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History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With MexicoSweeney, William Allison

History

History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico

Name: History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico
Author: Sweeney, William Allison

Sweeney, William Allison

African American soldiers; African Americans -- History -- 1877-1964; World War, 1914-1918 -- Participation, African American

"At many batteries the artillerists joined hands, forming a long
     line as the lanyard of the final shot. There were a few seconds of
     silence as the shells shot through the heavy mist. Then the gunners
     cheered. American flags were raised by the soldiers over their
     dugouts and guns and at the various headquarters. Soon afterward
     the boys were preparing for luncheon. All were hungry as they had
     breakfasted early in anticipation of what they considered the
     greatest day in American history."

The celebration, which occurred November 11, upon announcement of the
news, has never been equalled in America. It spontaneously became a
holiday and business suspended voluntarily. Self-restraint was thrown to
the winds for nearly twenty-four hours in every city, town and hamlet in
the country. There was more enthusiasm, noise and processions than ever
marked any occasion in this country and probably eclipsed anything in
the history of the world.

[Illustration: RETURN OF THE 15TH NEW YORK, 369TH INFANTRY. SHOWN
SWINGING UP LENOX AVENUE. NEW YORK CITY WHERE THEY RECEIVED A ROYAL
WELCOME.]




CHAPTER XXIX.

HOMECOMING HEROES


NEW YORK GREETS HER OWN--ECSTATIC DAY FOR OLD 15TH--WHITES AND BLACKS DO
HONORS--A MONSTER DEMONSTRATION--MANY DIGNITARIES REVIEW TROOPS--PARADE OF
MARTIAL POMP--CHEERS, MUSIC, FLOWERS AND FEASTING--"HAYWARD'S SCRAPPING
BABIES"--OFFICERS SHARE GLORY--THEN CAME HENRY JOHNSON--SIMILAR SCENES
ELSEWHERE.


No band of heroes returning from war ever were accorded such a welcome
as that tendered to the homecoming 369th by the residents of New York,
Manhattan Island and vicinity, irrespective of race. Being one of the
picturesque incidents of the war, the like of which probably will not be
repeated for many generations, if ever, it well deserves commemoration
within the pages of this book.

Inasmuch as no more graphic, detailed and colorful account of the day's
doings has been printed anywhere, we cannot do better than quote in its
entirety the story which appeared in the great newspaper, The World of
New York, on February 18, 1919. The parade and reception, during which
the Negro troops practically owned the city, occurred the preceeding
day. The World account follows:

     "The town that's always ready to take off its hat and give a whoop
     for a man who's done something--'no matter who or what he was
     before,' as the old Tommy Atkins song has it--turned itself loose
     yesterday in welcoming home a regiment of its own fighting sons
     that not only did something, but did a whole lot in winning
     democracy's war.

     "In official records, and in the histories that youngsters will
     study in generations to come, this regiment will probably always be
     known as the 369th Infantry, U.S.A.

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