Florida and the Spanish-American War of 1898

COLORED MEN TO THE FRONT.

John E. Lewis Writes on Camp Life at Chickamauga.

Sergt. James Alexander, the Hero of the 10th Regiment of U.S. Colored Cavalary [sic]. Privileges Curtailed on Account of Race Prejudice.

Lakeland, Florida, June 5, ’98.

ILLINOIS RECORD, Mr. Editor: —While reading your very interesting paper and noticing the interest you take in the welfare of the colored soldier it might be of interest to you and your readers that I write a few lines, and I hope that you dear sir, will appeal to the young colored men of this country in defence of a common cause. It is the time every patriotic young colored man should come to the front and defend its honor and show that we are true American citizens; That we can protect our homes and government. You sir can make an appeal to the young colored man will be an honor to his race. There is many a young man who has had the advantage of an education that has not given our regular army a thought. If some of our best people would encourage their sons to enlist instead of looking down upon a soldier as a debased being, this regular army would be more of an honor to the race. You have young men who are capable of holding a commission in the regular service, but are idle in your cities and will not venture into the service because they would have the scorn of their people. The colored race must venture and seek every avocation of life and it is to the race's interest that they should become skilled in warfare. We have hundreds of young men who have not had the advantage of an education who have risen as high as their ability would permit. To become a commissioned officer in the U.S. service a man must be well educated, more than a public school can afford. Yet there are men capable of leading an army upon a battle-field who have not had that advantage.

Sergeant James A. Alexander, who has not had the advantage of the young men of this age, entered the U.S. regular service 22 years ago, when the Indian was continually upon the war path in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. He is one of our most capable and fearless men and it is worthy of a commission as a leader. We have found him almost perfect as an instructor, most excellent. His experience is worth as many years of school; and if only fate had have been kind to him and given him schooling with his experience we would have a grand old man. Still, many of our greatest generals were without a college education, but it is education the people demand at the present time.

Mr. Editor, there are many who have the interest of the colored regiments at heart. This was shown by their public demonstration when the 10th was on their way from Fort Assiniboine, Montana, to Chickamauga National Park.

Many a souvenir will the boys carry to Cuba. I might mention a few names of Wisconsin and Illinois fair daughters; the Misses Samuels of Madison, Wis., Miss Lou Laws of Belvidere and Miss L[] Warwick of Crete, Ill. As the ones who gave us souvenirs, and that to remember that is was from the patriotic young ladies of those states.

Our receptions along the route were more than my pen could ever tell and we knew no difference until the line of Kentucky was reached, at Hopkinsville, Ky. It seemed strange that on one side of the road stood the whites and that on the other colored. The people of Nashville, Tenn., gave us a rousing reception and many of the boys longed to return to that city. At Chattanooga our pleasure was entirely cut off. Several days before the 9th [Cavalry] went in [and] broke up the Jim Crow car and took several shots at some whites who insulted them, and the officers were afraid that serious trouble would arise.

Our camp life at Chickamauga Park was one round of pleasure, although many white southerners tried to raise enmity between the white and colored soldiers. One white southerner was talking to a white soldier running down the colored soldier, and because the white soldier would not approve of what he said he commenced to abuse him. It ended in the white southerner being killed and not one thing was said about it. You would be surprised, although you live where very little prejudice exists, the friendly feeling that exists between the colored and white soldiers and they have resented many an insult that was cast at the colored troops. Many a resort had to close on account of refusing them certain privileges. The Jim Crow car which ran from Lytle, Ga. to Chattanooga was discontinued. The 25th Infantry broke that up, but yet life was a pleasure at Chickamauga Park.

But here we struck the hotbed of the rebels. Lakeland, Florida, is a very beautiful little town, about 1,500 population and quite thickly settled by farmers or country people; surrounded by beautiful lakes, but, with all its beauty it is a hell for the colored people who live here, and they live in dread at all times. If one colored man commits any crime, it does not make any particular difference whether they get the right party or not, all they want is a black. The main man, Abe Collins, who was such a dread to the colored people was shot and killed on May 16, 1898 by some soldiers. On that date, some of the boys, after striking camp, went to Lakeland, went into a drug store and asked a glass of soda. The druggist refused to sell them, stating he didn't want their money, to go where they sold black’s drinks. That did not suit the boys and a few words were passed when Abe Collins (white barber) came into the drug store and said, "You d— niggers better get out of here and that d— quick or I will kick you B—S—B—out," and he went into his barber shop which was adjoining the drug store and got his pistols; returning to the drug store. Some of the boys saw him get the guns and when he came out of the shop they never gave him a chance to use them. There were five shots fired and each shot took effect. I suppose that he was of the opinion that all blacks looked alike to him, but that class of men soon found out that they had a different class of colored people to deal with. On the following date the Tampa Tribune had a long article which stated that a colored soldier asked permission of his officer to go to town which the officer refused to grant. Thereupon the soldier grew abusive; the officer placing him under arrest. The soldier resisted and shot at the officer and hit a comrade, making an ugly wound, which caused his death shortly afterward. The soldier was promptly placed under arrest by the guard, the white soldiers of the first cavalry were so incented at the Negro soldier for shooting at an officer that they threatened to shoot any colored soldier who was found upon the streets. No wonder there are so many depredations committed against the Negroes of the South when such journalism is allowed to exist.

I will not worry you by writing much more, as this is my first attempt to write a letter to a paper, but if you desire it I shall try and give you an account of our trip through Cuba.

About the 7th [June, 1898] eight troops of the 10th [Cavalry] will invade Cuba, A, B, C, D, E, F, and G and I troops. They will be dismounted. The first move will be to establish a supply station. L and M troops were reorganized on the 1st of June. One hundred and seventy-five recruits arrived from Atlanta, Ga. Mr. A. S. Low of the 10th cavalry band is suffering from fever caused by swimming. I am glad to say that very little sickness exists among the colored troops. All of the boys are in good spirits. My next letter shall be from Cuba. I should like very much to receive your paper that I might know what my people are doing.

Very Respectfully,
John E. Lewis
C Troop, 10th Reg. of Cal.