October 5—­The enemy’s artillery has opened up.  We are on the alert.  They have attacked and a good stiff hand to hand combat ensued.  The Germans were driven back with heavy losses.  We have taken many prisoners from about twelve different German regiments.  We continued our advance and now are on the outskirts of Monthois.

October 6—­The enemy is throwing a stiff barrage on the lines to our left where the 333rd French Infantry is attacking.  We can see the Huns on the run.  The liaison work of the 157th Division is wonderful; not the slightest gap has been left open.  Our patrols entered Monthois early this morning and were driven out by machine gun fire, but returned with a machine gun and its crew.  We will be relieved by the 76th infantry regiment at 8 p.m.  We hiked over the ground we had fought so hard to take to Minnecourt, where the regiment proceeded to reorganize.

October 12—­Left Valmy today and continued to Vignemont.

October 13—­Arrived at Vignemont.  Hiked fifteen kilometers to St.
Leonard.

October 15—­Left St. Leonard for Van de Laveline in the Vosges.  We arrived at Van de Laveline at 10:15 p.m. and took over a sector.

November 11—­A patrol of Company A took several prisoners from a German patrol.  Received word of the signing of the armistice at 11 a.m. today.  Martial music was played.  The colors of the regiment are displayed in front of the post command.

It is related that the Washington fighters, as well as the other members of the 372nd regiment, received the news of the armistice with more of disappointment than joy, for they had made all preparations to advance with the French through Lorraine.

CHAPTER XIX

Comrades on the march.  Brothers in the sleep of death.

Policy of substituting white officers—–­injustice to capable negroes—­disappointment but no open resentment—­showed themselves soldiers—­intenser fighting spirit aroused—­race forgotten in perils of war—­both whites and blacks generous—­affection between officers and men—­negroes preferred death to captivity—­outstanding heroes of 371st and 372nd—­winners of crosses

Changing from Negro to white officers was in accordance with the military policy of the American Government; the generic inspiration and root being found in national prejudice, incident to the institution of slavery and the spirit of racial caste and narrowness, that still disgraces it.  Doubt was pretended to be entertained of the ability of the colored man to command, and although there were not lacking champions for the policy of placing capable Negroes in command of Negro units, the weight of opinion; superinduced and fostered by racial prejudice, inclined to the opposite course.