CHAPTER XXII
GLORY THAT WONT COME OFF
167TH FIRST NEGRO ARTILLERY BRIGADE--"LIKE VETERANS" SAID PERSHING--FIRST ARTILLERY TO BE MOTORIZED--RECORD BY DATES--SELECTED FOR LORRAINE CAMPAIGN--BEST EDUCATED NEGROES IN AMERICAN FORCES--ALWAYS STOOD BY THEIR GUNS--CHAPLAIN'S ESTIMATE--LEFT SPLENDID IMPRESSION--TESTIMONY OF FRENCH MAYORS--CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR--SOLDIERLY QUALITIES.
To the 92nd Division belonged the distinction of having the first artillery brigade composed entirely of Negroes, with the exception of a few commissioned officers, ever organized in this country. In fact, the regiments composing the brigade, the 349th, the 350th and 351st were the first complete artillery regiments of Negroes and the only important Negro organizations in the artillery branch of the service, ever formed in this country.
Their record was remarkable considering the brief time in which they had to distinguish themselves, and had the war continued, they would surely have gained added glory; General Pershing in the review at Le Mans complimenting them particularly, stating that when the armistice came he was planning important work for them. Following are the general's words which brought much pride to the organization:
"Permit me to extend to the officers and men of the 167th Field Artillery Brigade, especially the 351st regiment, my congratulations for the excellent manner in which they conducted themselves during the twelve days they were on the front. The work of the unit was so meritorious that after the accomplishments of the brigade were brought to my attention I was preparing to assign the unit to very important work in the second offensive. You men acted like veterans, never failing to reach your objective, once orders had been given you. I wish to thank you for your work."
The unit was organized largely from men of Western Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Camp Meade, near Washington, D.C., was their principal training point from the fall of 1917 until June, 1918, when they went abroad.
To the brigade belongs the additional distinction of being the first in the service to be motorized. Tractors hauled the big guns along the front at a rate of twelve miles an hour, much better than could have been done with horses or mules.
Brigadier General W.E. Cole commanded the unit until about the middle of September, 1918, when he was elevated to a major generalship and the command of the 167th passed to Brigadier General John H. Sherburne. In a General Order issued by the latter shortly before he left the unit, he said:
"I will ever cherish the words of the Commander in Chief, the compliment he paid, in all sincerity to this brigade, when he watched it pass in review. I wish the brigade to understand that those words of appreciation were evoked only because each man had worked conscientiously and unflaggingly to make the organization a success. The men went into the line in a manner to win the praise of all."
The history of the brigade from the time it left Camp Meade until the end of the war may be summarized as follows:
June 27--Disembarked from ship at Brest, France.
July 2--Started for the training area, reaching there July 4.
July 5--Began a period of six weeks training at Lathus in the Montmorillion section.
August 20--Went to La Courtine and remained until September 16th, practicing at target range. Its gun squads excelled in target work and the brigade, especially the 351st regiment, won distinction there.
October 4--Finished training at La Courtine and moved into a sector directly in front of Metz, where about three weeks were spent in obtaining the tractors and motor vehicles necessary for a completely motorized artillery outfit.
October 25--Preparing for action. The enemy had noted the great movement of troops in the vicinity and German planes constantly hovered over the unit dropping missiles of death upon it.
The brigade supported the infantry of the division in its attacks on Eply, Cheminot, Bouxieres, Bois Frehaut, Bois La Cote, Champey, Vandieres, Pagny and Moulin Farm. Attacks of more than mediocre importance were: Pagny, November 4 and 5; Cheminot, November 6, Epley, November 7; Bois Frehaut, November 10; Bois La Cote and Champey, November 11.
In addition to those attacks certain machine gun nests of the enemy were destroyed and strategic points were bombarded. During the entire advance the batteries of the brigade were in front positions and very active. The attack on Bois La Cote and Champey began at 4:30 in the morning and ended just fifteen minutes before the beginning of the armistice. During the engagement the batteries kept up such a constant fire that the guns were almost white with heat.
Private Carl E. Southall of 2538 Elba street, Pittsburgh, Pa., claims to have fired the brigade's last shot. He was a member of Battery D, 351st regiment. When the watch showed the last minute of the war, he jumped forward, got to the gun ahead of his comrades and fired.
Had the war continued the artillery brigade would have taken part in the offensive which was to have begun after November 11 with twenty French and six American divisions investing Metz and pushing east through Lorraine.
The history of one regiment in the artillery outfit is practically the same as another, with the exception that the 351st seems to have had the most conspicuous service. This unit of the brigade was commanded by Colonel Wade H. Carpenter, a West Pointer.
Owing to the technical requirements, a thorough knowledge of mathematics especially being necessary before one can become a good non-commissioned or commissioned officer of artillery, this branch of the service appeals to men of schooling. It has been claimed that the 351st regiment contained the best educated group of Negroes in the American forces; most of them being college or high school men. They were praised highly by their officers, especially by Colonel Carpenter:
"When the regiment trained at Camp Meade," he said, "the men showed the best desire, to make good soldiers. In France they outdid their own expectations and shed glory for all.
"We didn't get into action until October 28th, but after that we kept at the Germans until the last day.
"The men of the 351st were so anxious to get into service that before they were ordered to the front they found it difficult to restrain their impatience at being held back. However, their long training in France did them a lot of good, the experience of being taught by veteran Americans and Frenchmen proving of great value when it came to actual battle.
"They never flinched under fire, always stood by their guns and made the famous 155 millimeter French guns, with which we were equipped, fairly smoke.
"I have been a regular army man for many years, and have always been in command of white troops. Let me say to you that never have I commanded a more capable, courageous and intelligent regiment than this. It would give me the greatest pleasure to continue my army career in command of this regiment of Negroes.
"Not only was their morale splendid but they were especially ready to accept discipline. They idolized their officers and would have followed them through hell if necessary.
"Fortunately, though many were wounded by shrapnel and a number made ill by gas fumes, we suffered no casualties in the slain column. About twenty-five died of sickness and accidents, but we lost none in action.
"When the armistice came our hits were making such tremendous scores against the enemy that prisoners taken by the Americans declared the destruction wrought by the guns was terrific. On the last day and in the last hour of the war our guns fairly beat a rat-a-tat on the enemy positions. We let them have it while we could."
Lieutenant E.A. Wolfolk, of Washington, D.C., chaplain of the regiment, said:
"The morale and morals of the men were splendid. Disease of the serious type was unknown. The men were careful to keep within bounds. They gave their officers no trouble, and each man strove to keep up the high standard expected of him. From the time we reached France in June, 1918, until the time we quit that country we worked hard to maintain a clean record and we certainly succeeded."
At the Moselle river, Pont a Mousson and Madieres, the regiment first saw action. The first and second battalions went into action immediately in the vicinity of St. Genevieve and Alton. The third battalion crossed the river and went into action in the vicinity of Pont a Mousson. That was on October 31st. The balance of the regiment's service corresponds to that of the brigade, already mentioned.
As already gleaned from the reports of generals, regimental officers and the testimony of the chaplain of the 351st, the artillery boys created a good impression and left behind them a clean record everywhere. It has remained for the officers of the 349th regiment to preserve this in additional documentary form in the shape of regimental orders and letters from the mayors of French towns in which the regiment stopped or was billeted. The following are some of the bulletins and letters:
Headquarters 349th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, France, A.P.O. 722, September 6, 1918. The following letter having been received, is published for the information of the regiment, and will be read at retreat Saturday, September 7, 1918. By order of COLONEL MOORE. JOSEPH H. McNALLY, Captain and Adjutant. FRENCH REPUBLIC Town Hall of Montmorillion (Vienne) Montmorillion, August 12, 1918. Dear Colonel: At the occasion of your departure permit me to express to you my regrets and those of the whole population. From the very day of its arrival your regiment, by its behavior and its military appearance, it excited the admiration of all of us. Of the sojourn of yourself and your colored soldiers among us we will keep the best memory and remember your regiment as a picked one. From the beginning a real brotherhood was established between your soldiers and our people, who were glad to welcome the gallant allies of France. Having learned to know them, the whole population holds them in great esteem, and we all join in saying the best of them. I hope that the white troops replacing your regiment will give us equal satisfaction; but whatever their attitude may be, they cannot surpass your 349th Field Artillery. Please accept the assurance of my best and most distinguished feelings. G. DE FONT-REAULX, Assistant Mayor. Headquarters 349th Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, France, A.P.O. 766, January 25, 1919. The following letter having been received is published for the information of the regiment. By order of COLONEL O'NEIL. GEORGE B. COMPTON, Captain and Adjutant. MAIRIE DE DOMFRONT (Orne) Domfront, January 22, 1919. The mayor of the town of Domfront has the very great pleasure to state and declare that the 349th regiment of the 167th Field Artillery Brigade, has been billeted at Domfront from the 28th of December, 1918, to the 22nd of January, 1919, and that during this period the officers as well as the men have won the esteem and sympathy of all the population. The black officers as well as the white officers have made here many friends, and go away leaving behind them the best remembrances. As to the private soldiers, their behavior during the whole time has been above all praise. It is the duty of the mayor of Domfront to bid the general, officers and men a last farewell, and to express to all his thanks and gratitude for their friendly intercourse with the civilian population. F. BERLIN, Mayor.
After such testimony who can doubt the Christianlike behavior and soldierly qualities of the black man? It has been noted that the artillerymen were in education considerably above the average of the Negro force abroad, but no severe criticism has been heard concerning the conduct of any of the Negro troops in any part of France. The attitude of the French people had much to do with this. The unfailing courtesy and consideration with which they treated the Negroes awoke an answering sentiment in the natures of the latter. To be treated as Men, in the highest sense of the term, argued that they must return that treatment, and it is not of record that they failed to give adequate return. Indeed the record tends to show that they added a little for good measure, although it is hard to outdo a Frenchman in courtesy and the common amenities of life.
This showing of Negro conduct in France takes on increased merit when it is considered that the bulk of their forces over there were selectives; men of all kinds and conditions; many of them from an environment not likely to breed gentleness, self restraint or any of the finer virtues. But the leaders and the best element seem to have had no difficulty in impressing upon the others that the occasion was a sort of a trial of their race; that they were up for view and being scrutinized very carefully. They made remarkably few false steps.