Black Devils & Other Poems" Commemorates The Only U.S. Army Combat Unit with African-American Officers de Means, Sterling

MEANS, Sterling M. The Black Devils and Other Poems. Louisville, Kentucky: Pentecostal Publishing Company, (1919). Hardcover. First edition. Small octavo. 56 pages. Green cloth with painted lettering on the front board. A volume of poetry by black author Sterling M. Means, the title poem references the nickname of the ferocious almost all-black 370th U.S. Infantry Regiment, the only United States Army combat unit with African-American officers. The dedication reads, "To the Nine Hundred Thousand Black Troops Who Fought in France and Flanders this little volume is respectfully dedicated." With the entry of the United States into the Great War in 1917, African Americans were eager to show their patriotism in hopes of being recognized as full citizens. However, they were barred from the Marines, the Aviation unit of the Army, and served only in menial roles in the Navy. Despite their poor treatment, African-American soldiers provided much support overseas to the European Allies. In World War I the 370th Infantry fought under the French, and for its fierce fighting in the Argonne, the regiment was given the name "Black Devils" (German: Schwarze Teufel) by the Germans. It was the only unit entirely commanded by black officers, and served with distinction with the French 34th, 36th, and 59th Infantry Divisions, earning streamers for the battles of Lorraine and Oise-Aisne. Sectors occupied and engagements participated in were Saint Mihiel with the French in 1918, Argonne Forest, St. Gobain Forest, Bosi de Mortier, Mont des Signes, Oise-Aisne Canal, Laon, Grandlup, Soissons, and Oise-Aisne and Lorraine offensives. The regiment grew out of the Illinois 8th National Guard which saw action in the Spanish American War, where it first made United States' history with its all-black officer corp. The World War I unit is memorialized by the Victory Monument in Bronzeville, Chicago. Rubbing on the white lettering, else near fine.