How This Colored Regiment of the "Red Hand" Division Helped to Win the War---Service in the Trenches Under General Goybet---In the Great Champagne Offensive---Fierce Fighting and Heavy Losses---The Regiment Decorated by the French---Individual Citations and Awards.

In addition to the 369th Infantry Regiment (old New York Fifteenth) and the 370th (old Eighth Illinois), the 371st and 372nd Regiments, also composed of colored troops, were brigaded with the French during their active service overseas. It had been first decided by the United States War Department that these four colored regiments should form the nucleus of the 93rd Division (Provisional), but it was finally decided not to organize the 93rd Division, but to brigade these four regiments with French troops.

The 371st Infantry was organized August 31, 1917, at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, in compliance with War Department General Order No. 109, of August 16, 1917, as the First Provisional Infantry Regiment (colored). Col. Perry L. Miles assumed' command of the regiment September 1, 1917. All the officers of the 371st regiment were white. On September 5, 1917, fourteen colored men from Pensacola, Florida, were received as the first recruits for the regiment. The time of arrival of recruits for the regiment was delayed by the War Department for about a month, because of the shortage of labor in moving the 1917 cotton crop. It was not until early in October that the first considerable body of recruits was received. By November 20, 1917, however, 3,380 men had been received by the regiment. These men were not all received at once, but in varying sized draft increments at different times. Of this number, 1,680 men were transferred to labor organizations and 500 to a combat organization at Camp Upton.

Under a staff of French officer instructors and interpreters the 371st Infantry was reorganized on the French plan, soon after its arrival in France (April 23, 1918), with 194 men to the company and three machine gun companies to the regiment instead of one as on the American plan. All the American equipment was turned in, and the men were given the French rifles, bayonets, helmets, packs, and other equipment of the French soldier. Only the American khaki uniform remained. After a few weeks' instruction in this new equipment and in French tactics, the regiment went into the trenches as part of the 157th French Division under General Goybet. It remained in line for over three months, holding first the Avocourt and later the Verrières. subsectors (northwest of Verdun). The regiment, with its division, was then taken out of line and thrown into the great September offensive in the Champagne. It took Cote 188, Bussy Ferme, Ardeuil, Montfauxelles, and Trieres Ferme near Monthois, and captured a number of prisoners, 47 machine guns, 8 trench engines, 3 field pieces (77s), a munition depot, a number of railroad cars, and enormous quantities of lumber, hay, and other supplies. It shot down three German airplanes by rifle and machine-gun fire during the advance.

During the fighting between September 28 and October 6, 1918, its losses---which were mostly in the first three days---were 1,065 out of 2,384 actually engaged. The regiment was the apex of the attacking salient in this great battle. The percentage of both dead and wounded among the officers was rather greater than among the enlisted men. Realizing their great responsibilities, the wounded officers continued to lead their men until they dropped from exhaustion and lack of blood. The men were devoted to their, leaders and as a result stood up against-a most gruelling fire, bringing the regiment its well deserved fame.

For its action in the Champagne, the 371st was very highly commended by the French high command and awarded the Army citation. Vice-Admiral Moreau, on behalf of the French Government, decorated the regimental colors on January 27, 1919, in Brest. In addition to this regimental citation, 146 individual citations were awarded members of the 371st regiment. These were divided as follows:

American Distinguished Service Cross: Officers, 10; enlisted men, 12.

French decorations: Legion of Honor: Officers, 1. Croix de Guerre, in various grades: Officers, 34; enlisted men, 89.

The 371st went into line for its initial experience in sector work at a time when a big German offensive was expected. From that time until shortly after the Armistice, the regiment remained continuously in line or was on the offensive. It was never in rest.

Returning homeward, the regiment sailed from Brest February 3, 1919, on the U. S. S. Leviathan and arrived at Hoboken, February 11, 1919. From there it went to Camp Upton, where it was broken up into detachments and sent to various camps for demobilization. The largest detachment, nearly 1,400 men with Regimental Headquarters, was sent to Camp Jackson, at Columbia, South Carolina. the place of the regiment's birth. Demobilization was completed and the regiment dissolved February 28, 1919.

Col. P. L. Miles, who commanded the 371st, speaks in warm and approving terms of the efficiency of his men. "I never heard of similar performance by any regiment of any nation," Col. Miles writes, commenting on the feat of shooting three Boche airplanes "on the wing." "Our division commander, who had over four years of war over here, said he had heard of a former case where one machine had been shot down in a similar manner."

Another officer of the 371st, Capt. J. Leo Collins of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a member of the Allegheny County bar, who was commissioned an officer at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, and assigned to duty at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, where the 371st was organized and trained, says: "The 371st was the first draft regiment to sail from this country, sailing in April, 1918, and the first draft outfit to take the trenches. In the engagements around Verdun the fighting qualities and courage of our boys won the admiration and most profuse praise of the French. Citations were showered upon the valorous boys for their unflinching conduct in the face of withering machine-gun fire, which they overcame and silenced at the point of the bayonet. We broke the Hindenburg line at Monthois, and so rapidly did our boys move that a halt was called to enable the right and left flanks of our line to catch up. An excellent opportunity was furnished by comparisons as to just how good our colored soldiers were. At times we were brigaded with the French Moroccan and with English Canadian troops, with the Germans opposite, and it is quite safe to say that we certainly did not suffer by comparison."

A typical story of the courage and bravery of the men who composed the 371st Regiment, is revealed in the record of Frank Washington of Edgefield, South Carolina. He proved his valor under conditions worthy of testing the bravery of the bravest. He was attached to Company B, and received an explosive bullet through the arm at Champagne. His story was as follows:

"It was all bad, but the worst came when the German airplanes flew low and sprayed the wounded with liquid fire. There is no way of putting out that liquid flame, and no one can help you, because the fire spreads so quickly. It is bad enough to be helpless out there, without water or friends, but to have a hellfiend fly over and just squirt torture at you---well, the Indians or the savages of Africa were not much worse. They were not so bad, in fact, for they were savages---while the Germans are supposed to be civilized.

"A Hun plane flew over when I was wounded, but believe me, when I saw that fire coming I sure did some lively hopping around. There wasn't going to be any broiled Washington if I could help it. But some of the mortally wounded were burned to death. Those Huns should be made to pay for that sort of thing. It ain't fighting; it's concentrated hell! But we had to attend to their wounded, and one of our officers saw that we did it.

"I went over the top in the fighting on September 29 and 30. We advanced after the usual barrage had been laid down for us. We went up to the Germans, and my platoon found itself under the fire of three machine guns. One of these guns was in front and running like a millrace. The other two kept a-piling into us from the flanks, and the losses were mounting. We got the front one. Its crew surrendered and we stopped. The other guns kept right on going, but we got them, too.

"It was while we were attacking the guns on our flanks that I was wounded. Ordinary bullets are bad enough, but the one that hit me was an explosive bullet. That's me, sir, every time! When things are coming, I am sure to get my share of them. I certainly did get my share.

."While I was knocked down, it was safer to stay down. Those machine guns kept right on pumping, not the ones we captured, but others. The wind they stirred up around your face kept you cool all the time. I finally started back, but found myself in a German barrage. It was shrapnel in front of me and machine guns in back of me. I lay right down and had a heart-to-heart chat with St . Peter. I never expected to get home again.

"They say Edgefield, back home, isn't much to look at, but I would have given two months' pay, including allotments, to get back on my farm about then. But now that I've been there and come back, I feel that I'm square with this country. I did my share, and I'm glad I did it. "

 

James P. McKinney, of Greeneville, South Carolina, attached to the Headquarters Company of the 371st Infantry, was wounded in the right arm by shrapnel. Gas infection set in and he was invalided out of service.

"The day we went over the top," says McKinney, "we took our positions early in the morning, and waited until our barrage had smashed the German defenses pretty well. About the time our barrage lifted, the Huns sent over a counter-barrage, but we went right through it, and over the slopes commanded by their machine guns. They turned loose everything they had to offer, and the storm of lead and steel got a lot of our men. Still, we followed our officers into the devils' trenches. A few of the Germans tried to fight with their bayonets, but we could all box pretty well, and boxing works with the bayonet. A few feints and then the death-stroke was the rule. Most of the Huns quit as soon as we got at them. Even the ones that had been on the machine guns yelled for us to spare them. I guess in the excitement some of them fared poorly.

"While we were advancing we worked along low and took all available cover against the machine-gun fire directed against us. As soon as we came within range we opened fire with hand grenades and accounted for the machine-gun nests. I saw some of the gunners chained to their posts. Their barbed wire gave us trouble. Our artillery cut it up pretty badly, but still it was a pretty strong barrier against the advancing infantry. When we got tangled up in the wire, Fritz would play with his rifles. I've seen fellows get into a German trench with their uniforms flying in shreds.

"I was wounded in the arm at the 'big stunt.' We were attacking along the whole front, and the Huns were kept on the hop. While going up I was hit and had to fall behind. My arm was badly mussed up, but I threw a few grenades here and there, and guess I got a few of them.

"The German artillery fire was accurate. They had our ranges down to a science, and while they had good ammunition were hummers. They were good marksmen. Why, I've seen them cut a regular ditch along a row of shell-holes to prevent our troops from using the holes for shelter. There was positively nothing they didn't do that was horrible. I've seen them cut loose at a company runner with three-inch artillery. It was a funny sight for us, but not for the runner. The Huns would drop shells all around him while he fled on wings of terror. I never saw them get a runner with their artillery fire, but I've seen some very close shooting.

"Perhaps the most unusual experience I ever had was one day when we were advancing toward the German positions. They cut loose with their artillery and we were ordered to take open order and hunt cover. For two hours we were violently shelled, but thanks to Providence, none of us was killed. A few were slightly wounded. They mixed high explosives with gas and shrapnel.

"About the hardest luck of the war, though," concluded McKinney, "fell to the lot of a pal of mine. He got a piece of steak somewhere and was cooking it, his first bit of steak in months. While the meat was broiling the Germans began a gas bombardment. The men put on their masks, but the meat was ruined. That's what I call hard luck."

 

Capt. AV. R. Richey of Laurens, South Carolina, who commanded a company of the 371st Regiment, in writing of the men of that regiment, said: "On the afternoon of September 26, 1918, we received orders to move forward., We slept that night in a French communicating trench. I say slept, but really there was no sleep, as it was raining, and the noise from the guns would not let one sleep. The French had gone over the top and were pursuing the Huns.

"On Sunday morning my company went over the hill. We arrived at the position the attack was to start from at 7:30, after having a deadly artillery barrage on us over the hill. At 10 o'clock Sunday morning we were ordered to advance up the valley, but in the meantime an enemy plane flew down low, discovered our position, and signalled his artillery, which opened on us, and every minute seemed to be the last one. However, by rifle fire we brought the plane down, killing the pilot and observer.

"Long before we reached the village we could see the cowards running up a steep hill beyond, leaving lots of machine guns to stick out, and, believe me, when we reached our objective and rounded up the machine gunners the men of the 371st made quick work of them.

"In all, during the two days, Sunday and Monday, our battalion advanced about five miles without the aid of a single friendly artillery shot or any other help. We killed lots of Germans, captured lots of them, and also captured any quantity of material and several big guns.

"I am proud of all my officers and all of my men. The whole regiment fought like veterans, and with a fierceness equal to any white regiment. This was the first time any of them had been under aimed shell and machine-gun fire and they stood it like moss-covered old-timers. They never flinched or showed the least sign of fear. All that was necessary was to tell them to go and they went. Lots were killed and wounded, but they will go down in history as brave soldiers."

 

Lieut. John B. Smith, another Southern officer, residing at Greenville, South Carolina, when asked about the soldierly quality of the colored drafted men who composed the 371st, said: "The men were good soldiers. They were obedient to all commands, and were in every way amenable to discipline. They were drafted men of all sorts, gathered from the farms and cities and towns, from every occupation. To be frank, we were a little dubious about them. We did not know whether they would stand under fire or not. But they did. They would go right into the thickest sort of fight, and they were splendid fighters."

"Would the colored men stand under a losing fight?" Lieut. Smith was asked. "Would they stand the gaff?"

"Yes," was his reply. "We never had that experience but once, for we were usually winning. But in the Argonne Forest we advanced seven kilometers one day, getting ahead of the line. The next day we were subjected to a terrific counter-attack. The enemy used artillery and gas, and airplanes, and rushed us with infantry and machine guns. We held our ground for seven hours, fighting part of the time with our gas masks on. It was as severe a test as any soldier ever had, but our men never faltered once, although our casualties were very heavy that day. No soldiers could have behaved any better under adverse circumstances.

"The colored men were given different treatment by the French people from what they had been accustomed to receive from white people at home," continued Lieut. Smith. "The French people could not grasp the idea of social discrimination on account of color. They said the colored men were soldiers, wearing the American uniform, and fighting in the common cause, and they could not see why they should be discriminated against socially. They received the men in their churches and homes and places of entertainment. The men accepted this, and it did not seem to appear strange to them. They seemed to understand that the customs over there were different from ours in the South, and let it go at that. I don't think anybody need be uneasy or apprehensive. I think these colored men, having made good soldiers, will now be more than anxious to make as good civilians, and that they will do so."

A Regiment Made up of National Guard Troops and Drafted Men ---Attached to the Famous French "Red Hand" Division---Its Splendid Record in France---At Hill 304---Heroic Exploits of Individuals----The Regiment Decorated With the Croix de Guerre----Citations and Awards.

The 372nd Regiment of Infantry, United States Army, was a colored regiment composed of the First Separate Battalion of the District of Columbia; the 9th Ohio Separate Battalion; Company L of Massachusetts; the First Separate Company of Connecticut; the First Separate Company of Maryland---all these being National Guard troops, and 250 drafted men from Camp Custer, Michigan, recruited mainly from Michigan and Wisconsin.

It was the fortune of the 372nd Regiment, U. S. Army, to be brigaded together with the 371st Infantry, throughout its entire period of service overseas, with the 157th Division of the French Army, the famous "Red Hand" Division. Like every other fighting regiment of Negro Americans, whether Regular Army, National Guard, or drafted men who had never handled a rifle or known the meaning of a salute until after the United States entered the war, the men of the 372nd, like those of the 371st, bore themselves throughout with the utmost gallantry and won the highest praise for their military achievements.

No extended narrative of the war could tell as clearly and forcefully, and at the same time concisely just what the 372nd did from the time its members left America until they returned home a little more than ten months later, than the following chronological record:

"Regiment embarked from Newport News, Virginia, March 30, 1918, for overseas duty on board U. S. S. Susquehanna.

"Reached port at St. Nazaire, France, April 13, 1918. Landed April 14, 1918, and marched to rest camp.

"Left rest camp Base Section No. 1, France, April 21, 1918, and entrained for Vaubecourt.

"Arrived at Vaubecourt 7.00 P. M., April 23, 1918.

"Left Vaubecourt 8:30 P. M. Sd. (same day), and hiked in a very, heavy rain to Conde-en-Barrois, arriving there 2:00 A. M. April 24, 1918.

"Under special instructions with the 13th French Army Corps at Conde-en-Barrois from April 24, 1918, to May 25, 1918.

"Left Conde-en-Barrois 8:05 on the morning of May 28, 1918, in French motor trucks for Les Sennades, arriving at Les Sennades 1:30 P. AM. Sd.

"Regiment took sector "Argonne West" May 29, 1918.

"In front line trenches May 31, 1918.

"Regimental Headquarters moved to La Neufour, June 9, 1918.

"Regiment changed sectors June 29-30, 1918, and took over the Vacquois Sector, a sub-sector of the Verdun.

"The 157th Division being a reserve division at this point where the enemy was expected to attack.

"Regimental Headquarters moved to Camp Chillaz June 20, 1918.

"Regiment left Vacquois sector July 13, 1918, for "Hill 304" of the Verdun sector.

"Colonel Young relieved from command and Colonel Tupes assumed command at Locheres.

"Regimental Headquarters moved to Bois St. Pierre July 18, 1918, and moved again Sd. to Sivry La Perche.

"Regiment left Sivry La Perche where it had stopped awaiting orders to take over sector July 25, 1918.

"Arrived and took sector about 9:00 P. M. Sd. Usual trench duty.

"Severe shelling at Regimental P. C. August :3, 1918.

"Heavy shelling at Monzeville August 16, 1918, by a new regiment of Austrians which was opposing us, two American and one Frenchman wounded. Second Lieut. James E. Sanford, Co. A, 372nd Infantry, captured by German patrol August 20, 1918.

"Left Hill 304 September 8, 1918, being relieved by the 129th U. S. Infantry of the 33rd Illinois Division.

"Hiked in rain and mud to Bois de Brocourt, the trip being a long and disagreeable one.

"Left Bois de Brocourt September 12, 1918, for Souasems La Granges; the trip was a short one and the boys full of fun.

"Arrived at Souasems Sd.

"Left Souasems in motor trucks for Juzanvigny September 13, 1918, an all night trip, arriving at Juzanvigny 12:00 M. September 14, 1918.

"Left for Brienne Le Chateau 8:05 September 17, 1918, to entrain for Jussecourt. (Napoleon attended school at Brienne Le Chateau.)

"Arrived at Vitry La Francois 2:00 P. M. Sd. The city is a beautiful one and overlooks the battlefield "MARNE," the trip being in box cars.

"Left next morning for Jussecourt at 9:00 A. M. on the hardest hike to date and arrived at Jussecourt 8:00 P. M. September 18, 1918.

"Regiment left for Contault September 20, 1918, at 8:00 P. M., arriving there at 12:30 A. M. September 21, 1918.

"Left Contault for Dommartin 9:00 P. M. September 22, 1918. Arrived Sd.

"Left for Camp Des Mangnieux 9:00 P. M. September 23, 1918, arriving at 12:30 P. M. September 24, 1918.

"Left for Hans September 24, 1918, arriving and joining the 9th French Army Corps at Hans Sd.

"Left Hans to take position in attack; the 3rd Battalion leaving September 26, 1918, the 1st September 27, 1918, and the 3rd September 28, 1918.

"'Over the Top' September 28, 1918, the 3rd Battalion started after the Boche. The first blow being delivered by the 2nd Moroccan Division of shock troops. The retreating Boches are still bombarding our position. Machine gun fire is thick and the 88s are falling like hail.

"On the morning of September 29, 1918, we are trying hard to keep up with the retreating enemy, which is retreating fast, unable to stand our assault. This afternoon it is raining which is unfortunate for our wounded, as there are many.

"Today is September 30, 1918, and we find that the 1st Battalion is on our right, and advancing fast in the rain and mud. Machine gun opposition is still stiff. Our casualties are small and we have captured a large number of prisoners.

"October 1, 1918, we are meeting with a stiff resistance from the enemy who has fortified himself in a hill during the past night. Owing to the bad condition of the ground we are not getting any support from the French artillery.

"October 2, 1918, we have driven the enemy out of Fountain-en-Dormois and are now in the village. Still we are giving the enemy no rest, they are retreating across the valley to one of their supply bases which has a railroad running into the same. The enemy is now burning the supplies which cannot be moved.

"October 3, 1918, we have advanced and captured the little village of Ardeuil and a considerable amount of war material. Our losses have been rather heavy during the past 24 hours, but we have inflicted a much heavier loss on the enemy. On our right the 1st Battalion has taken the village of Sechaut after some hard fighting by Company A.

"October 4, 1918, the 2nd Battalion is going in this morning, and we are resting at Vieox, which is about four kilometers from Monthois and is one of the enemy's railroad centers and hospital bases. The enemy is busy 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 enemies' fire is fierce and we are expecting a counter-attack.

"October 5, 1918, the German artillery has opened up good and strong and we are on the alert. They attacked us and a stiff hand-to-hand combat ensued. Again he has been driven back, suffering an exceedingly heavy loss. We have taken many prisoners from about twelve different regiments. After resting a little, we continued our advance and are now on the outskirts of Monthois.

"October 6, 1918, the enemy is throwing a stiff barrage on our left where the 333rd French Infantry is attacking. The enemy is again being driven back. The liaison work of the 157th Division has been wonderful, not the slightest gap has been left open.

"October 7, 1918, our patrols entered Monthois early in the morning but were driven out by. machine gun fire, but returned with gun and its crew. We have just received word that we are to be relieved by the 76th Regiment, French, sometime during the night; we were relieved at 8:00 P. M. We hiked a very long distance over the ground. We fought so hard to take to Minnecourt where the regiment proceeded to reorganize.

"Regiment reached Somme Bionne Oct. 9, 1918. Regiment left Somme Bionne Oct. 11, 1918 to entrain for Vignemont. Left Valmy 8:00 A. M. Oct. 12, 1918 and arrived at Vignemont Oct. 13, 1918. Hiked 15 kilometers to St. Leonard and arrived Sd. Left St. Leonard for Ban de Laveline in the Dept. of the Bosges Oct. 15, 1918, arrived at Laveline 10:15 P. M. Sd.

"November 7, 1918, 1 officer and 22 enlisted men captured by German patrol. Nov. 10, 1918, a patrol of Co. A, took several prisoners from a German patrol.

"November 11, 1918, everybody in the village of Laveline is happy over news of the abdication of the Kaiser and the signing of the armistice. Martial music is plentiful and the colors of the regiment are displayed from the P. C.

"The regiment left the 10th Army Corps Nov. 17th, 1918.

"Left Laveline Nov. 17, 1918 and hiked 45 kilometers to Granges, arrived at Granges the morning of Nov. 18, 1918. Usual close order drill at this station preparing for overseas duty.

"Regiment left 157th Division Dec. 13, 1918, the Commanding General thereof was down to pay his respects to the regiment.

"January 1, 1919, regiment left for Le Mans (forwarding camp). The 92nd Division was assembled here and we met many of our old friends. Left Le Mans January 10, 1919 for Brest (embarkation port). Left Brest February 3, 1919 for Hoboken. Arrived at Hoboken February 11, 1919 on world's greatest ship, The Leviathan, U. S. N. (formerly the Vaterland owned by Germany)."

On October 8th the 157th Division with others was transferred from the 9th Army Corps of the French to the 10th Army Corps. General Garnier Duplessis took this occasion to commend the division, particularly mentioning the American regiments in the following general order:

"P. C. October 7th, 1918

"9th Army Corps.
Staff 3rd Bureau
No. 2555

NOTE

"The 157th, 161st and the 2nd Moroccan Divisions are leaving the Army Corps. The General commanding the 10th Army Corps addressed to them his most sincere thanks and his warmest congratulations for the glorious success achieved by their admirable ardour and their indomitable tenacity. He salutes the brave American Regiments who have rivaled in intrepidity their French Comrades.

"He cannot recount here the feats which have been performed for every one of the days of that victorious journey. They are inscribed on the conquered grounds, materialized by the trophies taken from the enemy and engraved in the heart of the chief who bows before the troops and salutes them profoundly.

GENERAL GARNIER DUPLESSIS,
Commanding the 9th Army Corps."

In transmitting this order to the several regiments comprising the Division, General Goybet reviewed the exploits of the Division in the following order:

"P. C. October 8, 1918.

"157th Division.
"Staff.

General Order No. 234

"In transmitting to you with legitimate pride the thanks and congratulations of the General Garnier Duplessis, allow me, my dear friends of all ranks, Americans and French, to thank you from the bottom of my heart as a chief and a soldier for the expression of gratitude for the glory which you have lent our good 157th Division. I had full confidence in you but you have surpassed my hopes.

"During these nine days of hard fighting you have progressed nine kilometers through powerful organized defenses, taken nearly 600 prisoners, 15 guns of different calibres, 20 minenwefers, and nearly 150 machine guns, secured an enormous amount of engineering material, an important supply of artillery ammunition, brought down by your fire three enemy aeroplanes.

"'THE RED HAND' sign of the Division, thanks to you, became a bloody hand which took the Boche by the throat and made him cry for mercy. You have well avenged our glorious dead.

(Signed) GOYBET,
General, Commanding 157th Division.

But even greater distinction was to come. On the following day, October 8th, Colonel Tupes of the 372nd, received notice that his regiment had been recommended for citation in the general orders of the French Army. Following is a translation of the official order conveying this splendid news:

October 8, 1918.

"157th D. I.
"No. 5508

"From: Colonel Quillet, Commanding 157th D. I.
"To: Colonel Tupes, Commanding 372nd Infantry.

"The Colonel Commanding the I. D. has recommended your regiment for citation in the orders of the- French Army worded as follows:

"'Gave proof, during its first engagement, of the finest qualities of bravery and daring which are virtues of assaulting troops.

"Under the orders of Colonel Tupes dashed with superb gallantry and admirable scorn of danger to the assault of a position continuously defended by the enemy, taking it by storm under an exceptionally violent machine gun fire. Continued the progression in spite of enemy artillery fire and very severe losses. They made numerous prisoners, captured cannons, machine guns, and important war material.

(Signed) QUILLET."

On October 8 General Goybet of the 157th Division, in a communication addressed to the commanding officers of the 371st and 372nd Infantry Regiments, U. S. A., 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, 2nd Moroccan Division who are themselves versed in warfare. Thanks to you during those 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 called on your wounded. Their morale is higher than any praise.

GOYBET. "

It is to be noted that at the date this communication was received, October 8, 1918, the 372nd had on its roster six colored line officers, who were later transferred to the 92nd Division.

On the day of the signing of the Armistice, November 11, 1918, the regiment was at Ban-de-Laveline. How the termination of the war was celebrated is told by Sergeant Wm. J. Huntley of the 372nd Infantry, whose account follows:

"Ban-De-Laveline has today the signs of what one might term a "contented, mirthful, and prosperous village.' It was Ban-De-Laveline before the war. News of the abdication of the Kaiser, a symbol of the total collapse of the German empire, together with the official announcement of the signing of the terms of the armistice, putting an end to the fifty months of anguish, brought out all the legendary light-heartedness of the people of this vicinity.

"One of the most inspiring scenes I ever witnessed was today about 11:05 A.M. The Regimental band played 'Marseillaise', 'The Star Spangled Banner' and 'God Save the King.' As soon as the last note was sounded, hilarious cheers, by both soldiers and civilians, were almost deafening. Old men jumped and threw up their hats, women, whose hearts were heavy from a strain caused by a relentless war, waved their hands and aprons in exultant joy and children romped joyously up and down the streets. The bell and chimes on the church, which had been previously silent, sent their resonant peals far and near. Indeed, they rang out 'glad tidings of joy.' In the meantime, the band struck up a lively march and started up the street followed by 'Old Glory', the regimental colors and soldiers, Americans and French. The scene was a beautiful blending of colors---the khaki and the blue. It seemed as if they wanted to assemble in one great family to celebrate the glorious events, and to see the reflection of their own gladness in the faces of their fellow comrades. The street was filled with a solid, slowly-moving and seething mass of humanity. It appeared to me that the brotherhood of the trenches was heralding the brotherhood of men.

"I should have mentioned one incident in connection with the parade, namely: When the band marched up the street around by the church toward the trenches, which was only about two kilometers, the procession was met by a party bringing to the infirmary a Boche who had been captured and also wounded in the early morning by our boys. This party joined the procession and in regular cadence these stalwart fellows marched in review with their Boche, who later was the occasion of much curiosity. I am quite sure this prisoner rejoiced silently that the horribleness of such hideous work of bestial ferocity, that only the Germans know, was at an end, for according to his own statement he declared his comrades were satisfied with peace negotiations and also stated that the Kaiser must abdicate. Thankful for human hearts, be was not allowed to suffer but was immediately relieved of his humiliation and pain and such were the scenes, mingled with sadness and gladness, the most inspiring, significant, and most impressive I have ever witnessed.

"Elaborate preparations were made for the grand entertainment which was a part of the day's program. The decorations, prepared by both Americans and French, were as pretentious as though prepared for the metropolis city of France. At nightfall the streets were lighted with electricity (a thing which had not been done since the beginning of the war) with jack o' lanterns, lamps and flares of every description. Long before the hour to begin the program the theatre was filled by civilians from neighboring villages and with soldiers of the cantonment.

"At 7:30 the master of ceremonies announced the beginning of the program and at this time the building's seating capacity was taxed to its utmost and standing room at a premium. The program began with an overture by the band. The significance of the occasion, a most enthusiastic audience that eagerly waited, the contagious gladness which permeated the atmosphere, created an environment in which the band has never appeared to better advantage. At the conclusion of the number, men and women applauded frantically and the American contingent whistled itself breathless.

"The program composed of solos, quartettes, dancing, comic skit by our boys and solos, duets, comic monologues and a pantomime with characters representing Alsace, Lorraine, France, and America, by the French. Some of these were entertaining and some were otherwise. But considering the events of the day, not one left disappointed and felt that the evening was spent without profit. As a closing number, Collins, the Caruso of the Regiment, sang in a pleasing manner "Perfect Day."

"And thus Monday. the eleventh day of the eleventh mouth, 1918, was passed."

The praise and compliments of the French for the 372nd did not terminate with the cessation of hostilities, for on November 17th, General Vandenberger, commanding the 10th Army Corps, issued the following general order:

November 17, 1918.

"10th Army Corps.
"Staff (French)

GENERAL ORDER

"It has been an honor for the 10th Army Corps to receive and welcome the 157th Division after its successes in Champagne.

"During the few weeks that the Division belonged to the Army Corps its Regiments of Americans and French have by their conduct and biting activity produced the best impression.

"It had prepared in its sector the ways of penetrating in Alsace and it should have deserved the honor of entering it.

"But military necessities bring today the higher command to consider its use in another part of the front and to give to the Americans a part of the front facing Belgium, Luxemburg and a corner of Lorraine.

"The General commanding the 10th Army Corps sees with pain the gallant Division and her Chief General Goybet move away from him. He cannot defend himself from the painful thought that General Goybet will not have the consolation of treading with his Division that reconquered land that keeps the remains of one of his sons.

"To all he wishes good luck and expresses the hope of meeting again one day.

(Signed) "VANDENBERGER
"General, Commanding the 10th Army Corps."

When the orders were finally issued for the return to America of the 371st and 372nd, Colonel Quillet, commanding the 157th Infantry Division, addressed the following message of farewell to Colonel Miles and Colonel Tupes, commanders respectively of these two Negro regiments::

December 15, 1918.

"157th Division
" Staff of the Infantry.

ORDER OF THE DIVISIONAL INFANTRY NO. 100

"The 371st and 372nd Infantries are leaving France after having carried on a hard campaign of six months with the I. D. 157.

"After having energetically held a series of difficult sectors, they took a glorious part in the great decisive battle which brought the final Victory.

"In sector, they have shown an endurance, a vigilance, a spirit of devotion and a remarkable discipline.

"In battle they have taken by storm, with a magnificent animation, very strong positions doggedly defended by the enemy.

"In contemplating the departure of these two fine regiments which I commanded with pride, I desire to tell them all how much I think of them and also to thank them for the generous and precious concurrence which they brought to us at the decisive period of the great war.

"I shall keep always in my soldier heart their loyal memories and particularly those of their distinguished commanders who have become my friends: Colonel Miles and Colonel Tupes.

(Signed) QUILLET."
"Commanding the I. D. 157.

On the same day, General Goybet, Commander of the entire 157th Division also took occasion to praise the work of these American fighters.

H. Q., December 15, 1918.

"157th Division
"Etat-Major.

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 245

"On the 12th of December, 1918, the 371st and 372nd R. I. U. S. have been replaced at the disposal of the American Higher Command.

"With a deep feeling of emotion, on behalf of the 157th Division, and in my own personal name, I come to bid farewell to our brave comrades.

"For seven months we have lived as brothers at arms, partaking in the same activities, sharing the same hardships and the same dangers. Side by side we took part in the great Champagne Battle which was to be crowned by a tremendous victory.

"Never will the 157th Division forget the indomitable dash, the heroical rush of the American Regiments up the Observatory Ridge and into the plain of Monthois. The most powerful defenses, the most strongly organized M. G. nests, the heaviest artillery barrages, nothing could stop them. These crack regiments overcame every obstacle with a most complete contempt for danger; through their steady devotion the RED HAND Division, for nine whole days of severe struggle, was constantly leading the way for the victorious advance of the 4th Army.

"Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, I respectfully salute our glorious comrades who have fallen, and I bow to your colours, side by side with the flag of the 333rd Regiment of Infantry they have shown us the way to VICTORY.

"Dear friends from America, when you will be back again on the other side of the ocean don't forget the Red Hand Division. Our brotherhood has been cemented in the blood of the brave and such bonds will never be destroyed.

"Remember your General who is proud of having commanded you, and be sure of his grateful affection to you all for ever.

"General Goybet, Commanding the 157th Division.
(Signed) GOYBET. "

In the 372nd Infantry was the First Battalion of the District of Columbia National Guard, whose heroes were prevented by the Armistice from winning added glory. It would have fallen to its lot to have the honor of being the vanguard of the French Army of Occupation. Of the nearly 600 District of Columbia colored men who were with the 372nd, at least 200 were wounded more or less seriously, and about 33 were killed; probably the first to fall with a fatal wound was Private Kenneth Lewis.

The District of Columbia men proclaimed Sergeant Ira Payne as the hero of heroes among the District of Columbia fighters. He wears the Croix de Guerre and "isn't afraid of the devil himself," according to the men of his company.

Sergeant Payne speaks modestly of his exploits. He says: "During the fighting at Sechault the Germans were picking off the men in my platoon from behind a bush. The Germans had several machine guns behind that bush 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, so I decided 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."

Another hero is Benjamin Butler, a private, awarded the Croix de Guerre. His citation reads: "For displaying gallantry and bravery and distinguishing himself in carrying out orders during the attack on Sechault on September 29, 1918, under heavy bombardment and machine gun fire." Butler said: "I did very little. During this fight with several others, I carried dispatches to the first 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 was awarded the Croix de Guerre 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," Cross said, "I had to creep across No-Man's-Land, and a greater part of the time I was exposed to enemy fire."

First Sergeant John A. Johnson was termed in his citation and award of the Croix de Guerre " a heroic soldier." "Near Sechault, during the time the District men were making a big effort to capture the town, I was put in the front line not fifty feet away from the enemy," Johnson reports. "A greater part of the time I was exposed to machine-gun fire. I suppose I got my medal just because I stuck with my men. Quite a few District boys were bumped off at this point."

Private William H. Braxton, a member of the Machine Gun Company of the regiment, received the Croix de Guerre for displaying "zealous bravery." "An enemy party," his citation reads, "having filtered through his platoon and attacked same in 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, deserve just as much credit as I," Braxton said. "I was only temporary leader of the men.

The official list of the Washington men of the First Separate Battalion of the District of Columbia who were decorated follows: First Sergeant John A. Johnson, Company B; First Sergeant Ira A. Payne, Company A; Sergeant James A. Marshall, Company B; Sergeant Norman Jones, Company B; Sergeant Homer Crabtree, Company B; Sergeant Norman Winsmore, Company C; Corporal John R. White, Company B; Corporal Benjamin Butler, Company C; Corporal March Graham, Company D; Private Warwick Alexander, Company B; Private George H. Budd, Company B; Private Thomas A. Frederick, Company B; Private John S. Parks, Company B; Private Charles H. Murphy, Company C; Private William N. Mathew, Company D; Private Ernest Payne, Company D; Private Joseph McKamey, Company A; Private William Dickerson, Company' A; Sergeant Major Samuel B. Webster.

A special correspondent of the Paris edition of the New York Herald transmitted a report to that publication of the distinguished honors shown the 372nd when Vice Admiral Moreau, French Commander of the Port of Brest, decorated the colors of the regiment with the Croix de Guerre and palm for distinguished service in the Champagne offensive, just before the regiment sailed for America. During September and October, 1918, individual honors had been previously conferred as chronicled above. The ceremonies in which Vice Admiral Moreau took part were held at Cours Dajot, overlooking the Port of Commerce and was witnessed by thousands of French civilians and soldiers and sailors of several nations.

The Herald report says: "The American fighters, numbering about 3,000, were with the famous French 'Red Hand' division. They became heroes on many fighting-fronts, and were in the Vosges Mountains when the Armistice was signed.

"Vice Admiral Moreau arrived at about 2:30. Major General Helmick, of the American post of Brest, was present as a spectator. The regimental band added much to the program with 'Keep the Home Fires Burning,' patriotic selections, and 'Caesar's Triumphal March.'

"The basis of this citation was included in the Army orders in favor of the 372nd Infantry, which Colonel Quillet, commanding the I. D. of the 157th, submitted to the Commanding General after the Champagne offensive battle.

"The substance of Colonel Quillet's commendation was included in Admiral Moreau's words, to the regiment.

"After the delivery of the Croix de Guerre to the regiment, Admiral Moreau conferred the Croix de Guerre and palm on Adjutant Walsh and read quotations from Colonel Quillet's commendations quoted above, dated and signed December 15, 1918. "

The regiment did not immediately leave France, however. While waiting for transport, it was decided by the officers and men of the regiment that they would erect a monument with the permission of the French Government, to mark the ground on which so many of their comrades had fallen in battle. For the carrying out of this plan, General Goybet and Colonel Quillet were requested to act as Trustees for the regimental monument fund, in the following communication from Colonel Tupes:

"HEADQUARTERS 372nd INFANTRY
Forwarding Camp,
A. P. 0. 762.

January 9, 1919.

"From: Commanding Officer.

"To General Mariano Goybet and Colonel Augustin Quillet.
"Subject: Trusteeship for Monument.

"1. It is the desire of the officers and enlisted men of this regiment to erect a monument upon the ground where we have fought in memory of those who have fallen on the field of battle. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary that the regiment have representatives residing in France. Due to the high regard we have for our former French Commanders, it is the request of all ranks of the regiment that General Mariano Goybet, commanding the 157th D. I. .and Colonel Augustin Quillet, commanding the 157th I. D., act as trustees of a fund that has been donated by all ranks for the erection and maintenance of a monument. The fund, consisting of 10,744 francs, has been deposited with the Credit Lyonnais at Le Mans Sarthe, to the credit of the above mentioned trustees. The trust fund so deposited is for the purpose of securing a site, purchasing and erecting a monument upon the site, erecting a suitable fence or safeguard for the monument and covering all expenses incidental to the purchasing, erection and maintenance of the monument and fence or safeguard and for making and forwarding a limited number of photographs of the monument after it is erected.

"2. It is the desire of the members of the regiment that the monument shall be a plain shaft of granite or other durable stone with the following inscription in English:

 

In Memory of the Members of the
372nd U. S. Infantry, killed in action September 26,
1918, to October 7, 1918

"3. It is the desire of the regiment that the monument be erected if practicable, in a conspicuous place near a public roadway and near the most forward point of the advance of the regiment. It its the request of the regiment that the two trustees take all legal measures to put the above in full force with the least possible delay.

"4. It is requested that 24 photographs of the monument, taken after its erection on the site selected, be forwarded to the present Commanding Officer of the 372nd U. S. Infantry.

HERSCHEL TUPES,
Colonel Infantry.

The trust was accepted by the Gallant French officers, and under their direction there is to be erected in France a massive granite memorial to the heroic American Negroes of the 372nd. May they rest in peace!

The Exploit of Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts---How one American Soldier in No Man's Land Killed Four Germans and Wounded Twenty-eight Others Single Handed---First American Soldiers to Receive the French Croix de Guerre---Other Instances of Individual Heroism by Negro Soldiers.

There is no prouder chapter in the history of the Negro race than the records of the American and French Armies that tell of the heroic exploits of colored soldiers, exploits that rank with the most glorious examples of individual courage and devotion to duty in all history. The names of these men who, through their personal bravery and daring, won the coveted Distinguished Service Cross of the American Army or the no less significant Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) of the French, will live forever in the annals of the race.

The first American soldiers of any race, white or black, to receive the French Croix de Guerre, were Henry Johnson of Albany, N.Y. and Needham Roberts, of Trenton, N. J. Both men were privates in the 369th Infantry, the old Fifteenth New York National Guard regiment. This regiment was brigaded with French troops and early in May, 1918, with other American Negro detachments, was put in charge of a long sector of the front line trenches. The event that gave to Johnson and Roberts the honor of being the first Americans to win the French War Cross is best described in a letter which Colonel William Hayward wrote to Mrs. Edna Johnson, the wife of Private (now Sergeant) Johnson. Colonel Hayward's letter follows:

"Your husband, Private Henry Johnson is in my regiment, 369th United States infantry, formerly the Fifteenth New York infantry. He has been at all times a good soldier and a good boy of fine morale and upright character. To these admirable traits he has lately added the most convincing numbers of fine courage and fighting ability. I regret to say at the moment that he is in the hospital, seriously, but not dangerously wounded, the wounds having been received under such circumstances that every one of us in the regiment. would be pleased and proud to trade places with him. It was as follows:

"He and Private Needham Roberts were on guard together at a small outpost on the frontline trench near the German lines and during the night a strong raiding party of Germans numbering from twelve to twenty judging by the weapons, clothing and paraphernalia they left behind and by their footprints, stole across No Man's Land and made a surprise attack in the dead of the night an our two brave soldiers.

"We had learned some time ago from captured German prisoners that the Germans had heard of the regiment of Black Americans in this sector, and the German officers had told their men how easy to combat and capture them it would be. So this raiding party came over, and on the contrary Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts attended very strictly to their duties. At the beginning of the attack the Germans fired a volley of bullets and grenades and both of the boys were wounded, your husband three times and Roberts twice, then the Germans rushed the post, expecting to make an easy capture. In spite of their wounds, the two boys waited coolly and courageously and when the Germans were within striking distance opened fire, your husband with his rifle and Private Roberts from his helpless position on the ground with hand grenades. But the German raiding party came on in spite of their wounded and in a few seconds our boys were at grips with the terrible foe in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, in which the enemy outnumbered them ten to one.

"The boys inflicted great loss on the enemy, but Roberts was overpowered and about to be carried away when your husband, who had used up all of the cartridges in the magazine of his rifle and had knocked one German down with the butt end of it, drew his bolo from his belt. A bolo is a short heavy weapon carried by the American soldier, with the edge of a razor, the weight of a cleaver and the point of a butcher knife. He rushed to the rescue of his former comrade, and fighting desperately, opened with his bolo the head of the German who was throttling Roberts, and turned to the boche who had Roberts by the feet, plunging the bolo into the German's bowels. This one was the leader of the German party, and on receiving what must have been this mortal wound, exclaimed in American English, without a trace, of accent, "Oh, the son of a --- got me," thus proving that he was undoubtedly one of the so-called German-Americans who came to our country, not to. become a good citizen, but to partake of its plenty and bounty and then return to fight for the kaiser and help enslave the world. He was doubtless selected as a leader of the party to speak English and perhaps fool my soldiers, calling to them in English not to fire, that it was a friend.

"Henry laid about him right and left with his heavy knife, and Roberts, released from the grasp of the scoundrels, began again to throw hand grenades. and exploded them in their midst, and the Germans, doubtless thinking it was, a host instead of two brave Colored boys fighting like tigers at bay, picked up their dead and wounded and slunk away, leaving many weapons and part of their shot riddled clothing, and leaving a trail of blood, which we followed at dawn near to their lines. We feel certain that one of the enemy was killed by rifle fire, two by your husband's bolo, one by grenades thrown by Private Roberts and several others grievously wounded. So it was in this way the Germans found the Black Americans. Both boys have received a citation of the French general commanding the splendid French division in which my regiment is now serving and will receive the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War). The citation translated, is as follows:

"First---Johnson, Henry (13348), private in company C, being on double sentry duty during the night and having been assaulted by a group composed of at least one dozen Germans, shot and disabled one of them and grievously wounded two others with his bolo. In spite of three wounds with pistol bullets and grenades at the beginning of the fight, this man ran to the assistance of his wounded comrade who was about to be carried away prisoner by the enemy, and continued to fight up to the retreat of the Germans. He has given a beautiful example of courage and activity.

"Second---Roberts, Needham (13369), private in Company C, being on double sentry duty during the night was assaulted and grievously wounded in his leg by a group of Germans continuing fighting by throwing grenades, although he was prone on the ground, up to the retreat of the enemy. Good and brave soldier. The general requested that the citation of the division commander to the soldier Johnson be changed to the citation of the orders of the Army.

"Some time ago the great General Gouraud placed in my hands the sum of 100 francs to be sent to the family of the first one of my soldiers wounded in the fight with the enemy under heroic circumstances. Inasmuch as these boys were wounded simultaneously, and both displayed great heroism, I think it but fair to send to each one-half of this sum. Accordingly I am enclosing New York exchange for the equivalent of fifty francs. I am sure that you have made a splendid contribution to the cause of liberty by giving your husband to your country, and it is my hope and prayer to bring him back to you safe and sound, together with as many comrades as it is humanly possible by care and caution to conserve and bring back to America. But it must be borne in mind that we cannot all come back, that none of us can come back until the job is done."

Four Negro regiments won the signal honor of being awarded the Croix de Guerre as a regiment. These were the 369th, the 370th, the 371st and the 372nd. The 369th (old 15th New York National Guard) was especially honored for its record of 191 days on the firing line, exceeding, by five days the term of service at the front of any other American regiment.

Among the honors which France has bestowed upon American soldiers none is more interesting than the "citation" by which the entire 369th Regiment was given the coveted Croix de Guerre. The citation was for gallantry in the September and October offensives in the Champagne sector. By command of General Martin, commanding the 92nd Division, General Orders were issued commending a number of colored officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the 369th Infantry for meritorious conduct in action at Bois Frehaut, near Pont-à-Mousson, November 10 and 11, 1918, during the drive on Metz. Those named in this General Order were Captain John H. Allen, First Lieutenants Leon F. Stewart, Frank L. Drye, Walter Lyons, David W. Harris, Benj. F. Ford; Second Lieutenants George L. Gaines and Russell C. Atkins; Sergeants Richard W. White, John Simpson, Robert Townsend, Solomon D. Colston, 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. In the same General Orders the following were cited for bravery in action: Sergeant Isaac Hill, bravery displayed at Frapelle; First Lieutenant John Q. Lindsey, for bravery at Lesseux, both of the 366th Infantry, and First Lieutenant Edward Bates of the 368th Ambulance Corps, and Sergeant Walter L. Gross of the 266th Infantry, for distinguished service near Hominville.

Among the first men in the 92nd Division to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in the fighting in the Argonne was First Lieutenant Robert L. Campbell. He was twice cited for bravery in a single battle. Another instance of his bravery is told, when it became necessary to send a runner with a message to the left flank of an American firing line. The way was across an open field swept by heavy machine-gun fire. Volunteers were called for. Private Edward Saunders of Company "I" responded. Before he had gone far a shell cut him down, when Lieutenant Campbell sprang to his rescue and carried his man back to the American lines. For the valor shown both were cited for the Distinguished Service Cross. Before entering the army Campbell was instructor in mechanical engineering at the Agricultural and Technical College at Greensboro, North Carolina.

Another single detail taken from the record of this same company is the instance of John Baker; having volunteered, he 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 he unfalteringly delivered the message.

First Lieutenant T. M. Dent was promoted to a captaincy on September 28, 1918. Dent led his platoon in a most heroic charge and captured a German machine gun which covered the bridge crossing the Vallée Moreau, the key to the battle at this point. Captain Dent gained the highest rank of any officer in the 92nd Division under 23 years of age. He was also mentioned by Major-General Ballou as follows: "The Commanding General desires to call the attention of the entire command to the excellent work and meritorious conduct of Captain R. A. Williams and First Lieutenant T. M. Dent, both of the 368th Infantry. During the days of the fight around Vienne-le-Chateau both of these officers displayed courage and leadership and through their conduct should be an example to the other officers of the division."

In another General Order Second Lieutenant Nathan O. Goodloe of the 368th Machine Gun Company was commended for excellent work and meritorious conduct. During the operations in the Argonne Forest Lieutenant Goodloe was attached to the 3rd Battalion; during the course of the 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 machinegun fire from the enemy. General Martin said of him: "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 hauled his wagon, even after his horse had been hurled into a ditch by shells, and despite his own painful wounds, worked until he had extricated his horse from the ditch, refusing to quit until he had completed his work, even though covered with blood from a painful wound.

Lieutenant Thomas Edward Jones faced a direct machine-gun fire to care for a wounded soldier. A man was killed within a few yards of him. For this deed he was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

When Pershing's infantry swept the Huns from the St. Mihiel salient September 12 and 13, the veteran Pennsylvania machine gunners and automatic riflemen were in the van. Prominent in the attack were Lieutenant John H. Geisel, who was wounded on the first day of action, and Corporal David E. Binkley of Lancaster, who were recommended for a Distinguished Service Cross.

The following officers and privates from different regiments were awarded the Croix de Guerre:

Although severely wounded in action near Lesseau, France, on September 4, 1918, Private Ed Merryfield of Greenville, Illinois, remained at his post and continued to fight a superior enemy force which had attempted to enter our lines, thereby preventing the success of an enemy raid in force.

Sergeant Duncan, formerly an elevator operator in a department store in Philadelphia, took over the command of his platoon when the platoon sergeant was killed and the officer wounded. He .was awarded the French War Cross and four hundred francs.

Captain Napoleon B. Marshall, a graduate of the Washington High School and Harvard Law School and an attorney of New York City, served on the firing line, where he was gassed and sent to the hospital. Returning to the battle he was wounded from shell fire on October 21, 1918, in a night raid south of Metz in an effort to capture a machine-gun position.

Sailor Edward Donahue Pierson was wounded when the U. S. S. "Mount Vernon" was torpedoed off the coast of France; he is the son of Professor and Mrs. E. D. Pierson, his father being head of the Science Department of the Colored High School in Houston, Texas.

Lieutenant L. E. Shaw was in one of the most exposed centers of the fighting, being under terrific artillery fire and the fire of two German machine guns. He handled this very difficult situation with cool bravery. The enemy barrage was so close that it was impossible to stand up and Lieutenant Shaw controlled his guns by rolling from one to the other; his two guns fired 5,000 rounds. Lieutenant R. C. Grame was in command of the group which received the brunt of the enemy fire which, besides the barrage, added a heavy fire of large minenwerfers. There was no flinching the troops always working under perfect control and keeping all combat posts manned, though three men were knocked down by the explosion of shells. Private Howard Gaillard, with a small rapid-fire piece, was unable from position to get a good fire to bear upon the advancing enemy groups, so he coolly and with entire disregard of danger mounted the parapet and while enemy bullets were flying around him, fired his rapid-fire piece from the hip, first at one group and then at the other. Privates Smithfield Jones and George Woods were specially mentioned for their coolness in the face of violent shelling when they dismounted their machine guns and then reassembled them and continued firing until the close of the action. There were other instances of rare bravery, and Private Sanders, Corporals Frank Harden and Bean and Sergeant G. A. Morton were also specially mentioned.

Dr. Claudius Ballard, a colored physician of Los Angeles, received the Croix de Guerre for work in the Belgian drive; Henry P. Cheatham, son of former Congressman Henry P. Cheatham of North Carolina, for distinguished service in action under the French General Rondeau, Commandant of l'Infanterie de la 59th Division, with which the 370th Infantry was brigaded, and Captain Samuel R. Gwynne, commanding officer of the Third Machine Gun Company for loyalty and bravery in action, having led his men over the top after having been wounded twice.

For extraordinary heroism under fire 124 soldiers of the 371st and 372nd Infantry have been decorated by the French authorities. Four received the Croix de Guerre. Several exploits stand out prominently. Sergeant Depew Pryor, Corporal Clifton Morrison, Privates Clarence Van Allen and Kenneth Lewis were awarded the Médaille Militaire. All except the last mentioned were Massachusetts boys and belonged to the same company. Lewis is dead, having been killed at his post by hand grenades. He took from the Germans a machine gun while it was in action on Bussy Farm in the Champagne district. Lewis was from Washington, D. C.

Sergeant Robert Terry and Sergeant Charles Hughes were in a big raid and went ahead in spite of a terrible barrage fire from the enemy. Over the top they went and it was due to their coolness under fire that all objectives were gained.

Private George Byrd was in command of a mortar near Verdun. He rendered valuable assistance to a raiding party by cutting wires so that the party could advance into enemy territory. The mortar he was firing had not been securely placed and it began to jump about. In order to secure a steady aim Byrd sat while it was piping hot and continued to shoot by feeding the gun from behind. In the same company with Byrd was Corporal Eyre who received the cross for bravery under fire.

Sergeant George H. Jordan received the Croix de Guerre and palm for taking command of an ammunition train at Verdun on October 5, 1918, when the commanding officer had been killed by a shell; he saved and brought through eight of the seventeen wagons of the train.

Private Reuben Burrell, of a machine gun company with the 371st Regiment, was cited for extraordinary heroism in action in the Champagne sector, September 30, 1918, and Private Ellison Moses of Company C went forward and rescued wounded soldiers, working persistently until all of them had been carried to shelter after his company had been forced to withdraw from an advanced position; all the while he was under severe machine-gun and artillery fire. For such services these heroes also were given the Croix de Guerre.

Private James Williams was a member of Company C, of the 369th, and it was in the attack of his regiment an "Snake Hill" in the Champagne sector that he exhibited the valor for which he, was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

Private Tom Rivers, of Company G, 366th Infantry, was cited by the commanding general of the American forces in France "for extraordinary heroism in action." Although gassed he volunteered and carried important messages through heavy barrages and refused aid until his company was relieved.

The Distinguished Service Cross has been awarded to the following soldiers attached to the old 8th Illinois Regiment. Copies of citations follow:

Private Tom Powell (deceased) for extraordinary heroism in action near Beaume, France, November 8, 1918. He repeatedly carried messages under severe fire to the various units in the vicinity of his company, until he was killed in the performance of his duty.

Private Spirley Irby carried messages to the various units in his vicinity under severe enemy fire. He was badly wounded.

Private Alfred Williamson of the Medical Detachment was assigned to duty at the first-aid station, but volunteered to accompany the attacking lines to more expeditiously attend to the wounded. During the advance he constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire to render first aid.

Acting as ammunition carrier, Private Arthur Johnson received a painful injury in the back from a shell fragment. While engaged in carrying ammunition he found a wounded man in an exposed position, and, regardless of his own wound, carried this man under heavy fire to the first-aid station, a distance of more than a kilometer, returning to his work immediately afterward.

Private Charles T. Monroe, afterward promoted to Sergeant, in the absence of a platoon commander took charge of a platoon of Stokes mortars, directing the work of the men under heavy shell fire. Although the shelling was so intense that guns were at times buried, Sergeant Monroe and his men worked unceasingly in placing them back into action. He himself was buried by the explosion of a shell, but on being dug out continued to direct the work of the men and encouraged them by his fearless example.

During the action at Mont-de-Sanges, September 20 to October 1, 1918, Sergeant Thompson, then a corporal, volunteered and took charge of a detail to secure rations. He succeeded in this mission under very dangerous and trying conditions, and, notwithstanding the fact that his detachment suffered numerous casualties, he remained on this duty, and continued to supply the company with rations until completely exhausted.

A messenger having been wounded by an enemy sniper in the open between the line, Sergeant Lester Fossie immediately went to his rescue and brought him into the company headquarters, over ground swept by machine-gun and sniper's fire.

No one in France was in a better position to report on the heroism of Negro soldiers. than Ralph W. Tyler, the Negro war correspondent. Here is Mr. Tyler's report of some of the first instances that came to his attention:

"Somewhere in France.---A successful raid, planned by one of the majors of the old 8th Illinois Regiment, whose home is at Metropolis, Illinois, was made in the Voucharn sector, and with great daring. The motor battery of the regiment first took part in laying down a barrage fire. The barrage fire began at 4 o'clock in the morning---just as the first rays of the sun shone sluggishly, and but dimly, behind the horizon. At the hour named, every gunner was at his post. The Major flashed an electric signal, and within a minute or two thereafter every gun fired simultaneously, as if connected with and controlled by an electric battery. For fifteen minutes the colored gunners kept up their barrage fire, and then a French company was sent out behind the barrage to make the raid. So surprising was the raid, and so quickly made, that but three of the colored soldiers were wounded, and they but slightly, and but eight of the French, with whom they were fighting, while the Germans' casualty toll was eleven killed and three wounded, and the remainder were captured.

"Stories of the fight in the Argonne Forest," said Mr. Tyler in a later report," and the splendid endurance and valiant fighting of the colored soldiers continue to come in. It is reported that a company of the old Ninth Ohio Battalion, under command of its colored captain from Dayton, Ohio, lay in an open field all night, awaiting orders to go into action, while all the time the Germans were dumping big shells and machine-gun fire into them. But even in the face of such a murderous fire, the colored line stood as firm as if the huge shells and murderous machine-gun fire were but the discharge of toy blowguns. Among their casualties were Anderson Lee and William Chenault, of Dayton, who were killed. The firmness of the line these khaki-garbed black soldiers maintained in the face of a withering fire---a veritable hell---constitutes one more reason why the folks of the race back home should be proud of these, their colored soldiers over here, whose unyielding spirit and bravery is making history for the race.

"I have learned that Hill 304, which the French so valiantly held, and which suffered such a fierce bombardment from the Germans that there is not a single foot of it but what is plowed up by shells, and whose sides, even today, are literally covered with the corpses of French soldiers who still lie where they fell, was later as valiantly held by the colored soldiers from the United States, who fought with all the heroism and endurance the best traditions of the army have chronicled. The colored soldiers, under their own captain from Dayton, Ohio, who so splendidly maintained their line in the Argonne Forest, and those who held that bloody and forever historical Hill 304, had the odds against them, but like Tennyson's immortalized 'Six Hundred,' they fought bravely and well, firmly in the belief it was 'not theirs to reason why, but theirs to do or die, ' and, like the patriots they were, they did DO and this war's history will so record."

 

Still another report by Mr. Tyler says:

"Recently, in an engagement already reported, a colored unit was ordered to charge, and take if possible, a very difficult objective held by the Germans. Captains Fairfax and Green, two colored officers, were in command of the detachments. They made the charge, running into several miles of barb-wire entanglements, and hampered by a murderous fire from nests of German machine guns which were camouflaged. Just before charging, one of the colored sergeants, running up to Captain Fairfax, said: 'Do you know there is a nest of German machine guns ahead?' The Captain replied: 'I only know we have been ordered to go forward, and we are going.' Those were the last words he said, before giving the command to charge, 'into the jaws of death.' The colored troops followed their intrepid leader with all the enthusiasm and dash characteristic of patriots and courageous fighters. They went forward, they obeyed the order, and as a result 62 men and two officers were listed in the casualties reported, Captains Fairfax and Green being among those who fell to rise no more. Captain Fairfax's last words: 'I only know we have been ordered to go forward, and we are going,' are words that will forever live in the memory of their race; they are words that match those of Sergeant Carney, the color sergeant of the 54th Massachusetts during the Civil War, who, although badly wounded, held the tattered, shot-pierced Stars and Stripes aloft and exclaimed: 'The old flag never touched the ground.' Men who have served under Captains Fairfax and Green say two braver officers never fought 'and fell."

"Since this 92nd Division has been in France there has come to it four promotions for its colored officers, among these being the promotion. of Captain Adam E. Patterson and Captain Dean to majorships, the former now serving as Divisional Judge Advocate, while the latter is in command of a munition train. Major Patterson will be remembered as the colored man whom President Wilson, soon after his first inauguration, nominated for the position of Register of the Treasury, but who, on learning certain Southern Senators would prevent his confirmation, wrote the President requesting, in order not to embarrass the President, that he withdraw his name, which was done. The Division Commander speaks in high terms of Major Patterson's ability, his attentiveness to duty, and his fine conduct of the office of Division Judge Advocate. Both Major Patterson and Major Dean won their promotion, the Division Commander says, on merit alone."

"In one engagement in the Argonne woods, where the fighting has been most sanguinary," said Mr. Tyler, "and where the American troops showed their mettle, Captain J. Wormley Jones, of Washington, D. C., is reported to have stood like a stone wall, and rallied his men, when others were wavering in the face of a murderous fire and of great odds. In this particular engagement, Captain Jones displayed such fine leadership, such fearlessness of danger, that his Division Commander, in a personal talk with the writer, praised in highest terms the valor and leadership shown by the Captain. It is such instances as these, and there are many coming to light almost daily, that justify the hope entertained by the race that our colored officers would prove efficient, and that our colored soldiers would fight as well under colored officers as under any others." And in a later dispatch Mr. Tyler continued:

"Realizing that there is nothing more encouraging to the race back in the States than to learn how bravely our colored soldiers over here are enduring and fighting. I made it a point to secure a fuller report of the bravery displayed by Captain J. Wormley Jones, of Washington, D. C., in one of the Argonne engagements.

"The place of honor, it appears, fell to Captain Jones's regiment, and to the battalion to which he belongs. Under cover of the night's pitch-black darkness, the Captain led his men into the trenches overlooking No-Man's-Land, that grim sepulcher that holds so many thousands of the Allies' and the enemy dead.

"Notwithstanding that Captain Jones and his men had just completed a forced march of some twenty kilometers, the men were in excellent condition and splendid spirits, and eager to demonstrate their fitness to try conclusions with the Huns. Captain Jones was supported by Lieutenants Frank Coleman, C. W. Marshall, D. J. Henderson, and Paul Jones, the last mentioned being a brother of the captain. These men were all of 'the sterner stuff,' and fit for the trying ordeal which awaited them. Space forbids dealing with the blackness of the night, or with the awful bombardment.

"Neither can I individualize respecting the magnificent valor of the men of the company led by Captain Jones in this engagement, which Secretary Baker himself praised. When the awful bombardment died away, just as the gray streaks of early dawn pierced the night's blackness, which was made grayer by a thick heavy fog, the Captain ordered a charge 'over the top' with fixed bayonets; through the treacherous fog and into no-man-knew-what or seemed to care. The first wave, or detachment, went over with a cheer---a triumphant cheer---and the second wave followed their comrades with a dash. It may, perhaps, be best to let these boys and officers tell with their own lips of the terrific, murderous shell, shrapnel, gas, and machine-gun fire which baptized them, only to make them the more hardened and intrepid warriors; of how they contended every inch; fought with marvelous valor, never for an instant faltering. Trench after trench of the enemy was entered and conquered; dugout after dugout was successfully grenaded and made safe for the boys to follow; wires were cut and communicating trenches explored; machine-gun nests were raided and silenced, and still the boys fought their way on. Of course, as a natural sequence to such a daring raid, there were casualties, but the black soldiers, heroes as they were, never flinched at death, and the wounded were too proud of their achievements even to murmur because of the pain they endured. Captain Jones and his men took over a mile of land and trenches which for four years had been held by the Germans. The newspapers have given due and proper credit to the Americans for this daring raid, but the world has not been informed that it was the colored soldiers of America, under Captain J. Wormley Jones, a former Washington, D. C.,. policeman, who made the charge that was as daring, and more successful, than the Tennyson-embalmed charge of 'The Light Brigade.' "

To E. T. Banks, of Dayton, Ohio, belongs the honor of being the first Y. M. C. A. colored secretary to go "over the top," which he did in one of the Argonne engagements. It was permitted him to fight for two days and nights in the forests and trenches side by side with real soldiers. On the last night, while lending first aid to a wounded black scout soldier, he was fired upon by a German machine gun, but succeeded in bringing his wounded scout to the American line, though not until they had lain all night in the forest under a most fearful barrage fire. For his bravery, Banks was cited and recommended for meritorious service. An officer, in a personal letter to him commending his splendid service, wrote: "When the full story of the Argonne is told, the 'Red Triangle' represented by Mr. Banks will add beauty to the rainbow that is reflected from the silent tombs of those who sleep the sleep of death that Democracy may not perish from the earth."

There was a heroic calmness, according to Ralph W. Tyler, in the death of Lieutenant Urban F. Bass, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, colored, serving as a physician with one of the colored regiments, and it is deserving of more than a passing notice. He was directing the affairs of his temporary aid station just behind the crest of a hill, while the battle was raging, when a shell from the enemy's gun combed the hill and struck among the group of workers being directed by him, tearing off both legs of the physician. Lieut. Bass, with remarkable fortitude, as calmly instructed his hospital corps how to give him first aid as if he was but writing a prescription for one of his patients back in his Virginia office. He died a few moments later, from blood hemorrhage. Thus went a most promising colored physician who, although beyond the draft age, volunteered his services; left a splendid practice, wife and children, to serve his country in France, and by so doing help to advance the interests of his race back in America.

Here is another story told by Mr. Tyler:

"Yesterday about 10 o'clock, a platoon of colored men, under colored officers, was sent out to reconnoiter, to learn the strength and position of the enemy, and with positive instructions to bring back live prisoners. They went, but discovering that the enemy was strongly entrenched, and realizing that it would be suicidal to attempt to attack almost :a regiment with a handful of men, returned and reported. The Major of the battalion thereupon said he would go himself and do the job, and called for eight volunteers to accompany him. There was no lack of volunteers, even from among those of the platoon that had previously returned to make this report. The Major, a white officer, selected eight men from the many who had volunteered to make the perilous trip, and started out to locate the Huns' position and return with a live prisoner. Instead of returning, he, with two of his volunteers, are now prisoners of war in the German camp, for they found, to their Major's regret, that the colored officer had reported correctly the German strength. This is but one more instance showing that the colored soldiers are indifferent to fear; that they quickly, cheerfully, and eagerly volunteer to go even though death or capture is the sure fate awaiting them."

"It was but one of the many small raids nearly every night chronicles here at the front," said Mr. Tyler in another dispatch, "but it demonstrated the daring courage of our colored troops. Some two hundred colored soldiers, under Captain Robert Stephens, of Columbus, Ohio, were ordered to raid the Boche's trenches. They were ordered to do this without a barrage fire being first laid down for them, and without artillery or machine-gun support. They never hesitated, however, but out into the pitch-black darkness of night they moved, encountered the usual barbed-wire entanglements which so fearfully harass advance even in the day, to say nothing of the night. The Germans lay quiet until these black warriors were within forty rods of their trenches, and then they opened up a murderous machine-gun fire, and exploded shells of deadly gas among the black soldiers. But the latter never wavered. They fought manfully against great odds. Among the casualties were Captain Stephens and Lieut. Stewart, badly gassed, and Lieut. Cameron, of Nashville, Tennessee, killed. Bruce McCray, Maxton, North Carolina, just as he was going over the top, was hit by a machine-gun bullet that ripped his stomach, and Cornelius Turner, of Sellars, Louisiana, was stopped from going over the top by a bullet which indented his helmet, cutting a jagged wound in his head. There were a number who were more or less gassed. I visited them in the hospital the following afternoon, and found those injured and gassed getting along as well as could be expected, and had the assurance of the physicians in attendance---careful physicians of their own race---that all would recover. The death of Lieutenant Cameron, however, cast an impenetrable gloom over every one in the regiment, and even in the entire division, for he was loved by officers and men. The draft would not and could not have reached Lieutenant Cameron, but he came ---volunteered---to serve his country, and died for it."

"An incident showing unusual fidelity to duty came to light yesterday. Sergeant Gans, with two other colored comrades, was on guard at a 'strong point' on one of the active fronts. During the night his two comrades were killed by enemy shrapnel, and he himself had ugly wounds in his back and leg, from which the blood flowed freely; still he remained at his post. When it was learned that his two comrades had been killed, and he himself wounded, Captain Harry Atwood sent to have the dead and wounded brought in, but Sergeant Gans refused to leave his post, because a sergeant, as he thought was proper, was not there to relieve him. It became necessary for Captain Atwood to order this badly wounded sergeant to leave his post at the point of a bayonet, to secure medical treatment. All he knew was duty; he was firm in the belief that before he could leave his post for anything, a relief should be there to take his place."

"The gas mask has saved hundreds from being gassed," said Mr. Tyler, "but perhaps the first case reported of a gas mask saving a soldier's life by warding off a deadly bit of shrapnel was the case of Chaplain J. T. Simpson, a former Pittsburgh colored minister. The courageous chaplain, as full of fight as of religion, was going over the top with 'his boys,' as he called the troops of his regiment, when a big shell exploded, and a piece of the shrapnel from it hit the mask he was wearing, striking the metal part, otherwise he would now be a dead chaplain instead of confined in the hospital from shell shock. Frequently it takes longer to recover from shell shock than from a shell wound. The chaplain, when I saw him was, however, slowly but surely recovering."

 

"When one calmly reads of the shelling of a town, he cannot form any adequate knowledge of the feeling which possesses those who experience the shelling. Yesterday afternoon the Boche opened up on the little town at the front, in which I was gathering news," said Ralph W. Tyler in another letter. "The big guns of the Huns sent their awful instruments of death whistling through the air. First a belching sound is heard, and then comes the siren-like whistle of the shell as it races overland to its terminal of destruction, and then a roaring, hellish sound----'Boom!'--shaking hills and vales for miles around. The people are startled. They gather in little knots and look far over the lines, whence came the belching sound, to see if they can get a view of the approaching engine of death. Soldiers hardened to the oft-heard sound, calmly proceed about their duties, when they find the Hun has failed to get the proper range of the town. But the feeling is peculiar. Even when the shell misses, involuntarily there arises, in one's mind, the question: 'Will the next one hit? ' There are experiences far more pleasant than seeing a big death-tipped shell-so, I thought when two whistled over my head yesterday and struck a few yards to the right and left of me."

 

Unanimous Praise by Military Observers---Value of Negroes as Shock Troops---Discipline and Morale Under Fire---What the War Correspondents Said About Them---Comments by Foreign Military Observers ---Estimates by American and French Officers.

The Negro has always had the record of being a good soldier. General Pershing has been quoted as to the courage and valor of the colored troops. It may be well to quote here the testimony of four other distinguished Americans as to the faithful service of colored soldiers in other wars. Commodore Perry said after the Battle of Lake Erie: "They seemed to be absolutely insensible to danger." General Jackson asserted on the occasion of the Battle of New Orleans: "You surpassed my hopes. The nation shall applaud your valor." Speaking of the Negro in the Civil War, General Grant said: "The colored troops fought nobly." Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, reporting on the record of the Negro soldiers in the Spanish-American war, said: "No troops could behave better than the colored soldiers."

The reader will have noted that Negro combat units in their fighting overseas lived up to all the traditions of their race. They distinguished themselves by bravery, fortitude, and loyalty, and the records of the regiments of which they were a part compared favorably with any of those who went overseas. Whether in Flanders, in Champagne, in the Argonne Forest, in the Vosges, on the Meuse, or before Metz, it was the old story of indomitable courage, of willingness to go forward always, no matter bow murderous the opposing fire. There was the same valor and spirit displayed by them in every action, and they saw some of the most intense and critical fighting of the war.

The Negroes went into the World War with a spirit of the true soldier. They were determined to fight it out at the earliest possible moment. Sixteen Negro soldiers passing through Defiance, Ohio, were asked whether they were going to France.

"No, sir, I am not going to France" replied one of them, "I am going to Berlin and I may stop in France for a short time on the way. "

"What we are aiming to do," said a Negro officer, "is to push our way right on into Berlin without stopping, as we promised the folks at home we would do, and we don't intend to be long about it either."

Soldiering for the Negro was a pleasant pastime as long as there were any Germans around. They, therefore, had for their watchword that of the Black Herald: "Heaven, Hell, or Hoboken by Christmas." They soon established themselves as being cool and reliable fighters in the front line. Both Americans and French report that if the Germans ever discovered who it was that held part of the line through the Argonne Forest when the Boche failed once to get through, they would have a decidedly-high respect for the American Negro infantry.

Their fighting spirit always ran high. They seemed to fear nothing. There is a story of a Negro soldier who was found sitting pensively in a field while shells were roaring overhead like invisible midair express trains.

"What are you thinking about, Buddy? Making your will? Are you wondering why you were nut enough to enlist?"

"No," said the doughboy gloomily, "I was wondering how I was ever nut enough to let a man hold me up in Chicago last spring. He only had a thirty-two."

Upon an occasion of a Negro regiment hammering its way through the German lines the brigade commander summoned the colonel of a Negro regiment before him and demanded to know in terse military fashion, why that colonel had not maintained better control over his troops, and why, above everything else, he had not "stopped" his men and kept them from passing beyond their appointed objectives, and, in fact, hacking their way through ahead of their own protective barrage.

" Stop them? " queried the Colonel. " Stop them? Hell, man, how could you expect me to stop them, when the whole German army couldn't do it?"

Because of these unusual feats in war the Germans soon began to regard the Negroes not with mere curiosity but with unusual fear. Early in the war the German army offered a reward of 400 marks for the capture alive of each Negro as an inducement to German soldiers to overcome the great fear and terror of the Negroes. A discharged German soldier reported that one evening on the front a scouting party consisting of 10 Germans including himself encountered two French Negroes. In a fight which followed, two of the scouting party were killed. One of the Negroes escaped, the other being taken prisoner. In 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 Negro.

How the Germans feared the colored American soldiers is indicated by Mr. Tyler in his report of a conversation with two American aviators, Lieut. V. H. Burgin of Atlanta and Lieut. A. L. Clark of Boston. Both had been forced to descend behind the German lines and had been held as prisoners of war for two months. Writing from Brest, where these airmen were waiting for transport home, Mr. Tyler said:

"The interesting part of these intrepid American airmen's narrative of their fight, capture and imprisonment, to colored people, is that while they were captured at different points, and imprisoned at widely separated prisons, both state that when brought before the German military intelligence department and questioned as to the American force in France, one of the first questions asked of them, and which the Germans seemed most concerned about, was bow many colored troops the Americans had over here. Lieut. Burgin, of Atlanta, said he told them there were 13,000,000 American colored troops in France. He stated that this not only surprised the Germans, but appeared to depress them, 'For,' he added, 'the Germans have a holy fear of colored troops and their knives wielded with skill and dexterity.' He stated that this information made a tremendous impression on the Germans, although he admitted he did not know, at the time, how many colored troops were in France, but thought it was best to exaggerate rather than underestimate the strength of our forces when questioned by the enemy.

"Lieut. Clark, the Boston aviator, also said that the leading question put to him by the German military intelligence officers was: ,How many Negro troops have the Americans got over here? He stated that not knowing, he was frank. in telling them that he did not know, but that he believed there were several millions. He, too, stated that this information regarding the force of colored troops in France, given to the German officers who questioned him, greatly depressed them.

"It was a fact patent to every American officer and soldier who had had contact with German soldiers, that they had a mortal fear of colored soldiers. This fear had been occasioned by two things. First, before the American colored soldiers had been put on the battle front the Germans had encountered the fierce fighting Senegalese and Algerians, fighting with the French, who took no prisoners, and who were prone to cut off the ears and other parts of a German's anatomy before dispatching him into eternity. Then again, later, they had encountered the 372nd, 371st, 370th and 369th colored regiments, the first colored Americans to arrive in France, and who were brigaded and fought with the French. The Germans had learned that the American colored soldier, while not brutal like the Senegalese and Algerians, were even harder,, more scientific and more dangerous fighters. They were men who fought with precision---fought like trained veterans---were good in trench warfare, in raids, or in attack-any way they were ordered to fight, while the Senegalese and Algerians were best in attack---being dashing, whirlwind fighters in attacks, or as shock troops."

 

Major L'Esperance of the 369th regiment has borne testimony to the efficiency of his men. . Says Major L'Esperance: "The heaviest fighting was on September 26, 1918, when we went into action with twenty officers and 700 men in our battalion in the morning and at the close we bad seven officers and 150 men left. Our boys advanced steadily like seasoned veterans and never lost a foot of ground they had taken or let a prisoner escape. "

The testimony of Colonel William Hayward of the 369th has already been quoted to the same general effect. Colonel T. A. Roberts, who commanded the 370th referred to in the foregoing chapters, says: "I have been commended for the fighting qualities and general bearing of the men who were actually over the Belgian border when the Armistice was signed, and one of my battalions was the most advanced unit of the French army with which we were cooperating at the time."

As the New York Times said upon the return of these gallant soldiers from France:

"The American Negro troops in France never failed to share the glory of battle with the French, or with their white American comrades.

"In all that makes the soldier, bravery, intelligence, endurance, and, particularly, good nature under hardship and privation, the Negro soldier excels. He is never downhearted, and usually he is gay and full of humor. No American army would be complete without the familiar and historic Negro troops."

In the war of wars in which the Negro has participated it remained for the American Negro to be represented by a full division, with all the military units thereof. The band of the 350th Field Artillery Regiment appeared in Nancy for a concert, and this was the first information to reach the inhabitants that the only brigade of Negro artillery ever organized had been defending Nancy by holding the Marbache sector south of Metz. This organization came up behind the line about a month before the end of hostilities. It was so eager to get into the fray that the men drew some of the guns into position by hand. The brigade participated in the taking of Forêt de Frehaut. It was the accurate fire of these colored artillerymen which reduced the resistance and enabled the infantry to capture the position without great loss. It was said by a war correspondent at the front that if Emperor William in the weeks preceding September, 1918, had been on his historic observation post at Mount Fauson, where he saw the fighting before Verdun in 1916, he would have seen the American Negro soldiers holding a portion of the trenches in the Foret de Hesse. The unanimous opinion of French military observers, with whom four regiments of colored troops served, as well as of their commanders who have been quoted (both Northern men Southern men) was that the colored soldier met every test of service.

Rev. D. Leroy Ferguson, Chaplain in the United States Army, writing from France, is quoted as saying: "The colored soldier here is making a great record in France, and the officers and French people with whom I have talked praise his worth and work. The same bravery and courage and skill that characterized his efforts in other wars in America and Mexico are shown here in an excellent way. They are enduring the hardships and the suffering with smiles; their deportment is good; and whether it is unloading the great cargoes, digging the roads or on the firing line, the black soldier is equal to any. When the history of the war is written our soldiers will have their names written large with honors, and though here in France for victory, they all want to and expect to return to the good old U. S. A. With all her faults we love her still---our wives, our sweethearts, families and our homes. I am proud to be able to contribute something to the war. "

The European war gave colored American soldiers the first opportunity for comparison of their mettle with the best soldiers of Germany, Great Britain and France; and unanimous testimony is more or less to the effect that they were able to hold their own in courage, endurance and aggressiveness without whimper or complaint. Colored Americans are proud of the following two paragraphs which appeared in The Stars and Stripes, the organ of the American troops in France:

"The farthest north at 11 o'clock (when the armistice went into effect) on the front of the two armies was held at the extreme American left, up Sedan way, by the troops of the 77th New York Division. The farthest east---the nearest to the Rhine---was held by those New York soldiers who used to make up the 'old 15th New York' and have long been brigaded with the French. They were in Alsace and their line ran through Thann and across the railway that leads to Colmar.

"Probably the hardest fighting by any Americans in the final hour was that which engaged the troops of the 28th, 92d, 81st, and 7th Divisions of the Second American Army. It was no mild thing, that last flare of the battle, and the order to cease firing did not reach the men in the front line until the last moment, when the runners sped with it from foxhole to foxhole."

The gratifying thing is that there should be recorded in the official organ of the American Expeditionary Forces a reference to the fact that colored troops were nearest the Rhine of all American troops, as, indeed, they were later the first of all Allied troops to reach the Rhine, and that the 92d Division---their Division---was engaged "in the hardest fighting of the last hour of the war."

The Brooklyn Standard Union epitomizes in an editorial expression the general opinion which obtains as to the fighting quality of the colored American troops sent overseas to fight "for democracy" during the world war:

"Of the American Negro soldiers it has been frequently said since we have been fighting in France, that they are decidedly the most cheerful troops who have spilt blood in this war, and as highly courageous as any who have shouldered guns. This is not an exaggerated tribute, for the testimony of the Allies, and, of course of General Pershing and other white officers bears out this estimate, while the War Department at Washington has. abundant proof, in the way of records, showing the bravery of these boys.

"Some of those who recognized the extremely sociable and good natured qualities of the Negro questioned his ability as a fighter. They feared he would not stand up well in a bayonet charge, or in an advance upon singing machine guns, or where shells from the big cannon were bursting and rocking the earth. But that was a superficial view. Under his smile and ready laugh or grin the colored man has the qualities of a fighter---coolness, patience, steadfastness, optimism, pluck and, of course, courage. All these have been brought out in recent months, and honors have fallen upon him in France in a manner that is cause for national pride.

"In every department of the army, from wireless telegraphy to the sanitary squad, the Negro has played his part and played it conscientiously, and it is gratifying to know that this city has contributed a very large number of Negro fighters to the nation's army, for the percentage of volunteers here has been high. Easy to mold to the requirements of discipline, happy under any and all circumstances, he is an exemplary soldier. 'On the charge he sees red, as the fighter should, and in rest billets or even in the trench he seldom loses his cheerful outlook upon life."

 

Assigned to the French High Commission in the city of Washington during the war were two distinguished Frenchmen, Colonel Edouard Requin and Major L. P. DeMontal. These gentlemen often called at the office of the author to make, inquiry as to when additional combat troops were to be sent to France. They spoke in terms of gratitude of the services of the S. O. S. men but their eagerness always manifested was that the War Department should decide to send over increasingly large numbers of colored combat troops, for, as they both stated, every report that reached them from France spoke of the wonderful courage and coolness of the colored American troops, who made a wonderful impression upon the French population both civil and military and as will have been noted from the praise and commendation of high French officers, they won the respect of those military representatives of the French army. The courage of these colored American troops was always in evidence; their cool headedness and bravery under fire as well as their desire to engage in the aforesaid engagements went to demonstrate that the colored soldiers were unsurpassed as fighters. The Germans had little or no respect for the fighting ability of these soldiers until they encountered them in several hand-to-hand combats.

The Bulletin of the Armies issued by the French government after the completion of every drive in which the allied armies participated, gives some of the most amazing records of heroism in the history of wars. The Algerian and Senegalese soldiers gained favor continuously as fighters of the first rank. The records of these soldiers were heralded on the European continent as incomparable achievements of bravery, and upon every occasion when they paraded the streets preparatory to leaving for the first line trenches, storms of applause greeted them from every roadside and tavern, and upon one occasion when these black troops returned to the city of Paris, after having been engaged in a vigorous drive against the Germans at Verdun, every soldier was bedecked with a shower of flowers tendered him by French women, who wept bitterly as they viewed the wounded Negroes limp through the Paris thoroughfares.

One of the most remarkable feats recorded in the Bulletin was the work performed by a corporal of a French infantry regiment, Louis Hermitte, a Senegalese. After a German attack in December, 1917, he went out of the trench and drove back the enemy by hurling hand grenades. He dug himself into a little corner quite close to the German line and stayed there for several days. He received a military medal.

The black troops of France won many honors and proved themselves unafraid of suffering. One page in the Bulletin was devoted to the mention of five cases of Algerian and Senegalese soldiers, men born in a hot climate and quite unused to frost and snow, who remained at their posts under fire and fought bravely, though all of them were terribly frostbitten---so badly in two cases that both legs had to be amputated. In two other cases the men lost a leg each. One of these men endured the agony of frostbite and of terrific German attacks for nineteen consecutive days and finally fell when his ammunition gave out. Still another, with hands and feet frozen, fought with such fury that he captured several machine guns and single handed brought back sixty German prisoners. These feats of heroism have crowned several of the men with the Croix de Guerre honors, but these honors are not received with a vainglorious boast on the part of the soldiers. It is one of the highest honors that a soldier can receive from the government.

Hard fighting in close quarters calls for a greater measure of athletic ability and superior physical strength and endurance. This the Senegalese seem to possess to a greater degree than any other allied body. In every single close battle with the German they proved themselves masters of the situation and slaughtered their opponents unmercifully. In one instance Corporal Hamilde Annonetti was badly gassed, but continued work until his lungs were overcrowded with the vapor. He was taken to the relief station and begged to go back to the firing line to finish his attack. After being temporarily relieved he escaped from the hospital and dragged himself back two miles over the bullet riddled ground and renewed his attack, killing, it is claimed, five or more Germans who were manning a machine gun. He was picked up by the ambulance corps with both legs shot away.

The high state of discipline and the morale which existed in the 92d (colored) Division was the subject of a great deal of comment from all of the allied officers who had the opportunity to view the troops who composed this command, and is attested by the remarks of General Pershing relative to discipline and morale addressed to the 92d Division at Le Mans, France, just previous to their departure for the United States, when he said:

"The 92d Division has been, without a doubt, a great success, and I desire to commend both the officers and men for the high state of discipline and the excellent morale which has existed in this command during its entire stay in France."

Brig. Gen. W. H. Hay, of the 184th Brigade, 92d Division, said:

"I have been with colored troops for 25 years, and I have never seen better soldiers than the drafted men who composed this division." Capt. Willis, of the 365th Infantry, said: "These men are the best disciplined and best saluting soldiers that I have ever seen." An officer en route between Camp Meade and Washington, D. C., on or about February 26, 1919, said, "You just have to give it to these colored troops; they have come back with the stuff; there has been absolutely no slump in their discipline and saluting, but I notice that the white troops have slumped considerably."