The broad ax., 1916-07-08
THE coLoRED SOLDIERS HAVE
NEVER SHOWN THE WHITE
FEATHER


lars, the 10th cavalry which has figured
SO prominently in recent events IN
Mexico, recalls the part the Colored
soldiers have played in the history OF
American wars beginning with the
revolution. Most sources attest to the
Colored soldiers bravery. In some
cases they are said to exhibit such
thoroughgoing daring as to be regarded
almost as reckless.
A short pamphlet, issued by the late
Brig. Gen. Andrew s. Burt U. s. A,
retired, relates the story of Colored
regiments in American history and de-
scribes incidents of bravery in which
they were the actors. It reads, in part,
as follows:
10th Cavalry Famous.
"We have in our regular army four
regiments of Colored soldiers, the 9th
and 10th cavalry and the oath and
25th infantry. The two cavalry reg
iments have fine records in campaigns
on our western frontier in the old days
of Indian warfare. These troopers
also have splendid records made in
Cuba and the Philippines. 1t is Yhis-
pered abroad that the 10th cavalry
arrived on the field of Santiago in the
nick of time to save a much heralded
cavalry command from being wiped
out or otherwise rough-ridden by the
Spanish forces. That kindly help by
the Negro troopers has not, to my
knowledge, been bruited about with
any very loud acclaim.
Noble Record of oath Infantry.
"The oath infantry has likewise
made an enviable record in Indian
warfare, in Cuba and in the Philip
pines, not only for its fighting, but as
well for its law-abiding conduct wher-
ever it has served in this country and
in foreign lands"
Gen. Burt then relates the service
of the oath in nursing white soldiers
afflicted with yellow fever in Cuba.
The Colored asked for 60 volunteers
and every man in line volunteered.
When half of these Colored soldier
nurses had taken the fever the Col
onel called the oath out, explained this
condition and asked for volunteers.
Again every man volunteered.
Never Showed White Feather.
"The 25th infantry has made a rec
ord for fighting at Ell Caney, in Cuba,
at Mt. Aryat, O'Donnell, and in nu-
merous skirmishes in the Philippines.
Speaking of the Negro soldier gener-
ally, 1 can find nowhere in the history
of American wars a single instance
where a Negro regiment showed the
white feather or refused to charge the
enemy when called on to do so.
General Grants Testimony.
"You will recall Gen. Grants ties.
timony before the congressional com,
mittee on the conduct of the war of
the rebellion. He said, in part: IF
the black troops had been properly
supported by the white troops at the
springing of the mines of Petersburg
that day we should have gone into
Richmond
Fought in Revolutionary War.
"Baron Won Clausen, a German army
officer who visited this country dur
ing the revolution said: 'Of the
10000 soldiers in Washington camp
5000 were Negroes and the best drill
ed and disciplined regiment was Col
Greene's Rhode Island regiment, three
fourths of which were composed OF
Negroes
In War of 1912.
Gin the war of 1912, Commodore
Perry on Lake Erie and Gen. Jack
son at New Orleans have testified in
signed communications to the war and
navy departments of their unfinchine
courage. Jackson's victory at New
Orleans, which carried him to fame
and the White House, he owed largely
to the desperate valor of the black
regiments under him. Jackson wa.
boosted up the ladder of fame by the
faithful, patriotic fighting Coloret
man.
Won Place in Army of Potomac.
"In the civil war, $4,000 Negroe.
were enlisted. They participated il
213 battles and engagements, anG
never permitted the union colors to bt
dishonored by cowardice or treachery
Their brilliant achievements at Fort,
Wagner and Olustee, Fort Hudson
and Milliken's Bend made them wei
come into the flower of the union arm,
the army of the Potomac in the clos
ing months of those bloody conflict,
in front of Richmond and Petersburg
In the battles of Wilson IS Wharf, Deel
Bottom, Chambers Farm and Hatcher
Run they won for themselves, immorta
glory.