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THE BROAD AX, CHICAGO. JANUARY 25, 1919fAURELS FOR 325THFIELD SIGNAL BATTALION.Only Colored Signal Unit in American Army Shows Rare Courage and Skill Under Fire—Maintaining Connection, by Telegraph and Telephone as Dangerous As Work of Combatant Regiments.CROIX DE GUERRE FOR 8th ILLINOIS.By Ralph W. Tyler.Accredited Representative of The Comimtte on Public Information. ARTICLE X.With the American Army in France.La Mans, Dec. 20.—One of the unita of the American army to arrive here enroute for embarkation totor” extends ove# a wide area many square miles, including in it from 50 to 100 cities and towns. The Marbache sector was an active front, and time and time again did these boys go ahead reparing lines, establishing new communications under shell fire, with no thought of personalAmerica that has fnade good, without having the glamour and spectacular settings of combat, is the 325th Field Signal Battalion of the 92nd Army Division, tbe only Colored signal unit in the American Army. While this battalion has not bad to occupy front line trenches, make raids for prisoners, or march, in battle formation, into big engagements.danger—inspired only by that idealof the Signal Corps man—get communication through at any cost, but get it through.On the morning of Novlmber 10th, when the Second Army launched its attack on the famous Hinderburg line before Metz, the 92nd Division, with whieh I upu with during this big'attack. was holding the line of Van-it must not be supposed that it did dieres-St. Mlchel-Xon-Xorry. During not have a dangerous, and a very I the entire engagement, which lasted dangerous, duty to perform. The from 7 o’clock the morning of the boys of this battalion had to string 10th, to 11 A. M. of the 11th, the the wires for telegraphic and tele-1 entire Signal Corps functioned splen-phonic connections at times when the enemy guns were trained upon them; so, in many respects, their duty took them into situations fully as dangerous as combatant units. This battalion is composed of all young Colored men, save the Lieutenant-Colonel. Major, and two or three white line officers. They are all, with few exceptions, college or high school boys, not a few of them experts in radio and electric engineering, and those who were not experts in the work when the battalion was formed, are now most pro'fiicient men. Major Spencer, now LieutenanC-Colonel, who was responsible for the formation of this unit, was firm in the belief that Colored boys could make good, and he has remained with it long enough to experience his belief becoming a realization. After arriving at Brest June 19th. the battalion proceeded to’Vitrey. and from that town began a four-day hike to Bour-bonne-les Bains, a distance of more than 20 miles. From this point, it proceeded, after a few days, to Voi sey, and at Voiaey the boys got their first taste of what was to be, later, their daily duties. Here the radio company received its quota of the latest type of French instruments, a battery plant was established, and a full supply of telephones and wire was issued to companies B. and C. Here, too, the Infantry Signal Platoons of the battalion joined the outfit and shared in the training.didly, and as one man, keeping up communications, installing new lines, repairing those shelled out.MRS. GRACE HART-WILSONThe first test of real courage given the men, and their first introduction into real fighting, in addition to singing wires, and sending and receiving radio messages, came on the afternoon of September 27th, when a party of liaaion men. including the Colonel and Lieut. Herbert, latter being Colored, advanced beyond the Battalion P. C. and at tbe suggestion of a French soldier* turned to the left. They soon found themselvi beyond their lines, and directly front of a German machine gun nest. The Colonel divided his men into small groups and advanced enemy's position. This sortie resulted in the Signal boys capturing eight Gerpan prisoners and two machineguns, but the attack caused the li of Corporal Chas. E. Boykin, who did not return. Two days Later, during general advance. Sergeant Hairy E. Moody, of the Battalion, was mortally wounded while atIn writing the “finis” to this brief mention of this important army unit made up of young Colored men it fitting that 1 tell of the particular work done by the boys of the 1st. Platoon on the first day of the Metz battle. Shortly after the barrage was lifted, the big guns of the enemy be-ban shelling Font-a-Mousson. The first shells, as I vividly recall, hit on the edge of the city, aod then gradually they began peppering the Signal Battalion’s station. Sergeant Rufus B. Atwood, of the 1st Platoon, was seated in the cellar near the switchboard; Private Edgar White was operating the switchboard, and Private Clark the buzzerphone. Several officers and men were standing in the dugout cellar. Suddenly a German shell struck the top, passed through the ceiling and wall, and exploded. making havoc of the cellar. Lieut. W'alker, Colored, who arrived just at this time, displayed admirable courage. He took immediate charge, and directed things.’ Sergeant Atwood tried out the switchboard, and found all lines broken. He found, on trying it, the buzxphone out Private White then received orders to stay the switchboard, and Corporal Adolphus Jqhnsod on the buzzar-phone. The 12 drop monocord board nailed up by White, and then began the connecting up of the lines from the outside to the monocord board. All this time the shelling, around this point, bjr^the Germans was fierce and deadly—shells hitting all around the boys; struck s nearby ammunition dump causing the explosion of thousands of rounds of ammunition, which caused a terrific shock and ail lights to be extinguished. But still these men worked on. and would not leave this dangerous i veritable target for tbe enemy's big guns, until the Lieutenant of the Military Police arrived and ordered them out.What these boys of the 325th Signal Battalion have not learned respecting radio, telephonic and tale-graphic work is of little advantage to any one. What they have learned about it will be of great advantage to them when they return in making a living. The 335th Field Signal Battalion. whose rank and file uOne of the popular Leaders in high society circles on the South Side -bo possesses a large amount of real Dramatic art who can speak French as easily as she masters the English language.THE UNDERWRITERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLEAS ANTLY ENTERTAINED ITS AGENTS AND SOME OF ITS FRIENDS.The Officer-*H. Patton, John T. Prout, Samuel R.Gwynoc, Devere J. Warner, George M. Allen, James H. Hall. Stuart Alexander, Mathew Jackson. First Lieutenants Park Tancil, Osceola A. Browning. George Lacey. Frank Robinson,Claudis Ballard, Charles C. Jackson,William Warfield, Samuel S. Gordon, Underwriters’ Mutual Insurance Corr-Robert L. Hurd. Harry W*. Shelton, pany. No. 2 East 31st street, hail »• Second Lieutenants Henry P. Cheat- their guests at an informal ham, Stanley B. Norvell, Roy Tisdell, gether meeting Saturday r.ijrht. Jan. Thomas A. Painter, Lawson Price, uary 18, 1919, the entire agent; Lincoln D. Reid, Elmer J. Meyers; force of the company.Sergeants Norman Henry and Clar- After a light luncheon was nerved,ence B. Gibson. Corporals James R. the President of the Company. At-Brown, Lewis Warner. Joseph Hen- tomey W. J. Latham, introduced Mr. derson, Maceo A. Tervalon, William Walter L. Rector of the agency force Stevenson and Elmer Laurent; Priv- as Toast Master of the evening The ates Mathaniel White. Robert Pride, entire agency force, consisting of George B. White. Howard Sheffield, nineteen live wires, was present. Ulysis Sayles, Cornelias Robinson, were made to feel that being William Cuff. Hugh Givens. Arthur nected with the Underwriters’ Mutual Johnson. Charles T. Monroe, Rufus Insurance Company, they were Pitta, Deery Brown. Albert Dorsey, home, and their efforts would William Hurdle, Bee Mcfuasie, Jonas building up an institution for them-Paxton, Harry Pearson. Paul Turling- j selves and tbe race, ton. Reed J. Brown, Paul Jonhson, | The Officers and Directors presen!Reedy Jones, Aionza Keller, LeroyLindsay, Lavern Massey. Josiah Ne-vees, Ira Taylor and Jesse Ferguson.E. ri. WILLIAMSON. THE PROGRESSIVE UNDERTAKER AND FUNERAL DIRECTOR, WILL SOON BRANCH OUT INTO LARGER QUARTERS.Five or six years ago. Earnest H. Williamson started in the undertaking business in a small way, at 5028-5030 S. State street, and by strict attention to business and by being fair and honest in his dealings with his patrons he made money right from the jump and recently he bought the buildings at 5121-5123-5125 S. State street, giving him sixty-six feet frontage on State street by one hundred and sixty-one feet deep.i tbe rear he will construct a chapel and garage, coating twenty-five thousand dollars; the contract already being let to Emil Miehlke, genera] contractor?, who is also constructing St. Mary’s Church. 53rdwere W. J. Latham. Pres., J. H. Bowser, Vice-President. W. J. Wn**--Treasurer. C. Shelby, Secretary. Colonel James Miller, John Willmor*. Mrs. “Billie* King. George A. Wilson, Superintednent of Agent#. £ H. Newsome, Asst. Superintendent o' Agents.The agents present were Char* M. Spencer, .W. J. Latham. Jr.. Walter L. Roc tor. Mg. Lewis. J H. C»-rey. Miss Clara Hart. Miss Genevi Jones. 'Mrs. W. J. Wright and Mi* Bertie Clark were also presentThe Underwriters' Mutual Insurance Company is operated exclusive ly by colored men with capital provided by colored men. Its charter was obtained and license secured November 14, 1918. It has an ele«*n ly and conveniently equipped office-and bids fair to be the biggest m-surance company by colored peopleThe Underwriters’ Mutual lasar ance Company has the distinction *'■ being tbe first company of its kin* to be duly organized among Coloi people, north of the Mason and D« and there is every reason towith Attorney William J-head, that it will solid and conservefanner!)’ « now enjoF
Newspaper Details
Chicago Broad Ax
Chicago, Illinois, US
Sat, Jan 25, 1919
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Sandra S.
USA 26 Mar 2025
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