History of the American Negro in the Great World War Part 24

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

There was much disappointment in the ranks of the District of Columbia battalion, when the place of its old leader was taken by Major Clark L. d.i.c.kson, twenty-seven years of age, one of the youngest-if not the youngest-of battalion commanders in the American army. But their disappointment was soon allayed, for Major d.i.c.kson made an enviable record. He received the Croix de Guerre with this citation: "Most efficient officer, valorous and intrepid, acting in dual capacity as regimental adjutant and operation officer. Displayed the utmost energy in issuing operation orders during the period between September 26th and October 6th, 1918, and especially distinguished himself in crossing a roadway under violent artillery fire to give a.s.sistance to a wounded brother officer. His clear view of the situation at all times and the accuracy with which he issued the necessary orders required of him, contributed largely to the success of the regiment."

Many of his men have stated that the citation only hinted at the real accomplishments of Major d.i.c.kson.

In the rigors of war and the perils of battle, men serving side by side, forget race. They simply realize that they are sharing hards.h.i.+ps in common; are beset by a common foe and are the subjects of common dangers. Under such circ.u.mstances they become comrades. They learn to admire each other and willingly give to each other a full measure of praise and appreciation. The Negro soldiers generally, have expressed unstintedly, approbation and praise of their white officers; and the officers have been equally generous. Here is an appreciation by one of the officers of the 372nd regiment, Lieutenant Jerome Meyer of Was.h.i.+ngton, concerning the men of that organization: "Casualties were heavy because the colored lads fought to the last, cheerfully accepting death in preference to captivity. Their adeptness in mastering the throwing of hand grenades and in operating the machine guns quickly won them the esteem of the French. Remember, that the colored lads were quite new to warfare. But in the Champagne they fought with a persistence and courage that enabled them to hold permanently the ground they gained and won for many of them their decorations. Not a few of the prisoners taken by the regiment declared that the Germans were in positive fear of the Negroes, who, they complained, would never quit even under terrible fire."

One of the outstanding heroes of the 372nd regiment was Sergeant Ira Payne, of 325 Fifteenth Street, Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C. He won the Croix de Guerre and the Distinguished Service Cross, and according to his comrades, "was not afraid of the devil himself." His story as related by himself on his return home, follows: "During the fighting at Sechault the Germans were picking off the men of my platoon from behind a bush. They had several machine guns and kept up a deadly fire in spite of our rifle fire directed at the bush. We did our best to stop those machine guns, but the German aim became so accurate that they were picking off five of my men every minute. We couldn't stand for that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Private William H. Braxton, a member of the machine gun company of the regiment, whose residence was at 2106 Ward Place, Was.h.i.+ngton D.C., received the Croix de Guerre for "displaying zealous bravery."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lieutenant James E. Sanford of Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., one of the early Negro officers of the 372nd, was captured in Avocourt Woods near Verdun, August 19 , 918. He was endeavoring to gain a strategic position with his men when he was met by an overpowering force concealed behind camouflaged outposts, he was taken to Karlsruhe and transferred to three other German prison camps, in all of which he suffered from bad and insufficient food and the brutality of the German guards.

U.S. FLAG AND 369TH REGIMENT FLAG, DECORATED WITH CROIX DE GUERRE AT UNGERSHEIM, ALSACE, FRANCE.

THE 369TH INFANTRY IN REST BILLETS AT MAFFRECOURT, FRANCE. HENRY JOHNSON. ONE OF FOREMOST HEROES OF THE WAR. WITH HIS FAMOUS SMILE. IN RIGHT FOREGROUND.

THE JOKE SEEMS TO BE ON THE LAD AT THE LEFT.

A FEW OF THE MANY GUNS CAPTURED FROM THE GERMANS.

AMERICANS IN PRISON CAMP. PRISONERS ARE AMUSED LISTENERS WHILE JOVIAL NEGRO FIGHTER RELATES AN EPISODE OF WAR LIFE TO A GERMAN OFFICER.

ARTHUR JOHNSON, A DOUGHBOY OF THE 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY), WINNER OF CROIX DE GUERRE AND THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS.

GAME PROBABLY IS STRIP POKER AS TWO MEN HAVE ALREADY DISCARDED THEIR s.h.i.+RTS. ONE HAS A LARGE SAFETY PIN FOR INSTANT USE. BUT THEN, NOTE THE HORSESHOE ON HIS SHOE.

KITCHEN POLICE ON BOARD THE CELTIC. THERE IS ALWAYS SOME DUTY FOR UNCLE SAM'S MEN ON LAND OR SEA.

MINSTRELS ON BOARD THE "SAXONIA." TYPICAL GROUP ORGANIZED ON THE TRANSPORTS TO ENTERTAIN WOUNDED BOYS RETURNING FROM FRANCE.

FOUR CAVERNS, STUDDED WITH IVORY, FURNISH HARMONY IN THE TRAINING CAMP.

LIEUT. MAXOM AND HIS BAND, WHO SAW DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN FRANCE.

GROUP ON EDGE OF PIER WAITING TO ENTRAIN FOR DEMOBILIZATION CAMP. PART OF THE 351ST ARTILLERY UNIT SPECIALLY MENTIONED BY GENERAL PERs.h.i.+NG.

SALVATION ARMY La.s.sIES HANDING OUT CHOCOLATE TO TWO SOLDIERS OF 351ST ARTILLERY. .

HEROES OF 351ST ARTILLERY GREETING FRIENDS AFTER DEBARKING FROM THE TRANSPORT LOUISVILLE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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