CHAPTER IX
THE NINETY-THIRD DIVISION
The organization of the 93rd Division was begun at Camp Stuart, Newport News, Va., in December, 1917, with the few remaining National Guard units of Negro men that had survived since the Spanish-American War. These units were battalions from Ohio and Washington, and companies from Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, and Tennessee which later composed the 372nd Infantry Regiment. This Division, which was never assembled or fully organized, consisted on paper of the 369th, 370th, 371st, and 372nd Infantry Regiments. The general who was to command it was ordered to Camp Stuart in December, 1917, but in the latter part of this month the 369th landed in France and was brigaded with the French, while the other three regiments were still training in America. These three arrived in France in April, 1918, when they too were brigaded with the French, with whom they served throughout their stay overseas. After the cessation of hostilities on November 11, 1918, the four regiments were reassigned to the American Army for return to the United States and demobilization. Their record is one of the noblest in all the history of American arms. Each regiment was decorated as a whole or in part with the French Croix de Guerre with palm. The history of the 93rd Division accordingly embraces the activities of the four regiments that composed it, and these will be considered in order.
The 369th Infantry, or the old 15th New York National Guard Regiment, was first organized in New York City in 1916 by authority of the New York State Legislature. It was reorganized by the War Department as a National Guard regiment of the United States on April 9, 1917, and placed under the command of Colonel William Hayward. It is proud of the fact that it was the first National Guard regiment of the United States to reach war strength of 2001 men and 56 officers, that it was the first in the field, that it was under fire for 191 days, longer than any other American regiment, and that after the armistice it led the French armies to the Rhine, being the first Allied unit to enter Germany. In all these ways its record was unique.
The morning following its mobilization on the night of July 14, 1917, it was moved to Camp Whitman, near Poughkeepsie; and when the President of the United States drafted the National Guard regiments on August 5, it was immediately placed on active duty without any training whatever. The First Battalion, commanded by Major Lorillard Spencer, guarded 600 miles of railroad in New York and New Jersey, several uniform and shoe factories near New York City, and the German ships seized by the United States Government. The Second Battalion, commanded by Major Munson Morris, did pioneer and guard duty at Camp Upton when it was a wilderness. The Third Battalion, commanded by Major Edward Dayton, with the band did similar work at Camp Dix, transforming it from a cornfield into a camp. The machine-gun company guarded 2000 German spies interned at Ellis Island. Meanwhile regimental headquarters remained in New York City.
On October 5, 1917, regimental headquarters and two battalions went to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C., for training with the 27th Division, but after two weeks’ stay in camp the regiment was ordered to Hoboken to embark for France. It did not sail on October 27 as planned because of the lack of equipment, and while this was being secured the various battalions were billeted in armories in different parts of New York City. On November 11, 1917, however, fully equipped, it went aboard the U. S. S. “Pocahontas,” which sailed that night for France in a convoy. On the second day out engine troubles developed and the ship was obliged to return to port. The regiment went to Camp Merritt, where details helped to finish the camp. It again embarked, but this time the “Pocahontas” caught fire and for ten days was tied up at the docks. On the night of December 13 she finally sailed, but even then she seemed destined not to land the regiment in France, for she collided with a British oil tanker which drove a hole in her bow. This, however, was repaired and the trip was completed on December 26, when Brest was safely reached.
The regiment was moved to St. Nazaire by rail on January 1, 1918, and there for more than two months it did manual labor, building docks, erecting hospitals, doing fatigue duty, laying railroad tracks, and doing construction work on the great dam at St. Nazaire. From the time of their arrival at this port until March 10 the men did not see their rifles except at night, but on this latter date they were ordered to join a French combat unit. All entrained on March 13 for Givry-en-Argonne, reporting on March 15 to General Le Gallais of the 16th Division, 4th French Army. It was at this place that the regiment learned that its name was changed from 15th New York to 369th Infantry. The American equipment was turned in and French equipment given, this including everything needed on the Western front. The organization of the regiment was also changed so as to make it conform to that of a French regiment. During this training period of three weeks the men drilled day and night under French officers. Beginning April 8 the battalions were successively placed in front line trenches, “doubled” with French units, their first sector being in Main de Massiges, left of the Aisne River and northeast of Châlons in the Champagne. After eight days of this experience the regiment took over 4½ kilometers of front, with two battalions in the lines and one in support enjoying a rest period which gave some opportunity for additional training. On April 29 Colonel Hayward was placed in command of several French units in addition to his own regiment.
The activity in this sector consisted of nightly patrols and raids until July 4 and 5, when active preparation was made for the big German drive long expected by the French high command. The 369th labored incessantly, helping to build and fortify the intermediate positions, which were two or three kilometers from the front line. When the battalions were relieved from front line duty, instead of going into rest billets they worked on these positions, which were fortified as a means of strategy by General Gouraud. This procedure enabled the French to counter-attack and to recapture trenches secretly evacuated. This method foiled and stopped the German drive on a fifty-mile front between Rheims and the Argonne. The 369th participated in this attack, with the third battalion, commanded by Major Spencer, occupying the front line, where it did its share in stopping the enemy advance.
During the terrific bombardment of the German artillery, which had as its target not only the front line but also several kilometers of rear area, the commander of the 369th was ordered to establish liaison at once, if possible, between his headquarters and the French 27th Infantry. This meant establishing a line of relay runners over a front of three kilometers, the entire distance being under heavy shell fire. This hazardous task was performed by the runners of the 369th in such a courageous and efficient manner and with so little thought of personal safety that the regiment received commendation from the division commander.
From the time of the regiment’s arrival on the front until the second day of this battle it was a part of the 16th French Division, but on the night of July 15, while the battle was raging, it received orders to reinforce the 161st French Division, which was being furiously attacked. A place was made for the 369th by taking out a French regiment which had been greatly reduced in both officers and men. In order to make the change of position, the regiment moved six kilometers under constant shell fire. On reporting to General LeBouc, commander of the 161st Division, two battalions were immediately ordered into front- and second-line positions to relieve a Moroccan regiment. Officers and men had been without food or water for hours, yet they occupied the positions and took up the combat, which lasted for three days before the enemy was definitely checked.
On July 18 the 161st began to push the Germans back and to reoccupy the abandoned terrain. Two battalions of the 369th shared in this undertaking and continued in such operations until July 21, when the regiment took over and established the front line in the Calvaire sector north of Minaucourt. All three battalions suffered casualties in this offensive, the third suffering most because it was in the front line longest.
On July 23 the 369th occupied a sector between Butte de Mesnil and Main de Massiges under the most trying conditions. The enemy was constantly being pushed back, but during the process artillery and infantry combat hardly ceased for several days, and there was a constant rain of gas and high explosive shells on all sides. The sector held by the 369th had a front of a thousand meters, and the three battalions supported one another from the front line to the intermediate positions in the rear. Several raids were made each night by both sides and casualties occurred daily and nightly on the patrols and raids that were sent into “No Man’s Land.”
The regiment was at length relieved in this sector and it started for Camp St. Quen south of Châlons to get a long promised rest. It had been under fire continuously for 130 days. At this camp the other three Negro regiments serving with the French were supposed to be mobilized for the complete organization of the 93rd Division. Barracks were cleaned in expectation of these troops, but before they reached the camp the 369th, which had been resting less than a week, was ordered back to the front to resume its place in the 161st Division. It was placed in a sector west of and adjacent to the sector of Calvaire previously held. On its return to the division it replaced the 115th R. I., which was broken up and distributed among other French units. The new sector was the most active and deadly the regiment had held. There were constant raids and patrols and a continuous combat of artillery. The Germans here used the device of having several aeroplanes “loop the loop” over the French lines in the hope that men would come out and watch them. If they did a projector gas attack would be launched immediately.
One of the most furious attacks on the 367th was begun in such manner. The aeroplanes did the “loop the loop,” which was followed by two gas attacks separated only by seconds. Then a terrific artillery bombardment started, lasting forty minutes, during which time it was estimated that 9000 shells fell on the regiment. Twenty minutes after the lull of the big guns seven German infantry regiments charged over the top to drive the 369th from its trenches. The First Battalion, assisted by the machine-gun companies from the other two, met the assault with a steady, intensive, and continued fire until it broke down in front of the lines. At no point were the enemy able to enter the lines or capture any prisoners. Instead, the 369th Regiment captured prisoners who gave valuable and much needed information, and it was specially commended for its steadiness under fire in this engagement. In this sector the regiment lost a large number of officers and men and experienced its hardest fighting. On September 15 it was relieved by a French Fourragère regiment and taken to the rear to Somme Tourbe and Somme Bionne, where for eight days the men rested. Meanwhile they were taught the principles of open warfare in anticipation of the attack by the French and American armies which was launched September 25, 1918.
For this attack the infantry battalions in the division were placed in assault waves and commanded by their regimental officers. The artillery preparation for the attack lasted six hours and twenty-five minutes, with French and American guns of all sizes going at full blast. At the zero hour (5.25 A. M.) the Allied armies went over the top in one of the biggest offensives of the war. The French and Moroccan battalions on the left and right of the 369th contracted their fronts, thus leaving an opening between the French divisions; and the Third Battalion, commanded by Major Spencer, advanced on the left and established liaison with the Moroccans. On September 26 the two units captured the town of Ripont, a large number of prisoners and machine-guns, and advanced to the Dormois River, a distance of more than four kilometers. Heavy casualties resulted from this advance; several officers and men were killed, and Major Spencer himself was wounded six times. On the afternoon of the 27th Fountaine en Dormoise was captured and the regimental P. C. was established there. Further advance was held up for a while by barbed wire entanglements commanded by machine-gun nests, some of which were in concrete pill boxes. These, however, were finally captured. During the night the Second Battalion relieved the third in the front line, and by daylight on the 28th it was ordered to continue the attack with the two French battalions on its left and right. The artillery barrage for the third day’s attack was ineffective, and the assaulting battalion had to cut its way through wire and overcome machine-gun nests without artillery assistance. The day’s advance was 1000 meters over hills and ridges occupied and controlled by the enemy. On this day the battle was hottest around Bellevue Ridge and Bellevue Signal, with the contending forces trying to gain possession. After nightfall the French executed a brilliant flank movement with three battalions, including the second of the 369th, driving the enemy from all the trenches and terrain leading to the summit of the ridge. Dawn on the 29th found the enemy killed, captured, or driven from the ridge and the advance moving down the slopes toward the plains beyond to the town of Sechault, the next objective.
The First Battalion, commanded by Major Little, led this advance, entering the town and engaging in heavy fighting in the streets and in house to house combat, in an attempt to clear the town of enemy infantry and machine-gun nests. The battalion advanced through Sechault to the plains beyond, but withdrew for the night to make way for French artillery preparation for the continued advance, which began on the 30th through the woods of Petit Rosière and lasted until October 3. The regiment was again commended by the division general for the way in which it cleared Sechault of the enemy. The entire division halted to await the capture of the town because of its importance.
The Second and Third Battalions were sent in to relieve the first on October 3, but the regiment had suffered so many casualties in both officers and men that it was relieved with the 161st Division and carried in troop trains to Vitry-le-François. A little later it was transferred from Gouraud’s Fourth Army, where it had served during its offensives, to become a part of the 7th French Army.
The 369th entrained at Vitry-le-François for Belfort on October 12, reaching its destination on the 14th. Two days later it moved by trucks and forced marches to Thann in the Vosges Mountains, where the entire regiment was put in front line trenches in the Thur sector. This was comparatively quiet, and from October 16 to November 11 only six casualties occurred, including one officer.
The 369th Regiment played an important part in all the campaigns in which it participated, its efficiency increasing with every engagement. During the time that it was brigaded with the French the relations were most cordial; and during the last days of the September offensive the commanding general of the 161st Division attached it to his own two crack regiments because of its fighting qualities under fire. While there were difficulties of language, these were usually overcome by the assignment of efficient interpreters and the French officers were enthusiastic in their praise of the manner in which the regiment fought in all its battles.
After the Armistice the 161st Division became a part of the Second French Army of Occupation. The 369th was given the post of honor as advance guard in the Triumphal March of November 17, 1918, and led the Army of Occupation out of the mountains to the plains lying on the west bank of the Rhine River. Reaching Blodelsheim on the Rhine on the morning of November 18, it was the first unit of all the Allied armies to reach the goal toward which so many million men had struggled through four bloody years. The regiment occupied the towns of Blodelsheim, Fessenheim, and Balgan, which also included a pontoon bridge head and a ferry head. Meanwhile the municipal affairs of these towns were administered by the regimental commander and his troops, who also guarded the surrounding territory.
Of this duty the 369th was relieved on December 4, and it moved to division headquarters near Ensisheim. On the 13th it took part in the division review, at which time its colors were decorated with the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action in the Champagne offensive. The recommendation for this citation was made by General LeBouc, with the approval of General Gouraud, Marshal Petain, and General Pershing. The translation of the citation reads as follows:
Citation for Croix de Guerre
161st Division of Infantry, 8th Army Corps, Fourth Army (Aux Armées Françaises)
369th Regiment of Infantry, United States, under command of Colonel Hayward, who though injured insisted on leading his regiment in battle, of Lieutenant Colonel Pickering, admirably cool and brave, of Major Spencer, grievously wounded, of Major Cobb, killed, and of Major Little, a true leader of his men, fought with great bravery, stormed powerful enemy positions energetically defended, captured many machine-guns, large numbers of prisoners and six cannon, and took, after heavy fighting, the Town of Sechault.
One hundred and sixty-seven officers and men received decorations, including the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Croix de Guerre, and the Legion of Honor. Where all were brave it is almost invidious to mention names. Some of the most noteworthy exploits, however, were those of Henry Johnson, Needham Roberts, and Sergeant William Butler. The story of the first two of these men is well known to the American public, as they were the very first Americans to receive the French Croix de Guerre. Their achievement in repulsing a German raiding party of more than twenty men in a hand-to-hand combat served as an incentive to their comrades and as an example for the whole American Army. Johnson’s feat was particularly noteworthy. Soon after the beginning of the encounter Roberts was wounded. Although surrounded by overwhelming numbers, Johnson continued fighting, first using hand grenades, then his rifle until that jammed, when he used the butt of it, hitting right and left. Finally he resorted to his bolo knife as a last means of preventing the capture of himself and his comrade. Although himself wounded, he succeeded in killing four of the enemy and in wounding a large number of the others. In August, while the 369th was in the front lines, and when raiding parties from both sides went out nightly, on one occasion the Germans laid down an encaging barrage, after which they enclosed and captured a raiding party of one officer and four men. Sergeant William Butler, armed with a Chauchaut rifle, attacked the group with such effectiveness that he killed four men and wounded the officer, who was captured and later died, the rest being put to flight. The officer and four men of the 369th meanwhile made their escape and returned to their regiment. A captured German report described Sergeant Butler’s activities as “an enemy group in overwhelming numbers” and stated that because of the superiority of the rescuing party eight Germans, including an officer, failed to return. For his heroism on this occasion Sergeant Butler was decorated by both the French and American Governments.
On December 18 the 369th bade a last farewell to its French comrades in arms and started for Belfort, reaching there on the 20th. It had made an enviable record, serving longer than any other American unit as an integral part of a foreign army. In his report of the operations of the regiment on the western front, Colonel Hayward said: “It had less training than any American unit before action, as follows: 3 weeks at Camp Whiteman, New York; 10 days at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina; 2 weeks with French Army while changing equipment. It had one of the lowest, if not the lowest percentages of venereal infections or drunkenness in the A. E. F. It was 191 days in action in front line trenches, believed to be the longest of any American regiment. It never lost a trench or a foot of ground and never had one of its number captured by the enemy.”
With such a record the 369th turned its steps homeward on January 1, 1919, arriving on the 2nd at Le Mans, where it remained until the 11th. It then entrained for Brest, reaching there on the 12th. The battalions sailed on three ships, and the last contingent arrived in New York, February 12.
It was a happy day for these war-worn heroes when they saw again the Statue of Liberty and set foot on American shores. As one battalion steamed into port, the regiment’s famous band, which had toured France under the direction of Lieut. James Reese Europe and had the distinction of being considered the best musical organization in the American Army, played the “Star Spangled Banner” and the “Marseillaise”; and it was a sight never to be forgotten to see these hardy warriors stand at attention while the national airs of two great allies were being played. As they landed they were applauded by thousands of their kinsmen and countrymen for their glorious deeds; and the greatest reception ever given returning heroes was held for the 369th by the City of New York on February 17, when the regiment, led by its band, marched up Fifth Avenue under the Victory Arch and through Harlem to the plaudits and cheers of tens of thousands who counted it a privilege to honor those who had so gloriously upheld the traditions of their country. At the end of this historic day’s activities, the regiment entrained at night for Camp Upton for demobilization, which was completed March 1. The twelve hundred original survivors were discharged at Camp Upton, while the replacements were sent to the camps nearest their homes.
The 370th Infantry Regiment, which was otherwise known as “the old 8th” of Chicago, was one of the federalized National Guard units that entered the World War with a record of achievement and with a tradition to uphold. The regiment’s beginning dates back to 1892, when a small group of men in Illinois banded themselves together for the purpose of organizing a battalion of Negro soldiers. The first company was formed with B. G. Johnson as captain, John C. Buckner as first lieutenant, and John R. Marshall as second lieutenant. Three years later a battalion was formed with John C. Buckner as major, and soon afterwards this was admitted to the Illinois State militia as the Ninth Battalion Infantry National Guard. This organization at the time it was formed gave Negro men their best opportunity in the country to gain a knowledge of military tactics, which they found useful when Congress declared war on Spain April 25, 1898.
The allotment for Illinois under President McKinley’s call for 175,000 men was seven regiments of infantry and one of cavalry. When these eight regiments left for camp and the Ninth Battalion was not called to the colors, the Negro people felt that they were wilfully being kept out of the war with Spain. Shortly afterwards, however, John R. Tanner, who served as governor of the state during the Spanish-American War, called John R. Marshall to his office and suggested that he organize a regiment of Negro men, in which case he would be the first man of his race to bear the military title of Colonel; and the work of organization accordingly began.
President McKinley’s second call for 75,000 men on May 25, 1898, gave Governor Tanner an opportunity to carry out his promise to put the regiment into service. He ordered it to Springfield, where the work of recruiting continued until it reached war strength with 1195 men and 76 officers, and on July 23 John R. Marshall was sworn in as Colonel. While every other Illinois regiment had gone to Cuba and soldiers from all parts of the country were constantly embarking, the 8th remained at Camp Tanner in Illinois; and just about the time the Negro soldiers were getting discouraged over their prospects of taking part in real war, Governor Tanner visited the camp and in a speech said: “Even from the doors of the White House have I received letters asking and advising me not to officer this regiment with colored men, but I promised to do so, and I have done it. I shall never rest until I see this regiment, my regiment, on the soil of Cuba battling for the right and its kinsmen.”
It was not Spanish shot and shell that sent many Americans to their graves, but the hot climate of Cuba and its fevers; in some camps the sick and dying were found in every tent and the dead march was heard at every mess call. Yet when the men of the 8th were asked to go to Cuba to relieve the 1st Illinois whose men were dying daily, they readily said “Let’s go”; and their volunteering under the circumstances was especially commended by President McKinley.
On August 14, 1898, the regiment arrived in Cuba and immediately it attracted attention by its military precision. Some very efficient men were officers, among them Major Franklin A. Dennison, who served as judge of claims in Santiago. When the regiment returned on March 17, 1900, and marched down Michigan Avenue, it was given a great ovation by the citizens of Chicago. Much of its success had been due to the hard work of Colonel Marshall, who served until January 1, 1914. He was succeeded by Major Dennison, who took command January 12. During the next year the state legislature appropriated money for the erection of a new armory. The corner-stone of this was laid in 1915, and it was the first building of its kind for Negroes in America. In the course of the trouble with Mexico the 8th was sent to the border.
When war was declared against Germany, April 6, 1917, the regiment was sent to Texas for preparation. It was in Houston during the riots between the citizens and the soldiers of the 25th Infantry, but its record for discipline was upheld. For a while after the riots it was not thought safe for it to remain at Camp Logan, but the soldierly bearing of its officers and men demonstrated that such fears were unwarranted; and when the regiment left Texas for Newport News the citizens of Houston turned out to do it honor. Its arrival at Newport News, with a Negro colonel who placed Negro military police on the streets, created something of a sensation. On Washington’s Birthday, 1918, three companies, led by Colonel Dennison and the regimental band, went to Norfolk to take part in a demonstration to stimulate interest in the sale of war stamps, and for the first time in the history of the city Negro troops marched at the head of a procession of several thousand American soldiers, sailors, and marines.
The regiment did intensive training at Newport News until it sailed for France. It arrived in Brest April 22, 1918, spent two days in the barracks at Pontenazen, and then journeyed for three days to Grandvillars, a village near the town of Belfort and within three miles of the Swiss border. Here it received intensive training under French officers for six weeks. The regiment made excellent progress and was complimented on numerous occasions. It was supplied with French equipment, and during the training period and the time spent in quiet sectors it was attached to four different French divisions.
At the end of the first training period the regiment marched on June 12 and 13 to Morvillars, where it entrained for Ligny en Barrois (Meuse). It then moved near the town of Bar-le-Duc in the department of the Meuse. Here it was declared fit for active service, and on June 21 it was placed on the front line in a quiet sector in the St. Mihiel district for fourteen days. Leaving for the Argonne on July 19, it was placed in the Verdun sector on the plateau of Gorgia and at Hermont and Mont des Allieux. At the last named place, on July 24, the first casualty in action took place when Private Robert M. Lee of machine-gun company No. 2 was killed. The only other operation except the usual routine work was the raid of a Stokes mortar platoon, commanded by Lt. Robert A. Wood, on August 4. This was in the sub-sector of Vauquois. Three hundred rounds of ammunition were fired, the object being to fill up the gaps of the artillery barrage.
On August 15 the 370th was placed at the disposal of General Mangin, who was commander of the 10th Army and who ordered the regiment in reserve along the Curcq River. From this position it was taken on September 15 to the Soissons sector with the 59th Division in the area of Vauxaillon with the Ailette Canal and Alizy Château as its strong salients. The Third Battalion, commanded by Colonel Otis B. Duncan, succeeded in taking the southern boundary of the canal. Four rifle companies were detached with two French regiments and assisted in taking Mont des Singes. The fighting was severe. The 370th was usually in close support, but it also participated in several attacks, in all of which the objectives were gained.
For the first time, on September 22, the regiment was given a full sector extending from L’Écluse to a point 300 meters west of the crossing of the Pinon Braucourt road. The First Battalion went into a position on the Oise-Aisne Canal and the Farm Guilliminet, the Second into a support position at Mont des Tombs and Les Tueries and the slopes west of Antioche Farm, and the third into reserve at Tincelle Farm. The headquarters company was stationed at Levilly and the supply company at Monte Couve.
In the midst of the relief of the First and Second Battalions on the front line during the night of September 27, an attack was ordered at dawn. By the greatest effort the relief was completed and the Second Battalion, which was ordered to work, began offensive operations. These lasted three days. During the night, while the relief was being conducted, there was considerable mixing of units. It was difficult to maintain liaison and as a result one company advanced too far and a number of casualties resulted.
Colonel Duncan, commanding the Third Battalion, was ordered on September 30 to attack along the canal from Mont des Singes to the Pinon Braucourt road. The fighting in this section continued until the evening of October 4 before it was certain that the enemy had been driven across the canal. During this advance the patrols of the regiment were out nightly around L’Écluse and along the canal. The 370th drove the enemy from this triangle several times, but it was difficult to remain where it was as it was the target of severe artillery and machine fire from two directions. This attack of the 30th is memorable in the annals of the 370th as it was against the Hindenburg line and was driving back the famous Prussian Guard, the flower of Emperor William’s army. On account of the orders’ being delayed in transmission, the advance started in broad daylight. It was led by Colonels Roberts and Duncan with other officers close by their sides. As they passed through a shell-torn ravine, German machine-gun bullets rained