Curved Stereoview photo shows several long lines of Black men on posing on a city street. They are in front of a large brick building with a sign that reads “United States Army.” The caption state: “19189–“Roosevelt Guard”– A Company of Colored Troops, 8th Regiment.”
The left margin reads “Keystone View Company Manufacturers, Publishers, Made in USA, Copyrighted, Underwood and Underwood” The right margin reads: “Meadville, Pa,. New York, N.Y., Portland, Oregon, London, Eng., Sydney, Aus.”
Back text says: “19189, “Roosevelt Guard”– Chicago’s 8th Regiment, Ill. Nat. Guard. This fine looking company belongs to a regiment which brought home an exceptionally good record. They were known in United States military circles as the 370th US infantry. In France they were called “Partridges” because of their proud bearing. These were the first American troops to enter the French fortress of Laon when it was retaken from the Germans. They were in a position near the center of the famous Hindenburg line– a place where the French had lost many of their men. They took part in the final drive of the French sector. The photo that last battle of the war, capturing a train of 50 wagons and crews half an hour after the armistice was declared. They won 21 American Distinguished Service Crosses, 68 French War Crosses, and one Distinguished Service Medal. Only one of these boys was ever taken prisoner though the casualties were twenty per cent. They were handicapped at the beginning by being relieved of all the guns and other American equipment to the use of which they have been trained, and given French equipment throughout. Even the French ration of two meals a day was substituted for the three meals of American troops. How quickly and completely they adapted themselves to the new conditions as shown by their splendid record. Until two months before the armistice was signed this regiment have been divided among French sectors at Saint Mihiel and various points along the Meuse. In September they were taken into the French army as a full sector and were in attacks at Oise-Aisne Canal, Bois de Mortier, and were in a pursuit of the enemy that was not interrupted until the end of the war.” “Copyright by The Keystone View Company”