The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-15
Story of the 371st
Mai. Moffat Tells of The Service
and Achievements Of Ne
gro Regiment in
France.

j Columbia, S c., March LIN an
address that was soldierly in its SIM
plicity and directness, Maj. Thomas
{ 81. Moffatt last night at the Sidney
Park C. NJ. e. Church gave clear and
interesting account of the work of the
Three Hundred and Seventy-flrst
Regiment with which he was con-
nected from it's organization until Its
dem utilization.
The 371st regiment was composed
largely of negroes from North and
South Carolina and Georgia.
The address was delivered in the
presence Of a large negro audience
which gave close attention to every
word spoken. In his Introduction Ma
jor Moffatt told Of the organization OK
the regiment in 1917, of it's CONVEX
sion from a provisional regiment OK
infantry into a fighting unit and OF
the doubt that existed in many mems
minds as to whether or not the men,
some of whom were unable to read or
write, could be forged into a force
capable of coping with the most pow
erful fighting organization the world
had seen. He said the men had proved
themselves good soldiers and that
they were deserving Of the well done
of friends and acquaintances.
Major Moffatt recounted briefly the
experiences Of he regiment in its trip
across the Atlantic, and told of hu-
morous fneidents that occurred on
the voyage. Many of them had never
A.. Tot
sergean. when passing Richmond,
averrred that he would have enough
to talk about for ten years. When this
same sergeant became seaslck, ne
said he had enough to talk about for
100 years. but feared he would never
live to tell it.
The trip in box cars holding 40 men
each from the port of debarkation to
the training area, was touched upon.
Rations for four or five days were
issued to them, and some, Major
Moffatt said, ate all their rations in
day though they soon learned to con-
serve their food and to take care OF
themselves. The men were billeted IN
French villages, sleeping in barns and
lofts and subsisting upon French ra-
tions which consisted of coffee Tor
breakfast with bread, soup for dinner
and soup for supper.
When the men went into the trench
es. they were permitted to sleep our
ing a good part Of the day and they
had much time for recreation. no
shooting of craps was INDUCED In:
there was on order prohibiting crap
shooting. but in the trenches men
read the Bible instead" The men
slept in dugouts in the day, which ac-
cording to Major Moffatt were COM
Portable except for the dampness, and
rats. At night every man was required
to be prepared for any emergency.
Patrols were sent out to secure prls-
oners or information. NO Mans Land
was a tangle Of weeds and barb wire.
Often men would be required to go
out at night and spend the following
day in shell holes endeavoring to Sc
cure information of the movements
and purpose Of the enemy. The regl-
ment was in the Verdun sector until
September when it became engaged
in the Champagne offensive. One hum
dred and thirteen Croix de Guere ana
20 distinguished service crosses were
awarded to men Of the regiment 1or
acts of conspicuous bravery.
Major Moffatt read an order from
General Goybet in which he praised
the gallantry Of the men of the res1-
ment and expressed his pleasure az
having been privileged. to direct its
movements. Nothing, the order sald'
could check the indomitable dash
and heroic rush of the American
offensive.
After the Champagne offensive the
regiment was transferred to the Vos-
ses Mountains where it remained un-
til the signing of the Armlstlce. A
monument to commemorate the
deeds OF the Three Hundred and Sew
enty-first Regiment is to be erected
at Champagne and a medal is also 10
be struck in honor of the troops
The division with which the regi-
ment was brigaged was first known
as the Red Hand Division. but was
later known as the Blue Helmet
Division An explanation Of the in
sigma worn by the men was given ny
Major Moffatt.
AT first the regiment was composed
almost entirely of negroes from South
Carolina. Later men from other s'>c-
tions became a part of the regiment
as that at the time of its departure
from France about SO per cent Of the
| original regiment remained.
In the conclusion Of his address
Major Moffatt told Of the derarture
from France Of the sojourn at Camp
Upton and Of the final trip to Camp
jackson. He said the men were glad
to be back home. and he urged that
the people at home encourage the
men to continue to conduct them
selves as they had during the war.
| The address gave many sidelights
on life in modern warfare and was
greatly enjoyed by all present.
London, March 11.-Government
troops in Berlin made further pro-
gress Saturday and Sunday in demol-