and the Bulgarian armistice
and the Austrian armistice.

The Prussian fled from the field of battle. He was not swift enough.
Brought to bay, he cried for mercy. All of the Negro American force was
to be hurled at him in the greatest stronghold of the world, Metz. He
pleaded with the American President for armistice, and was referred to
Marshal Foch. It was the great war hero, with the Hohenzollern house of
cards tumbled about him, who decided that for three days, until November
11, fighting must continue, and that in those last hours the Germans
must feel at the hands of all the allies the severest punishment that
could be meted within a limited time. Britishers, Frenchmen, men of all
allied nations sought the honor. The American Negro could not be denied.
Although regiments of Negro guard and of the 92nd Division had but
recently been in action for a period of from three to five weeks, they
craved the honor of being out in front at the stern and bitter end. It
was practically the entire Negro fighting force of America which, under
its own officers, went over the top at daybreak on the final morning of
the great four years' struggle, side by side with white men of various
nationalities, who, like them, were ready and most fit for sacrifice or
service. In the last hours, when life seemed sweeter than all creation,
there thousands of black men of all regiments overseas fell in search of
the coveted honor of being nearest Berlin as the thunderous crash and
din ceased, to roll no more. Hours before the order came for the supreme
and final sacrifice, Negro signal men had caught from the air the
message which indicated what was to be their special honor. There was
not a man to desert or seek asylum elsewhere. All went over the top
together!

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918,
the order came to cease firing. The 92nd Division of Negro troops stood
at Thann and before Metz, in advance of the progress of troops of all
America. The ground which they trod had not been occupied by other than
German troops in 40 years. It was the field of honor, and recognition
and equality, and must be theirs of necessity. Nature had ruthlessly
perfected this type of black native-born American for the high duties
of a soldier. The war was over. Allies and Americans said to him:

"As brothers we moved together--as brothers--to the dawn that
advanced--to the stars that fled--rendering thanks to God in