Explore Black History

1936

A hadcover book titled From Harlem to the Rhine, a first person account of the 369th US Infantry (Harlem Hellfighters) in the World War I, written by a white officer who served in that unit.
The 382 page book has a blue linen cover, with a small gold stamp in the shape of a shield in the top center of the cover. There is an image of a coiled snake inside of the shield. The shape of the snake is negative space and the details are stamped in gold.
The cover has a few areas of discoloration. The spine of the book has silver text which is starting to fade. It reads [FROM / HARLEM / TO THE / RHINE / ----- / ARTHUR / W. / LITTLE].
The inside font cover has a two page black and white image of troops marching down a street. There is text at the top which reads [The Sun.]. The page next to the title page features two circular images of black and white portraits. There is a man in a hat on the left and a man in a suit on the right. There is an image of a handwritten letter below. The letter is written in French. There is text below the image which reads [HENRY JOHNSON NEEDHAM ROBERTS / HEROES OF THE BATTLE OF HENRY JOHNSON / FIRST AMERICAN PRIVATES IN THE ARMY OF FRANCE / TO RECEIVE THE CROIX DE GUERRE].
There is a dedication that reads [DEDICATED / To the 367 "Men of Bronze" who sleep today / in France the long sleep of eternity; and to / their comrades, and mine, who volunteered in / 1917 for the duration of the War under oath / TO / "PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND" / THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES]. There is a black line drawing of a medal below.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Liljenquist Family Collection

Books and Published Materials

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Tom Liljenquist

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2017.99.1

hardcover books

Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

linen, ink, paper

H x W (Closed): 9 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (24.1 × 16.5 cm)
H x W (Open): 9 1/2 × 14 in. (24.1 × 35.6 cm)

Title • From Harlem to the Rhine

nmaahc_2017.99.1

NMAAHC

FROM HARLEM TO THE RHINE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1930s • 1914-1918

J. J. Little and Company • Covici-Friede • Little, Arthur West • 369th Infantry Regiment

New York • United States • North and Central America

WW I • World War, 1914-1918 • Military

State • New York • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Images

Unknown - Restrictions Possible