Information on Black Soldiers
Title
Information on Black Soldiers
Creator
Unknown
Identifier
T100109
previous scan # PI0000001
Date
No date
Source
US National Archives and Records Administration
130/68/3/00
130/68/3/00
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
African-Americans--segregation
Contributor
Althea Cupo
Maria Matlock
Language
English
Provenance
Digital copy acquired from federal archives by previous WWPL Archivist, Heidi Hackford.
Text
NEGRO SOLDIERS BRAVE
Seek dangerous duty, Pershing says, denying German story. Recalls heroic fighting.
Refutes charge that Colored troops are given more hazardous posts than white, in Message to Baker, shows small losses in official figures -- Lauds combat regiments.
Secretary
Washington, D.C. June 22, -- Formal denial of reports circulated in this country presumably by German agents, that Negro soldiers with the American expeditionary forces are being given more dangerous work than the white troops was cabled to the War Department yesterday by Gen. Pershing. The message said the negroes were in high spirits and that their only complaint was that they were not given more active services.
Gen Pershing said he could not "commend too highly the spirit shown among the colored combat troops, who exhibit fine capacity for quick training and eagerness for the most dangerous work.
The general's cablegram, which was in reply to one of inquiry sent by Secretary Baker, said.
"The stories, probably invented by German agents, that colored soldiers in France are always placed in most dangerous positions and sacrificed to save white soldiers, that when wounded they are left on the ground to die without medical attention, &c., are absolutely false.
FIGURES OF LOSSES.
"The following are the losses as reported up to June 18 in the four colored combatant regiments now in France: The 369th infantry -- Died of wounds, 3; died of disease, 8; severely wounded, 2. The 370th infantry -- Died of wounds, none; died of disease, 3; severely wounded, none. The 371st infantry -- Died of wounds, none; died of disease 8; severely wounded; none. The 372d infantry -- Died of wounds, none; died of disease, 3; severely wounded, none. These figures show conclusively that Negro troops have not thus far occupied positions as dangerous as those occupied by white troops and that their physical condition is excellent.
"A tour of inspection just completed among American Negro troops by officers of the training section of these headquarters show the comparatively high degree of training and efficiency among these troops. Their training is identical with that of other American troops serving with the French army, the effort being to lead all American troops gradually to heavy combat duty by a preliminary service in trenches in quiet sectors.
"Colored troops in trenches have been particularly fortunate as one regiment had been there a month before any losses were suffered. This was almost unheard of on the western front.
TELLS OF FINE SPIRITS.
"The exploits of two colored infantrymen some weeks ago in repelling a much larger German patrol, killing and wounding several Germans and winning the croix de guerre by their gallantry, has aroused a fine spirit of emulation throughout the colored troops, all of whom are looking forward to more active service.
"The only regret expressed by colored troops is that they are not given more dangerous work to do. They are especially amused at the most dangerous positions, and all are desirous of having more active service than has been permitted them thus far. I cannot commend too highly the spirit shown among the colored combat troops, who exhibit fine capacity for quick training and eagerness for the most dangerous work."
Seek dangerous duty, Pershing says, denying German story. Recalls heroic fighting.
Refutes charge that Colored troops are given more hazardous posts than white, in Message to Baker, shows small losses in official figures -- Lauds combat regiments.
Secretary
Washington, D.C. June 22, -- Formal denial of reports circulated in this country presumably by German agents, that Negro soldiers with the American expeditionary forces are being given more dangerous work than the white troops was cabled to the War Department yesterday by Gen. Pershing. The message said the negroes were in high spirits and that their only complaint was that they were not given more active services.
Gen Pershing said he could not "commend too highly the spirit shown among the colored combat troops, who exhibit fine capacity for quick training and eagerness for the most dangerous work.
The general's cablegram, which was in reply to one of inquiry sent by Secretary Baker, said.
"The stories, probably invented by German agents, that colored soldiers in France are always placed in most dangerous positions and sacrificed to save white soldiers, that when wounded they are left on the ground to die without medical attention, &c., are absolutely false.
FIGURES OF LOSSES.
"The following are the losses as reported up to June 18 in the four colored combatant regiments now in France: The 369th infantry -- Died of wounds, 3; died of disease, 8; severely wounded, 2. The 370th infantry -- Died of wounds, none; died of disease, 3; severely wounded, none. The 371st infantry -- Died of wounds, none; died of disease 8; severely wounded; none. The 372d infantry -- Died of wounds, none; died of disease, 3; severely wounded, none. These figures show conclusively that Negro troops have not thus far occupied positions as dangerous as those occupied by white troops and that their physical condition is excellent.
"A tour of inspection just completed among American Negro troops by officers of the training section of these headquarters show the comparatively high degree of training and efficiency among these troops. Their training is identical with that of other American troops serving with the French army, the effort being to lead all American troops gradually to heavy combat duty by a preliminary service in trenches in quiet sectors.
"Colored troops in trenches have been particularly fortunate as one regiment had been there a month before any losses were suffered. This was almost unheard of on the western front.
TELLS OF FINE SPIRITS.
"The exploits of two colored infantrymen some weeks ago in repelling a much larger German patrol, killing and wounding several Germans and winning the croix de guerre by their gallantry, has aroused a fine spirit of emulation throughout the colored troops, all of whom are looking forward to more active service.
"The only regret expressed by colored troops is that they are not given more dangerous work to do. They are especially amused at the most dangerous positions, and all are desirous of having more active service than has been permitted them thus far. I cannot commend too highly the spirit shown among the colored combat troops, who exhibit fine capacity for quick training and eagerness for the most dangerous work."
Original Format
Press Release
Files
Collection
Citation
Unknown , “Information on Black Soldiers ,” No date, T100109, Race and Segregation Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.