the rough hand of
war.

"Those of us who are privileged to serve in the army and navy are to one
another as brothers. Spaces of land and sea are nothing where a common
purpose binds. We are so dependent one upon another that the honor, the
fame, the exploits of the one are the honor, the fame, the exploits of
the other. If the enemy should dare to leave his safe harbor and set his
ships in battle array no cheers would be more ringing, as you and our
Allied fleets move to meet him, than those of the American Expeditionary
Forces in France. We have unshaken confidence in you and are assured
that when we stand on the threshold of peace your record will be one
worthy of your traditions."

Eloquent and memorable, indeed, are these beautiful sentiments expressed
in behalf of every man, black and white who had the rare good fortune to
be a participant in the conflicts of these illustrious and ever
memorable times. They should be indelibly carved upon the heart and soul
of every loyal citizen, whose anxiety to serve his day and generation
easily outvies all other sentiments of which he is capable.

RETURN OF THE VICTORIOUS FLEET.

Out of the mist and the snow of the morning of December 26, a great
battle fleet entered the harbor of New York and in the majesty of its
power steamed past the Statue of Liberty. It came as a messenger of a
conflict won, a silent victory, but a triumph as complete and
overwhelming as any ever won by the American navy.

Too high a tribute can not be paid the black men of the American navy,
who faced the dangers of war and the perils of the sea with exalted
courage and unfaltering determination. Their loyalty and patriotism have
never been questioned, their valor and heroism never doubted. By their
deeds they have added new lustre to the glorious annals of the American
navy and have fully demonstrated that the color of the skin is but a
feeble indication of the depth of love and affection with which the
heart and soul of every loyal black man of America beats in sympathy
with the loftiness of her ideals.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE OLD ILLINOIS 8th REGIMENT

THE TRAINING CAMP--THE BLACK DEVILS--THEY DIED THAT OUR REPUBLIC MAY
LIVE--THE LAST SOLDIERS TO CEASE FIGHTING--TAKING THE BIT BETWEEN THEIR
TEETH--THE HINDENBURG LINE COULD NOT STOP THEM--THEY CROSS THE AILETTE
CANAL--DESPERATE DEEDS OF DARING--ONE MAN ROUTS A MACHINE GUN CREW--THE
BAND PLAYED ON--SUMMARY OF DEEDS OF THE ILLINOIS EIGH