War were fought
has been the scene of battles in the past that profoundly influenced
civilization. In the valley of the Somme nearly fifteen centuries ago,
Clovis laid the foundation of French history by defeating the Romans in
a world deciding battle at Soissons, and ten years later near the same
place the German forces were utterly defeated by the same king. More
than five centuries ago the great Battle of Crecy, between the English
and French was fought, ending in a great victory for the Black Prince.
But none of the ancient battles equalled in importance the series of
great victories won by the Allied force over those of Germany in 1918.
Modern civilization and medieval conceptions of government then met in
conflict. The point we wish all to notice is, that Negro soldiers from
America had a part in these great battles and so are entitled to
recognition as among those that saved the modern world when threatened
with an eclipse akin to the Dark Ages that supervened on the culture of
early centuries.

FIELDS OF GLORY

It is well to bear in mind some of the crucial fields of glory where our
Negro soldiers upheld the best traditions of our armies, such as Chateau
Thierry, Belleau Woods, St. Mihiel and the Argonne. The Illinois 8th was
conspicuous in many of these battles. In the Argonne against superior
forces, amid a baptism of shell fire from hidden machine gunners, they
advanced to victory. They can tell us of scenes where their comrades
fell, torn by shrapnel, cruelly wounded, dying, yet with their last
breath singing a snatch of the "Hymn of Freedom." They can tell of
instances in which these dying heroes urged the survivors on. "Go, get
them" was their parting words.

RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

Following the armistice the regiment went to Brest, France, whence it
sailed for the United States, February 2, 1919. Most of our cities had
become accustomed to the enthusiastic greetings of returned soldiers.
None were given a more enthusiastic welcome than the old 8th Illinois.
Even New York, where most of returning soldiers land, grown so
accustomed to marching soldiers just from Europe, stopped to pay signal
respect to these Negro lads. On their arms were service stripes and in
the passing ranks were many whom France had delighted to honor. In
Chicago the entire city paused in its business to shout words of welcome
to those who had earlier served them in many forms--but had dropped all
and faced death that C