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Sidelights on Negro Soldiers

Chapter 4: CREDENTIALS
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About This Book

The author reports on the wartime service and living conditions of Black soldiers, based on an eighteen-month field investigation in the United States and France. Drawing on camp visits, thousands of interviews, official records, and consultations with military leaders and welfare agencies, the study documents fighting records, daily camp life, challenges to promotion and officer commissions, interactions with recreational and relief organizations, labor assignments such as stevedoring, and homefront responses. It emphasizes the soldiers' conduct, morale, and the social tensions shaped by segregation, public opinion, and institutional policies, presenting measured observations rather than a formal military history.

CREDENTIALS

WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington

February 11th, 1919.

To: Officers Commanding Colored Units from
Over Seas Service

From: The Secretary of War.

Subject: Interview.

This will introduce to you Charles H. Williams, who desires to interview both colored officers and men who have seen over seas service. I desire that every practical facility be afforded Mr. Williams in carrying out the work.

Sincerely,

[SIGNED] NEWTON D. BAKER,

Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War
.


WAR DEPARTMENT

The Adjutant General’s Office
Washington

March 7, 1918.

From: The Adjutant General of the Army.

To: The Commanding Generals of all Army Camps and Cantonments.

Subject: Social and Religious Conditions in Communities Adjacent to Camps and Cantonments.

This will introduce to you Mr. C. H. Williams, representing the Federal Council of Churches and the Phelps-Stokes Fund.

Mr. Williams has been appointed to observe social and religious conditions in communities adjacent to camps and cantonments where colored troops are stationed.

The Secretary of War desires that every practicable facility be afforded to Mr. Williams in carrying on his work.

[SIGNED] H. P. McCAIN.


GENERAL HEADQUARTERS

American Expeditionary Forces
Provost Marshal General’s Office

A. P. O. 706

May 17, 1919.

From: Provost Marshal General, A. E. F.
To: Whom it May Concern.
Subject: Special Travel Permit.

1. Charles H. Williams, Associate Member, Army Educational Commission, Y. M. C. A., holder of Red Worker’s Permit No. 32133, is authorized to travel in:

(a) Any part of France except Alsace-Lorraine.

(b) Any part of the 3rd Army Area.

2. This permit, which is valid until July 17, 1919, will be returned, upon expiration, to the office of the Provost Marshal General, A. P. O. 706.

H. H. BANDHOLTZ,
Provost Marshal General.


[SIGNED] JOHN W. NOBLE,

for

By: JAMES T. LOREE,
Executive Officer.


[OFFICIAL SEAL]