s, ever organized in this country. In fact, the
regiments composing the brigade, the 349th, the 350th and 351st were the
first complete artillery regiments of Negroes and the only important
Negro organizations in the artillery branch of the service, ever formed
in this country.

Their record was remarkable considering the brief time in which they had
to distinguish themselves, and had the war continued, they would surely
have gained added glory; General Pershing in the review at Le Mans
complimenting them particularly, stating that when the armistice came he
was planning important work for them. Following are the general's words
which brought much pride to the organization:

"Permit me to extend to the officers and men of the 167th Field
Artillery Brigade, especially the 351st regiment, my
congratulations for the excellent manner in which they conducted
themselves during the twelve days they were on the front. The work
of the unit was so meritorious that after the accomplishments of
the brigade were brought to my attention I was preparing to assign
the unit to very important work in the second offensive. You men
acted like veterans, never failing to reach your objective, once
orders had been given you. I wish to thank you for your work."

The unit was organized largely from men of Western Pennsylvania, the
District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Camp Meade, near
Washington, D.C., was their principal training point from the fall of
1917 until June, 1918, when they went abroad.

To the brigade belongs the additional distinction of being the first in
the service to be motorized. Tractors hauled the big guns along the
front at a rate of twelve miles an hour, much better than could have
been done with horses or mules.

Brigadier General W.E. Cole commanded the unit until about the middle of
September, 1918, when he was elevated to a major generalship and the
command of the 167th passed to Brigadier General John H. Sherburne. In a
General Order issued by the latter shortly before he left the unit, he
said:

"I will ever cherish the words of the Commander in Chief, the
compliment he paid, in all sincerity to this brigade, when he
watched it pass in review. I wish the brigade to understand that
those words of appreciation were evoked only because each man had
worked conscientiously and unflaggingly to make the organization a
success. The men