The truth is that those other battalions and units that failed to advance and hold against the world’s strongest position—Metz—were excellent troops and in many instances did most heroic work. They were fully equal on the average to battalions and units of the foremost American Divisions. The truth is equally clear to every one who knows or wants to know that the Second Battalion of the Three Hundred and Sixty-fifth Infantry was a most exceptional, a most wonderful battalion, fully equal in all respects to the very finest battalions in the American Army or any army that fought in the Great World War. I challenge any one to disprove this statement.
They were wonderful fighters with the trench knife and bayonet, but they were equally efficient and energetic with all other infantry arms. Take the other extreme from fighting—paper work. The paper work that had to be done in a company of our army was staggering. It required ceaseless work and absolute accuracy. The companies of this battalion were unsurpassed. “H” Company, for instance, as is well known, did and turned in paper work that was practically perfect at all times. Then there was march or road discipline. Some of the marches made were very trying. As an example, the Second Battalion of the Three Hundred and Sixty-fifth Infantry marched from Camp d’Italien in the Argonne Forest to Camp Cabaud north east of Les Isilett during the night, through mud and through the confusion and blockade of traffic you have all heard about, just preceding the Argonne Offensive, and arrived with every man who started. Not one straggler. I furnished signed certificates before it could be believed by my superiors. I have already referred to the very significant fact that no officers were ever placed under arrest or sent before efficiency boards. Every statement I have made and every inference I have drawn is based on a personal knowledge of facts.
My efforts to make that Battalion a real success were due solely to the fact that it was an American Battalion engaged in the fight against our Nation’s enemies. My enlisted men were colored and they wore the American uniform. My Officers were colored and they were commissioned, not by me, but by the United States Government. If you are colored or if perchance you are white and care to do some thinking about me and about my Battalion and about many things in general, read on pages 433 and 438 of the book I have been referring to. By the way, the Battalion Commander there referred to relieved me (he was then a Lieutenant Colonel) of the command of the Regiment (Three Hundred and Sixty-fifth Infantry) the second day after the Armistice took effect.
It is my idea of justice that the race—namely the American Negro—that produced men who served their country so loyally, so bravely, so capably both as officers and as enlisted men under my command, should know the truth about my battalion. It would matter little whether the outfit were a division, a brigade or a battalion. It happens to have been a battalion. And it matters little what colored battalion it was, but it does matter a great deal and mean a great deal to Colored Americans that one of the very finest and greatest battalions in the American Army and in the world was an American colored battalion.
If what I have said about my Colored Battalion shall in any way aid, or shall inspire and stimulate Colored Americans in their struggle for advancement and for the attainment of Righteousness that “Exalteth a nation,” I shall be gratified.
The following is the testimonial I referred to. It substantiates some things spoken of in the lecture.
Headquarters 365th Infantry.
Major Warner A. Ross, 365th Infantry, commander of the 2nd Battalion, while leading his battalion and part of the First Battalion into action in the “Bois Frehaut” on the east bank of the Moselle River north of Pont-a-Musson and under the guns of Metz, on the morning of November 10th, 1918, with Brigade orders to capture and hold this strong German position, displayed most exceptional bravery, coolness and efficiency under heavy fire. He personally led his forces and established his first waves in their firing position in no-man’s land immediately in front of the enemy’s observers, machine gunners and snipers. He then, after encouraging his men through enemy wire, under heavy barrage established his Post of Command in the edge of the “Bois Frehaut” in what just before was enemy territory. This Post of Command was a shell hole with no protection from artillery fire and was established in this place so that runners coming back from platoons and companies could follow the edge of the wood and easily find him. This he maintained as his P. C. until 10:30 o’clock on the morning of the 11th, when news of the Armistice reached him.
Major Ross refused to move his Headquarters despite the fact that a hostile plane had located it and that others abandoned it. Shrapnel burst over it and high explosive shells tore great holes all around it. The sides were caved in and he was once almost completely buried. During the night it became filled with mustard gas. He ordered lime sprinkled in it and a fire built and remained. By moving to a less exposed position or to a dugout his liaison would have been impaired. It was excellent liaison that enabled him to send in reinforcements to meet counter attacks and flank movements attempted by the enemy.
The bravery of Major Ross and his indifference to personal safety in his determination to win this battle are considered worthy of special recognition. Such conduct is far in excess of the ordinary line of duty of a Battalion Commander. The “Bois Frehaut,” “Belle Aire Ferme,” “Ferme de Pence” and “Bois de la tete d’Or” were taken from the enemy and the battle line changed by this victory.
Witnesses (Signed):
Edward B. Simmons,
Major, Medical Corps, Regimental Surgeon.
F. E. Sweitzer,
Captain, 365th Inf., Regtl. Adjutant.
T. C. Hopkins,
Captain, 365th Inf., Regtl. Intelligence Officer.
Walter R. Sanders,
Captain, 365th Inf., Second in Command at that time.
Wm. W. Green,
Captain, 365th Inf., Comdg. Co. H, 365th Inf.
John F. Pritchard,
1st Lieut., 365th Inf., Adjutant, 2nd Bn.
Garrett M. Lewis,
1st Lieut., 365th Inf., Comdg. Reserve Co. at that time.
U. J. Robinson,
1st Lieut., 365th Inf., Chaplain.
The End