My Colored Battalion

A battalion commander recounts his service leading a unit composed largely of African American officers and enlisted men during the Great War, describing their steadiness in combat, exemplary discipline, training, and morale in both front-line actions and daily camp life. He presents accounts of operations, patrols, marches, and parades, emphasizes the soldiers’ patriotism, teamwork, and proper treatment, and defends their Americanism. The narrative also expresses frustration that many deserving men received no formal decorations, cites testimonials and recommendations, and advocates for recognition and the advancement of the race.