been properly reclassified."

It is also valuable to note the opinion of this representative of his
race as to the results of the negroes' participation in the war:

"In a word, I believe the Negro's participation in the war, his
eagerness to serve, and his great courage and demonstrated valor
across the seas, have given him a new idea of Americanism and
likewise have given to the white people of our country a new idea
of his citizenship, his real character and capabilities, and his
100 per cent Americanism. Incidentally the Negro has been helped in
many ways physically and mentally and has been made into an even
more satisfactory asset to the nation."

Of the Negroes inducted into service, nearly all were assigned to some
department of the army or to special work in connection with the army.
Of the few who were permitted to enlist, a very small percentage was
permitted to enlist in the Navy. Of this small number only a few were
allowed the regular training and opportunities of combatants, to the
DISCREDIT of our nation, not as yet, grown to that moral vision and all
around greatness, NOT to be small.

CHAPTER XIII

ROSTER OF NEGRO OFFICERS.

COMMISSIONED AT FORT DES MOINES--ONLY EXCLUSIVE NEGRO TRAINING
CAMP--MOSTLY FROM CIVILIAN LIFE--NAMES, RANK AND RESIDENCE.

Fort Des Moines, Iowa, was the only training camp established in the
United States exclusively for Negro officers. A few were trained and
commissioned at Camps Hancock, Pike and Taylor, and a few received
commissions at officers' training camps in France, but the War
Department records do not specify which were white and which Negro. The
Fort Des Moines camp lasted from June until October 1917. Following is
the roster of Negro officers commissioned. With the exception of those
specified as from the United States Army or the National Guard, all came
from civilian life:

Cleve L. Abbott, first lieutenant, Watertown, S.D.
Joseph L. Abernethy, first lieutenant, Prairie View, Tex.
Ewart G. Abner, second lieutenant, Conroe, Tex.
Charles J. Adams, first lieutenant, Selma, Ala.
Aurelious P. Alberga, first lieutenant, San Francisco, Calif.
Ira L. Aldridge, second lieutenant, New York, N.Y.
Edward I. Alexander, first lieutenant, Jacksonville, Fla.
Fritz W. Alexander, second lieutenant, Donaldsville, Ga.
Lucien V. Alexis, first lieutenant, Cambridge, Mass.
John H. Allen, captain, U.S. Army.
Levi Alexander, Jr