History of the American Negro in the Great World War / His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico

by William Allison Sweeney

At the breaking out of the Spanish-American war in 1898, Negro military organizations existed principally in the Regular Army. These were soon filled to their maximum strength and the desire of Negroes north and south to enlist, seemed likely to meet with disappointment. Congress, to meet the insistence of colored men for service, authorized the raising of ten Negro volunteer regiments of "immunes"—men who had lived in sections where the yellow fever and other malignant or malarial visitations had occurred, and who had suffered from them or shown evidences that they in all probability would be immune from the diseases. The plan to place white men in all commands above the grade of second lieutenant, prevented Negroes from enlisting as they otherwise would have done. Four immune regiments were organized—the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th.

Several of the states appreciating the value of the Negro as a soldier and in response to his intense desire to enlist, placed volunteer Negro organizations at the disposal of the government. There were the Third Alabama and Sixth Virginia Infantry; Eighth Illinois Infantry; Companies A and B Indiana Infantry; Thirty-third Kansas Infantry, and a battalion of the Ninth Ohio Infantry. The Eighth Illinois was officered by colored men throughout. J.R. Marshall its first colonel commanded the regiment during the Spanish-American war and did garrison duty in Santiago province for some time after the war; being for a while military governor of San Luis.

Gov. Russell of North Carolina, called out a Negro regiment, the Third Infantry, officered by colored men throughout. Colonel Charles Young commanding. It was not mustered into the service.

Company L. Sixth Massachusetts Infantry, was a Negro company serving in a white regiment. John L. Waller, deceased, a Negro formerly United States Consul to Madagascar, was a captain in the Kansas regiment.

About one hundred Negro second-lieutenants were commissioned in the volunteer force during the Spanish-American war. There was a Negro paymaster, Major John R. Lynch of Mississippi, and two Negro chaplains, the Rev. C.T. Walker of Georgia and the Rev. Richard Carroll of South Carolina.

Owing to the briefness of the campaign in Cuba, most of the service of Negro troops devolved upon the Regulars who were fit and ready. But all troops were at mobilization or training bases and willing and anxious to serve. No pages in the history of this country are more replete with the record of good fighting, military efficiency and soldierly conduct, than those recording the story of Negro troops in Cuba. Colonel Roosevelt said that the conduct of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry reflected honor upon the whole American people, especially on their own race. He could hardly say otherwise in view of the splendid support given by those two regiments that—such is, and will continue to be the verdict of history, saved him and his "Rough Riders" from annihilation at San Juan Hill.

Cuba, in her struggles for freedom, had among her own people two splendid Negro leaders, Antonio and Jose Maceo.

Following the Cuban campaign, Negro troops saw distinguished service in the Philippine Islands uprisings. They have from time to time since garrisoned and preserved order in those possessions. A very limited number of Negro officers have been attached to their racial contingents in the Philippines, and there will be found but a few of competent military authority in this country, who will deny that educated, intelligent and qualified Negroes, are fitted for positions of leadership and command.

The Negro of this country is primarily and essentially concerned with the destiny and problems of his race. His work encouraged as it must be, by the laws and spirit of the age, will determine his future and mark the commencement of the elimination of the shameful prejudice against him in the land, for which, from Lexington to the bloody trenches of France, he has given of his blood to preserve.

Before leaving the subject of the Negro in previous wars, it is highly fitting to review the heroic incident of June 21, 1916, at Carrizal, Mexico. Here is a tale of daring that to duplicate, would tax the imagination of war fiction writers, and among incidents of fact will range along with the Texans' defense of the Alamo, where men fought and perished against great odds.