARGONNE FOREST. HE DEVISED A CLEVER PIECE OF
STRATEGY AND DISPLAYED GREAT HEROISM IN THE EXECUTION OF
IT. |
 |
| EMMETT J. SCOTT, APPOINTED BY SECRETARY BAKER, AS SPECIAL ASSISTANT
DURING THE WORLD WAR. HE WAS FORMERLY CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO THE LATE
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. |
 |
(TOP)—GENERAL DIAZ, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ITALIAN ARMIES. MARSHAL FOCH,
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLIED FORCES.
(CENTER)—GENERAL PERSHING,
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AMERICAN ARMIES. ADMIRAL SIMS, IN CHARGE OF AMERICAN
NAVAL OPERATIONS OVERSEAS.
(BOTTOM)—KING ALBERT, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
BELGIAN ARMY. FIELD MARSHAL HAIG, HEAD OF BRITISH
ARMIES. |
In a later section of the same message
the proposition was also advanced that the American continent was no longer
subject to colonization. This clause of the doctrine was the work of Monroe's
secretary of state, John Quincy Adams, and its occasion was furnished by the
fear that Russia was planning to set up a colony at San Francisco, then the
property of Spain, whose natural heir on the North American continent, Adams
held, was the United States. It is this clause of the document that has
furnished much of the basis for its subsequent development.
In 1902
Germany united with Great Britain and Italy to collect by force certain claims
against Venezuela. President Roosevelt demanded and finally, after threatening
to dispatch Admiral Dewey to the scene of action, obtained a statement that she
would not permanently occupy Venezuelan territory. Of this statement one of the
most experienced and trusted American editors, avowedly friendly to Germany,
remarked at the time, that while he believed "it was and will remain true for
some time to come, I cannot, in view of the spirit now evidently dominant in the
mind of the emperor and among many who stand near him, express any belief that
such assurances will remain trustworthy for any great length of time after
Germany shall have developed a fleet larger than that of the United States." He
accordingly cautioned the United States "to bear in mind probabilities and
possibilities as to the future conduct of Germany, and therefore increase
gradually our naval strength." Bismarck pronounced the Monroe Doctrine "an
international impertinence," and this has been the German view all
along.
Dr. Zorn, one of the most conservative of German authorities on
international affairs, concluded an article in Die Woche of September 13, 1913,
with these words: "Considered in all its phases, the Monroe Doctrine is in the
end seen to be a question of might only and not of right."
The German
government's efforts to check American influence in the Latin American states
had of late years been frequent and direct. They comprised the encouragement of
German emigration to certain regions, the sending of agents to maintain close
contact, presentation of German flags in behalf of the Kaiser, the placing of
the German Evangelical churches in certain South American countries under the
Prussian State Church, annual grants for educational purposes from the imperial
treasury at Berlin, and the like.
The "Lodge resolution," adopted by the
senate in 1912, had in view the activities of certain German corporations in
Latin America, as well as the episode that immediately occasioned it; nor can
there be much doubt that it was the secret interference by Germany at Copenhagen
that thwarted the sale of the Danish West Indies to the United States in
1903.
In view of a report that a Japanese corporation, closely connected
with the Japanese government, was negotiating with the Mexican government for a
territorial concession off Magdalena Bay, in lower California, the senate in
1912 adopted the following resolution, which was offered by Senator Lodge of
Massachusetts:
"That when any harbor or other place in the American continent is
so situated that the occupation thereof for naval or military purposes might
threaten the communications or the safety of the United States, the government
of the United States could not see without grave concern, the possession of
such harbor or other place by any corporation or association which has such a
relation to another government, not American, as to give that government
practical power of control for naval or military purposes."
All of
the above documents, arguments and events were of the greatest importance in
connection with the great European struggle. America was rapidly awakening, and
the role of a passive onlooker became increasingly irksome. It was pointed out
that Washington's message said we must not implicate ourselves in the "ordinary
vicissitudes" of European politics. This case rapidly was assuming something
decidedly beyond the "ordinary." As the carnage increased and outrages piled up,
the finest sensibilities of mankind were shocked and we began to ask ourselves
if we were not criminally negligent in our attitude; if it was not our duty to
put forth a staying hand and use the extreme weight of our influence to stop the
holocaust.
From August 4 to 26, Germany overran Belgium. Liege was
occupied August 9; Brussels, August 20, and Namur, August 24. The stories of
atrocities committed on the civil population of that country have since been
well authenticated. At the time it was hard to believe them, so barbaric and
utterly wanton were they. Civilized people could not understand how a nation
which pretended to be not only civilized, but wished to impose its culture on
the remainder of the world, could be so ruthless to a small adversary which had
committed no crime and desired only to preserve its nationality, integrity and
treaty rights.
Germany did not occupy Antwerp until October 9, owing to
the stiff resistance of the Belgians and engagements with the French and British
elsewhere. But German arms were uniformly victorious. August 21-23 occurred the
battle of Mons-Charleroi, a serious defeat for the French and British, which
resulted in a dogged retreat eventually to a line along the Seine, Marne and
Meuse rivers.
The destruction of Louvain occurred August 26, and was one
of the events which inflamed anti-German sentiment throughout the world. The
beautiful cathedral, the historic cloth market, the library and other
architectural monuments for which the city was famed, were put to the torch. The
Belgian priesthood was in woe over these and other atrocities. Cardinal Mercier
called upon the Christian world to note and protest against these crimes. In his
pastoral letter of Christmas, 1914, he thus pictures Belgium's woe and her
Christian fortitude:
"And there where lives were not taken, and there where the stones
of buildings were not thrown down, what anguish unrevealed! Families hitherto
living at ease, now in bitter want; all commerce at an end, all careers
ruined; industry at a standstill; thousands upon thousands of workingmen
without employment; working women; shop girls, humble servant girls without
the means of earning their bread, and poor souls forlorn on the bed of
sickness and fever crying: 'O Lord, how long, how long?'—God will save
Belgium, my brethren; you can not doubt it. Nay, rather, He is saving
her—Which of us would have the heart to cancel this page of our national
history? Which of us does not exult in the brightness of the glory of this
shattered nation? When in her throes she brings forth heroes, our mother
country gives her own energy to the blood of those sons of hers. Let us
acknowledge that we needed a lesson in patriotism—For down within us all is
something deeper than personal interests, than personal kinships, than party
feeling, and this is the need and the will to devote ourselves to that most
general interest which Rome termed the public thing, Res publica. And this
profound will within us is patriotism."
Meanwhile there was a slight
offset to the German successes. Russia had overrun Galicia and the Allies had
conquered the Germany colony of Togoland in Africa. But on August 26 the
Russians were severely defeated in the battle of Tannenburg in East Prussia.
This was offset by a British naval victory in Helgoland Bight. (August 28.) So
great had become the pressure of the German armies that on September 3 the
French government removed from Paris to Bordeaux. The seriousness of the
situation was made manifest when two days later Great Britain, France and Russia
signed a treaty not to make peace separately. Then it became evident to the
nations of the earth that the struggle was not only to be a long one, but in all
probability the most gigantic in history.
The Germans reached the extreme
point of their advance, culminating in the Battle of the Marne, September 6-10.
Here the generalship of Joffre and the strategy of Foch overcame great odds. The
Germans were driven back from the Marne to the River Aisne. The battle line then
remained practically stationary for three years on a front of three hundred
miles.
The Russians under General Rennenkampf were driven from East
Prussia September 16. Three British armored cruisers were sunk by a submarine
September 22. By September 27 General Botha had gained some successes for the
Allies, and had under way an invasion of German Southwest Africa. By October 13
Belgium was so completely occupied by the Germans that the government withdrew
entirely from the country and established itself at Le Havre in France. By the
end of the year had occurred the Battle of Yser in Belgium (October 16-28); the
first Battle of Ypres (decisive day October 31), in which the British, French
and Belgians saved the French channel ports; De Wet's rebellion against the
British in South Africa (October 28); German naval victory in the Pacific off
the coast of Chile (November 1); fall of Tsingtau, German possession in China,
to the Japanese (November 7); Austrian invasion of Serbia (Belgrade taken
December 2, recaptured by the Serbians December 14); German commerce raider
Emden caught and destroyed at Cocos Island (November 10); British naval victory
off the Falkland Islands (December 8); South African rebellion collapsed
(December 8); French government returned to Paris (December 9); German warships
bombarded West Hartlepool, Scarborough and Whitby on the coast of England
(December 16). On December 24 the Germans showed their Christian spirit in an
inauguration of the birthday of Christ by the first air raid over England. The
latter part of the year 1914 saw no important action by the United States
excepting a proclamation by the president of the neutrality of the Panama canal
zone.
The events of 1915 and succeeding years became of great importance
to the United States and it is with a record of those having the greatest
bearing on our country that this account principally will deal.
On
January 20 Secretary of State Bryan found it necessary to explain and defend our
policy of neutrality. January 28 the American merchantman William P. Frye was
sunk by the German cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich. On February 10 the United
States dispatched a note to the German government holding it to a "strict
accountability if any merchant vessel of the United States is destroyed or any
American citizens lose their lives." Germany replied February 16 stating that
her "war zone" act was an act of self-defense against illegal methods employed
by Great Britain in preventing commerce between Germany and neutral countries.
Two days later the German official blockade of Great Britain commenced and the
German submarines began their campaign of piracy and pillage.
The United
States on February 20 sent an identic note to Germany and Great Britain
suggesting an agreement between them respecting the conduct of naval warfare.
The British steamship Falaba was sunk by a submarine March 28, with a loss of
111 lives, one of which was an American. April 8 the steamer Harpalyce, in the
service of the American commission for the aid of Belgium, was torpedoed with a
loss of 15 lives. On April 22 the German embassy in America sent out a warning
against embarkation on vessels belonging to Great Britain. The American vessel
Cushing was attacked by a German aeroplane April 28. On May 1 the American
steamship Gullflight was sunk by a German submarine and two Americans were lost.
That day the warning of the German embassy was published in the daily papers.
The Lusitania sailed at 12:20 noon.
Five days later occurred the crime
which almost brought America into the second year of the war. The Cunard line
steamship Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine with a loss of 1,154 lives,
of which 114 were Americans. After the policy of frightfulness put into effect
by the Germans in Belgium and other invaded territories, the massacres of
civilians, the violation of women and killing of children; burning, looting and
pillage; the destruction of whole towns, acts for which no military necessity
could be pleaded, civilization should have been prepared for the Lusitania
crime. But it seems it was not. The burst of indignation throughout the United
States was terrible. Here was where the terms German and Hun became synonomous,
having in mind the methods and ravages of the barbaric scourge Attilla, king of
the Huns, who in the fifth century sacked a considerable portion of Europe and
introduced some refinements in cruelty which have never been
excelled.
The Lusitania went down twenty-one minutes after the attack.
The Berlin government pleaded in extenuation of the sinking that the ship was
armed, and German agents in New York procured testimony which was subsequently
proven in court to have been perjured, to bolster up the falsehood. In further
justification, the German government adduced the fact that the ship was carrying
ammunition which it said was "destined for the destruction of brave German
soldiers." This contention our government rightly brushed aside as
irrelevant.
The essence of the case was stated by our government in its
note of June 9 as follows:
"Whatever be the other facts regarding the Lusitania, the
principal fact is that a great steamer, primarily and chiefly a conveyance for
passengers, and carrying more than a thousand souls who had no part or lot in
the conduct of the war, was sunk without so much as a challenge or a warning,
and that men, women and children were sent to their death in circumstances
unparalleled in modern warfare."
Three notes were written to Germany
regarding the Lusitania sinking. The first dated May 13 advanced the idea that
it was impossible to conduct submarine warfare conformably with international
law. In the second dated June 9 occurs the statement that "the government of the
United States is contending for something much greater than mere rights of
property or privileges of commerce. It is contending for nothing less high and
sacred than the rights of humanity." In the third note dated July 21, it is
asserted that "the events of the past two months have clearly indicated that it
is possible and practicable to conduct submarine operations within the so-called
war zone in substantial accord with the accepted practices of regulated
warfare." The temper of the American people and the president's notes had
succeeded in securing a modification of the submarine campaign.
It
required cool statesmanship to prevent a rushing into war over the Lusitania
incident and events which had preceded it. There was a well developed movement
in favor of it, but the people were not unanimous on the point. It would have
lacked that cooperation necessary for effectiveness; besides our country was but
poorly prepared for engaging in hostilities. It was our state of unpreparedness
continuing for a long time afterwards, which contributed, no doubt, to German
arrogance. They thought we would not fight.
But the United States had
become thoroughly awakened and the authorities must have felt that if the
conflict was to be unduly prolonged, we must eventually be drawn into it. This
is reflected in the modified construction which the president and others began
to place on the Monroe Doctrine. The great underlying idea of the doctrine
remained vital, but in a message to congress delivered December 7, 1915, the
president said:
"In the day in whose light we now stand there is no claim
of guardianship, but a full and honorable association as of partners between
ourselves and our neighbors in the interests of America." Speaking before the
League to Enforce Peace at Washington, May 27, 1916, he said: "What affects
mankind is inevitably our affair, as well as the affair of the nations of Europe
and of Asia." In his address to the senate of January 22, 1917, he said: "I am
proposing, as it were, that the nations should with one accord adopt the
doctrine of President Monroe as the doctrine of the world—that no nation should
seek to extend its policy over any other nation or people, but that every people
should be left free to determine its own policy, its own way of development,
unhindered, unthreatened, unafraid, the little along with the great and
powerful." This was a modifying and enlarging of the doctrine, as well as a
departure from Washington's warning against becoming entangled with the affairs
of Europe.
CHAPTER V.
HUNS SWEEPING WESTWARD.
TOWARD SHORES OF ATLANTIC—SPREAD RUIN AND
DEVASTATION—CAPITALS OF CIVILIZATION ALARMED—ACTIVITIES OF SPIES—APOLOGIES AND
LIES—GERMAN ARMS WINNING—GAIN TIME TO FORGE NEW WEAPONS—FEW VICTORIES FOR
ALLIES—ROUMANIA CRUSHED—INCIDENT OF U-53.
The powerful thrusts of the
German armies toward the English channel and the Atlantic ocean, the pitiless
submarine policy, and the fact that Germany and Austria had allied with them
Bulgaria and Turkey, began to spread alarm in the non-belligerent nations of the
world.
That Germany was playing a Machiavellian policy against the United
States soon became evident. After each submarine outrage would come an apology,
frequently a promise of reparation and an agreement not to repeat the offense,
with no intention, however, of keeping faith in any respect. As a mask for their
duplicity, the Germans even sent a message of sympathy for the loss of American
lives through the sinking of the Lusitania; which but intensified the state of
mind in this country.
Less than three weeks after the Lusitania outrage
the American steamship Nebraskan was attacked (May 25) by a submarine. The
American steamship Leelanaw was sunk by submarines July 25. The White Star liner
Arabic was sunk by a submarine August 19; sixteen victims, two
American.
Our government received August 24 a note from the German
ambassador regarding the sinking of the Arabic. It stated that the loss of
American lives was contrary to the intention of the German government and was
deeply regretted. On September 1 Ambassador von Bernstorff supplemented the note
with a letter to Secretary Lansing giving assurance that German submarines would
sink no more liners.
The Allan liner Hesperian was sunk September 4 by a
German submarine; 26 lives lost, one American.
On October 5 the German
government sent a communication regretting again and disavowing the sinking of
the Arabic, and stating its willingness to pay indemnities.
Meanwhile
depression existed among the Allies and alarm among nations outside the war over
the German conquest of Russian Poland. They captured Lublin, July 31; Warsaw,
August 4; Ivangorod, August 5; Kovno, August 17; Novogeorgievsk, August 19;
Brest-Litovsk, August 25, and Vilna, September 18.
Activities of spies
and plottings within the United States began to divide attention with the war in
Europe and the submarine situation. Dr. Constantin Dumba, who was
Austro-Hungarian ambassador to the United States, in a letter to the Austrian
minister of foreign affairs, dated August 20, recommended "most warmly" to the
favorable consideration of the foreign office "proposals with respect to the
preparation of disturbances in the Bethlehem steel and munitions factory, as
well as in the middle west."
He felt that "we could, if not entirely
prevent the production of war material in Bethlehem and in the middle west, at
any rate strongly disorganize it and hold it up for months."
The letter
was intrusted to an American newspaper correspondent named Archibald, who was
just setting out for Europe under the protection of an American passport.
Archibald's vessel was held up at Falmouth, England, his papers seized and their
contents cabled to the United States. On September 8 Secretary Lansing
instructed our ambassador at Vienna to demand Dr. Dumba's recall and the demand
was soon acceded to by his government.
On December 4 Captain Karl Boy-Ed,
naval attache of the German embassy in Washington, was dismissed by our
government for "improper activity in naval affairs." At the same time Captain
Franz von Papen, military attache of the embassy, was dismissed for "improper
activity in military matters." In an intercepted letter to a friend in Germany
he referred to our people as "those idiotic Yankees."
As a fitting
wind-up of the year and as showing what the German promise to protect liners
amounted to, the British passenger steamer Persia was sunk in the Mediterranean
by a submarine December 30, 1915.
The opening of 1916 found the president
struggling with the grave perplexities of the submarine problem, exchanging
notes with the German government, taking fresh hope after each disappointment
and endeavoring by every means to avert the impending strife and find a basis
for the preservation of an honorable peace.
It was now evident to most
thinking people that the apparent concessions of the Germans were granted merely
to provide them time to complete a larger program of submarine construction.
This must have been evident to the president; but he appears to have possessed
an optimism that rose above his convictions.
Our government, January 18,
put forth a declaration of principles regarding submarine attacks and inquired
whether the governments of the allies would subscribe to such an agreement. This
was one of the president's "forlorn hope" movements to try and bring about an
agreement among the belligerents which would bring the submarine campaign within
the restrictions of international law. Could such an agreement have been
effected, it would have been of vast relief to this country and might have kept
us out of the war. The Allies were willing to subscribe to any reasonable
agreement provided there was assurance that it would be maintained. They pointed
out, however, the futility of treating on the basis of promises alone with a
nation which not only had shown a contempt for its ordinary promises, but had
repudiated its sacred obligations.
A ray of hope gleamed across our
national horizon when Germany, on February 16, sent a note acknowledging her
liability in the Lusitania affair. But the whole matter was soon complicated
again by the "armed ship" issue. Germany had sent a note to the neutral powers
that an armed merchant ship would be treated as a warship and would be sunk on
sight. Secretary Lansing made the statement for this government that by
international law commercial ships have a right to arm themselves for
self-defense. It was an additional emphasis on the position that the submarine
campaign as conducted by Germany was simply piracy and had no standing in
international law. President Wilson, in a letter to Senator Stone February 24,
said that American citizens had a right to travel on armed merchant ships, and
he refused to advise them against exercising the right.
March 24 the
French steamer Sussex, engaged in passenger traffic across the English channel,
was torpedoed and sunk without warning. About eighty passengers, including
American citizens, were killed or wounded.
Several notes passed between
our government and Germany on the sinking of the Sussex and other vessels. Our
ambassador at Berlin was instructed to take energetic action and to insist upon
adequate attention to our demands. April 18 our government delivered what was
considered an ultimatum to the effect that unless Germany abandoned her methods
of submarine warfare, the United States would sever diplomatic relations. The
president addressed congress on the matter the following day.
Germany had
not yet completed her program of submarine building and thought it wise to
temporize with the American government for a while longer. May 4 she replied to
the ultimatum of April 18, acknowledged the sinking of the Sussex and in the
main acceded to all the demands of the United States. There were certain phases
which indicated that Germany wished to use this country as a medium for securing
certain agreements from the Allies. The president accepted the German conditions
generally, but made it clear in his reply that the conditions could not depend
upon any negotiations between this country and other belligerents. The
intimation was plain enough that the United States would not be a catspaw for
German aims.
Up to this time in the year 1916 the advantage in arms had
been greatly on the side of Germany and her allies. In January the British had
evacuated the entire Gallipoli peninsula and the campaign in Turkey soon came to
grief. Cettinje, the capital of Montenegro, had also fallen to the Teutonic
allies, and that country practically was put out of the war.
The British
had made important gains in the German colonies in Africa and had conquered most
of the Kamerun section there. Between February and July the Germans had been
battling at the important French position of Verdun, with great losses and small
results. Practically all the ground lost was slowly regained by the French in
the autumn. The Russians had entered Persia in February, and April 17 had
captured the important city of Trebizond in Armenia from the Turks. But on April
29 General Townshend surrendered his entire British force to the Turks at Kut el
Amara, after being besieged for 143 days and finally starved into
submission.
Throughout the balance of the year the advantage was greatly
on the side of the Germans, for the latter part of the year saw the beginning of
the crushing of Roumania, which had entered the war August 27 on the side of the
Allies. Bucharest, the capital, fell to the Germans December 6; Dobrudja,
January 2, and Focsani, January 8 of the ensuing year, 1917. The crushing of
Roumania was accomplished almost entirely by treachery. The Germans knew the
plans of all the principal fortifications; the strength and plans of the
Roumanian forces, and every detail calculated to be of benefit. The country had
been honeycombed with their spies prior to and during the war, very much as
Russia had been. It is quite evident that men high in the councils of the
Roumanian government and in full possession of the military secrets of the
country were simply disguised German agents.
Between July and November
had occurred the great battles of the Somme during which the Allies had failed
to break the German lines. The Austrians in June had launched a great attack and
made much progress against the Italians in the Trentino. The principal offsets
to the German gains during the last seven months of the year 1916 were the
Russian offensive in Volhynia and Bukovina, and the counter drive of the
Italians against the Austrians. The Russians captured Czernovitz June 17, and by
the end of the month had overrun the whole of Bukovina. The Italians drove out
the Austrians between August 6 and September 1, winning August 9 the important
city and fortress of Gorizia.
Submarine incidents important to this
government were not lacking during the latter half of the year. The German
submarine U-53 suddenly appeared October 8 in the harbor at Newport, R.I. The
commander delivered letters for the German ambassador and immediately put to sea
to begin ravages on British shipping off the Nantucket coast. Among the five or
six vessels sunk was the steamer Stephano, which carried American passengers.
The passengers and crews of all the vessels were picked up by American
destroyers and no lives were lost. The episode, which was an eight-day wonder,
and resulted in a temporary tie-up of shipping in eastern ports, started
numerous rumors and several legal questions, none of which, however, turned out
finally to have been of much importance, as U-53 vanished as suddenly as it had
appeared, and its visit was not succeeded by any like craft. It is not
improbable that the purpose of the German government in sending the boat to our
shores was to convey a hint of what we might expect if we should become involved
with Germany. October 28 the British steamer Marina was torpedoed with a loss of
six American lives.
The straining of President Washington's advice and
the Monroe Doctrine were again evident throughout the year. President Wilson in
an address before the League to Enforce Peace, May 27, had said that the United
States was ready to join any practical league for preserving peace and
guaranteeing the political and territorial integrity of nations. November 29 our
government sent a protest to Germany against the deportation of
Belgians.
Almost immediately upon the invasion of Belgium the German
authorities, in pursuance of their system of terrorization, shipped to Germany
considerable groups of the population. On October 12, 1915, a general order was
issued by the German military government in Belgium providing that persons who
should "refuse work suitable to their occupation and in the execution of which
the military administration is interested," should be subject to one year's
imprisonment or to deportation to Germany. Numerous sentences, both of men and
women, were imposed under that order.
The wholesale deportation of
Belgian workmen to Germany, which began October 3, 1916, proceeded on different
grounds, for, having stripped large sections of the country of machinery and raw
materials, the military authorities now came forward with the plea that it was
necessary to send the labor after it. The number of workmen deported is
variously estimated at between one and three hundred thousand.
"The rage,
the terror, the despair" excited by this measure all over Belgium, our minister,
Brand Whitlock, reported, "were beyond anything we had witnessed since the day
the Germans poured into Brussels. I am constantly in receipt of reports from all
over Belgium that bear out the stories of brutality and cruelty.
"In
tearing away from nearly every humble home in the land a husband and a father or
a son and brother, the Germans have lighted a fire of hatred that will never go
out. It is one of those deeds that make one despair of the future of the human
race, a deed coldly planned, studiously matured, and deliberately and
systematically executed, a deed so cruel that German soldiers are said to have
wept in its execution, and so monstrous that even German officers are now said
to be ashamed." Poland and the occupied parts of France experienced similar
treatment.
CHAPTER VI.
THE HOUR AND THE MAN.
A BEACON AMONG THE YEARS—TRYING PERIOD FOR
PRESIDENT WILSON—GERMANY CONTINUES DILATORY TACTICS—PEACE EFFORTS FAIL—ALL
HONORABLE MEANS EXHAUSTED—PATIENCE CEASES TO BE A VIRTUE—ENEMY ABANDONS ALL
SUBTERFUGE—UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE—GERMAN INTRIGUES WITH MEXICO—THE
ZIMMERMANN NOTE—AMERICA SEIZES THE SWORD—WAR IS DECLARED—PERSHING GOES
ABROAD—FIRST TROOPS SAIL—WAR MEASURES—WAR OPERATIONS
An enormous
beacon light in history will attach to the year 1917. The outstanding feature of
course was the entry of the United States into the great war—the deciding factor
in the struggle. It marked the departure of America from the traditional policy
of political isolation from Europe. History will record that it was not a
voluntary, but a forced, departure, due to the utter disregard by Germany of our
rights on the seas, at home and elsewhere.
The first thirty days of the
year found the man at the head of our government still hoping against hope,
still struggling with all the odds against him, still courageously engaged in
efforts for peace. It was a particularly trying time for President Wilson, as a
large portion of his own party and most of the nation was arrayed against him.
The people in general felt that the time for writing notes, for parleying had
passed.
On December 12, 1916, Germany, in a formal note, had offered to
enter into peace negotiations, but did not specify any terms. The note referred
in boastful language to the victorious German armies. It was rejected by the
Allies as empty and insincere. The president on December 18, 1916, had addressed
all the beligerents asking them to indicate precisely the terms on which, they
would make peace. Germany's reply to this note was no more satisfactory than
before. The Allies replied demanding restorations, reparation and
indemnities.
On the 22nd of January the president appeared before the
senate in his famous "peace without victory" address, in which he advocated a
world league for peace. His views were received sympathetically, though the
Allies pointed out that no peace based on the condition of things before the war
could be durable, and that as matters stood it would be a virtual victory for
Germany. It was the president's last effort to bring peace to the world without
resorting to armed force.
The most biased historian is bound to affirm
that Woodrow Wilson exhausted every effort not only to keep the United States
honorably at peace, but to bring about a pacific attitude and understanding
among the belligerents. When finally he saw that no argument save that of the
sword would avail, when finally the hour struck, he became the man of the hour
courageously and nobly.
After President Wilson's failure to bring about
even a pacific attitude among the warring nations, no peace appeal from any
quarter calculated to receive respectful attention was made, excepting that
issued by Pope Benedict August 15, four months after the United States had
declared war. The President summarized the Pope's proposals as follows:
"His Holiness in substance proposes that we return to the status
existing before the war, and that then there be a general condonation,
disarmament, and a concert of nations based upon an acceptance of the
principle of arbitration; that by a similar concert freedom of the seas be
established; and that the territorial claims of France and Italy, the
perplexing problems of the Balkan States and the restitution of Poland be left
to such conciliatory adjustments as may be possible in the new temper of such
a peace, due regard being paid to the aspirations of the peoples whose
political fortunes and affiliations will be involved."
The
president's reply to the Pope forcibly stated the aim of the United States to
free the world from the menace of Prussian militarism controlled by an arrogant
and faithless autocracy. Distinguishing between the German rulers and the
people, President Wilson asserted that the United States would willingly
negotiate with a government subject to the popular will. The note disavowed any
intention to dismember countries or to impose unfair economic conditions. In
part the President's language was:
"Responsible statesmen must now everywhere see, if they never saw
before, that no peace can rest securely upon political or economic
restrictions meant to benefit some nations and cripple or embarrass others,
upon vindictive action of any sort, or any kind of revenge or deliberate
injury. The American people have suffered intolerable wrongs at the hands of
the Imperial German Government, but they desire no reprisal upon the German
people, who have themselves suffered all things in this war, which they did
not choose. They believe that peace should rest upon the rights of peoples,
not the rights of governments—the rights of peoples great or small, weak or
powerful—their equal right to freedom and security and self government and to
a participation upon fair terms in the economic opportunities of the world,
the German people, of course, included, if they will accept equality and not
seek domination."
About five weeks prior to the Pope's proposition,
the Germans had again put forth a peace feeler. On July 19, the German reichstag
adopted resolutions in favor of peace on the basis of mutual understanding and
lasting reconciliation among the nations. The resolutions sounded well but they
were accompanied by expressions to the effect that Germany in the war was the
victim of aggression and that it approved the acts of its government. They
referred to the "men who are defending the Fatherland," to the necessity of
assuring the freedom of the seas, and to the impossibility of conquering a
united German nation. There was no doubt in the mind of any neutral or any
belligerent opposing Germany that the German government was the real aggressor
and that the freedom of the seas had never been restricted except by Germany
herself, hence there was no tendency to accept this as a serious bid for peace.
The resolutions figured largely in German internal politics but were without
effect elsewhere.
Stockholm, Sweden was the scene of a number of peace
conferences but as they were engineered by socialists of an extreme type and
others holding views usually classed as anarchistic, no serious attention was
paid to them. The "pacifists" in the Allied and neutral countries were more or
less active, but received little encouragement. Their arguments did not appeal
to patriotism.
Going back to the beginning of the year, within a week
after the President's "peace without victory" speech before the senate, Germany
replied to it by announcing that beginning February 1, it would begin
unrestricted submarine warfare in certain extensive zones around the British
Isles, France and Italy. It would, however, out of the kindness of its heart,
permit the United States to use a narrow track across the sea with a landing at
Falmouth, one ship a week, provided the American ships were painted red and
white and carried various kinds of distinguishing marks.
This of course
was a direct repudiation by Germany of all the promises she had made to the
United States. The President saw the sword being forced into his hands but he
was not yet ready to seize it with all his might. He preferred first to exhaust
the expediency of an armed neutrality. On February 3, he went before a joint
session of the house and senate and announced that Ambassador von Bernstorff had
been given his passports and all diplomatic relations with the Teuton empire
severed. On February 12, an attempt at negotiation came through the Swiss
minister who had been placed in charge of German diplomatic interests in this
country. The President promptly and emphatically replied that no negotiations
could be even considered until the submarine order had been withdrawn.
On
February 26, the lower house of congress voted formal permission for the arming
of American merchant ships as a protection against submarine attacks, and
appropriated one hundred million dollars for the arming and insuring of the
ships. A similar measure in the senate was defeated by Senator Robert M.
LaFollette of Wisconsin, acting under a loose rule of the senate which permitted
filibustering and unlimited debate. The session of congress expired March 4, and
the President immediately called an extra session of the senate which amended
its rules so that the measure was passed.
Senator LaFollette's opposition
to the war and some of his public utterances outside the senate led to a demand
for his expulsion from that body. A committee of investigation was appointed
which proceeded perfunctorilly for about a year. The senator was never expelled
but any influence he may have had and any power to hamper the activities of the
government, were effectually killed for the duration of the war. The suppression
of the senator did not proceed so much from congress or the White House, as from
the press of the country. Without regard to views or party, the newspapers of
the nation voluntarily and patriotically entered what has been termed a
"conspiracy of silence" regarding the activities of the Wisconsin senator. By
refusing to print his name or give him any sort of publicity he was effectively
sidetracked and in a short time the majority of the people of the country forgot
his existence. It was a striking demonstration that propaganda depends for its
effectiveness upon publicity, and has given rise to an order of thought which
contends that the newspapers should censor their own columns and suppress
movements that are detrimental or of evil tendency, by ignoring them. Opposed to
this is the view that the more publicity a movement gets, and the fuller and
franker the discussion it evokes, the more quickly will its merits or demerits
become apparent.
If any evidence was lacking of German duplicity,
violation of promises and general double-dealing, it came to light in the famous
document known as the "Zimmermann Note" which came into the hands of the
American state department and was revealed February 28. It was a confidential
communication from Dr. Alfred Zimmermann, German Foreign Minister, addressed to
the German Minister in Mexico and proposed an alliance of Germany, Mexico and
Japan against the United States. Its text follows:
"On the 1st of February we intend to begin submarine warfare
unrestricted. In spite of this it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral
the United States of America. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an
alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together
and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is
understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas
and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement. You are instructed to
inform the president of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon
as it is certain there will be an outbreak of war with the United States, and
suggest that the president of Mexico on his own initiative, should communicate
with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time offer
to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the
President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now
promises to compel England to make peace in a few months."
The
American steamers City of Memphis, Vigilancia and Illinois had been sunk and
fifteen lives lost in pursuance of the German submarine policy to torpedo
without warning and without any regard to the safety of crews or passengers, all
ships found within the barred zones. The President could no longer postpone
drawing the sword. Being convinced that the inevitable hour had struck, he
proved himself the man of the hour and acted with energy. A special session of
congress was called for April 2. The day is bound to stand out in history for in
the afternoon the President delivered his famous message asking that war be
declared against Germany. He said that armed neutrality had been found wanting
and in the end would only draw the country into war without its having the
status of a belligerent. One of the striking paragraphs of the message follows:
"With a profound sense of the solemn and even tragical character
of the step I am taking, and of the grave responsibility which it involves,
but in unhesitating obedience to what I deem my constitutional duty, I advise
that the congress declare the recent course of the imperial German government
to be in fact nothing less than war against the government and people of the
United States; that it formally accept the status of belligerent which has
thus been thrust upon it and that it take immediate steps not only to put the
country in a more thorough state of defence, but also to exert all its power
and employ all its resources to bring the government of the German empire to
terms and end the war."
Congress voted a declaration of war April 6.
Only six senators out of a total of 96, and fifty representatives out of a total
of 435, voted against it. Congress also, at the request of the President, voted
for the creation of a national army and the raising to war strength of the
National Guard, the Marine corps and the Navy. Laws were passed dealing with
espionage, trading with the enemy and the unlawful manufacture and use of
explosives. Provision was made for the insurance of soldiers and sailors,
for priority of shipments, for the seizure and use of enemy ships in American
harbors, for conserving and controlling the food and fuel supply of the country,
for stimulating agriculture, for enlarging the aviation branch of the service,
for extending credit to foreign governments, for issuing bonds and for providing
additional revenues by increasing old and creating new taxes.
The extra
session of congress lasted a few days over six months. In that time it passed
all the above measures and others of less importance. It authorized the
expenditure of over nineteen billions of dollars ($19,321,225,208). Including
the amount appropriated at the second session of the preceeding congress, the
amount reached the unheard of total of over twenty-one billions of dollars
($21,390,730,940).
German intrigues and German ruthlessness created an
additional stench in the nostrils of civilization when on September 8, the
United States made public the celebrated "Spurlos Versenkt" telegram which had
come into its possession. It is a German phrase meaning "sunk without leaving a
trace" and was contained in a telegram from Luxburg, the German minister at
Buenos Aires. The telegram (of May 19, 1917) advised that Argentine steamers "be
spared if possible or else sunk without a trace being left." The advice was
repeated July 9. The Swedish minister at Buenos Aires sent these messages in
code as though they were his own private dispatches.
On August 26, the
British Admiralty had communicated to the International Conference of Merchant
Seaman, a statement of the facts in twelve cases of sinkings during the previous
seven months in which it was shown how "spurlos versenkt" was applied. It was
shown that in these cases the submarine commanders had deliberately opened fire
on the crews of the vessels after they had taken to their small boats or had
attempted to dispose of them in some other way.
Within six weeks after
the declaration of war our government was preparing to send troops to France. An
expeditionary force comprising about one division of Regulars was announced May
14. General Pershing who was to command arrived in England June 8, and in France
June 13. The first body of our troops reached France June 27 and the second a
little later. The safe passage of these troops was remarkable, as their
departure had been made known to Germany through her spies, and submarines laid
in wait for the transports. The vigilance of our convoying agencies continued
throughout the war and was one of the high spots of excellence reached in our
part of the struggle. Of a total of over 2,000,000 soldiers transported to
France and many thousands returned on account of sickness and furloughs, only
661 were lost as a direct result of German submarine operations.
On
December 7, the United States declared war against Austria-Hungary. This was
largely on the insistence of Italy and was valuable and gratifying to that
ally.
President Wilson on December 26, issued a proclamation taking over
the railroads of the country, W.G. McAdoo was appointed director general. The
proclamation went into effect two days later and the entire rail transportation
system, for the first time in the history of the nation, passed under the
control and management of the government.
Excepting the revolution in
Russia which led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II (March 11-15) and so
disorganized the country that it never figured effectively in the war
afterwards, the year was one of distinct advantage to the Allies.
Kut el
Amara was retaken by the British February 24. Bagdad fell to the same forces
March 11. From March 17th to 19th the Germans retired to the "Hindenburg Line"
evacuating a strip of territory in France 100 miles long and averaging 13 miles
in width, from Arras to Soissons. Between April 9 and May 14, the British had
important successes in the Battle of Arras, capturing Vimy Ridge April 9.
Between April 16 and May 6 the French made gains in the Battle of the Aisne,
between Soissons and Reims. Between May 15 and September 15 occurred an Italian
offensive in which General Cadorna inflicted severe defeats on the Austrians on
the Carso and Bainsizza plateaus.
The British blew up Messines Ridge,
south of Ypres, June 7 and captured 7,500 German prisoners. June 12 King
Constantine of Greece was forced to abdicate and on June 29, Greece entered the
war on the side of the Allies. A mutiny in the German fleet at Wilhelmshaven and
Kiel occurred July 30 and a second mutiny September 2.
August 20-24 the
French recaptured high ground at Verdun, lost in 1916. October 23-26 a French
drive north of the Aisne won important positions including Malmaison fort. The
Germans retreated from the Chemin de Dames, north of the Aisne, November 2.
Between November 22 and December 13 occurred the Battle of Cambrai in which the
British employed "tanks" to break down the wire entanglements instead of the
usual artillery preparations. Bourlon Wood dominating Cambrai was taken November
26. A surprise counterattack by the Germans December 2, compelled the British to
give up one-fourth of the ground gained. Jerusalem was captured by the British
December 9.
The British national labor conference on December 29,
approved a continuation of the war for aims similar to those defined by
President Wilson.
Aside from the collapse of Russia, culminating in an
armistice between Germany and the Bolsheviki government of Russia at
Brest-Litovsk, December 15, the most important Teutonic success was in the big
German-Austrian counterdrive in Italy, October 24 to December 1. The Italians
suffered a loss of territory gained during the summer and their line was shifted
to the Piave river, Asiago plateau and Brenta river.
Brazil declared war
on Germany October 26.
CHAPTER VII.
NEGROES RESPOND TO THE CALL.
SWIFT AND UNHALTING ARRAY—FEW PERMITTED
TO VOLUNTEER—ONLY NATIONAL GUARD ACCEPTED—NO NEW UNITS FORMED—SELECTIVE DRAFT
THEIR OPPORTUNITY—PARTIAL DIVISION OF GUARDSMEN—COMPLETE DIVISION OF
SELECTIVES—MANY IN TRAINING—ENTER MANY BRANCHES OF SERVICE—NEGRO NURSES
AUTHORIZED—NEGRO Y.M.C.A. WORKERS—NEGRO WAR CORRESPONDENT—NEGRO ASSISTANT TO
SECRETARY OF WAR—TRAINING CAMP FOR NEGRO OFFICERS—FIRST TIME IN
ARTILLERY—COMPLETE RACIAL SEGREGATION.
When the call to war was
sounded by President Wilson, no response was more swift and unhalting than that
of the Negro in America. Before our country was embroiled the black men of
Africa had already contributed their share in pushing back the Hun. When
civilization was tottering and all but overthrown, France and England were glad
to avail themselves of the aid of their Senegalese, Algerian, Soudanese and
other troops from the tribes of Africa. The story of their valor is written on
the battlefields of France in imperishable glory.
Considering the
splendid service of the—in many cases—half wild blacks from the region of the
equator, it seems strange that our government did not hasten sooner and without
demur to enlist the loyal Blacks of this country with their glowing record in
former wars, their unquestioned mental attainments, their industry, stamina and
self reliance. Yet at the beginning of America's participation in the war, it
was plain that the old feeling of intolerance; the disposition to treat the
Negro unfairly, was yet abroad in the land.
He was willing; anxious to
volunteer and offered himself in large numbers at every recruiting station,
without avail. True, he was accepted in numerous instances, but the condition
precedent, that of filling up and rounding out the few Negro Regular and
National Guard organizations below war strength, was chafing and humiliating.
Had the response to the call for volunteers been as ardent among all classes of
our people; especially the foreign born, as it was from the American Negro, it
is fair to say that the selective draft would not necessarily have been so
extensive.
It was not until the selective draft was authorized and the
organization of the National Army began, that the Negro was given his full
opportunity. His willingness and eagerness to serve were again demonstrated.
Some figures dealing with the matter, taken from the official report of the
Provost Marshall General (General E.H. Crowder) will be cited later
on.
Of the four colored regiments in the Regular Army, the 24th infantry
had been on the Mexican border since 1916; the 25th infantry in Hawaii all the
years of the war; the Ninth cavalry in the Philippines since 1916, and the 10th
cavalry had been doing patrol and garrison duty on the Mexican border and
elsewhere in the west since early in 1917. These four regiments were all
sterling organizations dating their foundation back to the days immediately
following the Civil war. Their record was and is an enviable one. It is no
reflection on them that they were not chosen for overseas duty. The country
needed a dependable force on the Mexican border, in Hawaii, the Philippines, and
in different garrisons at home.
A number of good white Regular Army
regiments were kept on this side for the same reasons; not however, overlooking
or minimizing the fact not to the honor of the nation in its final resolve, that
there has always been fostered a spirit in the counsels and orders of the
Department of War, as in all the other great government departments, to restrain
rather than to encourage the patriotic and civic zeal of their faithful and
qualified Negro aids and servants. That is to say, to draw before them a certain
imaginary line; beyond and over which the personal ambitions of members of the
race; smarting for honorable renown and promotion; predicated on service and
achievement, they were not permitted to go. A virtual "Dead Line"; its parent
and wet nurse being that strange thing known as American Prejudice, unknown of
anywhere else on earth, which was at once a crime against its marked and
selected victims, and a burden of shame which still clings to it; upon the
otherwise great nation, that it has condoned and still remains silent in its
presence.
Negro National Guard organizations had grown since the
Spanish-American war, but they still were far from being numerous in 1917. The
ones accepted by the war department were the Eighth Illinois Infantry, a
regiment manned and officered entirely by Negroes, the 15th New York Infantry
all Negroes with five Negro officers, all the senior officers being white; the
Ninth Ohio, a battalion manned and officered by Negroes; the 1st Separate
Battalion of the District of Columbia, an infantry organization manned and
officered by Negroes; and Negro companies from the states of Connecticut,
Maryland, Massachusetts and Tennessee. Massachusetts also had a company known as
the 101st Headquarters company and Military Police. The Eighth Illinois became
the 370th Infantry in the United States army; the 15th New York became the 369th
Infantry; the Ninth Ohio battalion and the companies from Connecticut, Maryland,
Massachusetts and Tennessee, as well as the District of Columbia battalion, were
all consolidated into the 372nd Infantry.
When the above organizations
had been recruited up to war strength there were between 12,000 and 14,000
colored men representing the National Guard of the country. With a population of
12,000,000 Negroes to draw from; the majority of those suitable for military
service anxious to enlist, it readily can be seen what a force could have been
added to this branch of the service had there been any encouragement of it.
There was not lacking a great number of the race, many of them college
graduates, competent to act as officers of National Guard units. Many of those
commissioned during the Spanish-American war had the experience and age to fit
them for senior regimental commands. The 8th Illinois was commanded by Colonel
Franklin A. Denison, a prominent colored attorney of Chicago and a seasoned
military man. He was the only colored man of the rank of Colonel who was
permitted to go to France in the combatant or any other branch of the service.
After a brief period in the earlier campaigns he was invalided home very much
against his will.
The 15th New York was commanded by Colonel William
Hayward, a white man. He was devoted to his black soldiers and they were very
fond of him. Officers immediately subordinate to him were white men. The
District of Columbia battalion might have retained its colored commander, Major
James E. Walker, as he was a fine soldierly figure and possessed of the
requisite ability, but he was removed by death while his unit was still training
near Washington. Some of the Negro officers of National Guard organizations
retained their commands, but the majority were superseded or transferred before
sailing or soon after arrival in France.
The 369th, the 370th and the
372nd infantry regiments in the United States army, mentioned as having been
formed from the colored National Guard units, became a part of the 93rd
division. Another regiment, the 371st, formed from the draft forces was also
part of the same division. This division was brigaded with the French from the
start and saw service through the war alongside the French poilus with whom they
became great friends. There grew up a spirit of which, side by side, they faced
and smashed the savage Hun, never wavered or changed. Besides the soldiers from
Illinois, New York, Ohio, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Maryland and
Tennessee, there were Negro contingents from Mississippi and South Carolina in
the 93rd division. One of the regiments of this division, the 369th (15th New
York) was of the first of the American forces to reach France, following mutual
admiration between these two widely different representatives of the human
family, that during the period in the expeditionary force of Regulars which
reached France June 13, 1917; being among the first 100,000 that went abroad.
However, the 93rd division, exclusively Negro, had not been fully formed then
and the regiment did not see much real fighting until the spring and summer of
1918.
 |
| NEGRO NURSES CARRYING BANNER OF FAMOUS NEGRO REGIMENT. MARCHING DOWN
FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK. IN GREAT PARADE WHICH OPENED RED CROSS
DRIVE. |
The 92nd division was another
exclusively Negro division. There were many more Negro troops in training in
France and large numbers at training camps in this country, but the 92nd and
93rd, being the earlier formed and trained divisions, saw practically all the
fighting. Units belonging to one or both divisions fought with special
distinction in the Forest of Argonne, near Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, St.
Mihiel district, Champagne sector, at Metz and in the Vosges
mountains.
In the 92nd division was the 325th Field Signal battalion, the
only Negro signal unit in the American army. The division also contained the
349th, 350th and 351st Artillery regiments, each containing a machine gun
battalion; the 317th Trench Mortar battery; the balance being made up of Negro
engineers, hospital units, etc., and the 365th, 366th, 367th and 368th Infantry
regiments.
Enlisted, drafted and assigned to active service, upwards of
400,000 Negroes participated in the war. The number serving abroad amounted to
about 200,000. They were inducted into the cavalry, infantry, field and coast
artillery, radio (wireless telegraphy, etc.), medical corps, ambulance and
hospital corps, sanitary and ammunition trains, stevedore regiments, labor
battalions, depot brigades and engineers. They also served as regimental clerks,
surveyors and draftsmen.
Sixty served as chaplains and over 350 as
Y.M.C.A. secretaries, there being a special and highly efficient Negro branch of
the Y.M.C.A. Numerous others were attached to the War Camp Community Service in
cities adjacent to the army camps.
Negro nurses were authorized by the
war department for service in base hospitals at six army camps—Funston, Sherman,
Grant, Dix, Taylor and Dodge. Race women also served as canteen workers in
France and in charge of hostess houses in this country.
One Negro, Ralph
W. Tyler, served as an accredited war correspondent, attached to the staff of
General Pershing, Dr. R. R. Moton, who succeeded the late Booker T. Washington
as head of the Tuskegee Institute, was sent on a special mission to France by
President Wilson and Secretary Baker.
A race woman, Mrs. Alice Dunbar
Nelson of Wilmington, Delaware, was named as a field worker to mobilize the
Negro women of the country for war work. Her activities were conducted in
connection with the Women's Committee of the Council of National
Defense.
The most conspicuous honor paid to a Negro by the administration
and the war department, was in the appointment, October 1, 1917, of Emmett J.
Scott as special assistant to the Secretary of War. This was done that the
administration might not be accused of failing to grant full protection to the
Negroes, and that a thorough examination might be made into all matters
affecting their relation to the war and its many agencies.
Having been
for 18 years confidential secretary to Booker T. Washington, and being at the
time of his appointment secretary of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial
Institute for Negroes, Mr. Scott was peculiarly fitted to render necessary
advice to the war department with respect to the Negroes of the various states,
to look after all matters affecting the interests of Negro selectives and
enlisted men, and to inquire into the treatment accorded them by the various
officials connected with the war department. In the position occupied by him, he
was thus enabled to obtain a proper perspective both of the attitude of
selective service officials to the Negro, and of the Negro to the war,
especially to the draft. In a memorandum on the subject addressed to the Provost
Marshall General, December 12, 1918, he wrote:
"The attitude of the Negro
was one of complete acceptance of the draft, in fact of an eagerness to accept
its terms. There was a deep resentment in many quarters that he was not
permitted to volunteer, as white men by the thousands were permitted to do in
connection with National Guard units and other branches of military service
which were closed to colored men. One of the brightest chapters in the whole
history of the war is the Negro's eager acceptance of the draft and his splendid
willingness to fight. His only resentment was due to the limited extent to which
he was allowed to join and participate in combatant or 'fighting' units. The
number of colored draftees accepted for military duty, and the comparatively
small number of them claiming exemptions, as compared with the total number of
white and colored men called and drafted, presents an interesting study and
reflects much credit upon this racial group."
Over 1,200 Negro officers,
many of them college graduates, were commissioned during the war. The only
training camp exclusively for Negro officers was at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. This
camp ran from June 15, 1917, to October 15, 1917. A total of 638 officers was
graduated and commissioned from the camp. Negro Regulars and Negro National Army
men who had passed the tests for admission to officers training camps were sent
mainly to the training schools for machine gun officers at Camp Hancock,
Augusta, Georgia; the infantry officers training school at Camp Pike, Little
Rock, Arkansas, and the artillery officers training school at Camp Taylor,
Louisville, Kentucky. They were trained along with the white officers. The
graduates from these camps along with a few National Guardsmen who had taken the
officers' examinations, and others trained in France, made up the balance of the
1,200 commissioned.
In connection with the artillery training an
interesting fact developed. It had been charged that Negroes could not develop
into artilleryman. A strong prejudice against inducting them into that branch of
the service had always existed in the army. It was especially affirmed that the
Negro did not possess the mathematical ability necessary to qualify as an expert
artillery officer. Nevertheless, out of a number of Negro aspirants, very small
in comparison with the white men in training for officers' commissions at the
camp, five of the Negroes stood alongside their white brothers at the head of
the class. The remainder were sprinkled down the line about in the same
proportion and occupying the same relative positions as the whites. The
prejudice against the Negro as an artilleryman was further and effectually
dispelled in the record made by the 349th, 350th and 351st artillery regiments
and their machine gun battalions in the 92nd division.
With the exception
of the training camp for officers at Des Moines, Iowa, no important attempt was
made to establish separate Negro training camps. In the draft quotas from each
state were whites and blacks and all with few exceptions, were sent to the most
convenient camp. Arrangements existed, however, at the different camps for the
separate housing and training of the Negro troops. This was in line with the
military policy of the Government, as well as in deference to the judgment of
both white and black officers. It undoubtedly was necessary to separate the two
races. Furthermore, as the military policy called for regiments, battalions and,
divisions made up entirely of Negroes, it was proper to commence the
organization at the training camps. Companies formed in this manner thus became
homogeneous, accustomed to one another individually and to their
officers.
The situation was different from the Spanish-American war,
where Negro units, at least in one case, served in white regiments. Racial
strife and rivalry were eliminated. The only rivalry that existed was the
good-natured and healthy one of emulation between members of the same race. On
the field of battle there was rivalry and emulation between the whites and
blacks, but it was the rivalry of organizations and not of races. The whole was
tempered by that splendid admiration and fellow-feeling which comes to men of
all races when engaged as partners in danger or near death; in the defense and
promotion of a great cause; the eternal verities of Justice and Humanity.
CHAPTER VIII.
RECRUDESCENCE OF SOUTH'S INTOLERANCE.
CONFRONTED BY RACIAL
PREJUDICE—- SPLENDID ATTITUDE OF NEGRO SHAMED IT—KEPT OUT OF NAVY—ONLY ONE PER
CENT OF NAVY PERSONNEL NEGROES—MODIFIED MARINES CONTEMPLATED—FEW HAVE PETTY
OFFICERS' GRADES—SEPARATE SHIPS PROPOSED—NEGRO EFFICIENCY IN NAVY—MATERIAL FOR
"BLACK SHIPS"—NAVY OPENS DOOR TO NEGRO MECHANICS.
Old feelings of
race prejudice and intolerance, appearing mainly in the South, confronted the
Negro at the beginning of the war. The splendid attitude of the Negro shamed and
overcame this feeling in other sections of the country, and was beginning to
have its effect even in the South. It is true that men of the race were not
accepted for voluntary enlistment in numbers of consequence in any section, but
had the voluntary system continued in vogue, the willingness and desire of the
race to serve, coupled with the very necessities of the case, would have altered
the condition.
No new Negro volunteer units were authorized, but the
demand for men would soon have made it imperative. It would have been combatted
by a certain element in the South, but the friends of the few volunteer units
which did exist in that section were firm in their championship and were winning
adherents to their view that the number should be increased. The selective draft
with its firm dictum that all men within certain ages should be called and the
fit ones chosen, put an end to all contention. The act was not passed without
bitter opposition which developed in its greatest intensity among the Southern
senators and representatives; feelings that were inspired entirely by opposition
to the Negro.
It would have been a bad thing for the country and would
have prolonged the war, and possibly might have lost it, if the selective draft
had been delayed. But it would have been interesting to see how far the country,
especially the South, would have progressed in the matter of raising a volunteer
army without accepting Negroes. Undoubtedly they soon would have been glad to
recruit them, even in the South.
Unfortunately for the Negro, the draft
was not able to prevent their being kept out of the Navy. It is a very desirable
branch of the service vitiated and clouded, however, with many disgusting and
aristocratic traditions. When the Navy was young and the service more arduous;
when its vessels were merely armed merchantmen, many of them simply tubs and
death traps and not the floating castles of today, the services of Negroes were
not disdained; but times and national ideals had changed, and, the shame of it,
not to the credit of a Commonwealth, for whose birth a Negro had shed the first
blood, and a Washington had faced the rigors of a Valley Forge, a Lincoln the
bullet of an assassin.
The annual report of the Chief of the Bureau of
Navigation, rendered to the Secretary of the Navy and covering the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1918, showed that in the United States Navy, the United States
Naval Reserve Force and the National Naval Volunteers, there was a total of
435,398 men. Of that great number only 5,328 were Negroes, a trifle over one
percent. Between June and November 1918, the Navy was recruited to a total force
somewhat in excess of 500,000 men. Carrying out the same percentage, it is
apparent that the aggregate number of Negroes serving, in the Navy at the close
of the war, could not have been much in excess of 6,000.
Some extra
enlistments of Negroes were contemplated, as the Navy had in process of
establishment just prior to the armistice, a new service for Negro recruits. It
was to be somewhat similar to the Pioneer units of the army, partaking in some
degree of the character of Marines, just as the Pioneers partake of the
character of infantry, but in general respects resembling more the engineer and
stevedore units. About 600 men had been selected for this service when the
project was abandoned on account of the ending of the war.
With the
exception of a very limited number who have been permitted to attain the rank of
petty officer, Negroes in the Navy were confined to menial occupations. They
were attached to the firing forces as coal passers, while others served as cooks
assistants, mess attendants and in similar duties. Quite a number were full
rated cooks. A few were water tenders, electricians and gunners' mates, each of
which occupations entitled them to the aforesaid rank of petty officer. Among
the petty officers some had by sheer merit attained the rank of chief petty
officer, which is about equal to the rank of sergeant in the army.
The
idea of separate ships for the Negro might to some degree ameliorate the sting
incident to race prohibition in that arm of government service. The query is
advanced that if we can have black colonels, majors, captains and lieutenants in
the army, why cannot we have black commanders, lieutenants, ensigns and such in
the Navy?
Negroes have often and in divers ways displayed their
intelligence and efficiency in the Navy. Take, for instance, the case of John
Jordan, a Negro of Virginia, who was chief gunner's mate on Admiral Dewey's
flagship the "Olympia" during the Spanish-American war, and was the man who
fired the first shot at the enemy at Manila Bay. A Negro chief electrician,
Salisbury Brooks, was the originator of inventions which were adopted without
reservation by the Navy designers and changed the construction of modern battle
ships.
One of the principal instructors on the U.S.S. Essex, the
government training ship at Norfolk, is Matthew Anderson, a Negro. He has
trained thousands of men, many of them now officers, in the art and duties of
seamanship. Scores of Negroes; men of the type of these in the Navy, would
furnish the nucleus for officers and crews of separate Negro ships.
In a
recent issue of "Our Navy" a magazine devoted entirely to naval affairs,
especially as regards the enlisted man, a writer reflects the opinion of these
men in the following article:
"Whether you like the black man or not, whether you believe in a
square deal for him or not, you can't point an accusing finger at his
patriotism, his Americanism or his fighting ability. It is fair to neither the
white man nor the black man to have the black man compete with the white man
in the Navy. True, we have black petty officers here and there in the Navy,
and in some cases black chief petty officers. It stands to reason that they
must have been mighty good men to advance. They surely must know their
business—every inch of it—to advance to these ratings. Yet they are not wanted
in these ratings because they involve the black man having charge of white men
under him. Outside of the messman branch you will find comparatively few
Negroes in the Navy today.
"There should be 'black ships' assigned to
be manned by American Negroes. These are days of democracy, equality and
freedom," continues the writer. "If a man is good enough to go over the top
and die for these principles, he is good enough to promote in the Navy. Why
not try it? Put the black men on their own ships. Promote them, rate them,
just the same as the white man. But above all keep them on their own ships. It
is fair to them and fair to the white men. The Brazilian and Argentine navies
have 'black ships.'"
Recruiting officers of the Navy have recently
opened the doors to discharged Negro soldiers, and some civilians. If physically
fit they are permitted to enlist as machinists and electricians. The Navy has
opened a school for machinists at Charleston, S.C., and a school for
electricians at Hampton Roads, Va.
Men for the machinists' school are
enlisted as firemen 3rd class. While in training they are paid $30 a month. They
also receive their clothing allotment, their food, dry comfortable quarters in
which to live, and all text books and practical working tools. In return for
this chance to become proficient in a very necessary trade, all that is required
of those enlisting is a knowledge of common fractions, ambition to learn the
trade, energy and a strict attention to the instruction given
them.
Subjects taught in the course are arithmetic, note book sketching,
practical engineering, theoretical engineering, clipping and filing, drilling,
pipe fitting, repair work, rebabbiting, brazing, tin smithing, lathes, shapers,
milling machines and grinders. It will be seen that they get a vast amount of
mechanical knowledge and practically two trades, machinists and
engineering.
In the electrical school the course is equally thorough. The
men get a high grade of instruction, regardless of cost of material and tools.
The best text books that can be had are available for their use.
This
liberality in order to get machinists and electricians in the Navy, argues that
some change of attitude towards the Negro is contemplated.
It may evolve
into the establishment of "black ships." The Negro sailor has been pleading for
years that his color has been a bar to him. With a ship of his own, would come
his chance. He would strive; do all within his power to make it a success and
would succeed.
CHAPTER IX.
PREVIOUS WARS IN WHICH THE NEGRO FIGURED.
SHOT HEARD AROUND THE
WORLD—CRISPUS ATTUCKS—SLAVE LEADS SONS OF FREEDOM—THE BOSTON
MASSACRE—ANNIVERSARY KEPT FOR YEARS—WILLIAM NELL, HISTORIAN—3,000 NEGROES IN
WASHINGTON'S FORCES—A STIRRING HISTORY—NEGRO WOMAN SOLDIER—BORDER INDIAN
WARS—NEGRO HEROES
Our American school histories teach us that the
"shot which was heard around the world",—the opening gun of the Revolutionary
war, was fired at Lexington in 1775. The phrase embodies a precious sentiment;
time has molded many leaders, the inspiration for almost a century and a half of
the patriotic youth of our land. This is as it should be. All honor and all
praise to the deathless heroes of that time and occasion.
But why has not
history been more just; at least, more explicit? Why not say that the shot which
started the Revolution—that first great movement for human liberty and the
emancipation of nations—was fired five years earlier; was fired not by, but at,
a Negro, Crispus Attucks? The leader of the citizens in that event of March 5,
1770, known as the Boston Massacre, he was the first man upon whom the British
soldiers fired and the first to fall; the pioneer martyr for American
independence.
It is perhaps fitting; a manifestation of the inscrutable
ways of Providence, that the first life given in behalf of a nation about to
throw off a yoke of bondage, was that of a representative of a race; despised,
oppressed and enslaved.
Botta the historian, in speaking of the scenes of
the 5th of March says:
"The people were greatly exasperated. The multitude ran towards
King street, crying, 'Let us drive out these ribalds; they have no business
here.' The rioters rushed furiously towards the Custom House; they approached
the sentinel, crying 'Kill him, kill him!' They assaulted him with snowballs,
pieces of ice, and whatever they could lay their hands upon.
"The guard
were then called, and in marching to the Custom House, they encountered a band
of the populace, led by a mulatto named Attucks, who brandished their clubs
and pelted them with snowballs. The maledictions, the imprecations, the
execrations of the multitude, were horrible. In the midst of a torrent of
invective from every quarter, the military were challenged to fire. The
populace advanced to the points of their bayonets.
"The soldiers
appeared like statues; the cries, the howlings, the menaces, the violent din
of bells still sounding the alarm, increased the confusion and the horrors of
these moments; at length the mulatto Attucks and twelve of his companions,
pressing forward, environed the soldiers and striking their muskets with their
clubs, cried to the multitude: 'Be not afraid, they dare not fire; why do you
hesitate, why do you not kill them, why not crush them at once?'
"The
mulatto lifted his arms against Captain Preston, and having turned one of the
muskets, he seized the bayonet with his left hand, as if he intended to
execute his threat At this moment, confused cries were heard: 'The wretches
dare not fire!' Firing succeeds. Attucks is slain. Other discharges follow.
Three were killed, five severely wounded and several others
slightly."
Attucks was killed by Montgomery, one of Captain
Preston's soldiers. He had been foremost in resisting and was first slain. As
proof of a front engagement, he received two balls, one in each breast. The
white men killed with Attucks were Samuel Maverick, Samuel Gray and Jonas
Caldwell.
John Adams, afterwards President of the United States, was
counsel for the soldiers in the investigation which followed. He admitted that
Attucks appeared to have been the hero of the occasion and the leader of the
people. Attucks and Caldwell, not being residents of Boston, were buried from
Faneuil Hall, the cradle of liberty. The citizens generally participated in the
solemnities.
If the outrages against the American colonists had not been
so flagrant, and so well imbedded as indisputable records of our history; if the
action of the military authorities had not been so arbitrary, the uprising of
Attucks and his followers might be looked upon as a common, reprehensible riot
and the participants as a band of misguided incendiaries. Subsequent reverence
for the occasion, disproves any such view. Judge Dawes, a prominent jurist of
the time, as well as a brilliant exponent of the people, alluding in 1775 to the
event, said:
"The provocation of that night must be numbered among the
master-springs which gave the first motion to a vast machinery—a noble and
comprehensive system of national independence."
Ramsey's History of
the American Revolution, says:
"The anniversary of the 5th of March was observed with great
solemnity; eloquent orators were successively employed to preserve the
remembrance of it fresh in the mind. On these occasions the blessings of
liberty, the horrors of slavery, and the danger of a standing army, were
presented to the public view. These annual orations administered fuel to the
fire of liberty and kept it burning with an irresistible flame."
The
5th of March continued to be celebrated for the above reasons until the
anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence was substituted in its
place; and its orators were expected to honor the feelings and principles of the
former as having given birth to the latter. On the 5th of March 1776, Washington
repaired to the intrenchments. "Remember" said he, "It is the 5th of March, and
avenge the death of your brethren."
In the introduction to a book
entitled "The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution" by William C. Nell, a
Negro historian, Harriet Beecher Stowe said in 1855:
"The colored race have been generally considered by their enemies,
and sometimes even by their friends, as deficient in energy and courage. Their
virtues have been supposed to be principally negative ones." Speaking of the
incidents in Mr. Nell's collection she says: "They will redeem the character
of the race from this misconception and show how much injustice there may
often be in a generally accepted idea". Continuing, she says:
"In
considering the services of the colored patriots of the Revolution, we are to
reflect upon them as far more magnanimous, because rendered to a nation which
did not acknowledge them as citizens and equals, and in whose interests and
prosperity they had less at stake. It was not for their own land they fought,
not even for a land which had adopted them, but for a land which had enslaved
them, and whose laws, even in freedom, oftener oppressed than protected.
Bravery, under such circumstances, has a peculiar beauty and
merit.
"And their white brothers—may remember that generosity,
disinterested courage and bravery, are of no particular race and complexion,
and that the image of the Heavenly Father may be reflected alike by all. Each
record of worth in this oppressed and despised people should be pondered, for
it is by many such that the cruel and unjust public sentiment, which has so
long proscribed them, may be reversed, and full opportunities given them to
take rank among the nations of the earth."
Estimates from competent
sources state that not less than 3,000 Negro soldiers did service in the
American army during the Revolution. Rhode Island first made her slaves free men
and then called on them to fight. A black regiment was raised there, of which
Colonel Christopher Green was made commander. Connecticut furnished a black
battalion under command of Colonel David Humphrey.
Prior to the
Revolution, two Virginia Negroes, Israel Titus and Samuel Jenkins, had fought
under Braddock and Washington in the French and Indian war.
It has been
said that one of the men killed when Major Pitcairn commanding the British
advance on Concord and Lexington, April 19, 1775, ordered his troops to fire on
the Americans, was a Negro bearing arms. Peter Salem a Negro did service during
the Revolution, and is said to have killed this same Major Pitcairn, at the
battle of Bunker Hill. In some old engravings of the battle, Salem is pictured
as occupying a prominent position. These pictures were carried on some of the
currency of the Monumental bank of Charlestown, Massachusetts and the Freeman's
bank of Boston. Other black men fought at Bunker Hill, of whom we have the names
of Salem Poor, Titus Coburn, Alexander Ames, Barzillai Lew and Gato Howe. After
the war these men were pensioned.
Prince, a Negro soldier, was Colonel
Barton's chief assistant in capturing the British officer, Major General
Prescott at Newport, R.I. Primus Babcock received an honorable discharge from
the army signed by General Washington. Lambo Latham and Jordan Freeman fell with
Ledyard at the storming of Fort Griswold. Freeman is said to have killed Major
Montgomery, a British officer who was leading an attack on Americans in a
previous fight. History does not record whether or not this was the same or a
related Montgomery to the one who killed Crispus Attucks at
Boston.
Hamet, one of General Washington's Negroes, was drawing a pension
as a revolutionary soldier as late as 1839, Oliver Cromwell served six years and
nine months in Col. Israel Shreve's regiment of New Jersey troops under
Washington's immediate command. Charles Bowles became an American soldier at the
age of sixteen years and served to the end of the Revolution. Seymour Burr and
Jeremy Jonah were Negro soldiers in a Connecticut regiment.
A Negro whose
name is not known obtained the countersign by which Mad Anthony Wayne was
enabled to take Stony Point, and guided and helped him to do so.
Jack
Grove was a Negro steward on board an American vessel which the British
captured. He figured out that the vessel could be retaken if sufficient courage
were shown. He insisted and at length prevailed upon his captain to make the
attempt, which was successful.
There was in Massachusetts during those
Revolutionary days one company of Negro men bearing a special designation, "The
Bucks." It was a notable body of men. At the close of the war its fame and
services were recognized by John Hancock presenting to it a beautiful
banner.
The European struggle recently ended furnished a remarkable
example of female heroism and devotion to country in the case of the Russian
woman who enlisted as a common soldier in the army of the Czar, served with
distinction and finally organized an effective unit of female soldiers known as
the "Battalion of Death." More resourceful and no less remarkable and heroic, is
the case of Deborah Gannet, a Negro woman soldier of the Revolution, which may
be summed up in the following resolution passed by the General Court of
Massachusetts during the session of 1791:—
"XXIII—Whereas, it appears to this court that the said Deborah
Gannett enlisted, under the name of Robert Shurtliff, in Capt Webb's company,
in the Fourth Massachusetts regiment, on May 20, 1782, and did actually
perform the duties of a soldier, in the late army of the United States to the
23rd day of October, 1783, for which she has received no compensation; and,
whereas, it further appears that the said Deborah exhibited an extraordinary
instance of female heroism by discharging the duties of a faithful, gallant
soldier, and at the same time preserving the virtue and chastity of her sex
unsuspected and unblemished, and was discharged from the service with a fair
and honorable character, therefore,
"Resolved, that the Treasurer of
this Commonwealth be, and he hereby is, directed to issue his note to the said
Deborah for the sum of thirty-four pounds, bearing interest from October 23,
1783."
There is not lacking evidence that Negroes distinguished
themselves in the struggles of the pioneer settlers against the Indians. This
was particularly true of the early history of Kentucky. The following incidents
are recorded in Thompson's "Young People's History of Kentucky:"
"Ben Stockton was a slave in the family of Major George Stockton
of Fleming county. He was a regular Negro, and though a slave, was devoted to
his master. He hated an Indian and loved to moralize over a dead one; getting
into a towering rage and swearing magnificently when a horse was stolen;
handled his rifle well, though somewhat foppishly, and hopped, danced and
showed his teeth when a prospect offered to chase 'the yaller varmints'. His
master had confidence in his resolution and prudence, while he was a great
favorite with all the hunters, and added much to their fun on dull
expeditions. On one occasion, when a party of white men in pursuit of Indians
who had stolen their horses called at Stockton's station for reinforcements,
Ben, among others, volunteered. They overtook the savages at Kirk's Springs in
Lewis county, and dismounted to fight; but as they advanced, they could see
only eight or ten, who disappeared over the mountain. Pressing on, they
discovered on descending the mountain such indications as convinced them that
the few they had seen were but decoys to lead them into an ambuscade at the
base, and a retreat was ordered. Ben was told of it by a man near him; but he
was so intent on getting a shot that he did not hear, and the order was
repeated in a louder tone, whereupon he turned upon his monitor a reproving
look, grimaced and gesticulated ludicrously, and motioned to the man to be
silent. He then set off rapidly down the mountain. His white comrade,
unwilling to leave him, ran after him, and reached his side just as he leveled
his gun at a big Indian standing tiptoe on a log and peering into the thick
woods. At the crack of Ben's rifle the savage bounded into the air and fell.
The others set up a fierce yell, and, as the fearless Negro said, 'skipped
from tree to tree like grasshoppers.' He bawled out: 'Take dat to 'member
Ben—de black white man!' and the two beat a hasty retreat.
"In the
family of Capt. James Estill, who established a station about fifteen miles
south of Boonesborough, was a Negro slave, Monk, who was intelligent, bold as
a lion, and as faithful to his pioneer friends as though he were a free white
settler defending his own rights. About daylight, March 20, 1782, when all the
men of the fort except four were absent on an Indian trail, a body of the
savages came upon Miss Jennie Glass, who was outside, but near the station,
milking—Monk being with her. They killed and scalped Miss Glass and captured
Monk. When questioned as to the force inside the walls, the shrewd and
self-possessed Negro represented it as much greater than it was and told of
preparations for defense. The Indians were deceived, and after killing the
cattle, they retreated across the river. When the battle of Little Mountain
opened two days later, Monk, who was still a prisoner with the Indians cried
out: 'Don't give way, Mas' Jim! There's only about twenty-five redskins and
you can whip 'em!' This was valuable and encouraging information to the
whites. When the Indians began to advance on Lieutenant Miller, when he was
sent to prevent a flank movement and guard the horse-holders, Monk called also
to him to hold his ground and the white men would win. Instead of being
instantly killed as was to be apprehended, even though the savages might not
understand his English, he made his escape before the fight closed and got
back to his friends. On their return to the station, twenty-five miles,
without sufficient horses for the wounded, he carried on his back, most of the
way, James Berry, whose thigh was broken. He had learned to make gunpowder,
and obtaining saltpetre from Peyton's Cave, in Madison county, he frequently
furnished this indispensable article to Estill's Station and Boonesborough. He
has been described as being five feet five inches high and weighing two
hundred pounds. He was a respected member of the Baptist church, when whites
and blacks worshipped together. He was held in high esteem by the settlers and
his young master, Wallace Estill, gave him his freedom and clothed and fed him
as long as he lived thereafter—till about 1835.
"A year or two after
the close of the Revolutionary war, a Mr. Woods was living near Crab Orchard,
Kentucky, with his wife, one daughter (said to be ten years old), and a lame
Negro man. Early one morning, her husband being away, Mrs. Woods when a short
distance from the house, discovered seven or eight Indians in ambush. She ran
back into the house, so closely pursued that before she could fasten the door
one of the savages forced his way in. The Negro instantly seized him. In the
scuffle the Indian threw him, falling on top. The Negro held him in a strong
grasp and called to the girl to take an axe which was in the room and kill
him. This she did by two well-aimed blows; and the Negro then asked Mrs. Woods
to let in another that he with the axe might dispatch him as he came and so,
one by one, kill them all. By this time, however, some men from the station
nearby, having discovered that the house was attacked, had come up and opened
fire on the savages, by which one was killed and the others put to
flight."
CHAPTER X.
FROM LEXINGTON TO CARRIZAL.
NEGRO IN WAR OF 1812—INCIDENT OF THE
CHESAPEAKE—BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE—PERRY'S FIGHTERS 10 PERCENT NEGROES—INCIDENT OF
THE "GOVERNOR TOMPKINS"—COLONISTS FORM NEGRO REGIMENTS—DEFENSE OF NEW
ORLEANS—ANDREW JACKSON'S TRIBUTE—NEGROES IN MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS—IN THE
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR—NEGROES IN THE PHILIPPINES—HEROES OF CARRIZAL—GENERAL
BUTLER'S TRIBUTE TO NEGROES—WENDELL PHILLIPS ON TOUSSAINT
L'OUVERTURE.
Prior to the actual war of 1812 and one of the most
conspicuous causes leading to it, was the attack on the Chesapeake, an American
war vessel. Here the Negro in the Navy figured in a most remarkable degree. The
vessel was hailed, fired upon and forced to strike her colors by the British.
She was boarded, searched and four persons taken from the crew charged with
desertion from the English navy. Three of these were Negroes and one white. The
charge against the Negroes could not have been very strong, for they were
dismissed, while the white man was hanged.
The naval history of our
second war with Great Britain is replete with incidents concerning the
participation of the Negro. Mackenzie's history of the life of Commodore Perry
states that at the famed battle of Lake Erie, fully ten percent of the American
crews were blacks. Perry spoke highly of their bravery and good conduct. He said
they seemed to be absolutely insensible to danger. His fighters were a motley
collection of blacks, soldiers and boys. Nearly all had been afflicted with
sickness. Mackenzie says that when the defeated British commander was brought
aboard the "Niagara" and beheld the sickly and parti-colored beings around him,
an expression of chagrin escaped him at having been conquered by such
men.
The following extract is from a letter written by Commodore
Nathaniel Shaler of the armed schooner "Governor Tompkins", dated January 1,
1813. Speaking of a fight with a British frigate, he said:
"The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed ought to be
registered in the book of fame and remembered with reverence as long as
bravery is considered a virtue. He was a black man by the name of John
Johnson. A twenty-four-pound shot struck him in the hip and tore away all the
lower part of his body. In this state the poor brave fellow lay on the deck
and several times exclaimed to his shipmates: 'Fire away, boys; don't haul the
colors down.' Another black man by the name of John Davis was struck in much
the same way. He fell near me and several times requested to be thrown
overboard, saying he was only in the way of the others. When America has such
tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of the ocean."
With
the history fresh in mind of the successful Negro insurrection in St. Domingo,
bringing out so conspicuous a military and administrative genius as Toussaint
L'Ouverture, it is not surprising that the services of Negroes as soldiers were
not only welcomed, but solicited by various states during the War of 1812.
Excepting the battle of New Orleans, almost all the martial glory of the
struggle was on the water. New York, however, passed a special act of the
legislature and organized two regiments of Negro troops, while there was heavy
recruiting in other states.
When in 1814 New Orleans was in danger, the
free colored people of Louisiana were called into the field with the whites.
General Andrew Jackson's commendatory address read to his colored troops
December 18, 1814, is one of the highest compliments ever paid by a commander to
his troops. He said:
"Soldiers!—when, on the banks of the Mobile, I called you to take
up arms, inviting you to partake of the perils and glory of your white
fellow-citizens, I expected much from you; for I was not ignorant that you
possessed qualities most formidable to an invading enemy. I knew with what
fortitude you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the fatigues of a
campaign. I knew well how you loved your native country, and that you, as well
as ourselves had to defend what man holds most dear—his parents, wife,
children and property. You have done more than I expected. In addition to the
previous qualities I before knew you to possess, I found among you a noble
enthusiasm, which leads to the performance of great things.
"Soldiers!
The President of the United States shall hear how praiseworthy was your
conduct in the hour of danger, and the representatives of the American people
will give you the praise your exploits entitle you to. Your General
anticipates them in applauding your noble ardor."
Many incidents are
on record of the gallantry of Negro soldiers and servants also serving as
soldiers, in the war with Mexico. Colonel Clay, a son of Henry Clay, was
accompanied into the thick of the battle of Buena Vista, by his Negro servant.
He remained by his side in the fatal charge and saw Clay stricken from his
horse. Although surrounded by the murderous Mexicans he succeeded in carrying
the mangled body of his master from the field.
It has been stated and the
evidence seems strong, that a Negro saved the life of General Zachary Taylor at
the battle of Monterey. The story is that a Mexican was aiming a deadly blow at
the General, when the Negro sprang between them, slew the Mexican and received a
deep wound from a lance. The Negro was a slave at the time, but was afterwards
emancipated by President Taylor.
Upwards of 200,000 colored soldiers were
regularly enlisted in the Federal army and navy during the Civil war. President
Lincoln commissioned eight Negro surgeons for field and hospital duty. Losses
sustained by the Negro troops amounting to upwards of 37,000 men, are shown to
have been as heavy in proportion to the numbers engaged, as those of the white
forces.
The record of the Negro troops in the Civil war is one of uniform
excellence. Numerous official documents attest this fact, aside from the spoken
and written commendations of many high officers. Their bravery was everywhere
recognized; many distinguished themselves and several attained to the rank of
regularly commissioned officers. Conspicuous in Negro annals of that time is the
case of Charles E. Nash, afterwards a member of congress. He received a primary
education in the schools of New Orleans, but had educated himself largely by his
own efforts. In 1863 he enlisted in the 83rd regiment, United States Chasseurs
d'Afrique and became acting sergeant-major of that command. At the storming of
Fort Blakely he lost a leg and was honorably discharged.
Another, William
Hannibal Thomas, afterwards became prominent as an author, teacher, lawyer and
legislator. His best known book was entitled, "The American Negro: What he was,
what he is, and what he may become." He served as a soldier during the Civil War
and lost an arm in the service.
The exploit of Robert Smalls was so
brilliant that no amount of unfairness or prejudice has been able to shadow it.
It is well known to all students of the War of the Rebellion and is recorded in
the imperishable pages of history.
Smalls was born a slave at Beaufort,
South Carolina, but managed to secure some education. Having led a sea-faring
life to some extent, the early part of the war found him employed as pilot of
the Rebel transport Planter. He was thoroughly familiar with the harbors and
inlets of the South Atlantic coast. On May 31, 1862, the Planter was in
Charleston harbor. All the white officers and crew went ashore, leaving on board
a colored crew of eight men in charge of Smalls. He summoned aboard his wife and
three children and at 2 o'clock in the morning steamed out of the harbor, passed
the Confederate forts by giving the proper signals, and when fairly out of
reach, ran up the Stars and Stripes and headed a course for the Union fleet,
into whose hands he soon surrendered the ship. He was appointed a pilot in the
United States navy and served as such on the monitor Keokuk in the attack on
Fort Sumter; was promoted to captain for gallant and meritorious conduct,
December 1, 1863, and placed in command of the Planter, a position which he held
until the vessel was taken out of commission in 1866. He was a member of the
South Carolina Constitutional Convention, 1868; elected same year to the
legislature, to the state senate 1870 and 1872, and was a member of the
Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses.
Among the most inspiring pages
of Civil War history written by the Negro, were the campaigns of Port Hudson,
Louisiana; Fort Wagner, South Carolina and Fort Pillow, Kentucky. Negro troops
participated in the siege of the former place by the Federal forces under
General Banks, which began in May 1863, and ended in the surrender of the fort
July 8, 1863. Fort Wagner was one of the defenses of Charleston. It was reduced
by General Gilmore, September 6, 1863 and Negro troops contributed in a glorious
and heroic manner to the result. Fort Pillow had been taken by the Federals and
was garrisoned by a Negro regiment and a detachment of cavalry. It was
recaptured April 12, 1864 by the Confederates under General Forrest. Practically
the entire garrison was massacred, an act that will stain forever the name of
Forrest, and the cause for which he struggled.
By the close of the Civil
war, the value and fitness of the Negro as a soldier had been so completely
demonstrated that the government decided to enlarge the Regular army and form
fifty percent of the increase from colored men. In 1866 eight new infantry
regiments were authorized of which four were to be Negroes and four new cavalry
regiments of which two were to be Negroes. The Negro infantry regiments were
numbered the 38th 39th, 40th and 41st. The cavalry regiments were known as the
9th and 10th.
In 1869 there was a general reduction in the infantry
forces of the Regular army and the 38th and 41st were consolidated into one
regiment numbered the 24th and the 39th and 40th into one regiment numbered the
25th. The strength and numerical titles of the cavalry were not changed. For
over forty years the colored American was represented in our Regular Army by
those four regiments. They have borne more than their proportionate share of
hard service, including many Indian campaigns. The men have conducted themselves
so worthily as to call forth the best praise of the highest military
authorities. General Miles and General Merritt, actively identified with the
Indian wars, were unstinting in their commendation of the valor and skill of
Negro fighters.
Between 1869 and 1889, three colored men were regularly
graduated and commissioned from the United States military academy at West Point
and served in the Regular Army as officers. They were John H. Alexander, Charles
Young and H.O. Flipper. The latter was dismissed. All served in the cavalry.
Alexander died shortly before the Spanish-American war and up to the time of his
demise, enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his associates, white and black.
Young became major in the volunteer service during the Spanish-American war and
was placed in command of the Ninth Battalion of Ohio volunteers. After the
Spanish-American war he returned to the Regular Army with a reduced rank, but
ultimately became a Major in that service. Upon America's entry into the
European war he was elevated to the rank of Colonel.
At the breaking out
of the Spanish-American war in 1898, Negro military organizations existed
principally in the Regular Army. These were soon filled to their maximum
strength and the desire of Negroes north and south to enlist, seemed likely to
meet with disappointment. Congress, to meet the insistence of colored men for
service, authorized the raising of ten Negro volunteer regiments of
"immunes"—men who had lived in sections where the yellow fever and other
malignant or malarial visitations had occurred, and who had suffered from them
or shown evidences that they in all probability would be immune from the
diseases. The plan to place white men in all commands above the grade of second
lieutenant, prevented Negroes from enlisting as they otherwise would have done.
Four immune regiments were organized—the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th.
Several
of the states appreciating the value of the Negro as a soldier and in response
to his intense desire to enlist, placed volunteer Negro organizations at the
disposal of the government. There were the Third Alabama and Sixth Virginia
Infantry; Eighth Illinois Infantry; Companies A and B Indiana Infantry;
Thirty-third Kansas Infantry, and a battalion of the Ninth Ohio Infantry. The
Eighth Illinois was officered by colored men throughout. J.R. Marshall its first
colonel commanded the regiment during the Spanish-American war and did garrison
duty in Santiago province for some time after the war; being for a while
military governor of San Luis.
Gov. Russell of North Carolina, called out
a Negro regiment, the Third Infantry, officered by colored men throughout.
Colonel Charles Young commanding. It was not mustered into the
service.
Company L. Sixth Massachusetts Infantry, was a Negro company
serving in a white regiment. John L. Waller, deceased, a Negro formerly United
States Consul to Madagascar, was a captain in the Kansas regiment.
About
one hundred Negro second-lieutenants were commissioned in the volunteer force
during the Spanish-American war. There was a Negro paymaster, Major John R.
Lynch of Mississippi, and two Negro chaplains, the Rev. C.T. Walker of Georgia
and the Rev. Richard Carroll of South Carolina.
Owing to the briefness of
the campaign in Cuba, most of the service of Negro troops devolved upon the
Regulars who were fit and ready. But all troops were at mobilization or training
bases and willing and anxious to serve. No pages in the history of this country
are more replete with the record of good fighting, military efficiency and
soldierly conduct, than those recording the story of Negro troops in Cuba.
Colonel Roosevelt said that the conduct of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry reflected
honor upon the whole American people, especially on their own race. He could
hardly say otherwise in view of the splendid support given by those two
regiments that—such is, and will continue to be the verdict of history, saved
him and his "Rough Riders" from annihilation at San Juan Hill.
Cuba, in
her struggles for freedom, had among her own people two splendid Negro leaders,
Antonio and Jose Maceo.
Following the Cuban campaign, Negro troops saw
distinguished service in the Philippine Islands uprisings. They have from time
to time since garrisoned and preserved order in those possessions. A very
limited number of Negro officers have been attached to their racial contingents
in the Philippines, and there will be found but a few of competent military
authority in this country, who will deny that educated, intelligent and
qualified Negroes, are fitted for positions of leadership and
command.
The Negro of this country is primarily and essentially concerned
with the destiny and problems of his race. His work encouraged as it must be, by
the laws and spirit of the age, will determine his future and mark the
commencement of the elimination of the shameful prejudice against him in the
land, for which, from Lexington to the bloody trenches of France, he has given
of his blood to preserve.
Before leaving the subject of the Negro in
previous wars, it is highly fitting to review the heroic incident of June 21,
1916, at Carrizal, Mexico. Here is a tale of daring that to duplicate, would tax
the imagination of war fiction writers, and among incidents of fact will range
along with the Texans' defense of the Alamo, where men fought and perished
against great odds.
The occasion was the celebrated expedition conducted
by General J.J. Pershing into Mexico in pursuit of the bandit leader Villa. A
picked detachment consisting of portions of Troops C and K of the colored Tenth
Cavalry, was dispatched from Pershing's main force towards the town of Villa
Ahumada. The force was commanded by Captain Charles T. Boyd of Troop C and
Captain Lewis Morey of Troop K. Lieutenant Adair was second in command in Troop
C to Captain Boyd. Including officers and civilian scouts, the force numbered
about 80 men.
Early on the morning of June 21, the detachment wishing to
pass through the garrisoned town of Carrizal, sought the permission of the
Mexican commander. Amidst a show of force, the officers were invited into the
town by the commander, ostensibly for a parley. Fearing a trap they refused the
invitation and invited the Mexicans to a parley outside the town. The Mexican
commander came out with his entire force and began to dispose them in positions
which were very threatening to the Americans. Captain Boyd informed the Mexican
that his orders were to proceed eastward to Ahumada and protested against the
menacing position of the Mexican forces. The Mexican replied that his orders
were to prevent the Americans from proceeding in any direction excepting
northward, the direction from which they had just come.
Captain Boyd
refused to retreat, but ordered his men not to fire until they were attacked.
The Mexican commander retired to the flank and almost immediately opened with
machine gun fire from a concealed trench. This was quickly followed by rifle
fire from the remainder of the force. The Mexicans outnumbered the troopers
nearly two to one and their most effective force was intrenched. The Americans
were on a flat plain, unprotected by anything larger than bunches of cactus or
sage brush. They dismounted, laid flat on the ground and responded to the attack
as best they could. The horses were mostly stampeded by the early
firing.
The spray of lead from the machine gun had become so galling that
Captain Boyd decided to charge the position. Not a man wavered in the charge.
They took the gun, the Captain falling dead across the barrel of it just as the
last Mexican was killed or put to flight. Lieutenant Adair was also killed. The
Mexicans returned in force and recaptured the position.
Captain Morey had
been concerned in warding off a flank attack. His men fought no less bravely
than the others. They finally were driven to seek refuge in an adobe house, that
is; all who were able to reach it. Here they kept the Mexicans at bay for hours
firing through windows and holes in the walls. Captain Morey seriously wounded,
with a few of his survivors, finally escaped from the house and hid for nearly
two days in a hole. The soldiers refused to leave their officer. When they
finally were able to leave their place of concealment, the several that were
left assisted their Captain on the road towards the main force. Arriving at a
point where reinforcements could be summoned, the Captain wrote a report to his
commander and sent his men to headquarters with it. They arrived in record time
and a party was sent out, reaching the wounded officer in time to save his
life.
About half of the American force was wiped out and most of the
others were taken prisoners. They inflicted a much heavier loss on the Mexicans.
Among the killed was the Mexican commander who had ordered the treacherous
attack.
It may be that "someone had blundered." This was not the concern
of the black troopers; in the face of odds they fought by the cactus and lay
dead under the Mexican stars.
In closing this outline of the Negro's
participation in former wars, it is highly appropriate to quote the tributes of
two eminent men. One, General Benjamin F. Butler, a conspicuous military leader
on the Union side in the Civil War, and Wendell Phillips, considered by many the
greatest orator America ever produced, and who devoted his life to the abolition
movement looking to the freedom of the slave in the United States. Said General
Butler on the occasion of the debate in the National House of Representatives on
the Civil Rights bill; ten years after the bloody battle of New Market Heights;
speaking to the bill, and referring to the gallantry of the black soldiers on
that field of strife:
"It became my painful duty to follow in the track of that charging
column, and there, in a space not wider than the clerk's desk and three
hundred yards long, lay the dead bodies of 543 of my colored comrades, fallen
in defense of their country, who had offered their lives to uphold its flag
and its honor, as a willing sacrifice; and as I rode along among them, guiding
my horse this way and that way, lest he should profane with his hoofs what
seemed to me the sacred dead, and as I looked on their bronzed faces upturned
in the shining sun, as if in mute appeal against the wrongs of the country
whose flag had only been to them a flag of stripes, on which no star of glory
had ever shone for them—feeling I had wronged them in the past and believing
what was the future of my country to them—among my dead comrades there I swore
to myself a solemn oath, 'May my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I ever fail to defend the rights of those
men who have given their blood for me and my country this day, and for their
race forever,' and, God helping me, I will keep that oath."
Mr.
Phillips in his great oration on Toussaint L'Ouverture, the Black of St.
Domingo; statesman, warrior and LIBERATOR,—delivered in New York City, March 11,
1863, said among other things, a constellation of linguistic brilliants not
surpassed since the impassioned appeals of Cicero swept the Roman Senate to its
feet, or Demosthenes fired his listeners with the flame of his matchless
eloquence;
"You remember that Macaulay says, comparing Cromwell with
Napoleon, that Cromwell showed the greater military genius, if we consider
that he never saw an army till he was forty; while Napoleon was educated from
a boy in the best military schools in Europe. Cromwell manufactured his own
army; Napoleon at the age of twenty-seven was placed at the head of the best
troops Europe ever saw. They were both successful; but, says Macaulay, with
such disadvantages, the Englishman showed the greater genius. Whether you
allow the inference or not, you will at least grant that it is a fair mode of
measurement.
"Apply it to Toussaint. Cromwell never saw an army until
he was forty; this man never saw a soldier till he was fifty. Cromwell
manufactured his own army—out of what? Englishmen—the best blood in Europe.
Out of the middle class of Englishmen, the best blood of the island. And with
it he conquered what? Englishmen—their equals. This man manufactured his army
out of what? Out of what you call the despicable race of Negroes, debased,
demoralized by two hundred years of slavery, 100,000 of them imported into the
island within four years, unable to speak a dialect intelligible even to each
other. Yet out of this mixed, and, as you say, despicable mass, he forged a
thunderbolt, and hurled it at what? At the proudest blood in Europe, the
Spaniard, and sent him home conquered; at the most warlike blood in Europe,
the French, and put them under his feet; at the pluckiest blood in Europe, the
English, and they skulked home to Jamaica."
The world is acquainted
with the treacherous infamy inspired by the great Napoleon, that inveigled the
Black Chieftain and liberator of his people on shipboard, the voyage to France,
and his subsequent death—STARVED!—in the dungeon of the prison castle of St.
Joux.
Whittier, the poet evangelist, whose inspired verse contributed
much to the crystallization of the sentiment and spirit that finally doomed
African slavery in America, thus referred to the heartless tragedy and the
splendid Black who was its victim:
"Sleep calmy in thy dungeon-tomb,
Beneath Besancon's alien sky,
Dark Haytien!—for the time shall come,
Yea, even now is nigh—
When, everywhere, thy name shall be
Redeemed from color's infamy;
And men shall learn to speak of thee,
As one of earth's great spirits, born
In servitude, and nursed in scorn,
Casting aside the weary weight
And fetters of its low estate,
In that strong majesty of soul,
Which knows no color, tongue or clime,
Which still hath spurned the base control
Of tyrants through all time!"
CHAPTER XI.
HOUR OF HIS NATION'S PERIL.
NEGRO'S PATRIOTIC ATTITUDE—SELECTIVE
DRAFT IN EFFECT—FEATURES AND RESULTS—BOLD RELIANCE ON FAITH IN A PEOPLE—NO COLOR
LINE DRAWN—DISTRIBUTION OF REGISTRANTS BY STATES—NEGRO AND WHITE REGISTRATIONS
COMPARED—NEGRO PERCENTAGES HIGHER—CLAIMED FEWER EXEMPTIONS—INDUCTIONS BY
STATES—BETTER PHYSICALLY THAN WHITES—TABLES, FACTS AND FIGURES.
As
stated in a previous chapter, the Negro's real opportunity to show his patriotic
attitude did not come until the passage of the compulsory service law; selective
draft, was the name attached to it later and by which it was generally
known.
On May 18, 1917, the day the law was enacted by congress, no
advocate of preparedness could with confidence have forecasted the success of
it. There were many who feared the total failure of it. The history of the
United States disclosed a popular adherence to the principle of voluntary
enlistment, if not a repudiation of the principle of selection or compulsory
military service.
It was to be expected that many people would look upon
the law as highly experimental; as an act that, if it did not produce grave
disorders in the country, would fall short of the results for which it was
intended. It was fortunate for the country at this time, that the military
establishment possessed in the person of General Crowder, one who had made a
special study of selective drafts and other forms of compulsory service, not
alone in this country, but throughout the nations of the world and back to the
beginning of recorded history. He had become as familiar with all phases of it
as though it had been a personal hobby and lifetime pursuit.
The law was
extremely plain and permitted of no guessing or legal quibbling over its terms.
It boldly recited the military obligations of citizenship. It vested the
president with the most complete power of prescribing regulations calculated to
strike a balance between the industrial, agricultural and economic needs of the
nation on the one hand and the military need on the other.
Within 18 days
between May 18, when the law was approved, and June 5, the day the president had
fixed as registration day, a great, administrative machine was built.
Practically the entire male citizenship of the United States within the age
limits fixed by law, twenty-one to thirty years inclusive, presented itself at
the 4,000 enrollment booths with a registered result of nearly 10,000,000 names.
The project had been so systematized that within 48 hours almost complete
registration returns had been assembled by telegraph in Washington.
The
order in which the ten-million registrants were to be called was accomplished on
July 20 by a great central lottery in Washington.
The boards proceeded
promptly to call, to examine physically and to consider claims for exemption of
over one and one half million men, a sufficient number to fill the first
national quota of 687,000. Thus in less than three and one-half months the
nation had accepted and vigorously executed a compulsory service law.
On
June 5, 1918, 753,834 men were added to the rolls. On August 24, 1918, that
number was increased by 159,161; finally on September 12, 1918, under the
provision of the act of August 31,1918, 13,228,762 were added to the lists of
those available for military service, which, including interim and other
accessions, amounted to a grand total of 24,234,021 enrolled and subject to the
terms of the Selective Service law. This tremendous exhibition of man power
struck terror to the heart of the Hun and hastened him to, if possible, deliver
a telling blow against the Allies before the wonderful strength and resources of
the American nation could be brought to bear against him.
Commenting on
the facility with which the selective draft was put into effect, the report of
the Provost Marshall General stated in part:
"The expedition and smoothness with which the law was executed
emphasized the remarkable flexibility, adaptability and efficiency of our
system of government and the devotion of our people. Here was a gigantic
project in which success was staked not on reliance in the efficiency of a
man, or an hierarchy of men, or, primarily, on a system. Here was a bold
reliance on faith in a people. Most exacting duties were laid with perfect
confidence on the officials of every locality in the nation, from the
governors of states to the registrars of elections, and upon private citizens
of every condition, from men foremost in the industrial and political life of
the nation to those who had never before been called upon to participate in
the functions of government. By all administrative tokens, the accomplishment
of their task was magic."
No distinction regarding color or race was
made in the selective draft law, except so far as non-citizen Indians were
exempt from the draft. But the organization of the army placed Negro soldiers in
separate units; and the several calls for mobilization, were, therefore,
affected by this circumstance, in that no calls could be issued for Negro
registrants until the organizations were ready for them. Figures of total
registration given previously in this chapter include interim accessions and
some that automatically went on the rolls after September 12, 1918. Inasmuch as
the tables prepared by the Provost Marshall General's department deal only with
those placed on the rolls on regular registration days and do not include the
accessions mentioned, comparisons which follow will be based on those tables.
They show the total registration as 23,779,997, of which 21,489,470 were white
and 2,290,527 were black. Following is a table showing the distribution of
colored and white registrants by states:
Colored
Total registrants
Colored June 5, 1917 Colored Total
and white Colored registrants colored
registrants. to Sept 11, Sept 12, registrants.
1918. 1918.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 23,779,097 1,078,331 1,212,196 2,290,527
=====================================================
Alabama 444,692 81,963 81,410 163,373
Arizona 93,078 295 680 975
Arkansas 365,754 51,176 53,659 104,835
California 787,676 3,308 6,404 9,712
Colorado 215,178 1,103 1,867 2,970
Connecticut 373,676 3,524 4,659 8,183
Delaware 55,215 3,798 4,448 8,246
District of Columbia 89,808 11,045 15,433 26,478
Florida 208,931 39,013 43,019 82,032
Georgia 549,020 112,593 108,183 220,781
Idaho 103,740 254 255 509
Illinois 1,571,717 21,816 35,597 57,413
Indiana 639,431 11,289 16,549 27,838
Iowa 523,957 2,959 3,022 5,981
Kansas 381,315 5,575 7,448 13,023
Kentucky 486,599 25,850 30,182 56,032
Louisiana 391,654 76,223 82,256 158,479
Maine 159,350 163 179 342
Maryland 313,255 26,435 32,736 59,171
Massachusetts 884,030 6,044 8,056 14,100
Michigan 871,410 6,979 8,950 15,929
Minnesota 540,003 1,541 1,809 3,350
Mississippi 344,506 81,548 91,534 173,082
Missouri 764,428 22,796 31,524 54,320
Montana 196,999 320 494 814
Nebraska 286,147 1,614 2,417 4,031
Nevada 29,465 69 112 172
New Hampshire 95,035 77 98 175
New Jersey 761,238 14,056 19,340 33,396
New Mexico 80,158 235 350 595
New York 2,503,290 25,974 35,299 61,273
North Carolina 480,901 73,357 69,168 142,525
North Dakota 159,391 65 165 230
Ohio 1,387,830 28,831 35,156 63,987
Oklahoma 423,864 14,305 23,253 37,563
Oregon 176,010 144 534 678
Pennsylvania 2,067,023 39,363 51,111 90,474
Rhode Island 134,232 1,573 1,913 3,486
South Carolina 307,229 74,265 74,912 149,177
South Dakota 142,783 144 171 315
Tennessee 474,253 43,735 51,059 94,794
Texas 989,571 83,671 82,775 166,446
Utah 100,038 169 392 561
Vermont 71,464 63 89 152
Virginia 464,903 64,358 75,816 140,174
Washington 319,337 373 1,353 1,726
West Virginia 324,975 13,292 14,652 27,944
Wisconsin 584,639 718 1,117 1,835
Wyoming 58,700 280 570 850
White
registrants White Total
Percent of June 5, 1917 registrants white Percent
total to Sept 11 Sept 12, registrants. of total
registrants. 1918. 1918. registrants.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 9.83 9,562,515 11,926,955 21,480,470 90.37
===================================================================
Alabama 36.74 124,247 157,072 281,319 63.26
Arizona 1.05 39,884 52,219 92,103 98.95
Arkansas 28.66 117,111 143,808 260,919 71.34
California 1.23 312,994 464,970 777,964 98.77
Colorado 1.38 90,453 121,755 212,208 98.62
Connecticut . 2.19 171,296 194,197 365,493 97.81
Delaware 14.93 20,761 26,208 46,969 85.07
District of Columbia 29.45 25,625 37,795 63,420 70.56
Florida 39.26 55,572 71,327 126,899 60.74
Georgia 40.22 147,604 180,635 328,239 59.78
Idaho 0.49 45,224 58,007 103,231 99.51
Illinois 3.65 685,254 829,050 1,514,304 96.35
Indiana 4.35 272,442 339,151 611,593 95.65
Iowa 1.14 237,744 280,232 517,976 98.86
Kansas 3.41 161,691 206,602 368,293 96.59
Kentucky 11.52 190,060 240,507 430,567 88.43
Louisiana 40.46 103,718 129,467 233,185 59.54
Maine 0.22 67,941 91,067 159,008 99.73
Maryland 18.89 110,066 144,018 254,084 81.11
Massachusetts 1.60 391,654 478,276 869,930 93.40
Michigan 1.83 404,040 451,441 855,481 98.17
Minnesota 0.62 247,750 288,903 538,653 99.38
Mississippi 50.24 75,977 95,447 171,424 49.76
Missouri 7.11 372,106 398,002 710,108 92.89
Montana 0.41 96,753 101,432 198,185 99.59
Nebraska 1.42 130,493 151,623 282,116 98.58
Nevada 0.58 12,581 16,712 29,293 99.42
New Hampshire 0.18 41,617 53,243 94,860 99.82
New Jersey 4.39 18,615 409,225 727,840 95.61
New Mexico 0.74 36,776 42,787 79,563 99.26
New York 2.44 1,092,061 1,349,956 2,442,617 97.56
North Carolina 29.63 155,102 183,274 338,376 70.37
North Dakota 0.15 72,837 85,324 159,161 98.85
Ohio 4.61 588,170 735,673 1,323,843 95.39
Oklahoma 8.86 173,851 212,450 386,301 91.15
Oregon 0.38 69,376 105,956 175,332 99.62
Pennsylvania 4.38 353,106 1,113,443 1,976,549 95.62
Rhode Island 2.59 57,433 73,313 130,746 12
South Carolina 48.56 70,395 87,657 158,052 51.44
South Dakota 0.23 64,896 77,572 142,468 99.77
Tennessee 19.99 169,674 209,785 379,459 80.01
Texas 16.82 376,385 446,740 823,125 83.18
Utah 0.56 45,930 53,547 99,477 99.44
Vermont 0.21 30,819 40,493 71,312 99.79
Virginia 30.15 141,714 183,015 324,727 69.85
Washington 0.54 123,752 193,859 317,611 99.46
West Virginia 8.60 128,852 168,179 297,031 91.40
Wisconsin 0.31 265,501 317,303 582,804 99.69
Wyoming 1.45 24,612 33,238 57,850 98.56
Results of the classification of December 15, 1917 to September 11, 1918,
in respect to colored and white registrants are shown in the following table: Colored and white classification compared. Number. Percent Percent
of total of
classified. classified.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total colored and white registered:
June 5, 1917, to Sept. 11, 1918 10,640,846 100.00 -----
Total colored registered 1,078,331 10.13 100.00
Class I 556,917 ----- 51.65
Deferred classes 521,414 ----- -----
Total white registered 9,562,515 89.87 100.00
Class I 3,110,659 ----- 32.53
Deferred classes 6,451,856 ----- -----
Percentage accepted for service on calls before Dec. 15, 1917 (report for 1917).
Colored ----- ----- 36.23
White ----- ----- 24.75
It will be seen that a much higher percentage of Negroes were accepted for
service than of white men. It is true that enlistments which were permitted
white men but denied Negroes, depleted the whites eligible to Class 1 to some
extent. Probably there were more Negro delinquents in proportion to their
numbers in the south than white delinquents. The conditions under which they
lived would account for that. Delinquents, under the regulations, were placed in
Class 1. Then there is the undoubted fact that the Negro sought and was granted
fewer exemptions on the ground of dependency. Many Negroes in the south, where
the rate of pay was low, were put in Class 1 on the ground that their allotment
and allowances while in the army, would furnish an equivalent support to their
dependents. But whatever the reason, the great fact stands out that a much
greater percentage of colored were accepted for service than white men. The
following table gives the colored and white inductions by states: Total colored Colored Colored Per
and white registrants, Percentage inducted Percent of
registrants, June 5, of colored June 5, colored
June 5, 1917, 1917, to and white 1917, to registrants.
to Sept. 11, Sept. 11, registrants. Nov. 11,
1918. 1918. 1918.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 10,640,846 1,078,331 10.13 367,710 34.10
===================================================================
Alabama 206,210 81,963 39.75 25,874 31.57
Arizona 40,179 295 .73 77 26.10
Arkansas 168,287 51,176 30.4l 17,544 34.28
California 316,302 3,308 1.05 919 27.78
Colorado 91,556 1,103 1.20 317 28.74
Connecticut 174,820 3,524 2.02 941 26.70
Delaware 24,559 3,798 15.46 1,365 35.93
District of Columbia 36,670 11,045 30.12 4,000 36.22
Florida 94,585 39,013 41.25 12,904 33.08
Georgia 260,197 112,593 43.27 34,303 30.47
Idaho 45,478 254 .56 95 37.40
Illinois 707,070 21,816 3.09 8,754 40.13
Indiana 283,731 11,289 3.98 4,579 40.56
Iowa 240,703 2,959 1.23 929 31.40
Kansas 167,266 5,575 3.33 2,127 38.15
Kentucky 215,910 25,850 11.98 11,320 43.79
Louisiana 179,941 76,223 42.36 28,711 37.67
Maine 68,104 163 .24 50 30.67
Maryland 136,501 26,435 19.37 9,212 34.85
Massachusetts 397,698 6,044 1.52 1,200 19.85
Michigan 411,019 6,979 1.70 2,395 34.32
Minnesota 249,291 1,541 .62 511 53.16
Mississippi 157,525 81,548 51.77 24,066 29.51
Missouri 334,902 22,796 6.81 9,219 40.44
Montana 97,073 320 .33 198 61.87
Nebraska 132,107 1,614 1.22 642 39.78
Nevada 12,640 59 .47 26 44.07
New Hampshire 41,694 77 .18 27 35.07
New Jersey 332,671 14,056 4.23 4,863 34.60
New Mexico 37,011 235 .63 51 21.70
New York 1,118,035 25,974 2.32 6,193 23.84
North Carolina 228,459 73,357 32.11 20,082 27.38
North Dakota 72,902 65 .09 87 -----
Ohio 617,001 28,831 4.67 7,861 27.27
Oklahoma 188,156 14,305 7.60 5,694 39.80
Oregon 69,520 144 .21 68 47.22
Pennsylvania 902,469 39,363 4.36 15,392 39.10
Rhode Island 59,006 1,573 2.67 291 18.50
South Carolina 144,660 74,265 51.34 25,798 34.74
South Dakota 65,040 144 .22 62 43.06
Tennessee 213,409 43,735 20.59 17,774 40.64
Texas 460,056 83,671 18.19 31,506 37.65
Utah 46,099 169 .37 77 45.56
Vermont 30,882 63 .20 22 34.92
Virginia 206,072 64,358 31.23 23,541 36.57
Washington 124,125 373 .30 173 46.38
West Virginia 142,144 13,292 9.35 5,492 41.32
Wisconsin 266,219 718 .27 224 31.20
Wyoming 24,892 280 1.12 95 23.93
Alaska 5
Hawaii
Porto Rico
White Percent of White
registrants, colored inductions, Percent
June 5, and June 5, of white
1917, to white 1917, to registrants.
Sept. 11, registrants. Nov. 11,
1918. 1918.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 9,562,515 89.87 2,299,157 24.04
=====================================================
Alabama 124,247 60.25 33,881 27.27
Arizona 39,884 99.27 8,036 20.15
Arkansas 117,111 69.59 31,768 27.13
California 312,994 98.95 60,148 21.13
Colorado 90,453 98.80 22,487 24.86
Connecticut 171,296 97.98 31,598 18.45
Delaware 20,761 84.54 3,628 17.48
District of Columbia 25,625 69.88 5,631 21.97
Florida 55,572 58.75 12,012 21.62
Georgia 147,604 56.73 32,538 32.04
Idaho 45,224 99.44 12,471 27.58
Illinois 685,254 96.91 68,729 24.62
Indiana 272,442 96.02 65,170 23.92
Iowa 237,744 98.77 65,935 27.73
Kansas 161,691 96.67 39,778 21.60
Kentucky 190,060 88.02 47,010 24.60
Louisiana 103,718 57.64 27,494 26.51
Maine 67,941 99.76 15,216 22.40
Maryland 110,066 80.63 24,655 22.40
Massachusetts 391,654 98.48 75,367 19.24
Michigan 404,040 98.30 94,085 23.29
Minnesota 247,750 99.38 73,169 29.53
Mississippi 75,977 48.23 19,296 25.40
Missouri 312,106 93.19 83,624 26.79
Montana 96,753 99.67 27,142 28.O5
Nebraska 130,493 98.78 29,165 22.35
Nevada 12,581 99.53 8,138 24.94
New Hampshire 41,617 99.82 8,377 20.13
New Jersey 318,615 95.77 66,527 20.88
New Mexico 36,776 99.37 8,811 23.96
New York 1,092,061 97.68 247,396 22.65
North Carolina 155,102 67.89 38,359 24.73
North Dakota 72,837 99.91 18,508 25.41
Ohio 568,170 95.83 130,287 22.15
Oklahoma 173,851 92.40 59,247 34.08
Oregon 69,376 99.79 16,090 23.19
Pennsylvania 863,106 95.64 185,819 21.53
Rhode Island 57,433 97.33 10,885 18.95
South Carolina 70,395 48.66 18,261 25.94
South Dakota 64,896 99.78 21,193 32.66
Tennessee 169,674 79.51 42,104 24.81
Texas 376,385 81.81 85,889 22.82
Utah 45,93O 99.63 10,711 23.32
Vermont 30,819 99.80 6,607 21.44
Virginia 141,714 68.77 34,796 24.55
Washington 123,752 99.70 28,513 23.04
West Virginia 128,852 90.65 39,863 30.94
Wisconsin 265,501 99.73 70,758 26.65
Wyoming 24,612 98.88 7,828 31.81
Alaska 1,957
Hawaii 5,406
Porto Rico 15,734
Further light on the question of more Negroes in proportion to their
numbers being selected for service than white men, is found in a comparison of
the Negroes and whites rejected for physical reasons. The following table gives
the figures for the period between December 15, 1917 and September 11, 1918: Colored and white physical rejections compared. Number. Percent of Percent of
examined partial
disqualifications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, colored and white examined Dec. 15, 1917,
to Sept. 11, 1918 3,208,446 100.00 -----
Group A 2,259,027 70.41 -----
Disqualified partly or totally 949,419 ----- 100.00
Group B 88,436 2.76 9.31
Group C 339,377 10.58 35.75
Group D 521,606 16.25 54.94
Total, colored examined 458,838 100.00 -----
Group A 342,277 74.60 -----
Disqualified partly or totally 116,561 ----- 100.00
Group B 9,605 2.09 8.24
Group C 27,474 5.99 23.57
Group D 79,482 17.32 68.19
Total white examined 2,749,608 100.00 -----
Group A 1,916,750 69.71 -----
Disqualified partly or totally 832,858 ----- 100.00
Group B 78,831 2.87 9.47
Group C 311,903 11.34 37.45
Group D 442,124 16.08 53.08
The percentage of Negroes unqualifiedly accepted for service, was 74.60%
of the number examined; the white men accepted numbered 69.71% of the number
examined. The Negroes it will be seen rated about 5% higher physically than the
whites. No better refutation could be desired of the charge, having its
inspiration in the vanquished, but unrepentant defenders of Negro slavery,
mourning about its dead carcass, that the Negro is deteriorating physically, or
that the so-called degenerative influences of civilization affect him in greater
degree than they do the white man.
CHAPTER XII.
NEGRO SLACKERS AND PACIFISTS UNKNOWN.
SUCH WORDS NOT IN HIS
VOCABULARY—DESERTIONS EXPLAINED—GENERAL CROWDER EXONERATES NEGRO—NO WILLFUL
DELINQUENCY—STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO MEET REGULATIONS—NO "CONSCIENTIOUS
OBJECTORS"—NO DRAFT EVADERS OR RESISTERS—NEGRO'S DEVOTION SUBLIME—JUSTIFIES HIS
FREEDOM—FORGETS HIS SORROWS—RISES ABOVE HIS WRONGS—TESTIMONY OF LOCAL
BOARDS—GERMAN PROPAGANDA WASTED—A NEW AMERICANISM.
The only phase of
the selective draft in which the Negro seemed to be discredited in comparison
with his white brother, was in the matter of desertions. At first glance and
without proper analysis, the record appeared to be against the Negro. Upon
detailed study, however, the case takes on a different aspect. The records of
the Provost Marshall General show that out of 474,861 reported deserters,
369,030 were white registrants, and 105,831 colored, the ratio of white reported
deserters to white registrants being 3.86, and the ratio of colored reported
deserters to colored registrants being 9.81. Everyone knows now that many, yes,
the bulk of the reported desertions among both whites and blacks, were not
desertions at all. Circumstances simply prevented the men from keeping in touch
with their local boards or from reporting when called.
Desertions among
white registrants might have shown a greater percentage had they not availed
themselves of the exemption feature of the law. Negroes did not understand this
clause in the act so well. Besides, as previously stated, many Negroes were
placed in Class 1, even where they had dependants, because their rate of pay in
the army would enable them to contribute as much to the support of their
dependants as would their earnings outside of army service.
This was a
policy with many draft boards, but it is not exactly clear in view of the
increased earning power of the Negroes through wartime demands for their labor.
Following are the complete figures on so-called desertions, the variances in the
several states being given: Total
white
and colored
registrants,
June 5,
1917, to Total Reported Percent of Percent of
Sept. 11, white desertions, total white
1918. registrants. white. registrants. registrants.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 10,640,846 9,562,515 380,030 3.47 3.86
========================================================================================
Alabama 206,210 194,247 3,672 1.78 2.96
Arizona 40,179 39,884 6,930 17.36 17.40
Arkansas 168,287 117,111 2,476 1.47 2.11
California 316,302 313,994 15,323 4.84 4.90
Colorado 91,556 90,463 4,910 5.38 5.43
Connecticut 174,820 171,296 12,416 7.10 7.25
Delaware 24,559 20,761 686 2.79 3.30
District of Columbia 36,670 25,625 390 1.06 1.52
Florida 94,585 55,572 1,823 1.93 3.28
Georgia 260,197 147,001 4,499 1.73 3.05
Idaho 45,478 45,224 2,242 4.93 4.96
Illinois 707,070 685,254 21,673 3.07 3.16
Indiana 283,731 272,442 5,252 1.85 1.93
Iowa 240,703 237,744 5,283 2.19 2.21
Kansas 167,266 161,691 3,172 1.90 1.96
Kentucky 215,910 190,060 2,830 1.03 1.23
Louisiana 179,941 103,718 2,250 1.25 2.17
Maine 68,104 67,941 2,553 3.74 3.76
Maryland 136,501 110,066 3,831 2.81 3.48
Massachusetts 397,698 391,654 19,841 4.99 5.07
Michigan 411,019 404,040 17,222 4.19 4.26
Minnesota 249,291 247,750 10,108 4.05 4.08
Mississippi 157,525 75,977 1,713 1.09 2.25
Missouri 334,902 312,106 10,549 3.14 3.38
Montana 97,073 96,753 7,835 8.13 8.16
Nebraska 132,107 130,493 2,608 1.97 2.00
Nevada 12,640 12,581 1,392 1.10 11.06
New Hampshire 41,694 41,617 1,428 3.42 3.43
New Jersey 332,671 318,815 15,114 4.54 4.74
New Mexico 37,011 36,776 3,217 8.69 8.75
New York 1,118,035 1,092,061 57,021 5.10 5.22
North Carolina 228,459 155,102 1,175 5.14 .76
North Dakota 72,902 72,837 2,520 3.46 3.46
Ohio 617,001 588,170 22,846 3.70 3.88
Oklahoma 188,156 173,851 5,860 3.11 3.37
Oregon 69,520 69,376 2,023 2.91 2.92
Pennsylvania 902,469 863,106 31,739 3.52 3.68
Rhode Island 59,006 57,433 2,340 3.97 4.07
South Carolina 144,660 70,395 1,107 .77 1.57
South Dakota 65,040 64,896 1,243 1.91 1.92
Tennessee 213,409 169,674 4,389 2.05 2.58
Texas 460,056 376,385 19,209 4.18 5.10
Utah 46,099 45,930 1,735 3.76 3.78
Vermont 30,882 30,819 690 2.23 2.71
Virginia 206,072 141,714 3,090 1.50 2.18
Washington 124,125 123,752 7,261 5.85 5.87
West Virginia 142,144 128,852 4,803 3.38 3.73
Wisconsin 266,219 265,501 4,663 1.75 1.76
Wyoming 24,892 24,612 1,734 6.96 7.05
Alaska 601
Hawaii 184
Porto Rico 15
Total Reported Percent Percent
colored desertions, of total of colored
registrants. colored. registrants. registrants.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States 1,078,331 105,831 .99 9.81
============================================================================
Alabama 81,963 10,835 5.25 13.22
Arizona 295 64 .16 21.69
Arkansas 51,176 4,770 2.83 9.32
California 3,303 268 .08 8.10
Colorado 1,103 91 .10 8.25
Connecticut 3,524 682 .39 19.35
Delaware 3,798 303 1.23 7.98
District of Columbia 11,045 616 1.68 5.58
Florida 39,013 8,319 8.71 21.32
Georgia 112,593 8,969 3.45 7.97
Idaho 254 108 .23 42.51
Illinois 21,816 2,911 .41 13.34
Indiana 11,289 1,199 .42 10.62
Iowa 2,959 517 .21 17.47
Kansas 5,575 255 .15 4.57
Kentucky 25,850 1,524 .71 5.90
Louisiana 76,223 5,962 3.31 7.82
Maine 163 29 .04 17.79
Maryland 26,435 2,410 1.77 9.12
Massachusetts 6,044 665 1.67 11.00
Michigan 6,979 1,015 .25 14.54
Minnesota 1,541 621 .25 40.30
Mississippi 81,548 8,112 5.15 9.95
Missouri 22,796 1,791 .53 7.86
Montana 320 114 .12 35.63
Nebraska 1,614 229 .17 14.19
Nevada 59 3 .02 6.08
New Hampshire 77 3 .01 3.90
New Jersey 14,056 1,535 .46 10.92
New Mexico 235 40 .11 17.02
New York 25,974 4,062 .36 15.64
North Carolina 73,357 4,937 2.16 6.73
North Dakota 65 19 .03 29.23
Ohio 28,831 4,048 .66 14.04
Oklahoma 14,305 1,223 .65 8.56
Oregon 144 18 .03 12.59
Pennsylvania 39,363 6,599 .73 16.76
Rhode Island 1,573 251 .43 15.96
South Carolina 74,265 4,589 3.14 6.18
South Dakota 144 27 .04 18.75
Tennessee 43,735 3,573 1.67 8.17
Texas 83,671 5,388 1.17 6.44
Utah 169 11 .02 6.51
Vermont 63 4 .01 6.35
Virginia 64,358 4,935 2.39 7.67
Washington 373 30 .02 8.04
West Virginia 13,292 2,013 1.41 15.14
Wisconsin 718 73 .03 10.17
Wyoming 280 63 .25 22.50
 |
| NEGRO TROOPS NEWLY ARRIVED IN FRANCE, LINED UP FOR
INSPECTION. |
 |
| NEGRO TROOPS ON A PRACTICE RUN NEAR THEIR CAMP IN
FRANCE. |
 |
| OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, U.S. ARMY PRESENTATION OF BANNER TO NEGRO
STEVEDORES FOR WINNING FIRST WEEK'S "RACE TO BERLIN", MARSEILLES,
FRANCE. |
 |
| OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, U.S. ARMY NEGRO WINNERS IN STEVEDORE CONTEST
BEING ENTERTAINED BY 134TH INFANTRY QUARTET AND BAND AT MARSEILLES,
FRANCE. |
 |
| GOING TO FIGHT FOR UNCLE SAM. TYPICAL GROUP OF NEGRO SELECTIVE SERVICE
MEN LEAVING FOR THE TRAINING CAMP. |
 |
| NEGRO TROOPS ARRIVING IN FRANCE. A COMPARISON WITH THE UPPER PICTURE
SHOWS THE RAPID TRANSFORMATION FROM CIVILIANS TO FIGHTING
MEN. |
 |
| "MOSS'S BUFFALOES" (367TH INFANTRY), SERENADING FAMOUS MILITARY
CHIEFTAINS IN FRANCE. IN WINDOW AT LEFT STANDS GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING,
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES; AT RIGHT GENERAL
GOURAUD, COMMANDER OF THE FOURTH FRENCH ARMY . |
 |
| HEROES OF THE BRAWNY ARM WHOSE SERVICE WAS NO LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THAT
OF THE COMBATANTS. A DETAIL OF NEGRO RAILWAY BUILDERS ENGAGED ON THE LINE
FROM BREST TO TOURS . |
 |
| NEGRO ENGINEERS BUILDING ROADS IN FRANCE. AN INDISPENSABLE FEATURE OF
THE SERVICE OF SUPPLY. |
 |
| NEGRO TROOPS IN FRANCE ENJOY AN OLD-FASHIONED
MEAL. |
 |
| NEGRO MACHINE GUNNERS ON THE ROAD NEAR MAFFRECOURT, FRANCE. PART OF
369TH INFANTRY. |
 |
| CAPTAIN HINTON AND OFFICERS OF 1ST BATTALION. 369TH NEGRO INFANTRY ON
ROAD NEAR MAFFRECOURT, FRANCE. |
 |
| AUTO HORN WARNS AMERICANS OF COMING GAS ATTACK. SOLDIERS DON MASKS AND
SOUND THE ALARM. INSERT, LEFT CORNER, MACHINE
GUNNERS. |
No elaborate defense of the Negro will
be attempted in the matter of the desertion record. It is not necessary. The
words of Provost Marshall General Crowder, the man who knew all about the
selective draft and who engineered it through its wonderfully successful course,
completely absolved the Negro in this connection. The following quotation in
reference to the above figures is taken verbatim from the report of General
Crowder to the Secretary of War, dated December 20, 1918.
"These figures of reported desertions, however, lose their
significance when the facts behind them are studied. There is in the files of
this office, a series of letters from governors and draft executives of
southern states, called forth by inquiry for an explanation of the large
percentage of Negroes among the reported deserters and delinquents. With
striking unanimity the draft authorities replied that this was due to two
causes; first, ignorance and illiteracy; especially in the rural regions, to
which may be added a certain shiftlessness in ignoring civic obligations; and
secondly, the tendency of the Negroes to shift from place to place. The
natural inclination to roam from one employment to another has been
accentuated by unusual demands for labor incident to the war, resulting in a
considerable flow of colored men to the north and to various munition centers.
This shifting reached its height in the summer of 1917, shortly after the
first registration, and resulted in the failure of many men to keep in touch
with their local boards, so that questionnaires and notices to report did not
reach them.
"With equal unanimity the draft executives report that the
amount of willful delinquency or desertion has been almost nil. Several
describe the strenuous efforts of the Negroes to comply with the regulations,
when the requirements were explained to them, many registrants travelling long
distances to report in person to the adjutant general of the state. 'The
conviction resulting from these reports' says General Crowder, 'is that the
colored men as a whole responded readily and gladly to their military
obligations once their duties were understood."
So far as the
records show, there were neither "slackers" nor "pacifists" among the Negroes.
Hon. Emmett J. Scott, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War, said that the
war department had heard of only two colored "conscientious objectors". When
those two were cross-examined it was revealed that they had misinterpreted their
motives and that their objections proceeded from a source very remote from their
consciences.
Pacifists and conscientious objectors came principally from
the class who held religious scruples against war or the taking up of arms. The
law permitted these to enter a special so-called non-combatant
classification.
It is a well known fact that Negro religionists are
members of the church militant, so they could not be included in the
self-declared conscientious pacifistic sects.
Neither was the Negro
represented in that class known as draft resisters or draft evaders. A very good
reason exists in the fact that opposition to the draft came from a class which
did not admit the Negro to membership. Practically all draft resistance was
traceable to the activities of radicals, whose fantastic dreams enchanted and
seduced the ignorant and artless folk who came under their influence.
The
resisters were all poor whites led by professional agitators. Negroes had no
such organizations nor leaders.
The part played by the Negro in the great
world drama upon which the curtain has fallen, was not approached in sublime
devotion by that displayed by any other class of America's heterogeneous mixture
of tribe and race, hailing from all the ends of the earth, that composes its
great and wonderful population. Blind in a sense; unreasoning as a child in the
sacredness and consecration of his fealty; clamoring with the fervor of an
ancient crusader; his eye on heaven, his steps turned towards the Holy
Sepulchre, for a chance to go; a time and place to die, HIS was a distinct and
marked patriotism; quite alone in "splendid isolation" but shining like the sun;
unstreaked with doubt; unmixed with cavil or question, which, finally given
reign on many a spot of strife in "Sunny France"; the Stars and Stripes above
him; a prayer in his heart; a song upon his lips, spelt death, but death
glorious; where he fell—HOLY GROUND!
"The fittest place where man can DIE Is where he dies for
man!"
A product of slavery, ushered into a sphere of civil and
political activity, clouded and challenged by the sullen resentment of his
former masters; his soul still embittered by defeat; slowly working his way
through many hindrances toward the achievement of success that would enable both
him and the world to justify the new life of freedom that had come to him; faced
at every hand by the prejudice born of tradition; enduring wrongs that "would
stir a fever in the blood of age"; still the slave to a large extent of
superstition fed by ignorance, is it to be wondered at that some doubt was felt
and expressed by the best friends of the Negro, when the call came for a draft
upon the man power of the nation; whether, in the face of the great wrongs
heaped upon him; the persecutions he had passed through and was still enduring,
he would be able to forgive and forget; could and would so rise above his
sorrows as to reach to the height and the full duty of citizenship; would give
to the Stars and Stripes the response that was due? On the part of many leaders
among the Negroes, there was apprehension that the sense of fair play and fair
dealing, which is so essentially an American characteristic, when white men are
involved, would not be meted out to the members of their race.
How
groundless such fears, may be seen from the statistical record of the draft with
relation to the Negro. His race furnished its quota uncomplainingly and
cheerfully. History, indeed, will be unable to record the fullness and grandeur
of his spirit in the war, for the reason that opportunities, especially for
enlistment, as heretofore mentioned, were not opened to him to the same extent
as to the whites. But enough can be gathered from the records to show that he
was filled not only with patriotism, but of a brand, all things considered, than
which there was no other like it.
That the men of the Negro race were as
ready to serve as the white is amply proved by the reports of local boards. A
Pennsylvania board, remarking upon the eagerness of its Negro registrants to be
inducted, illustrated it by the action of one registrant, who, upon learning
that his employer had had him placed upon the Emergency Fleet list, quit his
job. Another registrant who was believed by the board to be above draft age
insisted that he was not, and in stating that he was not married, explained that
he "wanted only one war at a time."
The following descriptions from
Oklahoma and Arkansas boards are typical, the first serving to perpetuate one of
the best epigrams of the war:
"We tried to treat the Negroes with exactly the same consideration
shown the whites. We had the same speakers to address them. The Rotary Club
presented them with small silk flags, as they did the whites. The band turned
out to escort them to the train; and the Negroes went to camp with as cheerful
a spirit as did the whites. One of them when asked if he were going to France,
replied: 'No, sir; I'm not going "to France". I am going "through
France".'"
"In dealing with the Negroes," the Arkansas board report
says, "the southern boards gained a richness of experience that is without
parallel. No other class of citizens was more loyal to the government or more
ready to answer the country's call. The only blot upon their military record
was the great number of delinquents among the more ignorant; but in the
majority of cases this was traced to an ignorance of the regulations, or to
the withholding of mail by the landlord, often himself an aristocratic
slacker, in order to retain the man's labor."
Many influences were
brought to bear upon the Negro to cause him to evade his duty to the government.
Some effort in certain sections of the country was made to induce them not to
register. That the attempt to spread German propaganda among them was a
miserable failure may be seen from the statement of the Chief of the Bureau of
Investigation of the Department of Justice, made to the United States Senate
committee:
"The Negroes didn't take to these stories, however, as they were
too loyal. Money spent in the south for propaganda was thrown
away."
Then too, these evil influences were more than offset by the
various publicity and "promotion of morale" measures carried on through the
office of the special assistant to the Secretary of War, the Hon. Emmet J.
Scott, and his assistants. Correspondence was kept up with influential Negroes
all over the country. Letters, circulars and news items for the purpose of
effecting and encouraging continued loyalty of Negro citizens, were regularly
issued to the various papers comprising both the white and Negro press. A
special committee of 100 colored speakers was appointed to deliver public
patriotic addresses all over the country, under the auspices of the Committee on
Public Information, stating the war aims of the government and seeking to keep
unbroken the spirit of loyalty of Negro American citizens. A special conference
of Negro editors was summoned to Washington in June, 1918 by the same committee
in order to gather and disseminate the thought and public opinion of the various
leaders of the Negro race. Such was only a part of the work of the department of
the special assistant to the Secretary of War in marshalling the man power of
the nation.
 |
| NEGRO TROOPS OF U.S. ARMY RECEIVING HOLY BAPTISM WHILE IN TRAINING FOR
OVERSEAS DUTY AT NORCROSS RIFLE RANGE. CAMP CORDON,
GA. |
It is only fair to quote the opinion and
appreciation of this representative of the Negro race of the selective service
administration, especially as it affected the Negro and in reference to
occasional complaints received. The extract is from a memorandum addressed to
the office of the Provost Marshal General on September 12, 1918 and is copied
from the report of that official to the Secretary of War:
"Throughout my tenure here I have keenly appreciated the prompt
and cordial cooperation of the Provost Marshall General's office with that
particular section of the office of the Secretary of War especially referred
to herein. The Provost Marshall General's office has carefully investigated
and has furnished full and complete reports in each and every complaint or
case referred to it for attention, involving discrimination, race prejudice,
erroneous classification of draftees, etc., and has rectified these complaints
whenever it was found upon investigation that there was just ground for same.
Especially in the matter of applying and carrying out the selective service
regulations, the Provost Marshall General's office has kept a watchful eye
upon certain local exemption boards which seemed disinclined to treat the
Negro draftees on the same basis as other Americans subject to the draft law.
It is an actual fact that in a number of instances where flagrant violations
have occurred in the application of the draft law, to Negro men in certain
sections of the country, local exemption boards have been removed bodily and
new boards have been appointed to supplant them. In several instances these
new boards so appointed have been ordered by the Provost Marshall General to
reclassify colored men who had been unlawfully conscripted into the army or
who had been wrongfully classified; as a result of this action hundreds of
colored men have had their complaints remedied and have been properly
reclassified."
It is also valuable to note the opinion of this
representative of his race as to the results of the negroes' participation in
the war:
"In a word, I believe the Negro's participation in the war, his
eagerness to serve, and his great courage and demonstrated valor across the
seas, have given him a new idea of Americanism and likewise have given to the
white people of our country a new idea of his citizenship, his real character
and capabilities, and his 100 per cent Americanism. Incidentally the Negro has
been helped in many ways physically and mentally and has been made into an
even more satisfactory asset to the nation."
Of the Negroes inducted
into service, nearly all were assigned to some department of the army or to
special work in connection with the army. Of the few who were permitted to
enlist, a very small percentage was permitted to enlist in the Navy. Of this
small number only a few were allowed the regular training and opportunities of
combatants, to the DISCREDIT of our nation, not as yet, grown to that moral
vision and all around greatness, NOT to be small.
CHAPTER XIII.
ROSTER OF NEGRO OFFICERS.
COMMISSIONED AT FORT DES MOINES—ONLY
EXCLUSIVE NEGRO TRAINING CAMP—MOSTLY FROM CIVILIAN LIFE—NAMES, RANK AND
RESIDENCE.
Fort Des Moines, Iowa, was the only training camp
established in the United States exclusively for Negro officers. A few were
trained and commissioned at Camps Hancock, Pike and Taylor, and a few received
commissions at officers' training camps in France, but the War Department
records do not specify which were white and which Negro. The Fort Des Moines
camp lasted from June until October 1917. Following is the roster of Negro
officers commissioned. With the exception of those specified as from the United
States Army or the National Guard, all came from civilian life:
Cleve L. Abbott, first lieutenant, Watertown, S.D.
Joseph L. Abernethy, first lieutenant, Prairie View, Tex.
Ewart G. Abner, second lieutenant, Conroe, Tex.
Charles J. Adams, first lieutenant, Selma, Ala.
Aurelious P. Alberga, first lieutenant, San Francisco, Calif.
Ira L. Aldridge, second lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Edward I. Alexander, first lieutenant, Jacksonville, Fla.
Fritz W. Alexander, second lieutenant, Donaldsville, Ga.
Lucien V. Alexis, first lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
John H. Allen, captain, U.S. Army.
Levi Alexander, Jr., first lieutenant, Ocala, Fla.
Clarence W. Allen, second lieutenant, Mobile, Ala.
Richard S. Allen, second lieutenant, Atlantic City, N.J.
James W. Alston, first lieutenant, Raleigh, N.C.
Benjamin E. Ammons, first lieutenant, Kansas City, Mo.
Leon M. Anderson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Levi Anderson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Robert Anderson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
David W. Anthony, Jr., first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
James C. Arnold, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Russell C. Atkins, second lieutenant, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Henry O. Atwood, captain, Washington, D.C.
Charles H. Austin, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
George J. Austin, first lieutenant. New York, N.Y.
Herbert Avery, captain, U.S. Army.
Robert S. Bamfield, second lieutenant, Wilmington, N.C.
Julian C. Banks, second lieutenant, Kansas City, Mo.
Charles H. Barbour, captain, U.S. Army.
Walter B. Barnes, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
William I. Barnes, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Stephen B. Barrows, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Thomas J. Batey, first lieutenant, Oakland, Cal.
Wilfrid Bazil, second lieutenant, Brooklyn, N.Y.
James E. Beard, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Ether Beattie, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
William H. Benson, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Albert P. Bentley, first lieutenant, Memphis, Tenn.
Benjamin Bettis, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Harrison W. Black, first lieutenant, Lexington, Ky.
Charles J. Blackwood, first lieutenant, Trinidad, Colo.
William Blaney, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Isaiah S. Blocker, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
William D. Bly, first lieutenant, Leavenworth, Kans.
Henry H. Boger, second lieutenant, Aurora, Ill.
Elbert L. Booker, first lieutenant, Wymer, Wash.
Virgil M. Boutte, captain, Nashville, Tenn.
Jas. F. Booker, captain, U.S. Army.
William R. Bowie, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Clyde R. Brannon, first lieutenant, Fremont, Neb.
Lewis Broadus, captain, U.S. Army.
Deton J. Brooks, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
William M. Brooks, second lieutenant, Des Moines, Ia.
Carter N. Brown, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Emmet Brown, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
George E. Brown, second lieutenant, New York City, N.Y.
Oscar C. Brown, first lieutenant, Edwards, Miss.
Rosen T. Brown, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Samuel C. Brown, second lieutenant, Delaware, Ohio.
William H. Brown, Jr., first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Arthur A. Browne, first lieutenant, Xenia, Ohio.
Howard R.M. Browne, first lieutenant, Kansas City, Kans.
Sylvanus Brown, first lieutenant, San Antonio, Tex.
Charles C. Bruen, first lieutenant, Mayslick, Ky.
William T. Burns, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
James A. Bryant, first lieutenant, Indianapolis, Ind.
William L. Bryson, captain, U.S. Army.
John E. Buford, second lieutenant, Langston, Okla.
Thomas J. Bullock, second lieutenant, New York City, N.Y.
John W. Bundrant, second lieutenant, Omaha, Neb.
John P. Burgess, first lieutenant, Mullens, S.C.
Dace H. Burns, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
William H. Burrell, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
John M. Burrell, second lieutenant, East Orange, N.J.
Herman L. Butler, first lieutenant, U.S. Army,
Homer C. Butler, first lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Felix Buggs, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Napoleon L. Byrd, first lieutenant, Madison, Wis.
John B. Cade, second lieutenant, Ellerton, Ga.
Walter W. Cagle, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles W. Caldwell, second lieutenant, Orangeburg, S.C.
Andrew B. Callahan, second lieutenant, Montgomery, Ala.
Alvin H. Cameron, first lieutenant, Nashville, Tenn.
Alonzo Campbell, captain, U.S. Army.
Lafayette Campbell, second lieutenant, Union, W. Va.
Robert L. Campbell, first lieutenant, Greensboro, N.C.
William B. Campbell, first lieutenant, Austin, Tex.
Guy W. Canady, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Lovelace B. Capehart, Jr., second lieutenant, Raleigh, N.C.
Adolphus F. Capps, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Curtis W. Carpenter, second lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
Early Carson, captain, U.S. Army.
John O. Carter, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Wilson Cary, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Robert W. Cheers, second lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
David K. Cherry, captain, Greensboro, N.C.
Frank R. Chisholm, first lieutenant, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Robert B. Chubb, captain, U.S. Army.
Ewell W. Clark, first lieutenant, Giddings, Tex.
Frank C. Clark, second lieutenant, National Guard, Washington, D.C.
William H. Clarke, first lieutenant, Birmingham, Ala.
William H. Clarke, first lieutenant, Helena, Ark.
Roscoe Clayton, captain, U.S. Army.
Lane G. Cleaves, second lieutenant, Memphis, Tenn.
Joshua W. Clifford, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Sprigg B. Coates, captain, U.S. Army.
Frank Coleman, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
William Collier, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
William N. Colson, second lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
Leonard O. Colston, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Jones A. Coltrane, first lieutenant, Spokane, Wash.
John Combs, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Barton W. Conrad, first lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
Lloyd F. Cook, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles C. Cooper, captain, National Guard, District of Columbia.
George P. Cooper, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Joseph H. Cooper, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Chesley E. Corbett, first lieutenant, Wewoka, Okla.
Harry W. Cox, first lieutenant, Sedalia, Mo.
James W. Cranson, captain, United States Army.
Horace R. Crawford, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Judge Cross, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Clarence B. Curley, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Merrill H. Curtis, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Edward L. Dabney, first lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
Joe Dabney, captain, U.S. Army.
Victor R. Daly, first lieutenant, Corona, Long Island, N.Y.
Eugene A. Dandridge, first lieutenant, National Guard, District of
Columbia.
Eugene L.C. Davidson, first lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
Henry G. Davis, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Irby D. Davis, first lieutenant, Sumter, S.C.
William E. Davis, captain, Washington, D.C.
Charles C. Dawson, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
William S. Dawson, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
Aaron Day, Jr., captain, Prairie View, Tex.
Milton T. Dean, captain, U.S. Army.
Francis M. Dent, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Thomas M. Dent, Jr., first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
James B. Dickson, second lieutenant, Asheville, N.C.
Spahr H. Dickey, captain, San Francisco, Cal.
Elder W. Diggs, first lieutenant, Indianapolis, Ind.
William H. Dinkins, first lieutenant, Selma, Ala.
Beverly L. Dorsey, captain, U.S. Army.
Edward C. Dorsey, captain, U.S. Army.
Harris N. Dorsey, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Seaborn Douglas, second lieutenant, Hartford, Conn.
Vest Douglas, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Frank L. Drye, first lieutenant, Little Rock, Ark.
Edward Dugger, first lieutenant, Roxbury, Mass.
Jackson E. Dunn, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Benjamin F. Dunning, second lieutenant, Norfolk, Va.
Charles J. Echols, Jr., captain, U.S. Army.
Charles Ecton, captain, U.S. Army.
George E. Edwards, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Leonard Edwards, second lieutenant, Augusta, Ga.
James L. Elliott, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Charles J. Ellis, second lieutenant, Springfield, Ill.
Harry C. Ellis, first lieutenant, Patrick, Ia.
Roscoe Ellis, captain, U.S. Army.
Leslie H. Engram, second lieutenant, Montezuma, Ga.
Alexander E. Evans, first lieutenant, Columbia, S.C.
Will H. Evans, second lieutenant, Montgomery, Tex.
Norwood C. Fairfax, second lieutenant, Eagle Rock, Va.
John R. Fairley, first lieutenant, Kansas City, Mo.
Clifford L. Farrer, first lieutenant, El Paso, Tex.
Leonard J. Faulkner, first lieutenant, Columbus, O.
William H. Fearence, first lieutenant, Texarkana, Tex.
Charles H. Fearing, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
Robert W. Fearing, second lieutenant, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Alonzo G. Ferguson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Gurnett E. Ferguson, captain, Dunbar, W. Va.
Thomas A. Firmes, captain, U.S. Army.
Dillard J. Firse, first lieutenant, Cleveland, O.
Octavius Fisher, first lieutenant, Detroit, Mich.
James E. Fladger, second lieutenant, Kansas City, Mo.
Benjamin F. Ford, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edward W. Ford, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Frank L. Francis, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Henry O. Franklin, second lieutenant, San Francisco, Cal.
Ernest C. Frazier, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Arthur Freeman, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Sewell G. Freeman, second lieutenant, Aragon, Ga.
Edward S. Gaillard, first lieutenant, Indianapolis, Ind.
Tacitus E. Gaillard, second lieutenant, Kansas City, Mo.
James H.L. Gaines, second lieutenant, Little Rock, Ark.
Ellsworth Gamblee, first lieutenant, Cincinnati, O.
Lucian P. Garrett, second lieutenant, Louisville, Ky.
William L. Gee, first lieutenant, Gallipolis, Ohio.
Clayborne George, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Warmith T. Gibbs, second lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
Howard C. Gilbert, first lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio.
Walter A. Giles, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
Archie H. Gillespie, captain, U.S. Army
William Gillum, captain, U.S. Army.
Floyd Gilmer, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
William Glass, captain, U.S. Army.
Jesse J. Gleeden, second lieutenant, Little Rock, Ark.
Leroy H. Godman, captain, Columbus, Ohio.
Edward L. Goodlett, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Nathan O. Goodloe, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Frank M. Goodner, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Elijah H. Goodwin, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
James A. Gordon, first lieutenant, St. Joseph, Mo.
Herbert R. Gould, first lieutenant, Dedham, Mass.
James E. Gould, first lieutenant, Dedham, Mass.
Francis H. Gow, first lieutenant, Charleston, W. Va.
William T. Grady, second lieutenant, Dudley, N.C.
Jesse M.H. Graham, second lieutenant, Clarksville, Tenn.
William H. Graham, captain, U.S. Army.
Towson S. Grasty, first lieutenant, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Thornton H. Gray, first lieutenant, Fairmount Heights, Md.
Miles M. Green, captain, U.S. Army.
Thomas E. Green, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Walter Green, captain, U.S. Army.
Jesse J. Green, first lieutenant, Georgetown, Ky.
Thomas M. Gregory, first lieutenant, Newark, N.J.
Jefferson E. Grigsby, second lieutenant, Chapelle, S.C.,
Thomas Grundy, captain, U.S. Army.
William W. Green, captain, U.S. Army.
George B. Greenlee, first lieutenant, Marion, N.C.
Nello B. Greenlee, second lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Herbert H. Guppy, second lieutenant, Boston, Mass.
George C. Hall, captain, U.S. Army.
Leonidas H. Hall, Jr., second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
George W. Hamilton, Jr., first lieutenant, Topeka, Kans.
Rodney D. Hardeway, second lieutenant, Houston, Tex.
Clarence W. Harding, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Clifton S. Hardy, second lieutenant, Champaign, Ill.
Clay Harper, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Ted O. Harper, second lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio.
Tillman H. Harpole, first lieutenant, Kansas City, Mo.
Bravid W. Harris, Jr., first lieutenant, Warrenton, N.C.
Edward H. Harris, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Eugene Harris, captain, U.S. Army.
William Harris, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Byrd McD. Hart, captain, U.S. Army.
Albert L. Hatchett, first lieutenant, San Antonio, Tex.
Lawrence Hawkins, second lieutenant, Bowie, Md.
Charles M. Hayes, second lieutenant, Hopkinsville, Ky.
Merriam C. Hayson, first lieutenant, Kenilworth, D.C.
Alonzo Heard, captain, U.S. Army.
Almando Henderson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Douglas J. Henderson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Robert M. Hendrick, first lieutenant, Tallahassee, Fla.
Thomas J. Henry, Jr., first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Vodrey Henry, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Jesse S. Heslip, first lieutenant, Toledo, Ohio.
Lee J. Hicks, captain, Ottawa, Kans.
Victor La Naire Hicks, second lieutenant, Columbia, Mo.
Arthur K. Hill, first lieutenant, Lawrence, Kans.
Daniel G. Hill, Jr., second lieutenant, Cantonsville, Md.
Walter Hill, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
William Hill, captain, U.S. Army.
Clarence O. Hilton, first lieutenant, Farmville, Va.
Lowell B. Hodges, first lieutenant, Houston, Tex.
Horatio B. Holder, first lieutenant, Cairo, Ga.
George A. Holland, captain, U.S. Army.
James G. Hollingsworth, captain, U.S. Army.
George C. Hollomand, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Wayne L. Hopkins, second lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio.
James L. Horace, second lieutenant, Little Rock, Ark.
Reuben Homer, captain, U.S. Army.
Charles S. Hough, second lieutenant, Jamestown, Ohio.
Charles H. Houston, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Henry C. Houston, captain, U.S. Army.
Cecil A. Howard, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Clarence K. Howard, second lieutenant, Montgomery, Ala.
Charles P. Howard, first lieutenant, Des Moines, Ia.
Arthur Hubbard, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Jerome L. Hubert, first lieutenant, Houston, Tex.
William H. Hubert, second lieutenant, Mayfield, Ga.
Jefferson E. Hudgins, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Samuel M. Huffman, first lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio.
Samuel A. Hull, first lieutenant, Jacksonville, Fla.
John R. Hunt, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Bush A. Hunter, second lieutenant, Lexington, Ky.
Benjamin H. Hunton, first lieutenant, Newport News, Va.
Frederick A. Hurt, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Walter L. Hutcherson, first lieutenant, Amherst, Va.
Samuel B. Hutchinson, Jr., second lieutenant, Boston, Mass.
James E. Ivey, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Beecher A. Jackson, first lieutenant, Texarkana, Tex.
George W. Jackson, first lieutenant, Ardmore, Mo.
Joseph T. Jackson, first lieutenant, Charleston, W. Va.
Landen Jackson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Matthew Jackson, captain, U.S. Army.
Maxey A. Jackson, second lieutenant, Marian, Ky.
Joyce G. Jacobs, second lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
Wesley H. Jamison, second lieutenant, Topeka, Kans.
Charles Jefferson, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Benjamin R. Johnson, first lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Campbell C. Johnson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Ernest C. Johnson, second lieutenant, Washington D.C.
Everett W. Johnson, first lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Hanson Johnson, captain, U.S. Army.
Hillery W. Johnson, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Joseph L. Johnson, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Merle O. Johnson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Robert E. Johnson, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Thomas Johnson, captain, U.S. Army.
Virginius D. Johnson, first lieutenant, Richmond, Va.
William N. Johnson, second lieutenant, Omaha, Neb.
William T. Johnson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Willie Johnson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles A. Jones, second lieutenant, San Antonio, Tex.
Clifford W. Jones, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Dee Jones, captain, U.S. Army.
Edward D. Jones, second lieutenant, Hartford, Conn.
James W. Jones, captain, Washington, D.C.
James O. Jones, second lieutenant, Paulding, Ohio.
Paul W. Jones, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Percy L. Jones, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Vivian L. Jones, second lieutenant, Des Moines, Ia.
Warren F. Jones, captain, U.S. Army.
William Jones, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles G. Kelly, captain, Tuskegee, Ala.
Elliott H. Kelly, first lieutenant, Camden, S.C.
John B. Kemp, captain, U.S. Army.
John M. Kenney, captain, U.S. Army.
Will Kernts, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Otho E. Kerr, first lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
Orestus J. Kincaid, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Jesse L. Kimbrough, first lieutenant, Los Angeles, Cal.
Moses King, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Laurence E. Knight, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edward C. Knox, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
John W. Knox, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Azzie B. Koger, first lieutenant, Reidsville, N.C.
Linwood G. Koger, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Charles E. Lane, Jr., first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
David A. Lane, Jr., first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Frank L. Lane, second lieutenant, Houston, Tex.
Benton R. Latimer, first lieutenant, Warrenton, Ga.
Ernest W. Latson, first lieutenant, Jacksonville, Fla.
Laige I. Lancaster, first lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
Oscar G. Lawless, first lieutenant, New Orleans, La.
Samuel Lawson, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Wilfred W. Lawson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Geo. E. Lee, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
George W. Lee, second lieutenant, Memphis, Tenn.
Lawrence A. Lee, second lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
John E. Leonard, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Garrett M. Lewis, first lieutenant, San Antonio, Tex.
Henry O. Lewis, first lieutenant, Boston, Mass.
Everett B. Liggins, second lieutenant, Austin, Tex.
Victor C. Lightfoot, second lieutenant, South Pittsburg, Tenn.
John Q. Lindsey, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Redden L. Linton, second lieutenant, Boston, Ga.
Glenda W. Locust, second lieutenant, Sealy, Tenn.
Aldon L. Logan, first lieutenant, Lawrence, Kans.
James B. Lomack, first lieutenant, National Guard, Dist. of Columbia.
Howard H. Long, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Victor Long, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Lonnie W. Lott, second lieutenant, Austin, Tex.
Charles H. Love, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Edgar A. Love, first lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
Frank W. Love, captain, U.S. Army.
George B. Love, first lieutenant, Greensboro, N.C.
John W. Love, first lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
Joseph Lowe, captain, U.S. Army.
Walter Lowe, first lieutenant, St Louis, Mo.
Charles C. Luck, Jr., second lieutenant, San Marcus, Tex.
Walter Lyons, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Harry J. Mack, second lieutenant, Cheney, Pa.
Amos B. Madison, first lieutenant, Omaha, Neb.
Edgar F. Malone, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edgar O. Malone, captain, U.S. Army.
Earl W. Mann, first lieutenant, Champaign, Ill.
Vance H. Marchbanks, captain, U.S. Army.
Leon F. Marsh, first lieutenant, Berkeley, Cal.
Alfred E. Marshall, second lieutenant, Greenwood, S.C.
Cyrus W. Marshall, second lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
Cuby Martin, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Joseph H. Martin, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Eric P. Mason, first lieutenant, Giddings, Tex.
Denis McG. Matthews, first lieutenant, Los Angeles, Cal.
Joseph E. Matthews, second lieutenant, Cleburne, Tex.
Anderson N. May, captain, Atlanta, Ga.
Walter H. Mazyck, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Peter McCall, captain U.S. Army.
Milton A. McCrimmon, captain, U.S. Army.
Robert A. McEwen, second lieutenant, E. St. Louis, Ill.
Osceola E. McKaine, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
James E. McKey, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Carey McLane, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Archie McLee, first lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Leonard W. McLeod, first lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
Albert McReynolds, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Marshall Meadows, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Louis R. Mehlinger, captain, Washington, D.C.
Louis R. Middleton, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Benjamin H. Mills, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Harry W. Mills, captain, U.S. Army.
Warren N. Mims, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
J. Wardlaw Mitchell, second lieutenant, Milledgeville, Ga.
Pinkney L. Mitchell, second lieutenant, Austin, Tex.
John H. Mitcherson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Ralph E. Mizell, second lieutenant, Champaign, Ill.
Hubert M. Moman, second lieutenant, Tougaloo, Miss.
John M. Moore, first lieutenant, Meridian, Miss.
Loring B. Moore, second lieutenant, Brunswick, Ga.
Elias A. Morris, first lieutenant, Helena, Ark.
Thomas E. Morris, captain, U.S. Army.
James B. Morris, second lieutenant, Des Moines, Ia.
Cleveland Morrow, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Henry Morrow, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Abraham Morse, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Benjamin H. Mosby, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
Benedict Mosley, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Scott A. Moyer, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Albert C. Murdaugh, second lieutenant, Columbia, S.C.
Alonzo Myers, captain, Philadelphia, Pa.
Thomas J. Narcisse, second lieutenant, Jeanerette, La.
Earl H. Nash, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Homer G. Neely, first lieutenant, Palestine, Tex.
Gurney E. Nelson, second lieutenant, Greensboro, N.C.
William S. Nelson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
William F. Nelson, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
James P. Nobles, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Grafton S. Norman, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Richard M. Norris, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Ambrose B. Nutt, second lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
Benjamin L. Ousley, second lieutenant, Tougaloo, Miss.
Charles W. Owens, captain, United States Army.
Charles G. Owlings, second lieutenant, Norfolk, Va.
William W. Oxley, first lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
Wilbur E. Pannell, second lieutenant, Staunton, Va.
Charles S. Parker, second lieutenant, Spokane, Wash.
Walter E. Parker, second lieutenant, Little Rock, Ark.
Clemmie C. Parks, first lieutenant, Ft. Scott, Kans.
Adam E. Patterson, captain, Chicago, Ill.
Humphrey C. Patton, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Clarence H. Payne, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
William D. Peeks, captain, U.S. Army.
Robert R. Penn, first lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Marion R. Perry, second lieutenant, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Hanson A. Person, second lieutenant, Wynne, Ark.
Harry B. Peters, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
James H. Peyton, second lieutenant, Montgomery, Ala.
Joseph Phillips, captain, Columbus, Ohio.
David A. Pierce, second lieutenant, Clarksville, Tenn.
Harrison J. Pinkett, first lieutenant, Omaha, Nebr.
James C. Pinkston, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Percival R. Piper, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Anderson F. Pitts, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
Fisher Pride, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Herman W. Porter, second lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
James C. Powell, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Wade H. Powell, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
William J. Powell, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
Gloucester A. Price, second lieutenant, Fort Meyer, Fla.
John F. Pritchard, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Henry H. Proctor, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
John H. Purnell, first lieutenant, Trappe, Md.
Howard D. Queen, captain, U.S. Army.
Richard R. Queen, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Harold L. Quivers, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Washington H. Racks, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
John E. Raiford, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Hazel L. Raine, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Fred D. Ramsey, first lieutenant, Wedgefleld, S.C.
James O. Redmon, second lieutenant, Newton, Iowa.
Charles G. Reed, first lieutenant, Charleston, S.C.
Rufus Reed, captain, U.S. Army.
Lightfoot H. Reese, second lieutenant, Newman, Ga.
William L. Reese, second lieutenant, Bennetsville, S.C.
Robert S. Reid, second lieutenant, Newman, Ga.
Samuel Reid, captain, U.S. Army.
Adolph Reyes, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Elijah Reynolds, captain, U.S. Army.
John F. Rice, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
Douglas C. Richardson, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Harry D. Richardson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Leonard. H. Richardson, first lieutenant, Oakland, Cal.
Maceo A. Richmond, second lieutenant, Des Moines, Ia.
Francis E. Rivers, first lieutenant, New Haven, Conn.
Marion C. Rhoten, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles E. Roberts, first lieutenant, Atlantic City, N.J.
Clyde Roberts, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edward Robertson, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles W. Robinson, second lieutenant, Cleveland, Ohio.
George C. Robinson, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Peter L. Robinson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
William W. Robinson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Julian P. Rogers, first lieutenant, Montgomery, Ala.
John W. Rowe, first lieutenant, Danville, Ky.
Thomas Rucker, captain, U.S. Army.
Edward P. Rudd, first lieutenant, New York City.
Mallalieu W. Rush, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
John Russell, captain, U.S. Army.
Louis H. Russell, second lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Earl Ryder, second lieutenant, Springfield, Ill.
Chester Sanders, captain, U.S. Army.
Joseph B. Sanders, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Walter R. Sanders, captain, U.S. Army.
Clifford A. Sandridge, captain, U.S. Army.
Lorin O. Sanford, captain, U.S. Army.
Elliott D. Saunders, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Walker L. Savoy, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Elmer P. Sawyer, second lieutenant, Providence, R.I.
George S. Schuyler, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
James E. Scott, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
James E. Scott, first lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
Joseph H. Scott, first lieutenant, Darlington, S.C.
Walter W. Scott, second lieutenant, Brooksville, Miss.
William F. Scott, captain, U.S. Army.
Fletcher Sewell, captain, U.S. Army.
Shermont R. Sewell, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Charles A. Shaw, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Warren B. Shelton, second lieutenant, Hot Springs, Ark.
Robert T. Shobe, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Hal Short, first lieutenant, Iowa City, Ia.
Harry W. Short, second lieutenant, Iowa City, Ia.
Ogbon N. Simmons, first lieutenant, Waldo, Fla.
Richard Simmons, captain, U.S. Army.
William E. Simmons, first lieutenant, Burlington, Vt.
Austin Simms, second lieutenant, Darien, Ga.
John H. Simms, Jr., first lieutenant, Jacksonville, Fla.
 |
| ARTILLERY AT WORK IN A FRENCH FOREST. THIS WAS A PHASE OF OPERATION IN
WHICH THE NEGRO UNITS OF THE 167TH BRIGADE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THE
CLOSING DAYS OF THE WAR |
 |
| SENTRY BOX OUTSIDE OF REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS WITH WARNING HORN FOR
GAS ATTACKS. CAMOUFLAGED GATE ON THE LEFT. |
 |
| ONE OF THE HUGE GUNS, 16-INCH CALIBER OF THE AMERICAN RAILWAY
ARTILLERY, WHICH DID SUCH FRIGHTFUL EXECUTION NEAR THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.
CAMOUFLAGED THROUGHOUT. |
 |
| A RAILROAD IN FRANCE. THIS ONE WAS USED BY A PORTION OF THE 93RD
DIVISION IN THE CHAMPAGNE TO TRANSPORT TROOPS AND SUPPLIES TO THE
FRONT. |
 |
| PASSENGER CARS USED BY FAMOUS 93RD. NEGRO DIVISION IN CHAMPAGNE,
FRANCE. |
 |
| SENDING MESSAGE BY CARRIER PIGEON. OFFICER AND SOLDIERS OF 369TH
INFANTRY OUTSIDE OF DUGOUT IN FRANCE. |
 |
| KITCHEN AND DINING QUARTERS AT THE FRONT. SOLDIERS BELONG TO FAMOUS
93RD DIVISION AMERICAN NEGRO SOLDIERS BRIGADED WITH THE
FRENCH. |
 |
| INFANTRY AND GUNNERS AT CLOSE GRIPS. DRAWING REPRESENTS A BRILLIANT
COUNTER-ATTACK IN A SHELL-TORN WOOD IN FRANCE. |
 |
| A TYPICAL TRENCH SCENE. NEGROES OF THE 93RD DIVISION SERVING WITH
FRENCH IN THE CHAMPAGNE. |
 |
 |
| SECRET ORGANIZATIONS PRESENT AT THE BREAKING OF THE GROUND FOR
McDONOUGH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, W. 133RD STREET, NEW YORK. NAMED IN HONOR OF
MR. DAVID KEARNEY McDONOUGH, PIONEER NEGRO PHYSICIAN OF THAT CITY. TO BE
USED AS A BASE UNIT FOR COLORED SOLDIERS. |
 |
| LIEUT. JOHN APPLEBEE OF THE RED CROSS HOME SERVICE, COMFORTING AND
REASSURING SOLDIERS ANXIOUS ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THEIR FAMILIES. CAMP NO.
43. GIEVRES. FRANCE. |
 |
| CROWN PRINCE AND KAISER BILL. TWO GERMAN DOGS AND THEIR CAPTORS. THE
SOLDIERS ARE PRIVATES ROBINSON CLEVE, 539TH ENGINEERS AND DANIEL NELSON,
372ND INFANTRY. |
 |
| TYPES OF NEGRO ENGINEERS WHO WERE SUCH IMPORTANT FACTORS IN OUR
OVERSEAS FORCES. |
 |
| FOUR CAVERNS, STUDDED WITH IVORY, FURNISH HARMONY IN THE TRAINING
CAMP. |
Abraham L. Simpson, captain, Louisville, Ky.
Lawrence Simpson, first lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
William R. Smalls, first lieutenant, Manassas, Va.
Daniel Smith, captain, U.S. Army.
Enos B. Smith, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Ernest Smith, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Fairel N. Smith, first lieutenant, Orangeburg, S.C.
Joseph W. Smith, second lieutenant, Concord, S.C.
Oscar H. Smith, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Pitman E. Smith, first lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio.
Russell Smith, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Walter H. Smith, first lieutenant, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Levi E. Southe, second lieutenant, Chicago, Ill.
Carlos Sowards, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edward W. Spearman, captain, U.S. Army.
Walter R. St. Clair, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
Lloyd A. Stafford, captain, U.S. Army.
Moody Staten, captain, U.S. Army.
Percy H. Steele, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Waddell C. Steele, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Grant Stewart, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Robert K. Stephens, captain, U.S. Army.
Leon Stewart, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Thomas R. Stewart, first lieutenant, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
William A. Stith, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
James M. Stockett, Jr., first lieutenant, Providence, R.I.
Wilbur F. Stonestreet, second lieutenant, Topeka, Kans.
Daniel T. Taylor, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Hannibal B. Taylor, second lieutenant, Guthrie, Okla.
Pearl E. Taylor, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
Benjamin F. Thomas, captain, U.S. Army.
Bob Thomas, captain, U.S. Army.
Vincent B. Thomas, second lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
Charles M. Thompson, first lieutenant, Columbia, S.C.
Joseph Thompson, captain, U.S. Army.
Pierce McN. Thompson, first lieutenant, Albany, Ga.
Richard C. Thompson, first lieutenant, Harrisburg, Pa.
Toliver T. Thompson, first lieutenant, Houston, Tex.
William H. Thompson, first lieutenant, Jacksonville, Fla.
William W. Thompson, captain, United States Army.
James W. Thornton, first lieutenant, West Raleigh, N.C.
Leslie J. Thurman, captain, U.S. Army.
Samuel J. Tipton, captain, U.S. Army.
Frederick H. Townsend, second lieutenant, Newport, R.I.
Anderson Trapp, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Charles A. Tribbett, first lieutenant, New Haven, Conn.
Joseph E. Trigg, captain, Syracuse, N.Y.
Archibald R. Tuck, second lieutenant, Oberlin, O.
Victor J. Tulane, first lieutenant, Montgomery, Ala.
William J. Turnbow, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Allen Turner, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edward Turner, first lieutenant, Omaha, Nebr.
Samuel Turner, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Shadrach W. Upshaw, second lieutenant, Austin, Tex.
Ferdinand S. Upshur, second lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.
George L. Vaughn, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
Austin T. Walden, captain, Macon, Ga.
John P. Walker, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Lewis W. Wallace, captain, U.S. Army.
Thomas H. Walters, first lieutenant. New York, N.Y.
Robert L. Ward, first lieutenant, Detroit, Mich.
James H.N. Waring, Jr., first lieutenant, Washington, D, C.
Genoa S. Washington, captain, U.S. Army.
George G. Washington, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Bolivar E. Watkins, first lieutenant, St. Louis, Mo.
Alstyne M. Watson, second lieutenant, Tallapoosa, Ga.
Baxter W. Watson, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Louis L. Watson, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
William H. Weare, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Walter T. Webb, first lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
Carter W. Wesley, first lieutenant, Houston, Tex.
Harry Wheeler, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Chauncey D. White, first lieutenant, Mathews, Va.
Emmett White, captain, U.S. Army.
Journee W. White, second lieutenant, Los Angeles, Cal.
Lorenzo C. White, second lieutenant, Hampton, Va.
Johnson C. Whittaker, first lieutenant, Lawrence, Kans.
Horace G. Wilder, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Arthur R. Williams, second lieutenant, Edwards, Miss.
Everett B. Williams, first lieutenant, Syracuse, N.Y.
Gus Williams, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
James B. Williams, first lieutenant, Baltimore, Md.
John Williams, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Oscar H. Williams, second lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Richard A. Williams, captain, Lawnside, N.J.
Robert G. Williams, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Seymour E. Williams, second lieutenant, Muskogee, Okla.
Major Williams, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Walter B. Williams, captain, U.S. Army.
William H. Williams, captain, U.S. Army.
Elmore S. Willie, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Harry E. Wilson, first lieutenant, Des Moines, Ia.
John E. Wilson, first lieutenant, Leavenworth, Kans.
William H. Wilson, second lieutenant, Greensboro, N.C.
Meredith B. Wily, first lieutenant, El Paso, Tex.
Christopher C. Wimbish, first lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Hugh H. Wimbish, second lieutenant, Atlanta, Ga.
Rolland T. Winstead, second lieutenant, Rocky Mount, N.C.
George W. Winston, captain, United States Army.
Ernest M. Wood, second lieutenant, Mebane, N.C.
Benjamin F. Wright, second lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Elbert S. Wright, second lieutenant, Baldwin, Kans.
John Wynn, second lieutenant, U.S. Army.
Edward York, captain, United States Army.
Charles Young, first lieutenant, U.S. Army.
William A. Young, second lieutenant, Sumter, S.C.
Charles G. Young, first lieutenant, Washington, D.C.
CHAPTER XIV.
ACROSS DIVIDING SEAS.
BLACK THOUSANDS ASSEMBLE—SOLDIERS OF
LIBERTY—SEVERING HOME TIES—MAN'S WORK MUST BE DONE—FIRST NEGROES IN
FRANCE—MEETING WITH FRENCH COLONIALS—EARLY HISTORY OF 15TH NEW YORK—THEY SAIL
AWAY—BECOME FRENCH FIGHTING MEN—HOLD 20% OF AMERICAN LINES—TERROR TO
GERMANS—ONLY BARRIER BETWEEN BOCHE AND PARIS—IMPERISHABLE RECORD OF NEW
YORKERS—TURNING POINT OF WAR.
"Doan you see the black clouds ris'n ober yondah
Like as tho we's gwan ter hab a storm?
No, you's mistaken, dem's "Loyal BLACK FOLKS
Sailing off ter fight fer Uncle Sam."
From the plantations of the South,
from the mines, the workshops and factories; from the levees of the Mississippi,
the cities, villages, farms of the North, the East, the South, the West; from
the store, the counting house, the office and the institution of learning they
came—the black thousands to strike for their altars and their homes; to fight
for Uncle Sam. How splendid was the spectacle of their response! "Their's not to
ask the WHY; their's but to do and die."
Bearing the burden placed upon
them by white men as they have for centuries, nevertheless, in this supreme
moment of their country's life; "a day that shall live in story"; many of them
did not know what it all was about; where Germany was located, nor the
significance attaching to the word Hun. In a vague way they understood that
across the sea an armed and powerful nation was threatening the happiness of
mankind; the freedom of the world.
In the presence of this contemplated
crime, they were wide-eyed, open-souled, awake! Their sires had known bondage,
and they, their children, had felt and knew the effects of it. America which for
centuries had oppressed their forefathers had finally through the arbitrament of
war, freed them. White men and black men; in the dark days of '61-'65, numbering
many thousands, had lain down their lives to save the Union, and in doing so had
brought them freedom.
They had been told that America was threatened;
that was enough. It was to them a summons; sharp, quick, incisive to duty. It
was, although one hundred and forty years after, the voice of Washington at
Valley Forge; the call of Perry to their fathers, needing soldiers at the battle
of Lake Erie; of Jackson at New Orleans. It was to their listening ears the echo
of Bull Run, of Santiago, of Manila, and later of Carrizal; Uncle Sam needed
them! That was enough; what more was to be said?
Denied the opportunity
to enlist, the Negro's patriotic, patient soul asserted itself; if he must go as
a drafted soldier, it would be in the same fine spirit that would have inspired
him as a loyal enlisted man.
Life, as to all men, was sweet to them. They
had mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, wives and sweethearts; the ties of
association; of home, from all of which they would be separated and for all of
which they cherished that love, which alone of human fires: "Burns and burns,
forever the same, for nature feeds the pyre."
Above and over all these
things, tending to augment the seriousness of the sacrifice he was to be called
upon to make, was the spirit, the optimism, the joy of life that attends
vigorous youth and young manhood.
Nature in all of its enticing charm and
beauty, was smiling in the home places these men were leaving; flowers bloomed;
birds sang; insects buzzed cheerily. There were green fields and babbling
brooks; the stately beauty of trees, and the delights of lake, river and vale.
The cities from which they came, were many of them, splendid monuments of the
work of man. The sun clothed in glory the days, moon and stars gave a loveliness
to the nights. Leaving these things to face suffering and hardship; possible
death in strange lands, caused many a pang; but a man's work had to be done, and
they were there to do it.
Well they knew there would be no chance in
France to follow the wild bee to its tree; to track the fox or hunt the 'possum
or the coon. The hum they would hear would be that of machine gun bullets; their
sting, death or serious wounding. For game they would hunt the Hun; would kill
or be by him killed.
There were busy times in thousands of homes when the
young Negroes of the land; from East, West, North and South went forth to
war.
Bright faces hiding the pangs of parting; happy, singing lads left
their homes to enter a new life on earth or, the tragedy of it; also the glory;
a new life in the great Beyond; beyond the stars and flaming suns. The training
camp was their first destination and was to be their home for
months.
Correspondents in France wrote of Negro soldiers being among the
first expeditionary force to set foot upon the soil of the battle torn Republic.
This force arrived there in June, 1917, and was composed of marines and infantry
from the Regular army. Floyd Gibbons, the intrepid representative of the Chicago
Tribune, speaking of the first Negro contingents in his remarkable book
entitled, "And They Thought We Wouldn't Fight", said:
"There was to be seen on the streets of St. Nazaire that day some
representative black Americans, who had also landed in that historical first
contingent. There was a strange thing about these Negroes. It will be
remembered that in the early stages of our participation in the war it had
been found that there was hardly sufficient khaki cloth to provide uniforms
for all of our soldiers. That had been the case with these American negro
soldiers.
"But somewhere down in Washington, somehow or other, someone
resurrected an old, large heavy iron key and this, inserted into an ancient
rusty lock, had opened some long forgotten door in one of the Government
arsenals. There were revealed old dust-covered bundles wrapped up in
newspapers, yellow with age, and when these wrappings of the past were
removed, there were seen the uniforms of old Union blue that had been laid
away back in '65—uniforms that had been worn by men who fought and bled and
died to save the Union, and ultimately free those early 'Black
Americans'.
"And here on this foreign shore, on this day in June more
than half a century later, the sons and grandsons of those same freed slaves
wore those same uniforms of Union blue as they landed in France to fight for a
newer freedom; freedom for the white man no less than themselves, throughout
all the earth.
"Some of these Negroes were stevedores from the lower
Mississippi levees; who sang as they worked in their white army undershirts,
across the chest of which were penciled in blue and red, strange mystic
devices, religious phrases and other signs, calculated to contribute the charm
of safety to the running of the submarine blockade.
"Two of these
American Negroes, walking up the main street of St. Nazaire, saw on the other
side of the thoroughfare a brother of color wearing the lighter blue uniform
of a French soldier. This French Negro was a colonial black from the north of
Africa and of course had spoken nothing but French from the day he was born.
One of the American Negroes crossed the street and accosted
him.
"'Looka here, boy', he inquired good-naturedly, 'what can you all
tell me about this here wah?'
"'Comment, monsieur?' responded the
non-understanding French black, and followed the rejoinder with a torrent of
excited French.
"The American Negro's mouth fell open. For a minute he
looked startled, and then he bulged one large round eye suspiciously at the
French black while he inwardly debated on the possibility that he had become
color-blind. Having reassured himself, however, that his vision was not at
fault, he made a sudden decision and started on a new tack.
"'Now,
never mind that high-faluting language' he said, 'you all just tell me what
you know about this here wah and quit you' putting on aihs.'
"The
puzzled French Negro could only reply with another explosion of French
interrogations, coupled with vigorous gesticulations. The American Negro tried
to talk at the same time and both of them endeavoring to make the other
understand, increased the volumes of their tones until they were standing
there waving their arms and shouting into one another's faces. The American
gave it up.
"'My Gawd', he said shaking his head as he recrossed the
street and joined his comrades, 'this is sure some funny country. They got the
ignorantest colored people here I ever saw.'"
It has been noted that
the first Negro combatant regiment to reach France was the celebrated National
Guard organization known as the 15th New York Infantry, rechristened the 369th
when made a part of the 93rd division of the United States army. This was such a
well drilled and equipped regiment that early in the war it was permitted to go
across with the first 100,000; all of which was due to the aggressiveness and
insistence of its white commander, Colonel William Hayward. He simply gave the
war department no rest, stating that he was willing his men should unload ships,
fell trees and build docks or cantonments so long as they were permitted to
sail.
The regiment had been organized by Colonel Hayward at the
suggestion of Governor Whitman of New York. It was to be patterned after the 8th
Illinois where colored men of means sufficient to support commissions, were the
officers. The regiment was started in June 1916 and by October had 1,000 in the
ranks. Colonel Hayward was the only white officer, the Negro commission-holders
at that time being Captain Marshall, Captain Fillmore, Lieutenant Lacey,
Lieutenant Reed and Lieutenant Europe. The latter was attached to the Machine
Gun section but became later the famous musician of the outfit. He was the only
Negro officer who remained with the regiment throughout, the others being
superseded or transferred after several months service in France.
Early
in 1917, the Federal government said it would recognize the regiment if it could
muster fifty-one officers. As recruiting had been slow and a Negro regiment in
New York was looked upon as an experiment, Colonel Hayward was obliged to secure
the needed officers from among his friends in the 7th New York, the Motor
Battery, Squadron A and other organizations. By this time the enlisted strength
had grown to 1,200. On April 8, 1917, two days after the United States entered
the war, the regiment was inspected by Federal officers and a week later was
recognized as a regular unit of the Federal Guard.
But, as the Colonel
expressed it, they were a "street urchin of a regiment." They had no armory, no
place to drill except in the open and no place where more than a single company
at a time could meet. In his post-war observations, the Colonel has noted that
when the regiment returned to these shores and was feasted and entertained by
the people of New York in the 71st regiment armory, it was the first occasion on
which the old 15th was ever assembled under one roof.
After its Federal
recognition the regiment was sent to the Peekskill rifle range to learn to
shoot, a valuable experience as developed later. Many of the boys became expert
marksmen, a skill that became of precious value to them and their comrades. In
June, 1917, they went to a war strength of 2,000 men and 56 officers. One
battalion did pioneer work at Camp Upton, another at Camp Dix. A third guarded
600 miles of railroads in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Machine Gun
company guarded 2,000 interned spies and pro-German prisoners at Ellis Island.
Colonel Hayward has pointed with pride to the fact that in all their territory
there was not a wreck, an explosion, an escaped prisoner or any other trouble.
Two battalions later went to Spartanburg for training, but remained there only a
couple of weeks.
"I wonder what got those colored boys to volunteer" someone asked
their colonel as they were embarking for France. He replied: "I have often
thought of that. With many the cause was sheer patriotism. Others said they
had gone into the 15th for social reasons, to meet with their friends.
One—this seemed to me a most pathetic touch—said: 'I j'ined up because when
Colonel Hayward asked me it was the first time anyone had ever asked me to
j'ine up with anything in my whole lifetime.'"
If any great amount
of superstition had existed among the men or officers of the New York regiment,
they would have been greatly depressed over the series of incidents that
preceded their arrival in France. In the first place they had been assigned to
police and pioneer duty at camps near New York, a duty which no fighting man
relishes. They embarked on the transport Pocahontas November 12, 1917. Two
hundred miles at sea a piston rod was bent and the vessel put back to port. They
got away again December 3, were out a day and had to return on account of fire
in the coal bunkers. A third attempt on December 12, in a blizzard, was
frustrated by a collision with a tanker in New York harbor.
After this
series of bad starts, anyone inclined to indulge in forebodings would have
predicted the certainty of their becoming prey for the submarines on the way
over. But the fourth attempt proved successful and they landed in France on
December 27, 1917. They had hoped to celebrate Christmas day on French soil, but
were forced by the elements and the precautions of convoys and sailing master to
observe the anniversary on board the ship.
The Colonel undoubtedly
thought that those first in France would be the first to get a chance at the
Boche, but the department took him at his word, and for over two months his men
were kept busy in the vicinity of St. Nazaire, largely as laborers and builders.
Early in 1918 they went into training quarters near St. Nazaire. The 371st,
another Negro regiment, made up of draft selectives principally from South
Carolina, was later given quarters nearby.
The black soldiers of the
369th were brigaded as a part of the 16th division of the 8th Corps of the 4th
French Army. From St. Nazaire they went to Givrey-En-Argonne, and there in three
weeks the French turned them into a regulation French regiment. They had Lebel
rifles, French packs and French gas masks. For 191 days they were in the
trenches or on the field of battle. In April, 1918, the regiment held 20 percent
of all the territory held by American troops, though it comprised less than one
percent of all the American soldiers in France.
Officers of the 369th
reported for an entire year only six cases of drunkenness, and twenty-four of
serious disease. The regiment fought in the Champagne, in the Vosges mountains,
on the Aisne, at Main de Massiges, Butte de Mesnil, Dormouse, Sechault, the
Argonne, Ripont, Kuppinase, Tourbe, and Bellevue Ridge. It was the first unit of
any of the Allied armies to reach the left bank of the Rhine following the
signing of the armistice, moving from Thann on November 17th and reaching
Blodesheim the next day.
Negro soldiers were a source of terror to the
Germany throughout the war, and objects of great curiosity to the German people
afterwards. Wherever they appeared in the area occupied by the Americans they
attracted great attention among the civilians. In Treves, Coblenz and other
places during the early days of the occupation, crowds assembled whenever Negro
soldiers stopped in the streets and it became necessary for the military police
to enforce the orders prohibiting gatherings in the public
thoroughfares.
Returning soldiers have told how they were followed in the
German towns by great troops of stolid, wide-eyed German children who could not
seem to decide in their minds just what sort of being these Negro fighters were.
The curiosity of the children no doubt was inspired by stories told among their
elders of the ferocity of these men.
The Associated Press has related a
conversation with a discharged German soldier in Rengsdorf, in which it is
stated that the German army early in the war offered a reward for the capture
alive of each Negro. The soldier said that throughout the war the Germans lived
in great terror of the Negroes, and it was to overcome this fear that rewards
were offered.
One evening on the front a scouting party composed of ten
Germans including the discharged soldier, encountered two French Negroes. In the
fight which followed two of the scouting party were killed. One of the Negroes
escaped the other being taken prisoner. During the fight two of the Germans left
their comrades and ran to the protection of their own trenches, but these it was
explained, were young soldiers and untrained. The reward of 400 marks
subsequently was divided among the remaining six Germans for capturing the one
French Negro.
The 93rd division, which was made up of the 369th, 370th,
371st and the 372nd regiments of infantry, was put into service green, so green
they did not know the use of rockets and thought a gas alarm and the tooting of
sirens meant that the Germans were coming in automobiles. The New York regiment
came largely from Brooklyn and the district around West 59th street in New York
City, called San Juan Hill in reference to certain notable achievements of Negro
troops at a place of that name in the Spanish-American war.
They learned
the game of war rapidly. The testimony of their officers was to the effect that
it was not hard to send them into danger—the hard part being to keep them from
going into it of their own accord. It was necessary to watch them like hawks to
keep them from slipping off on independent raiding parties.
The New York
regiment had a band of 40 pieces, second to none in the American army. It is
stated that the officers and men in authority in the French billeting places had
difficulty in keeping the villagers from following the band away when it played
plantation airs and syncopations as only Negroes can play them.
On April
12, 1918, the 369th took over a sector of 5-1/2 kilometers in the Bois de Hauzy
on the left of a fringe of the Argonne Forest. There they stayed until July 1st.
There was no violent fighting in the sector, but many raids back and forth by
the Negroes and the Germans, rifle exchanges and occasionally some artillery
action.
One important engagement occurred June 12th, which the soldiers
called the million dollar raid, because they thought the preparatory barrage of
the Germans must have cost all of that. The Germans came over, probably
believing they would find the Negro outfit scared stiff. But the Negro lads let
them have grenades, accurate rifle fire and a hail from some concealed machine
gun nests. Sergt. Bob Collins was later given the Croix de Guerre for his
disposition of the machine guns on that occasion.
While holding the
sector of Hauzy Wood, the 369th was the only barrier between the German army and
Paris. However, had there been an attempt to break through, General Gouraud, the
French army commander, would have had strength enough there at once to stop it.
About this time everyone in the Allied armies knew that the supreme German
effort was about to come. It was felt as a surety that the brunt of the drive
would fall upon the 4th French Army, of which the 369th regiment and other
portions of the American 93rd Division were a part. This army was holding a line
50 kilometers long, stretching between Rheims and the Argonne Forest. It was the
intention of the Germans to capture Chalons and then proceed down the Marne
Valley to Paris. It was expected that the big German drive would begin on July
4th, but as it turned out it did not begin until the night of the 14th—the
French national holiday.
On July 1st, the 369th had been moved from its
sector further toward the east where the center of the attack was expected. Upon
the 14th of July the French made a raid for the purpose of getting prisoners and
information. This had a tremendous effect upon the whole course of the war, for
through it General Gouraud's staff learned that at midnight the Boche artillery
preparation was to begin, and at 5:25 o'clock on the morning of the 15th the
Germans were coming over the top.
This phase of the operation is
described by Col. Hayward as follows:
"This is what Gen. Gouraud—Pa Gouraud we called him—did: He knew
the Boche artillery would at the appointed hour start firing on our front
lines, believing as was natural, that they would be strongly held. So he
withdrew all his forces including the old 15th, to the intermediate positions,
which were at a safe distance back of the front lines. Then, at the point
where he expected would be the apex of the drive he sent out two patrols,
totalling sixteen men.
"These sixteen had certain camouflage to
perform. They were to set going a certain type of French machine gun which
would fire of its own accord for awhile after being started off. They were to
run from one of these guns to the other and start them. Also the sixteen were
to send up rockets, giving signals, which the Germans of course knew as well
as we. Then again they were to place gas shells—with the gas flowing out of
them—in all the dugouts of the first line. Meanwhile the French artillery had
registered directly on our own front trenches, so that it could slaughter the
Germans when they came across, believing those trenches to be occupied as
usual.
"Everything worked out as expected, and as luck had it, most of
those gallant sixteen Frenchmen got back safely.
"Five minutes before
the Germans started their artillery preparation for the drive Gen. Gouraud
started his cannon going and there was a slaughter in the German lines. Then
when the German infantry crossed to our front line trenches (now entirely
vacant) they were smashed up because the French guns were firing directly upon
these positions, which they knew mathematically. And those of the Boche who
went down in the dugouts for safety were killed by the gas which the Frenchmen
had left there for them.
"This battle—the supreme German drive—raged
over eighty-five kilometers (51 miles). West of Rheims the enemy broke through
the line, but they did not break through anywhere in Gen. Gouraud's sector.
Stonewall Gouraud stopped them. The American units which took in the defense
that was so successful were the 42nd Division, including the gallant 69th of
New York, who were to the west of us, our own little regiment, and the
American Railroad Artillery.
"That was the turning point of the war,
because soon thereafter began Marshal Foch's great counter thrust, in which
the 1st and 2nd American Divisions participated so wonderfully about Belleau
Wood, Chateau-Thierry and that district. Gouraud in my belief, turned the tide
of the war, and I am proud that the New York City colored boys had a share of
that vital fight.
"Right here I may say that this orphan, urchin
regiment of ours placed in the pathway of the Boche in the most significant
battle the world has ever known, had only thirty-seven commissioned officers,
and four of those wounded, had to be carried in stretchers to their positions
in the trenches in order to direct the fighting."
Colonel Hayward
was himself in the hospital with a broken leg. Disregarding the orders of the
surgeons he went to the front line on crutches and personally directed his men
in the fight. In all of his written and quoted utterances since the war, he has
refrained from mentioning this fact, but it is embodied in the regimental
records.
Shortly after the French national holiday, the 369th was sent
about 15 kilometers west to a position in front of the Butte de Mesnil, a high
hill near Maison en Champagne, occupied by the Germans. Around that district
they held half a dozen sectors at different times with only one week of rest
until September 26th.
Artillery duels were constant. It is related that
near the Butte de Mesnil the regiment lost a man an hour and an officer a day
from the shell fire of the Boche. So accurate were the gunners handling the
German 77s that frequently a solitary soldier who exposed himself would actually
be "sniped" off by a cannoneer.
In the September fighting the 369th saw
the toughest period of its entire service. In company with a Moroccan Negro unit
and others, the regiment participated in the attack on the Butte de Mesnil. The
New Yorkers took the important town of Sechault and it was for that exploit that
their flag was decorated with the Croix de Guerre.
Throughout the western
Argonne fighting and the various sectors of the Champagne in which the 369th
operated, especially during the months of July, August and September, their
service was typical of that of other units of the 93rd Division. The going was
tough for all of them and each contributed everlasting fame to American arms and
undying renown to the Negro race.
Heroes of the Old 15th
Infantry.
Officers and men of the 369th New York colored regiment awarded
the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in Action:
Sergt. A.A. Adams
Corp. John Allen
Lieut. R.R. DeArmond
Lieut. G.A. Arnston
Corp. Farrandus Baker
Sergt. E.W. Barrington
Sergt M.W. Barron
Sergt. William D. Bartow
Capt. Aaron T. Bates
Corp. Fletcher Battle
Corp. R. Bean
Corp. J.S. Beckton
Pvt. Myril Billings
Sergt. Ed. Bingham
Lieut. J.C. Bradner
Pvt. Arthur Brokaw
Pvt. H.D. Brown
Pvt. T.W. Brown
Lieut. Elmer C. Bucher
Pvt. Wm. H. Bunn
Sergt. Wm. Butler
Pvt. J.L. Bush
Sergt. Joseph Carmen
Corp. T. Catto
Corp. G.H. Chapman
Sergt. Major Benedict W. Cheesman
Capt. John H. Clarke, Jr.
Lieut. P.M. Clendenin
Capt. Frederick W. Cobb
Sergt. Robert Collins
Lieut. J.H. Connor
Sergt. Wm. H. Cox
Sergt C.D. Davis
Lieut. Charles Dean
Pvt. P. Demps
Wagoner Martin Dunbar
Corp. Elmer Earl
Pvt. Frank Ellis
Sergt. Sam Fannell
Capt. Robt. F. Ferguson, Jr.
Capt. Charles W. Fillmore
Capt. Edward J. Farrell
Capt. Hamilton Fish, Jr.
Capt Edwin R.D. Fox
Lieut. Conrad Fox
Sergt. Richard W. Fowler
Pvt. Roland Francis
Pvt. B. Freeman
Pvt. I. Freeman
Sergt Wm. A. Gains
Wagoner Richard O. Goins
Pvt. J.J. Gordon
Lieut. R.C. Grams
Pvt. Stillman Hanna
Pvt. Hugh Hamilton
Pvt. G.E. Hannibal
Pvt. Frank Harden
Pvt. Frank Hatchett
Corp. Ralph Hawkins
Colonel Wm. Hayward
Lieut. E.H. Holden
Sergt. Wm. H. Holliday
Corp. Earl Horton
Pvt. G. Howard
Lieut. Stephen H. Howey
Sergt. Major Clarence C. Hudson
Pvt. Ernest Hunter
Sergt. S. Jackson
Corp. Clarence Johnson
Sergt. D.F. Johnson
Pvt. Gilbert Johnson
Sergt. George Jones
Lieut. Gorman R. Jones
Sergt. James H. Jones
Pvt. Smithfield Jones
Pvt. J.C. Joynes
Lieut. W.H. Keenan
Lieut. Elwin C. King
Lieut. Harold M. Landon
Lieut. Nils H. Larsen
Major David A. L'Esperance
Lieut. W.F. Leland
Pvt. D.W. Lewis
Pvt. W.D. Link
Major Arthur W. Little
Lieut. Walter R. Lockhart
Sergt. B. Lucas
Pvt. Lester A. Marshall
Pvt. Lewis Martin
Sergt. A.J. McArthur
Capt. Seth B. MacClinton
Pvt. Elmer McGowan
Pvt. Herbert McGirt
Capt. Comerford McLoughlin
Pvt. L. McVea
Sergt. H. Matthews
Sergt. Jesse A. Miller
Sergt Wm. H. Miller
Sergt. E. Mitchell
Pvt. Herbert Mills
Corp. M. Molson
Lieut. E.D. Morey
Sergt. W. Morris
Sergt. G.A. Morton
Lieut. E.A. Nostrand
Sergt. Samuel Nowlin
Capt. John O. Outwater
Lieut. Hugh A. Page
Lieut. Oliver H. Parish
Sergt. C.L. Pawpaw
Pvt. Harvey Perry
Sergt. Clinton Peterson
Lieut. Col. W.A. Pickering
Lieut. Richardson Pratt
Sergt. John Pratt
Sergt. H.D. Primas
Pvt. Jeremiah Reed
Lieut. Durant Rice
Pvt. John Rice
Sergt. Samuel Richardson
Sergt Charles Risk
Pvt. F. Ritchie
Lieut. G.S. Robb
Corp. Fred Rogers
Pvt. Lionel Rogers
Pvt. George Rose
Lieut. R.M. Rowland
Sergt. Percy Russell
Sergt. L. Sanders
Pvt. William Sanford
Lieut. H.J. Argent
Pvt. Marshall Scott
Capt. Lewis E. Shaw
Capt. Samuel Shethar
Lieut. Hoyt Sherman
Major G. Franklin Shiels
Pvt. A. Simpson
Sergt. Bertrand U. Smith
Pvt. Daniel Smith
Sergt. Herman Smith
Corp. R.W. Smith
Major Lorillard Spencer
Sergt. J.T. Stevens
Corp. Dan Storms
Lieut. George F. Stowell
Corp. T.W. Taylor
Lieut. Frank B. Thompson
Sergt. Lloyd Thompson
Sergt. A.L. Tucker
Sergt. George Valaska
Lieut. D.H. Vaughan
Capt. Edward A. Walton
Capt Charles Warren
Sergt. Leon Washington
Pvt. Casper White
Capt. James D. White
Sergt. Jay White
Sergt. Jesse J. White
Sergt. C.E. Williams
Pvt. Robert Williams
Sergt. Reaves Willis
Pvt. H. Wiggington
Sergt. L. Wilson
Pvt. Tim Winston
Sergt. E. Woods
Pvt. George Wood
Lieut. A.D. Worsham
Sergt. E.C. Wright
Sergt. Henry Johnson
Pvt. Needham Roberts
CHAPTER XV.
OVER THERE.
HENRY JOHNSON AND NEEDHAM ROBERTS—THE TIGER'S CUBS—NEGRO
FIRST TO GET PALM—JOHNSON'S GRAPHIC STORY—SMASHES THE GERMANS—IRVIN COBB'S
TRIBUTE—CHRISTIAN AND MOHAMMEDAN NEGROES PALS—VALOR OF 93RD DIVISION—LAUGHTER IN
FACE OF DEATH—NEGRO AND POILU HAPPY TOGETHER—BUTTE DE MESNIL—VALIANT AND
HUMOROUS ELMER McCOWIN—WINNING WAR CROSSES—VERDICT OF THE FRENCH—THE NEGRO'S
FAITH.
A most conspicuous Negro hero of the war, and for that matter
of any race serving with the American army, was Sergeant Henry Johnson of
Albany, N.Y. His exploit was shared by a company mate, Needham Roberts. For pure
bull dog grit and tigerish fighting, the exploit has seldom, if ever, been
equalled in the annals of any war. It resulted in the War Crosses for each with
a special citation, and the whole French force in that section of the Champagne
lined up to see them get the decorations. Across the red and green ribbon of
Johnson's decoration was a golden palm, signifying extraordinary valor. Johnson
was the first private of any race in the American army to get the palm with his
Croix de Guerre. Here is the story as told in Johnson's own words after his
arrival back in New York:
"There isn't so much to tell", said Johnson with characteristic
modesty. "There wasn't anything so fine about it. Just fought for my life. A
rabbit would have done that.
"Well, anyway, me and Needham Roberts were
on patrol duty on May 15. The corporal wanted to send out two new drafted men
on the sentry post for the midnight-to-four job. I told him he was crazy to
send untrained men out there and risk the rest of us. I said I'd tackle the
job, though I needed sleep.
"German snipers had been shooting our way
that night and I told the corporal he wanted men on the job who knew their
rifles. He said it was imagination, but anyway he took those green men off and
left Needham and me on the posts. I went on at midnight. It was moonlight.
Roberts was at the next post. At one o'clock a sniper took a crack at me from
a bush fifty yards away. Pretty soon there was more firing and when Sergeant
Roy Thompson came along I told him.
"'What's the matter men' he asked,
'You scared?'
"'No I ain't scared', I said, 'I came over here to do my
bit and I'll do it. But I was jes' lettin' you know there's liable to be some
tall scrappin' around this post tonight'. He laughed and went on, and I began
to get ready. They'd a box of hand grenades there and I took them out of the
box and laid them all in a row where they would be handy. There was about
thirty grenades, I guess. I was goin' to bust that Dutch army in pieces if it
bothered me.
"Somewhere around two o'clock I heard the Germans cutting
our wire out in front and I called to Roberts. When he came I told him to pass
the word to the lieutenant. He had just started off when the snippin' and
clippin' of the wires sounded near, so I let go with a hand grenade. There was
a yell from a lot of surprised Dutchmen and then they started firing. I
hollered to Needham to come back.
"A German grenade got Needham in the
arm and through the hip. He was too badly wounded to do any fighting, so I
told him to lie in the trench and hand me up the grenades.
"'Keep your
nerve' I told him. 'All the Dutchmen in the woods are at us, but keep cool and
we'll lick 'em.' Roberts crawled into the dugout. Some of the shots got me,
one clipped my head, another my lip, another my hand, some in my side and one
smashed my left foot so bad that I have a silver plate holding it up
now.
"The Germans came from all sides. Roberts kept handing me the
grenades and I kept throwing them and the Dutchmen kept squealing, but jes'
the same they kept comin' on. When the grenades were all gone I started in
with my rifle. That was all right until I shoved in an American cartridge
clip—it was a French gun—and it jammed.
"There was nothing to do but
use my rifle as a club and jump into them. I banged them on the dome and the
side and everywhere I could land until the butt of my rifle busted. One of the
Germans hollered, 'Rush him! Rush him!' I decided to do some rushing myself. I
grabbed my French bolo knife and slashed in a million directions. Each slash
meant something, believe me. I wasn't doing exercises, let me tell
you.
"I picked out an officer, a lieutenant I guess he was. I got him
and I got some more of them. They knocked me around considerable and whanged
me on the head, but I always managed to get back on my feet. There was one guy
that bothered me. He climbed on my back and I had some job shaking him off and
pitching him over my head. Then I stuck him in the ribs with the bolo. I stuck
one guy in the stomach and he yelled in good New York talk: 'That black —— got
me.'
"I was still banging them when my crowd came up and saved me and
beat the Germans off. That fight lasted about an hour. That's about all. There
wasn't so much to it."
No, there was not much to it, excepting that
next morning the Americans found four German bodies with plentiful indications
that at least thirty-two others had been put on the casualty list and several of
the German dead probably had been dragged back by their comrades. Thirty-eight
bombs were found, besides rifles, bayonets and revolvers.
It was Irvin
Cobb, the southern story writer, who first gave to the world a brief account of
the exploit of Johnson and Roberts in the Saturday Evening Post during
the summer of 1918. He commented as follows:
"If ever proof were needed, which it is not, that the color of a
man's skin has nothing to do with the color of his soul, this twain then and
there offered it in abundance."
Mr. Cobb in the same article paid
many tributes to the men of the 369th and 371st serving at that time in that
sector. Among other things he said:
"They were soldiers who wore their uniforms with a smartened
pride; who were jaunty and alert and prompt in their movements; and who
expressed as some did vocally in my hearing, and all did by their attitude, a
sincere heartfelt inclination to get a whack at the foe with the shortest
possible delay."
Continuing, Mr. Cobb uttered a sentiment that is
sure to awaken a glow in the hearts of all sympathizers and friends of the Negro
race. "I am of the opinion personally," he said, "and I make the assertion with
all the better grace, I think, seeing that I am a Southerner with all the
Southerner's inherited and acquired prejudices touching on the race
question—that as a result of what our black soldiers are going to do in this
war, a word that has been uttered billions of times in our country, sometimes in
derision, sometimes in hate, sometimes in all kindliness—but which I am sure
never fell on black ears but it left behind a sting for the heart—is going to
have a new meaning for all of us, South and North too, and that hereafter
n-i-g-g-e-r will merely be another way of spelling the word
American."
Many a man in the four regiments comprising the 93rd division
when he heard about the exploit of May 15th, oiled his rifle, sharpened his
bayonet and whetted his trench knife, resolved to go Henry Johnson and Needham
Roberts one better if the opportunity came to him. It did come to many of them
in the days that followed and although none got a chance to distinguish himself
in equal degree with the redoubtable Johnson, it was because the Boche had
become too wary. They had cultivated a healthy respect for the colored men and
called them "blutlustige schwartze manner," meaning "blood-thirsty black men."
Another nickname they had was "Hell Fighters."
When the 93rd division was
brigaded with the French on the Aisne, at least two of the component regiments
were under a French general having in his command several thousand Moroccan
Negroes. He placed them on the other side of the river fearing they would
quarrel over religious differences. However, it was impossible to keep them from
fraternizing. There were no religious disputes, nor is it of record that the
Americans attempted to convert the Mohammedans. But they did initiate their
turbaned comrades into the mysteries of a certain American game and it is said
that the disciples of Allah experienced considerable hard luck.
Most of
the 93rd division was under fire from the early days of May, 1918, until the
close of the war. The 369th, which left New York with 56 officers and 2,000 men,
returned with only 20 officers and 1,200 men of the original organization. A few
had been transferred to casual companies and other commands, but many will never
come back; their bodies being part of the soil of France—killed in action, died
of wounds or disease.
The tale of the 93rd is full of deeds of valor,
laughter in the face of death, of fearful carnage wrecked upon the foe, of
childlike pride in the homage their Allies paid them, and now and then an
incident replete with the bubbling Negro humor that is the same whether it finds
its outlet on the cotton-fields of Dixie or the battlefields of
France.
Between the French and the colored troops the spirit was superb.
The French poilu had not been taught that the color of a man's skin made a
difference. He had no prejudices. How could he have, coming from a nation whose
motto is LIBERTY, FRATERNITY, EQUALITY? He formed his judgment from bravery and
Manhood and Honor. The Negro soldiers ate, slept and drank with the poilus. They
were happy together.
An incident of the valor of the 93rd division was in
the fight at Butte de Mesnil, as tough a spot as any in the line between the sea
and Switzerland. The ground had been fought over back and forth, neither side
holding it for long. The French said it was the burying place of 200,000 of
their troops and Germans, and that it could not be held permanently. The Negro
boys tackled the job. In four days they had advanced fourteen kilometers (8.4
miles) and they NEVER retreated.
The Negro troops to a great extent went
into action with little training, but they learned quickly in the hard school of
experience. They excelled in grenade throwing and machine gun work. Grenade
throwing is very ticklish business. Releasing the pin lights the fuse. Five
seconds after the fuse is lighted the grenade explodes. It must be timed
exactly. If thrown too quickly the enemy is liable to pick it up and hurl it
back in time to create the explosion in one's own lines. No one cares to hold a
grenade long after the fuse is lighted so the boys sometimes threw them ahead of
the signal.
"Shorty" Childress of B company, 371st Infantry, had been
drilled with dummy grenades. When given the real thing he released the pin and
immediately heard the fulminating fuse working its way down into the charge. It
was too much for his nerves. He threw the grenade as far as he could send it.
The lieutenant reprimanded him severely.
"What do you mean," he said, "by
hurling that explosive ahead of the proper time. Do you want the Boches to pick
it up, fire it back here and blow us all to smithereens?"
"Shorty" was
properly abashed. He hung his head and responded: "Lieutenant, I begs your
pardon, I didn't mean to heave it so soon, but I could actually feel that thing
a swellin' in my hand."
But they soon acquired the idea, and after a
short time very few of the grenades reached the enemy either ahead of or behind
time.
Here is the valiant and humorous story of Elmer McCowin, 669 Lenox
Avenue, New York City, a private in Company K, 369th infantry, and how he won
the Distinguished Service Cross. He said:
"On September 26th, the captain asked me to carry dispatches. The
Germans pumped machine gun bullets at me all the way, but I made the trip and
got back safely. Then I was sent out again. As I started the captain hollered
to bring him back a can of coffee. He was joking but I didn't know
it.
"Being a foot messenger I had some time ducking those German
bullets. Those bullets seemed very sociable but I didn't care to meet up with
any of them, so I kept on traveling on high gear. None touched my skin, though
some skinned pretty close.
"On the way back it seemed the whole war was
turned on me. One bullet passed through my trousers and it made me hop, skip
and jump. I saw a shell hole six feet deep. Take it from me I dented it
another six feet when I plunged into it. In my fist I held the captain's can
of coffee.
"When I climbed out of the hole and started running again a
bullet clipped a hole in the can and the coffee started to run out. But I
turned around stopped a second, looked the Kaiser in the face and held up the
can of coffee with my finger plugging up the hole to show the Germans they
were fooled. Just then another bullet hit the can and another finger had to
act as a stopper. I pulled out an old rabbit's foot that my girl had given me
and rubbed it so hard the hair almost came off.
"It must have been the
good luck thing that saved my life because the bullets were picking at my
clothes and so many hit the can that at the end all my fingers were in use to
keep the coffee in. I jumped into shell holes and wriggled along the ground
and got back safely. And what do you think? When I got back into our own
trenches I stumbled and spilled the coffee."
Not only did Lieutenant
George Miller, battalion adjutant, confirm the story, but he added:
"When that boy came back with the coffee his clothes were riddled
with bullets. Yet half an hour later he went out into no man's land and
brought back a number of wounded until he was badly gassed. Even then he
refused to go to the rear and went out again for a wounded soldier. All this
under fire. That's the reason he got the D.S.C."
Corporal Elmer
Earl, also of Company K, living in Middletown, N.Y., won the D.S.C. He
explained:
"We had taken a hill Sept. 26 in the Argonne. We came to the edge
of a swamp when the enemy machine guns opened fire. It was so bad that of the
58 of us who went into a particular strip, only 8 came out without being
killed or wounded. I made a number of trips out there and brought back about a
dozen wounded men."
The proudest recollection which Negro officers
and privates will carry through life is that of the whole-hearted recognition
given them in the matter of decorations by the French army authorities. Four
colored regiments of the 93rd division attained the highest record in these
awards. These regiments being brigaded with the French, their conduct in action
was thus under their observation. Not only was each of these regiments cited as
a unit for the Croix de Guerre, but 365 individual soldiers received the coveted
decoration. A large number of Distinguished Service Crosses were also
distributed to the 93rd division by General Pershing. The verdict pronounced by
critical French commanders may be considered as an unquestionable confirmation
that the Negro troops were under all conditions brave fighters. This fact and
the improved status of the Negro as a result of it was pointed to by the New
York Tribune, in a leading editorial in its issue of February 14, 1919. It said:
"The bas-relief of the Shaw Memorial became a living thing as the
dusky heroes of the 15th cheered the Liberty statue and happily swarmed down
the gangplank. Appropriately the arrival was on the birthday of the "revered
Lincoln," and never was the young and martyred idealist of Massachusetts
filled with greater pride than swelled in Colonel Hayward as he talked of his
men the best regiment, he said, with pardonable emphasis, 'of all engaged in
the great war.'
"These were men of the Champagne and the Argonne whose
step was always forward; who held a trench ninety days without relief, with
every night a raid night; who won 171 medals for conspicuous bravery; who saw
the war expire under their pressure in a discouraged German cannonade. First
class fighting men! Hats off to them! The tribunal of grace does not regard
skin color when assessing souls.
"The boys cheered the Bartholdi
statue. It makes some whites uncomfortable. It converts into strange reading
glib eulogies of democratic principles.
"A large faith possesses the
Negro. He has such confidence in justice,—the flow—of which he believes will
yet soften hard hearts. We have a wonderful example of a patience that defies
discouragement; the "Souls of Black Folk"! When values are truly measured,
some things will be different in this country."
CHAPTER XVI.
THROUGH HELL AND SUFFERING.
Negro Officers Make Good—Wonderful
Record of the 8th Illinois—"Black Devils" Win Decorations Galore—Tribute of
French Commander—His Farewell to Prairie Fighters—They Fought After War Was
Over—Hard to Stop Them—Individual Deeds of Heroism—Their Dead, Their Wounded and
Suffering—A Poem.
In the past when the subject of the Negro's
fighting ability was under discussion, there were always found those whose
grudging assent to his merits as a soldier was modified by the assertion that he
had to be properly commanded; in other words must have white officers. Never
having been given a conspicuous opportunity to demonstrate his capacity for
leadership in battle, until the formation of the 8th Illinois infantry in the
Spanish-American war, the Negro was forced to rest under the imputation that as
a follower he did fairly well, but as a leader he was a failure.
Let
anyone who still holds that view study the record of the 8th Illinois, or the
370th, as it was rechristened when entering the service of the general
government in the recent war. Seventy-one War Crosses with special citations for
valor and merit, and twenty-one Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded
officers and men of the regiment. Many men in the 370th were veterans of the
Spanish-American war as well as the campaign of 1916 on the Mexican border,
which, while not an actual war, was for some months a locality of service and
hard service at that; the regiment passing through it with great
credit.
It was organized as a single battalion in 1891, increased to a
regiment and sent to Cuba in 1898, every officer and man in the regiment being a
Negro. Upon its return, over half of the city of Chicago turned out in greeting.
Until July 12th, 1918, the regiment had never had a white officer. Then its
Colonel, F.A. Denison, was relieved on account of illness and a white officer in
the person of Colonel Thomas A. Roberts for the first time was placed in
command. Shortly before the armistice two other white officers were attached to
the regiment, in the persons of Major William H. Roberts, a brother of the
colonel, and Captain John F. Prout; Second Lieutenant M.F. Stapleton, white,
also served as adjutant of the First battalion.
The 370th received brief
training at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, and landed in France April 22, 1918;
going within a few weeks into actual service. Like nearly all of the new
regiments arriving at that time its operations were confined mainly to trench
warfare.
Trench warfare continued until July 6, when the men got their
real baptism of fire in a section of the Argonne and were in all the important
engagements of their portion of the Champagne and other fronts, fighting almost
continuously from the middle of July until the close of the war, covering
themselves with a distinction and glory, as Knights in the warfare for Mankind,
that will endure as long as the story of valorous deeds are
recorded.
Like the other regiments of the 93rd Division, the 370th was
brigaded with the French; first with the 73rd French Division and later under
direct command of General Vincendon of the 59th Division, a part of the famous
10th French army under General Mangin. Shortly after the signing of the
armistice, the division commander sent the regiment the following communication:
Officers, non-commissioned officers and men:
Your efforts
have been rewarded. The armistice is signed. The troops of the Entente to whom
the armies of the American Republic have nobly come to join themselves, have
vanquished the most powerful instrument of conquest that a nation could
forge—the haughty German Army acknowledges itself conquered. However hard our
conditions are, the enemy government has accepted them all.
The 370th
R.I.U.S. has contributed largely to the success of the 59th Division, and has
taken in bitter strife both cannon and machine guns. Its units, fired by a
noble ardor, got at times even beyond the objectives given them by the higher
command; they have always wished to be in the front line, for the place of
honor is the leading rank.
They have shown in our advance that they are
worthy of being there.
VINCENDON.
"Black Devils" was the name
the Prussian Guard who faced them gave to the men of the 370th. Their French
comrades called them "The Partridges," probably on account of their cockiness in
action (a cock partridge is very game), and their smart, prideful appearance on
parade.
A general outline of the service of the Illinois men after coming
out of the trenches, as well as an illustration of the affection and high
appreciation in which they were held by the French, is contained in the
following order issued by General Vincendon in December:
Officers and soldiers of the 370th R.I.U.S.:
You are
leaving us. The impossibility at this time that the German Army can recover
from its defeat, the necessity which is imposed on the people of the Entente
of taking up again a normal life, leads the United States to diminish its
effectiveness in France. You are chosen to be among the first to return to
America. In the name of your comrades of the 59th Division I say to you, au
revoir. In the name of France, I thank you.
The hard and brilliant
battles of Chavigny, Leury and the Bois de Beaumont having reduced the
effectiveness of the division, the American government generously put your
regiment at the disposition of the French High Command. In order to reinforce
us, you arrived from the trenches of the Argonne.
We at first, at
Mareuil Sur Ourcq, in September, admired your fine appearance under arms, the
precision of your review and the suppleness of your evolutions that presented
to the eye the appearance of silk unrolling in wavy folds. We advanced to the
line. Fate placed you on the banks of the Ailette in front of the Bois
Mortier. October 12 you occupied the enemy trenches at Acier and Brouze. On
the 13th we reached the railroad of Laon le Fere; the forest of Saint Gobain,
the principal center of resistance of the Hindenburg line was
ours.
November 5th the Serre was at last crossed and the pursuit became
active. Major Prout's battalion distinguished Itself at the Val St. Pierre,
where it captured a German battery. Major Patton's battalion was first to
cross the Hirson railroad at the heights of Aubenton, where the Germans tried
to resist. Duncan's battalion took Logny and, carried away by their ardor,
could not be stopped short of Gue d' Hossus on November 11th, after the
armistice. We have hardly time to appreciate you and already you
depart.
As Lieut. Colonel Duncan said November 28, in offering to me
your regimental colors as proof of your love for France and as an expression
of your loyalty to the 59th Division and our Army, you have given us of your
best and you have given it out of the fullness of your hearts.
The
blood of your comrades who fell on the soil of France mixed with the blood of
our soldiers, renders indissoluble the bonds of affection that unite us. We
have, besides, the pride of having worked together at a magnificent task, and
the pride of bearing on our foreheads the ray of a common
grandeur.
VINCENDON.
 |
| This is a facsimile reproduction of the original, printed hurriedly
near the field of battle and also translated hurriedly without eliminating
errors. Corrected on page 155. |
To the 370th
belongs the honor of the absolutely last engagement of the war. An objective had
been set for the regiment on the morning of November 11th. General Vincendon
heard of the hour at which hostilities were to end and sent an order to the
regiment to shorten its objective. The order failed to arrive in time and ten
minutes after the fighting was over Lieut. Colonel Duncan led the third
battalion over the German line and captured a train of fifty wagons. General
Vincendon said:
"Colonel Duncan is the hardest man to stop fighting I
ever saw. He doesn't know when to quit."
One of the most daring exploits
by a member of the regiment was that performed by Sergeant Matthew Jenkins, a
Chicago boy and member of Company F. On September 20, at Mont des Singes, he
went ahead of his comrades and captured from the Boche a fortified tunnel which
by aid of his platoon was held for thirty-six hours without food or ammunition,
making use of the enemy machine gun and munitions until relieved. This gained
for Sergeant Jenkins the Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Distinguished Service
Cross.
A deed of remarkable bravery accompanied by clever strategy was
performed by Captain Chester Sanders and twenty men mostly of Company F. It won
decorations for three and the unbounded admiration of the French. Captain
Sanders and his men offered themselves as sacrifices in an effort to draw the
fire of about a dozen German machine guns which had been working havoc among the
Americans and French. The Illinois men ran into the middle of a road knowing
they were under German observation. Instantly the Germans, suspecting a raid on
their lines, opened fire on the underbrush by the roadside, figuring the
Americans would take refuge there. Instead they kept right in the center of the
road and few were wounded. The ruse had revealed the whereabouts of the German
guns, and a short time later they were wiped out by French
artillery.
Another hero of Company F was Lieutenant Harvey J. Taylor, who
found himself in a nest of machine guns on July 16 in the western part of the
Argonne forest. He received wounds in both legs, a bullet through one arm, a
bullet in his side, had a front tooth knocked out by a bullet and received a
ruptured ear drum by another. After all this he was back in the lines October
24th at Soissons. The Germans were making a counter attack that day and when the
battling colored men needed supplies, Lieutenant Taylor, who was regimental
signal officer, proceeded to get the supplies to them, though he had to pass
through a German barrage. He was badly gassed. He received the Croix de Guerre
with a special citation.
Lieutenant Elmer D. Maxwell won his Cross in the
Champagne, six miles northwest of Laon. He led a platoon of men against a nest
of machine guns, taking four guns and eighteen prisoners, not to speak of
leaving behind a number of Germans who were not in a condition to be taken
prisoner.
Many of the officers of the regiment were wounded. The escape
of many from death, considering the continuous fighting and unusual perils
through which they passed, was miraculous. The only officer who made the supreme
sacrifice was Lieutenant George L. Giles of 3833 Calumet Avenue, Chicago. He was
the victim of a direct hit by a shell at Grandlut on November 1 while he was
heroically getting his men into shelter. Lieut. Giles was very popular with the
men and with his brother officers. He was popular among the members of the race
section in which he lived in Chicago, and was regarded as a young man of great
promise.
One of the engagements of the first battalion that received more
than honorable mention was on the morning of November 6th, when the battalion
crossed the Hindenburg line and after extremely hard fighting captured on St.
Pierre Mont, three 77 guns and two machine guns. Captain James H. Smith of 3267
Vernon Avenue, Chicago, commanded the company, and Lieutenant Samuel S. Gordon
of 3842 Prairie Avenue, Chicago, the assault forces making the capture. The
battalion continued across the Serre river and when the armistice was signed was
at a small place in Belgium.
Several of the officers passed through
practically all of the fighting with hardly a scratch, only to be taken ill at
the finish and invalided home. These men would have been greatly disappointed
had the war continued after they were put out of action. Conspicuous among them
was Lieutenant Robert A. Ward of 3728 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, of the
Trench Mortar platoon; Lieutenant Benjamin A. Browning of 4438 Prairie Avenue,
Chicago, and Lieutenant Joseph R. Wheeler, 3013 Prairie Avenue,
Chicago.
Major Rufus Stokes led the first battalion on the initial raid
at Vauquois. They fired 300 shells from six trench mortars and scored a notable
success. In that raid Private William Morris of Chicago, the only man in the
regiment who was captured by the Germans, was taken. He was reported missing at
the time, but weeks later his picture was found among a group of prisoners
portrayed in a German illustrated newspaper found in a captured
dugout.
Three men were killed and a large number of others had a
miraculous escape while entering Laon a few days prior to November 1st. A German
time mine exploded tearing up a section of railroad track, hurling the heavy
rails into the air, where they spun around or flew like so many
arrows.
First Lieutenant William J. Warfield, regimental supply officer,
a Chicago man, won the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in
action near Ferme de la Riviere, September 28th.
Sergeant Norman Henry of
the Machine Gun company, whose home is in Chicago, won the Distinguished Service
Cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Ferme de la Riviere, September
30th.
Other members of the regiment upon whom the D.S.C. was conferred by
General Pershing were:
Captain William B. Crawford, home address,
Denison, Texas; for extraordinary heroism in action at Ferme de la Riviere,
September 30th.
Sergeant Ralph Gibson, Company H, a Chicago man; for
extraordinary heroism at Beaume, November 8th.
Sergeant Charles T.
Monroe, Headquarters Company; for extraordinary heroism in action at Mont de
Singes, September 24th. His home is at Senrog, Va.
Sergeant Emmett
Thompson, Company L, home in Quincy, Illinois; for extraordinary heroism at Mont
de Singes, September 20th.
Supply Sergeant Lester Fossie, Company M, home
at Metropolis, Illinois; for extraordinary heroism at Ferme de la Riviere,
October 5th.
Private Tom Powell, deceased, Company H; for extraordinary
heroism near Beaume, November 8th.
Private Spirley Irby, Company H, home
at Blackstone, Va.; for extraordinary heroism in action at Beaume, November
8th.
Private Alfred Williamson, medical detachment, home at San Diego,
California; for extraordinary heroism in action near Beaume, November
8th.
Private William G. Hurdle, Machine Gun Company No. 3, home at
Drivers, Va.; for extraordinary heroism in action at Ferme la Folie, September
30th.
Private Harry Pearson, Machine Gun company No. 3, home at Portland,
Oregon; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ferme la Folie, September
30th.
Private Alonzo Walton, Machine Gun Company No. 3, home at Normal,
Illinois; for extraordinary heroism in action at Rue Lamcher and Pont D'Amy,
November 7th and 9th.
Private Leroy Davis, Company L, home at Huntsville,
Missouri; for extraordinary heroism in action at Mont de Singes, September 18th.
 |
| NEGRO WARRIORS ADMINISTERING COLD STEEL. GERMANS UNABLE TO STAND THE
ATTACK. SURRENDERING. IN THE ARGONNE FOREST
FRANCE. |
About fifty percent of the 370th met
casualties of some sort during their service in France. Like the New York
regiment heretofore mentioned, they were singularly free from disease. Only 65
men and one officer were killed in action and about thirty died from wounds. The
total number wounded and missing was 483. Probably 1,000 men were gassed and
incapacitated at times, as the regiment had three replacements, necessary to
make up its losses. The regiment went to France with approximately 2,500 men
from Chicago and Illinois, and came back with 1,260. Of course, many of the
wounded, sick and severely gassed were invalided home or came back as parts of
casual companies formed at hospital bases. The replacement troops which went
into the regiment were mostly from the Southern states. A few of the colored
officers assigned to the regiment after its arrival in France, were men from the
officers training camps in this country and France.
The 370th boasted of
the only race court martial in the army. There were thirteen members, Lieutenant
Colonel Duncan presiding. Captain Louis E. Johnson was the judge advocate, and
Lieutenant Washington was his assistant. It is not of record that the findings
of the court martial were criticized. At least there was no scandal as there was
concerning court martial proceedings in other divisions of the army. The fact is
that there was very little occasion for court martialing among the men of the
370th. The behavior of the men was uniformly good, as is attested by the fact
that every town mayor in France where the men passed through or were billeted,
complimented the officers on the splendid discipline and good behavior
shown.
Colonel Roberts, a veteran cavalryman, was very fond of his men.
He has repeatedly paid them the highest compliments, not only for their valor
and soldierly qualities, but for their quick intelligence, amenity to
discipline, and for the clean living which made them so remarkably free from
disease. He has stated that he would not know where to select a better group of
men for everything that goes to make up efficient, dependable soldiers. Colonel
Roberts received the Croix de Guerre, with the following citation:
"A
commander entirely devoted to duty, he succeeded by dint of working day and
night in holding with his regiment a difficult sector, though the officers and
men were without experience, under heavy shelling. He personally took charge of
a battalion on the front line on October 12 and led it to the objectives
assigned by the crossing of the Ailette canal."
American historians may
not give the Negro fighters the place to which their records entitle them; that
remains to be seen. From the testimony of French commanders, however, it is
evident that the pages of French history will not be printed unless they contain
the valiant, patriotic, heroic deeds of the Illinois and New York regiments with
their comrades of the 93rd and 92nd Divisions.
In the various sectors to
which they were assigned, they were in virtually every important fight. They met
the flower of the Kaiser's forces, held them and on more than one occasion made
them retreat. The Hun had misjudged them and it was fortunate that he had. They
endured their share of hardship, marching many weary miles, day after day,
without sufficient food. Nothing could affect their spirit and dash. When the
call came, they went over the top, that the world might be made safe for
democracy.
Among the officers and men of the 370th were represented about
every calling in which the Negro of this day engages. There were men of
professional pursuits; lawyers, doctors and teachers; students, mechanics,
business men, farmers and laborers. The poet of the regiment was Lieutenant
Blaine G. Alston. The following little poem, if properly digested and
understood, tells volumes within itself:
"OVER THERE"
Did you ever hear a bullet whiz,
Or dodge a hand grenade?
Have you watched long lines of trenches dug
By doughboys with a spade?
Have you seen the landscape lighted up
At midnight by a shell?
Have you seen a hillside blazing forth
Like a furnace room in hell?
Have you stayed all night in a ruined town
With a rafter for a bed?
With horses stamping underneath
In the morning when they are fed?
Have you heard the crump-crump whistle?
Do you know the dud shell's grunt?
Have you played rat in a dugout?—
Then you have surely seen the front.
—Lieut. Blaine G. Alston, 370th U.S. Troops.
CHAPTER XVII.
NARRATIVE OF AN OFFICER.
Special Article by Captain John H. Patton,
Adjutant of 8th Illinois—Summarizes Operations of the Regiment—From First Call
to Mustering Out—An Eye Witness Account—In Training Camps, at Sea, in
France—Service in Argonne Forest—Many Other Engagements—A Thrilling
Record—Battalion Operations in Detail—Special Mention of Companies and
Individuals.
Captain John H. Patton, regimental adjutant of the
370th, who commanded the second battalion through most of its service, presents
a summary of the operations of the regiment from the first call to the mustering
out. Being in charge of the organization's records, his account is detailed,
authentic and highly valuable as supplementing the data of the previous chapter;
gleaned from departmental records and other sources. It carries additional
interest as being the testimony of an eye-witness, one who participated in the
stirring events in a marked and valorous degree. The recital in Captain Patton's
own words, the phrase of a highly trained and efficient military man,
follows:
Pursuant to the call of the President, under date of July 3,
1917, the 8th Illinois Infantry reported at the various rendezvous on July 25,
1917, as follows: At Chicago, Illinois regimental headquarters; Headquarters
company, Machine Gun company, Supply company, Detachment Medical Department, and
Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H; at Springfield, Illinois, Company I; at
Peoria, Illinois, Company K; at Danville, Illinois, Company L; at Metropolis,
Illinois, Company M.
On the date the regiment responded to the call
Colonel Franklin A. Denison commanded the regiment, the other Field Officers
being Lieutenant Colonel James H. Johnson, Major Rufus M. Stokes, Major Charles
L. Hunt, Major Otis B. Duncan and Captain John H. Patton, regimental
adjutant.
The strength of the regiment a short time before responding to
the call was approximately one thousand officers and enlisted men, and orders
having been received to recruit to maximum strength, 3604 enlisted men, an
active recruiting campaign was begun. On July 25, 1917, the strength was
approximately 2,500. Soon afterwards orders were received that the regiment
would be organized according to Minimum Strength Tables of Organization, which
gave it an authorized strength of 2,138 enlisted men. After reporting that the
regiment already had several hundred men in excess of that strength, authority
was granted to retain the excess men. From this time until demobilized at Camp
Grant in March, 1919, the regiment had from 600 to 1,300 men in excess of its
authorized strength, and upon arrival in France in April, 1918, the entire
personnel consisted of men who had voluntarily enlisted.
Intensive
training was begun immediately after the regiment reported at the various
armories and the public streets in the vicinity were utilized for this purpose
until October 12, 1917, on which date the various organizations entrained for
Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, arriving a few days later.
While stationed at
Camp Logan, the regiment was engaged in intensive training. Officers and
enlisted men attended the various schools established by the 33rd Division to
which the regiment had been attached and acquitted themselves with
credit.
At the end of October, 1917, on the date of the closing of the
Second Liberty Loan Campaign, out of a total of 2,166 officers and enlisted men
belonging to the regiment at that time, 1,482 officers and men subscribed
$151,400.00.
While at Camp Logan, approximately 96 percent of the
regiment took out $10,000.00 War Risk Insurance per man.
On December 1,
1917, the official designation of the regiment was changed from the 8th Illinois
Infantry to the 370th Infantry.
On March 6, 1918, the regiment left Camp
Logan enroute to Camp Stuart, Newport News, Va., arriving on March 10, 1918, and
immediately taking up its interrupted intensive training.
While at Camp
Stuart, Va., Lieutenant Colonel James H. Johnson was discharged from the
service, and Major Otis B. Duncan, who had commanded the 3rd battalion, was
promoted to the grade of lieutenant-colonel and Captain Arthur Williams was
promoted to the grade of major and placed in command of the 3rd
battalion.
On April 6, 1918, the regiment embarked on the S.S. President
Grant en route overseas. In attempting to get out to sea, the vessel ran aground
in Hampton Roads and three days later having been refloated, the journey
overseas was resumed. On account of this delay the journey was begun without
convoy, the warships assigned to this duty having departed as scheduled on or
about April 6, 1918. On April 20, 1918, the steamer was met by a convoy of
torpedo boats which accompanied us to Brest, France, at which place the regiment
arrived on April 22, 1918.
The following day, April 23, 1918, the
regiment debarked and marched to camp at Pontanezen Barracks, near Brest, and
two days later entrained for Grandvillers (Haut-Rhin), arriving on April 27,
1918, and taking station.
The regiment, upon arrival at Grandvillers, was
attached to the 73rd Division, French Army, and orders were given for the
reorganization and equipping of the regiment to conform to that of a French
regiment. All American arms, ammunition and equipment were salvaged and French
rifles, machine guns, ammunition, wheel transportation, packs, helmets and other
necessary equipment furnished. Except for the uniform the regiment was outfitted
exactly as were the French regiments of that division. French rations were
issued with the exception of the wine component, for which an extra allowance of
sugar was substituted.
The Division sent officers to take charge of the
instruction of the regiment in every phase of the work to be later undertaken
and another period of intensive training was begun. Even French cooks were
present to instruct our cooks in the preparation and conservation of the French
rations.
After six weeks training at this place, the regiment entrained
enroute to the front, arrived at Ligny-en-Barrios (Meuse) on June 13, 1918, and
moved up toward the lines by easy stages.
On June 21, 1918, the regiment
began occupying positions in the Saint Mihiel Sector, completing the occupation
on June 24, 1918. This being the first time the regiment had been actually in
the lines, the division commander deemed it advisable to intermingle our troops
with French troops in order that officers and men might observe and profit by
close association with the veteran French troops. Thus the units of the 1st and
2nd battalions, which had been assigned to the front lines were intermingled
with platoons and companies of the 325th regiment of infantry.
Many
valuable lessons were learned while in this sector, which was exceptionally
quiet at the time. Except for occasional shelling and some scattered machine gun
and rifle fire, nothing of interest occurred while in the sector, and there were
no casualties.
On the night of June 30-July 1, 1918, the regiment, having
been relieved in the sector, began withdrawing, and on July 3, 1918, the
withdrawal had been completed without any losses.
After resting a few
days in the region of Lignieres (Meuse), the regiment entrained en route to the
Argonne Forest, arriving behind the lines on July 6, 1918, the 1st Battalion,
under command of Major Stokes, moving up immediately into the reserve positions
at Brabant (S. Groupement Courcelles) and later into the front lines in the
Center of Resistance de la Foret, Sub-Sector Hermont.
The 2nd Battalion
under command of Major Hunt took station at Rarecourt, the latter moved up to
Locheres (Plateau of Gorgia) at which place the Major located his Commanding
Post. From this position companies of the 2nd Battalion were sent into the lines
alternately, the companies being relieved after a five days' tour of
duty.
On July 12, 1918, Colonel Franklin A. Denison, who had commanded
the regiment up to this time and had become incapacitated through illness
contracted during the strenuous days incident to the preparation of the regiment
for service in the lines, was relieved from command on this account and Colonel
T.A. Roberts, cavalry, assumed command of the regiment.
The 3rd battalion
under command of Major Williams, was held in reserve at Vraincourt, and only
Company M of that battalion was sent into the front lines. This company took up
positions in the supporting point at Buzemont on August 7, 1918, and remained
until August 14, 1918.
On August 1, 1918, the Stokes Mortar platoon under
command of Lieutenant Robert A. Ward took position in the lines in the
sub-sector Vaquois, and on August 4, 1918, took an active part in a coup-de-main
arranged by the French. His mission, filling in the gaps in the French artillery
barrage, was so successfully accomplished that his entire platoon was highly
commended for their work by the commanding general of the
division.
Although patrols were operating between the lines nightly and
the positions occupied were under artillery, machine gun and rifle fire a number
of times, the only losses sustained during the six weeks in the Argonne Forest
were 1 killed, 1 captured and 4 wounded.
On the night of August 15-16,
1918, the regiment was relieved from its positions in the Forest and marched to
Rampont and entrained for villages in the vicinity of Fains (Meuse) for a period
of rest, arriving on August 18, 1918.
Upon arrival at the new stations,
instruction was begun again, more attention being paid to open warfare than to
work incident to trench warfare. This training proved of great value to the
officers and men in the latter days of the war, when the regiment was actively
engaged in the pursuit of the enemy to the Belgian border.
On September
11, 1918, the regiment left its various stations and proceeded by train to Betz,
where it detrained and marched to stations in villages in the vicinity of
Mareuil-sur-Ourcq (Meuse). On September 11, 1918, Majors Hunt and Williams
having become incapacitated through illness and injury, were relieved from
command of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, respectively, and Lieutenant Colonel Otis
B. Duncan and Captain John H. Patton were assigned to the command of those
battalions.
The battles of Chavigny, Leury and the Bois de Beaumont
having reduced the effectives of the 59th French Division, the regiment was
placed at the disposition of the division and was assigned as one of the three
infantry regiments thereof. Upon joining this division the effective strength of
the regiment was approximately double that of either of the two French
regiments; and in future operations a large share of the work of the division
fell to our lot.
On September 15, 1918, the regiment received orders to
move again toward the front. From Mareuil-sur-Ourcq to the region of St. Bandry
(Meuse) the movement was made in motor trucks. On September 16, 1918, the
journey was resumed, the regiment proceeding by marching. Upon arrival at
Tartier, Companies F and G were sent to Monte Couve (Aisne) to join the 232nd
Regiment of Infantry, and Companies I and L pushed forward to Bagneux (Aisne) to
join the 325th Regiment. The 1st battalion proceeded the next day to the caves
in the vicinity of Les Tueries, the 3rd battalion moved up into the reserve in
the region of Antioch Farm with the remainder of the 2nd battalion.
As
soon as Companies F, G, I and L had moved up and taken position in the lines
opposite Mont des Signes an attack was ordered. Attacks on the enemy positions
on the plateau of Mont des Signes were almost continuous from the date of
arrival of these companies until about September 21, 1918, when they were
withdrawn and joined their battalions. These companies acquitted themselves with
credit. One platoon under command of Sergeant Matthew Jenkins, Company F, took a
large section of the enemy works for which the sergeant was awarded both the
French Croix de Guerre and the American Distinguished Service
Cross.
About the 22nd of September, the regiment for the first time took
over a full regimental sector, the Battalion Stokes relieving the Battalion
Garnier in the positions outlined by La Folie-l'Ecluse on the Canal
l'Oise-l'Aisne and the Farm Gulliminet, the Battalion Patton going into the
support positions at Mont des Tombes and the Battalion Duncan going into reserve
at Tincelle Farm. Colonel Roberts located his commanding post at Antioch Farm.
From the date of arrival in these positions until the enemy began to retreat on
October 12, 1918, the entire area occupied by the regiment was almost constantly
shelled, gas being used frequently. The front lines were almost constantly under
the fire of enemy minnenwurfers and numerous machine guns located in the Bois de
Mortier, a very dense wood north of the canal.
On the night of September
26-27, 1918, the Battalion Patton was ordered to relieve with like units
one-half of each of the companies of the Battalion Stokes in the front lines and
soon after the relief was completed an attack along the l'Oise-l'Aisne Canal was
ordered. By the extreme of effort the remainder of the Battalion Patton was
brought up and having completed the relief of the Battalion Stokes, the attack
began as ordered. The attack continued until October 4th, on which date all
objectives had been gained and the enemy pushed back across the canal. On
September 30th the Battalion Duncan was thrown into the fight and two companies
of the Battalion Patton withdrawn to the support. The Battalion Duncan was
ordered to make a frontal attack which necessitated an advance across the open
fields. This was successfully accomplished, the battalion being subjected to
intense artillery, machine gun and rifle fire continuously. The Battalion
Duncan, having gained its objectives, the Farm de la Riviere and the railroad
south of the canal, held on tenaciously in spite of the intense fire of the
enemy and held the positions gained until the pursuit began on October 12, 1918,
when it passed into the reserve of the division.
During the occupancy of
the sector, from September 22, 1918, to October 12, 1918, patrols from the three
battalions were out night and day between the lines making necessary
reconnaissances. On October 4, 1918, a volunteer patrol of twenty men under
command of Captain Chester Sanders in an effort to discover whether the enemy
had abandoned the woods, penetrated the Bois de Mortier to a point about 100
yards behind the enemy positions and having been discovered were fired on from
all sides by numerous machine guns. The patrol returned to our lines intact. For
this exploit Captain Sanders was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and the
patrol received the commendation of the commanding general of the division. On
October 7, 1918, after 5 minutes violent bombardment by our artillery, three
raiding parties from Company F made a dash for the triangle formed by the
railroad, the L'Oise-l'Aisne canal and the Vauxaillon road. One of these parties
gained the enemy trenches along the canal, ejecting the enemy after a hand
grenade fight. All parties returned to our lines intact though several were
wounded. Lieutenant William Warfield of the Battalion Duncan single-handed took
an enemy machine gun nest which had been harassing his company, and after
disposing of the enemy machine gunners returned to our lines with the gun.
Numerous other acts of gallantry were performed in this sector for which
officers and men received both French and American decorations.
At 9:20
a.m. on October 12, 1918, the alert was given for a general advance by the
entire division and the battalions assembled at the zones of assembly previously
designated. The Battalion Stokes was given the mission of clearing the Bois de
Mortier and the Battalion Patton was placed at the disposition of Lieutenant
Colonel Lugand of the 232nd Infantry, and the 3rd battalion was placed in the
divisional reserve. At about 11:00 a. m. the pursuit began, the 1st battalion
clearing the Bois de Mortier and successfully reaching its first objective,
Penancourt, the same date, and continuing the pursuit the next day to a point
west of Molinchart.
The Battalion Patton, having been assigned as the
support battalion of the 232nd Regiment of Infantry, took up the pursuit via
Anizy le Chateau, Cessieres and the Bois de Oiry, bivouacing the night of
October 13th in the vicinity of the Bois.
These battalions were commended
by the commanding general. The Battalion Stokes for its passage of the
exceedingly strong position in the Bois de Mortier and the 2nd for its well
conducted march in pursuit via Anizy le Chateau.
On account of the
straightening out of the lines due to the retreat of the enemy, the 59th
Division was withdrawn on October 14th and sent back for rest, the regiment
being sent into the St. Gobain Forest and vicinity for this purpose. Ten of the
twelve days in this locality were spent in hard work on the roads and the last
two were given over to the re-equipping of the regiment.
On October 22,
1918, Major Rufus M. Stokes was relieved from command of the 1st battalion and
assigned to duty as administrative officer of the Regimental Combat and Supply
Trains. Captain John T. Prout was assigned to the command of the 1st
battalion.
On October 27th, 1918, the regiment was again ordered into the
lines and at midnight on that date the 2nd battalion moved up into support
positions in the vicinity of Grandlup.
The 1st battalion on October 29,
1918, moved up into support positions in the vicinity of the same village.
During this time the 3rd battalion was located at Manneaux Farm in reserve. The
battalions remained in various positions in the vicinity of Grandlup until
November 5, 1918, on which date the enemy again began to retreat, and while thus
occupied were subjected to severe shelling and those units occupying front line
positions to much machine gun and rifle fire; casualties were few except in
Company A stationed in the vicinity of Chantrud Farm, where an enemy shell fell
in the midst of the company at mess, killing thirty-five men and wounding fifty,
thus causing the company to be withdrawn from the lines.
On the morning
of November 5th, a general advance was ordered and the enemy retreated before
it. The retreat of the enemy was so rapid that our troops did not catch up with
them until about November 8th, on which date a general attack by the division
was ordered. The 2nd battalion on the left of the division was given the task of
clearing out the enemy from positions along the Hirshon railroad and the Heights
of Aubenton. After an all day fight the battalion reached its objective about
nightfall. The French division on the left did not advance as anticipated, owing
to enemy resistance on their front, and the 2nd battalion having advanced about
two kilometers to the front suffered severely on account of the exposed flank,
three men being killed and two officers and thirty-three enlisted men being
wounded. On the morning of the 9th the enemy again retreated and the 2nd
battalion continued the pursuit to Goncelin, resting there for the night and on
the morning of the both was ordered to cantonment at Pont d'Any, where it was
located at the taking effect of the armistice.
On November 6th the 1st
battalion took up the pursuit in support of the Battalion Michel of the 325th
Regiment of Infantry, advancing via Brazicourt and Rapeire to Hill 150 near St.
Pierremont. Company C having passed on into the front lines at the Brazicourt
Farm, upon arrival near St. Pierremont were ordered on the morning of November
6, 1918, to attack and occupy St. Pierremont, cross the Serre River and take up
a position along the railroad track. The mission of the company was successfully
accomplished in spite of the strong resistance of the enemy, St. Pierremont
being occupied, the river crossed and three pieces of enemy artillery as well as
several machine guns taken. For this operation Company C was cited and awarded
the French Croix de Guerre with a Palm, the highest French citation received in
the regiment. The battalion continued the pursuit until arrival at Mont Plaisir,
when it was ordered back to Fligny, where it was in cantonment at the taking
effect of the armistice.
The 3rd Battalion took up the pursuit on
November 5th, resting in the open fields the nights of the 5th and 6th. The
battalion in moving up advanced via Bosmont and Mont Plaisir and passed on into
the front lines at the Rue Larcher on November 7, 1918. In the afternoon of the
8th orders were received to deliver a cover fire for French units which were to
make an attack on the village of Logny, which was strongly held by the enemy.
Company M, having been assigned for this work, moved out from Hurtebise and
advanced to a position where the cover fire could be effectively delivered, and
opened fire. About this time word was received from the French commander that
his troops could not advance on account of the severe shell and machine gun
fire, and Company M having arrived at a position where it was safer to go ahead
than to retreat, attacked the town and drove the enemy therefrom. For this
action Lieutenant Osceola A. Browning, commanding Company M, and several others
received the French Croix de Guerre and Sergeant Lester Fossie both the Croix de
Guerre and the American Distinguished Service Cross. On November 10, 1918, the
advance and pursuit was continued. At Etignieres the battalion was temporarily
stopped by intense shell fire. On November 11, 1918, the pursuit was again taken
up with Resinowez as the principal objective. Later the objective was changed to
Gue d'Hossus, Belgium, which objective was reached a few minutes before the
taking effect of the armistice, an enemy combat train of about 50 vehicles being
captured about this time.
A few days after the armistice, the regiment
began to move southward, taking station in villages in the vicinity of
Verneuil-sur-Serre.
 |
| SOME WAR CROSS WINNERS OF 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY). FRONT ROW
LEFT TO RIGHT: CAPT. G.M. ALLEN. LIEUT. O.A. BROWNING. CAPT. D.J. WARNER.
LIEUT. ROY B. TISDELL. STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: LIEUT. ROBT. P. HURD,
LIEUT-COL. OTIS B DUNCAN. MAJOR J.R. WHITE. CAPT. W.B. CRAWFORD, LIEUT.
WM. WARFIELD. CAPT. MATTHEW JACKSON. |
On
December 12, 1918, the regiment formally passed from the French command and to
Brest via Soissons and Le Mans, arriving at the latter place on January 10,
1919.
On February 2, 1919, the regiment embarked on the S.S. La France
IV, en route to the U.S., arriving on February 9, 1919, and taking station at
Camp Upton, Long Island, N.Y.
On February 17, 1919, the regiment left
Camp Upton for Camp Grant, Illinois, via Chicago, where it was accorded a
wonderful and never-to-be-forgotten reception by the citizens of
Chicago.
After arrival at Camp Grant, work incident to the demobilization
of the regiment was commenced. The majority of officers and enlisted men were
discharged from the service during the latter part of February, and finally on
March 12, 1919, orders were issued declaring that the regiment had ceased to
exist.
The health of the regiment while in the service was exceptional.
The Medical Detachment, under command of Major James R. White, worked
incessantly to protect the health of the command. Before departure for France a
number of cases of pneumonia of a very severe type developed, but only two
deaths resulted. The Medical Detachment was divided among the various units,
Captain Spencer C. Dickerson having charge of the detachment attached to the 1st
battalion, Lieutenant James F. Lawson that of the 2nd battalion, and Lieutenant
Claudius Ballard that of the 3rd battalion. The work of these detachments was at
all times of a high order of excellence, and during engagements both officers
and men in numerous instances went out into the open and rendered first aid to
the wounded after terrific fire. Each man wounded, however slightly, was given
an injection of anti-tetanic serum and as a result no cases of tetanus were
reported, nor were any cases of gas baccilus infection reported. During the
severe fighting around the Guilliminet and de la Riviere Farms, more help was
needed and Lieutenant Park Tancil, dental surgeon, volunteered to take charge of
one of the first aid stations which was daily receiving showers of shells from
the enemy batteries. Lieutenant Claudius Ballard, though wounded during the
fighting, refused to be evacuated and continued his duties administering to the
wounded. Major James R. White made daily rounds of the first aid stations in the
lines, disregarding the intense fire of the enemy and personally dressing
numbers of wounded. For their heroic conduct in administering to the wounded
under fire, Major White and Lieutenants Tancil and Ballard as well as several
enlisted men of the Medical Detachment, were awarded the French Croix de Guerre,
and Private Alfred Williamson of the detachment was awarded both the French
Croix de Guerre and the American Distinguished Service Cross.
* * * * *
ROSTER OF OFFICERS OLD 8TH ILLINOIS (370th Infantry)
(All Negroes unless otherwise designated.)
Field and Staff—F.A. Denison,
commanding until July 12, 1918, invalided home; Col. T.A. Roberts (white),
commanding after July 12, 1918; Major James R. White, surgeon; Major W.H.
Roberts (white), operation officer; Capt. Charles W. Fillmore, personnel
officer; Capt. John H. Patton, commanding 2nd battalion; Capt. James E. Dunjil,
assistant to adjutant; 1st Lieut. George Murphy, assistant to adjutant; 1st
Lieut. Louis C. Washington, administrative officer; 2nd Lieut. Noble Sissle,
assistant to administrative officer; 1st Lieut. Park Tancil, dentist; 1st Lieut.
John T. Clemons, chaplain.
First Battalion—Major Rufus M. Stokes,
commanding; 2nd Lieut. M.F. Stapleton (white), battalion adjutant; Capt. Spencer
C. Dickerson, medical officer; 1st Lieut. Harry W. Jones, battalion supply
officer.
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 Guerre 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 , 918. 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.
 |
| U.S. FLAG AND 369TH REGIMENT FLAG, DECORATED WITH CROIX DE GUERRE AT
UNGERSHEIM, ALSACE, FRANCE. |
 |
| THE 369TH INFANTRY IN REST BILLETS AT MAFFRECOURT, FRANCE. HENRY
JOHNSON. ONE OF FOREMOST HEROES OF THE WAR. WITH HIS FAMOUS SMILE. IN
RIGHT FOREGROUND. |
 |
| THE JOKE SEEMS TO BE ON THE LAD AT THE
LEFT. |
 |
| A FEW OF THE MANY GUNS CAPTURED FROM THE
GERMANS. |
 |
| AMERICANS IN PRISON CAMP. PRISONERS ARE AMUSED LISTENERS WHILE JOVIAL
NEGRO FIGHTER RELATES AN EPISODE OF WAR LIFE TO A GERMAN
OFFICER. |
 |
| ARTHUR JOHNSON, A DOUGHBOY OF THE 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY),
WINNER OF CROIX DE GUERRE AND THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
CROSS. |
 |
| GAME PROBABLY IS STRIP POKER AS TWO MEN HAVE ALREADY DISCARDED THEIR
SHIRTS. ONE HAS A LARGE SAFETY PIN FOR INSTANT USE. BUT THEN, NOTE THE
HORSESHOE ON HIS SHOE. |
 |
| KITCHEN POLICE ON BOARD THE CELTIC. THERE IS ALWAYS SOME DUTY FOR
UNCLE SAM'S MEN ON LAND OR SEA. |
 |
| MINSTRELS ON BOARD THE "SAXONIA." TYPICAL GROUP ORGANIZED ON THE
TRANSPORTS TO ENTERTAIN WOUNDED BOYS RETURNING FROM
FRANCE. |
 |
| FOUR CAVERNS, STUDDED WITH IVORY, FURNISH HARMONY IN THE TRAINING
CAMP. |
 |
| LIEUT. MAXOM AND HIS BAND, WHO SAW DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN
FRANCE. |
 |
| GROUP ON EDGE OF PIER WAITING TO ENTRAIN FOR DEMOBILIZATION CAMP. PART
OF THE 351ST ARTILLERY UNIT SPECIALLY MENTIONED BY GENERAL
PERSHING. |
 |
| SALVATION ARMY LASSIES HANDING OUT CHOCOLATE TO TWO SOLDIERS OF 351ST
ARTILLERY. . |
 |
| HEROES OF 351ST ARTILLERY GREETING FRIENDS AFTER DEBARKING FROM THE
TRANSPORT LOUISVILLE. |
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 Pvt. Willie Boston
Corp. Sandy E. Jones Pvt. Tillman Webster
Pvt. Bruce Stoney Pvt. Ellison Moses
Pvt. Charlie Butler Pvt. Hunius Diggs
372ND REGIMENT.
Major Johnson Sergt. Ira M. Payne
Corp. Depew Pryor
Croix de Guerre
372ND REGIMENT.
Col. Herschell Tupes Sergt. Homer Crabtree
Major Johnson Sergt. Norman Winsmore
Major Clark L. Dickson Sergt. William A. Carter
Lieut. Jerome Meyer Sergt. George H. Jordan
Sergt. Major Samuel B. Webster Sergt. Bruce Meddows
Sergt. John A. Johnson Sergt. Harry Gibson
Sergt. Ira M. Payne Corp. John R. White
Sergt James A. Marshall Corp. Benjamin Butler
Sergt. Norman Jones Corp. March Graham
Pvt. Warwick Alexander Pvt. Joseph McKamey
Pvt. George H. Budd Pvt. William Dickerson
Pvt. Thomas A. Frederick Pvt. William Johnson
Pvt. John S. Parks Pvt. Walter Dennis
Pvt. Charles H. Murphy Pvt. Charles E. Cross
Pvt. William N. Mathew Pvt. William H. Braxton
Pvt. Ernest Payne 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.
 |
| WOUNDED NEGRO SOLDIERS CONVALESCING IN BASE HOSPITAL. IN THE PICTURE
ARE TWO COLORED WOMEN AMBULANCE DRIVERS. |
 |
| SAMPLE OF IDENTITY CARD CARRIED BY SOLDIERS OF THE AMERICAN
EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. EACH IDENTIFICATION WAS PRINTED IN ENGLISH AND
FRENCH AND INCLUDED A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE OWNER. THE NUMBER ON THE CARD
CORRESPONDING WITH A METAL TAG ON THE MAN'S
ARM. |
 |
| NEGRO OFFICERS OF 366TH INFANTRY WHO ACHIEVED DISTINCTION IN FRANCE.
LEFT TO RIGHT. LIEUT C.L. ABBOTT, CAPT. JOS. L. LOWE, LIEUT. A.R. FISHER,
CAPT. E. WHITE. |
 |
| DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS OF THE 6TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY). FIRST
ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT, CAPT. D.J. WARNER, A.H. JONES. LIEUT. E.G. WHITE,
LIEUT. J.D. RAINEY, LIEUT. BERNARD McGWIN. SECOND ROW—LIEUT. LUTHER J.
HARRIS, LIEUT. ALVIN M. JORDAN, LIEUT. E.L. GOODLETT, LIEUT. J.T. BAKER.
THIRD ROW, LIEUT. F.J. JOHNSON, LIEUT. JEROME L.
HUBERT. |
 |
| DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS OF 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY). LEFT TO
RIGHT, LIEUT. LAWSON PRICE, LIEUT. O.A. BROWNING, LIEUT. W. STEARLES,
CAPT. LEWIS E. JOHNSON, LIEUT. EDMOND G. WHITE, LIEUT. F.W. BATES, LIEUT.
E.F.E. WILLIAMS, LIEUT. BINGA DISMOND. |
 |
| COLONEL CHARLES YOUNG, RANKING NEGRO OFFICER OF THE REGULAR ARMY. ONE
OF THREE WHO HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONED FROM THE UNITED STATES MILITARY
ACADEMY AT WEST POINT. A VETERAN OFFICER OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AND
WESTERN CAMPAIGNS. DETAILED TO ACTIVE SERVICE, CAMP GRANT, ROCKFORD,
ILLINOIS. DURING THE WORLD WAR. |
 |
| TWO NOTED PARTISANS OF THE ALLIES IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR: MRS. J.H.H.
SENGSTACKE, AND HER FAMOUS SON, ROBERT SENGSTACKE ABBOTT, EDITOR AND
PUBLISHER OF THE CHICAGO DEFENDER. IT WAS MRS. SENGSTACKE WHO, WHEN THE
DEFENDER HAD REACHED THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MARK OF ITS CIRCULATION,
STARTED THE PRESS THAT RAN OFF THE EDITION, FLAMING WITH CHEER AN
INSPIRATION FOR "OUR BOYS" IN THE TRENCHES "OVER
THERE." |
 |
| REUNITED AND HAPPY. LIEUT. COLONEL OTIS B. DUNCAN OF 8TH ILLINOIS
(370TH INFANTRY), WHO CAME OUT OF THE WAR THE RANKING NEGRO IN THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES; HIS FATHER AND
MOTHER. |
 |
| MISS VIVIAN HARSH, MEMBER CHICAGO CHAPTER OF CANTEEN WORKERS, PASSING
OUT SMOKES TO RETURNED SOLDIERS OF 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH
INFANTRY). |
 |
| OFFICERS OF 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY). DECORATED BY FRENCH FOR
GALLANTRY IN ACTION. LEFT TO RIGHT. LIEUT. THOMAS A. PAINTER, CAPT.
STEWART ALEXANDER, LIEUT. FRANK ROBINSON. |
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 en