Edna Perry Booth (white), 814 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Chicago Defender, March 16, 1918

They were calling for men; more men to enlist;
More food for the cannon; more boys to be missed
When the carnage was over. the whites thought it fine,
But the brave ladies were first in line.
The skeptical laughed and said when they knew,
“They know naught of fighting; now what can they do!”
But they went to the front, these boys of the South,
Through the shot and shell to the cannon’s red mouth,
While the star-spangled banner, above them unfurled,
Carried courage and hope to the rest of the world.

They were soon in the heart of the melee: the fray
Seemed just about over and going their way.
The white men and colored, all quarrels forgot,
Were fighting as one, ‘midst the shell and the shot.
When a cry rent the air, they have captured the flag!”
Though in each heart was born the courage to drag
Its folds from the enemy’s clutches, ’twas they
Of the brave colored squad who battered their way
To the star-spangled banner and brought it safe back,
Though a score of their comrades were left in its track.

When Peace sent them home, weary, wounded and spent,
The city went wild o’er the brave regiment.
There wasn’t an eye in the crowd but was wet
As the hands of the white and the colored men met.
There wasn’t a hat but came off to the flag
And the men who had rescued the dear tattered rag.
There wasn’t a heart but beat faster that day
For the few who out there in the rude trenches lay.
Brave boys, may the tale bring new courage to you,
And make other men just as loyal and true.