The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-12
NORTH AMERICAN
INDIAN DIVISION
A Part Of Reorganized American Army
Red Men Won Distinction for
Personal Heroism in World
War

Washington, D. c., Feb. IA pro-
posa 10 organize one or more full dl-
visions Of Indian troops as part OF
the reorgauized army and to be known
as the North American Indian dlyi-
sion or divisions, is pending in Con
gress as part of the army reorgani-
zation legislation.
Many instances of exploits of per
sonal heroism on the western front,
such as won for the Red Men IN France
the nickname of squirrel hunters be-
cause Of the deadly accuracy Of their
rifles in sniping contests with Germans,
| were furnished the committee as evil
dence of valuable man power which It
i contended would be wasted II the
Indians are denied place in the army
! scheme.
Experiences at scouting and patrol
| ling, particularly at night and in un-
known territory; disregard for personal
danger under fire, and unfaltering 10y
altv. were among the soIdierly quail
ties the Indian was described as pos
sessing to an unusual degree. Speci-
| fc cases are cited by DR.. Joseph Kos
| suth Dixon. secretary Of the National
American Indian Memorial association,
of which Rodman Wanamaker of New
| York is founder and president. DIR.
| Dixon also read letter from General
1 Pershing giving his hearty approval
70 a plan to enlist Indian regiments.
| A majority Of the more than 1900
| Indians who saw military service dur
| ing the war were members OF the Goth
division. the Texas and Oklahoma ma
tional army division, the 30th division,
national guardsmen from the same two
states. and the l65th infantry, or old
Goth New York. which received heavy
Indian requirements to fiji the gaps
produced in its ranks by fighting on
/ the Marine But the Redskins served
in many other units and in practically
all services.
DR. Dixon declared that after visit
ing numerous camps and hospitals, all
! Officers interviewed, from the com
manding officer to the corporal or petty
officer. who have had Indians under
their command, with one accord. render
universal and enthusiastic commenda-
ton Of the brilliauce. the stability, the
amenability to discipline, the heroism
and valor of the Indian as a fighting
force in our American army and navy.
Major Tom Reilly. who commanded
the 81 battalion of the l65th infantry,
was quoted a saying that the Indians
we're "the best and safest requirements
he had at any time"
They were expert in rife fighting,
game. strong. brave, resolute Major
Reilly said. They were superior to
scouting and patrolwork They were
unexcelled in every phase OF every
fight
Il have no hesitancy in recommend
/ ing any one Of my Indians for a first
sergesntcy. or even a captaincy.
/ I had requirements on eight different
orca sions. 80 thorough was the decima-
ton of my ranks. and these Indians
Iwere undua li6ediy the very best replace
nlents sent me. MANY q them were
killed or wounded. for they always
sought the dangerous places.
advncate the segregation 81 Indian
troops. for noted that when they were
sent ont As distinct Indian force
I they did their best work.
An instance of how the Choetaw dia
I Icet ~ men under the command ui
I Lieutenant Colonel William = Morris
sev. ~ the Is2i infantry. proved q val
ne iu deicur the German listen
in 81 stem vas related b. Dr. Dixon