The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-10
ALABAMA FIGHTING SPIRIT IS ADMIRED
 BY AN OHIO OFFICER
Gives Result of His Observa- ton of the Men Who Are in Action in
 France

Youngstown, O., October 9.-(Special) In letters to a close personal friend, many years resident of Alabama, Capt Tom W. Jones, Middleport O., chief bil- letting officer of the Thirty-seventh divi- sion, trained at Camp Sheridan. Mont gomery, writes vividly of the Alabama soldiers participation in the fighting in France. Captain Jones gives little less attention to the exploits of the Ala bamians than to those of the men from his own state, and his letters give con. vincing proof that the "YellowhammersY are writing history in the present strug- gle, as they did in the '60s and again in 'as.
 T know you will be interested" writes Captain Jones, 'in what l have seen of the Alabama troops in action
 First off. I want to say that fear is word unknown to them. they have proved that on dozen fields, and when the history of the war is written there will be page of brillance for the men sent over here by the southern state which produced in years past such fight CTS as were never eXcelled. 1 have seen the Alabamians in action and I'll tell you, they throw their whole hearts and souls into their job and it's unhealthy
 
 of them.
 They are always eager for action. and, could but mention names, I am sure I would surprise you with the recital of explGits staged by men whose names are well known throughout Alabama. One lawyer, resident of one of Alabama S big towns, bears the reputation in his brigade of having more cool nerve than any other man in France On a dozen occasions he has distinguished himself, and you can lay a bet that when he returns on his breast will be pinned the little decoration for which men sacri- flee their very lives.
 There's a corporal from Gadson Ghis apparently is meant for Gadsden who recently was missed from his command overnight. Where. in the name of all things. have you been?' lieutenant queried. We'll was the reply, I heard Company of the --th was going over the top this morning. so I sneaked over last night to see if theyd'd let me go. But, pshaw! they didn't, and it's just as quiet over there as it is here Could the lieutenant arouse anger over that? Alphabetically, he could not there was a twinkle in his eye as he roared out an order that the corporal should re- main with his outfit. 'Yessr,' smiled the youngster, who, by the way, is only 1s, I'll stay here, sure.'
 And ShOOti InOSe AldDana DOyS 1nuSl have been raised with gun in their hands The American army is army of marksmen, it Is admitted, but the Alabama men, without doubt, are just about the best thing we've seen over here. Plotting parties are one of the Ala bamians prime delights, and many a boche has been sent west by bullet from rifle manned by boy from the southern state.
 Ca ptoi, trihnta men who officer the Alabamians.
 T have been thrown in contact with many of the Alabama officers and l have been deeply impressed with the calibre as leaders of men. On the of- ficers depend the value of troops, and I'll tell you, Alabama was fortunate to send out the officers that now lead her troops
 "Alabama has had her share of cas- ualties, and the youth from that state has come through bloodshed like the fighting stock it is from"
 One more thing i'll Captain Jones let" ter will be of interest to Alabamlans:
 .Ip my year in Montgomery I ab- sorbed pretty clear idea of the feeling toward the colored man, the south's big problem. I want to say just one thing and that thing I would like to say te every person south of the Mason and Dixon line:
 .The negro has made good. The black boy from the cotton patch has beer weighed in the scales of war and has been found not wanting There were never braver men than the black men sent from America, and the big majority of them are from the southern states The officers have trouble in keeping the men from going over the top on theii own hook, and when action does develop the hlack man is right in the forefront