The health of the regiment while in the service was exceptional.  The Medical Detachment, under command of Major James R. White, worked incessantly to protect the health of the command.  Before departure for France a number of cases of pneumonia of a very severe type developed, but only two deaths resulted.  The Medical Detachment was divided among the various units, Captain Spencer C. Dickerson having charge of the detachment attached to the 1st battalion, Lieutenant James F. Lawson that of the 2nd battalion, and Lieutenant Claudius Ballard that of the 3rd battalion.  The work of these detachments was at all times of a high order of excellence, and during engagements both officers and men in numerous instances went out into the open and rendered first aid to the wounded after terrific fire.  Each man wounded, however slightly, was given an injection of anti-tetanic serum and as a result no cases of tetanus were reported, nor were any cases of gas baccilus infection reported.  During the severe fighting around the Guilliminet and de la Riviere Farms, more help was needed and Lieutenant Park Tancil, dental surgeon, volunteered to take charge of one of the first aid stations which was daily receiving showers of shells from the enemy batteries.  Lieutenant Claudius Ballard, though wounded during the fighting, refused to be evacuated and continued his duties administering to the wounded.  Major James R. White made daily rounds of the first aid stations in the lines, disregarding the intense fire of the enemy and personally dressing numbers of wounded.  For their heroic conduct in administering to the wounded under fire, Major White and Lieutenants Tancil and Ballard as well as several enlisted men of the Medical Detachment, were awarded the French Croix de Guerre, and Private Alfred Williamson of the detachment was awarded both the French Croix de Guerre and the American Distinguished Service Cross.

* * * * *

Roster of officers old 8th Illinois (370th Infantry)

(All Negroes unless otherwise designated.)

Field and Staff—­F.A.  Denison, commanding until July 12, 1918, invalided home; Col.  T.A.  Roberts (white), commanding after July 12, 1918; Major James R. White, surgeon; Major W.H.  Roberts (white), operation officer; Capt.  Charles W. Fillmore, personnel officer; Capt.  John H. Patton, commanding 2nd battalion; Capt.  James E. Dunjil, assistant to adjutant; 1st Lieut.  George Murphy, assistant to adjutant; 1st Lieut.  Louis C. Washington, administrative officer; 2nd Lieut.  Noble Sissle, assistant to administrative officer; 1st Lieut.  Park Tancil, dentist; 1st Lieut.  John T. Clemons, chaplain.

First Battalion—­Major Rufus M. Stokes, commanding; 2nd Lieut.  M.F.  Stapleton (white), battalion adjutant; Capt.  Spencer C. Dickerson, medical officer; 1st Lieut.  Harry W. Jones, battalion supply officer.

Company A—­Capt.  Stewart A. Betts, 1st Lieut.  John L. McDonald, 1st Lieut.  Robert L. Chavis, 2nd.  Lieut.  Wycham Tyler, 2nd Lieut.  Howard F. Bell, 2nd Lieut.  Willis Stearles.