The Washington times., 1919-02-15
ChapIain'S DiaryTeILS
Story of D. C.. CoIOred
Soldiers In Great War

CAMP UPTON, n. Y, Feb. 15.-The
Times today procured the war history
Of the old First separate battalion
District national guards, now a part
OF the 372d infantry, just back from
France with high honors won on the
battle fields.
The record Of the 400 coIored men
from Washington is contained in q
diary kept by AieUt. Arlington S
Helm, chaplain Of the Washington
unit, and graduate Of Howard Uni,
versity, whose home is at 1925 Gales
street northeast
This diary is believed to be the only
written history Of the war record of
the coIored men from washington and
narrates the activities Of the mem
bers Of the District unit fro mthe day
they sailed for France from Newport
News, on March 80. 1917, until the
armistice was signed.
BY LIEUT.. ARLINGTON HELM.
March 3O-EmbarIted from Newport
News, Va. for overseas duty on the
U. S. S. Susquehanna.
April 14-Disembarked at st. Naz-
aire and marched to rest camp.
April 21-Left rest camp, Base Sec
tiOn No. 1 and entrained for Vaube-
court.
April 23-Arrived at vaubecourt at
p. m. Left Vaubecourt at $50 p. m.
and hiked in a heavy rainstorm for
Conde-en-Barrois.
April 25-Assigned to school under
May 26-Left Conde-en-Barrois at 5
a. m, in French motor trucks for Les
Senades.
May 29-our regiment today tool,
over the sector designated as "Ar-
gonne west"
May 31-In front line trenches.
June Exchanged sectors, being as
signed to the Vauquois sector, a sub
sector of the VerdUn front. The 157th
division is stationed in reserve. The
enemy is expected to attack.
p July 13-Left for Hill 30 don the
Verdun sector Colonel Young has
been relieved from the command of
the regiment and Colonel HerscheI
Tupes has assumed command
July 25-Left Siyry La Perche TO
take over HUI No. 3O4. Arrived at
Hill No. 304 at pm.
August 16-Heavily shelIed by new
regiment Of AUstrians opposing US
Two Americans and one TrenShman
in regiment killed.
Lieutenant Sanford Captured.
August 2O-Second Lieut.. James A.
Sanford, Company A, 3T2nd Infantry.
captured by the Germans.
August 21-FiglH by French and
German planes over our lines. Very
exciting.
September S--Left Hill No. jOI. Re
lieved by 129th Infantry OF .he Ihir-
ty-third division. Hiked in rain and
mud for BrOcourt.
September I4-ArriYed at Juzan-
vigny at noon.
September 17-Left Juzanvigny for
Brienne-la-Chateau at 500 u. m.
Passed through Brienna-Ia- Chateau
and reached Vitry-laF Francois this
afternoon. The city is near the
Marine.
September 1S-Hiked to Jessecourt.
All colOred officers left the regiment
today.
Sept. 2s-Arrived at Hans The reg
iment ,Iot was in action in the vicinity of
Ripont The third battalion took up
4 battle position near Ripont.
sept. 2S-The third battalion went
over the top. The Germans are in re-
treat. Our positions are being bonn
barded. The machine gunfire is ter
rife and SS-millimeter shells are fall
ing as thlck and fast as hailstones.
We are unable TO keep up with the
enemy. This afternoon ii is raining.
This makes it bad for the wounded.
of whom there are many.
Sept. Gothic first battalion Is novv
on our right and advancing fast de-
spite the rain and mud. The machine
gun opposition is strenuous. Our
casualties are small. We have cap
tured a large number Of prisoners.
Give Germans 20 Rest.
Oct. 1.-Our advance is meeting
with increased opposition. The enemy
has fortified himself on a hill just