ch warfare brilliant
examples where men of African blood commanded not only mulattoes and
blacks, but heroic whites as well. It is not of record that those white
Frenchmen showed any reluctance to follow such leaders or viewed them
with less affection than they did their white officers.

One should not say that the Negro troops would have fought any better
under the men of their own race. They achieved all possible glory as it
was. They simply did their duty whether their officers were white or
black. But that they did not fight any the less valiantly or efficiently
under men of their own race is abundantly proven by the record of the
370th, or the 8th Illinois as the soldiers and their people still prefer
to call it; and other units which had Negroes in responsible positions.

That there was disappointment, chagrin and anger in the rank and file of
the Negro soldiers when their own officers were taken from them and
white men substituted was natural and quite to be expected.

However, there was little open murmuring. While the Negro regarded the
removal of the officers who had trained him and were, in a sense, his
comrades, unfair and uncalled for, his fighting spirit, seemed to burn
with an intenser heat; a determination to do his best to show and shame
the spirit that robbed him of his own race leaders, and at the same time
convince his white commanders of the stuff he was made of.

There was much disappointment in the ranks of the District of Columbia
battalion, when the place of its old leader was taken by Major Clark L.
Dickson, twenty-seven years of age, one of the youngest--if not the
youngest--of battalion commanders in the American army. But their
disappointment was soon allayed, for Major Dickson made an enviable
record. He received the Croix de Guerre with this citation:

"Most efficient officer, valorous and intrepid, acting in dual
capacity as regimental adjutant and operation officer. Displayed
the utmost energy in issuing operation orders during the period
between September 26th and October 6th, 1918, and especially
distinguished himself in crossing a roadway under violent artillery
fire to give assistance to a wounded brother officer. His clear
view of the situation at all times and the accuracy with which he
issued the necessary orders required of him, contributed largely to
the success of the regiment."

Many of his men have stated that the citation onl