FIRST AMERICAN FLAG IN FRANCE
Americans in the Legion came and went. Singly or in groups they went
wounded into hospitals, prisoners into Germany. Dead they took the
western trail to eternity. Missing they disappeared into oblivion. A few
were permitted to exchange into French Regiments, where, mothered by
France, they were welcomed as her own.
August 21, 1914, in the court yard of the Hotel des Invalides, occurred
that grand mobilization of foreigners, who, in admiration for France,
placed their lives at her disposal. Grouped together, each under a
separate standard, these cast the vote of inspiring constituents, lovers
of freedom, back home.
Next day, the American volunteers assembled at No. 11 Rue de Valois, and
had breakfast through the courtesy of M. Georges Casmeze at the Café de
la Regence. Starting out from the Palace Royale in the Latin Quarter,
that corner of old Paris where, in by-gone days, Camille Desmoulins
jumped on a chair and made the speech that started the French
Revolution, these latter day revolters against the “Divine Right of
Kings” and absolute monarchism began the greatest venture the world has
ever known.
The volunteers marched through the Place de l’Opera, Phelizot carrying
high and proudly the Stars and Stripes, which received a great ovation
en route. Thence to the Gare St. Lazare, to Rouen, where they met
retreating English soldiers, many wounded and utterly exhausted. Thence
to Toulouse, whence, after a very brief training, they were sent to the
front.
February, 1915, in the village of repose there occurred one of those
lamentable misunderstandings, which, in spite of official
far-sightedness, occasionally happen in the best regulated
organizations. Begun in fun, it ended in death, and almost started a
civil war between volunteers and Legionnaires.
A little New Yorker commenced to chaff and jolly a big, burly Arab, who,
not understanding American methods of joshing, thought the little fellow
was desperately in earnest; and, of course, he got angry, as he was
expected to. What the Arab intended to reply was that he could whip two
men like his tormenter. He did say he could whip two Americans.
Phelizot, coming on the scene just then, overhearing the remark,
yelled,—“You can’t whip one,” and waded in to educate the Arab.
In about two minutes, the Arab had enough, and ran among a crowd of
Legionnaires for protection. One of the Legionnaires swung a canteen and
hit Phelizot on the head, who did not stop till he beat the Arab to the
ground. Morlae, Capdeville and other volunteers ran to Phelizot’s aid.
Legionnaires flocked from all corners. A pitched battle seemed imminent.
An officer heard the tumult, happening along, and separated them. The
Arabs were transferred to another battalion. The Americans were herded
into a loft, and placed under arrest; while sentinels walked underneath,
with fixed bayonets, till the Arabs had been moved, bag and baggage.
The doctor who dressed Phelizot’s wound probably did not know the
canteen was rusty. Possibly he did not know he was hit by a canteen. At
any rate, he did not give an anti-tetanic injection. The injured man
steadily grew worse. He was not a squealer, and insisted on marching in
line till the pain became unbearable. When too late, his condition was
discovered. He had contracted blood poison which resulted in his death.
He was a splendid specimen of manhood, an American first, last, all the
time. A dead shot, he was hunting elephants in Africa when the war broke
out. In spite of having a large consignment of ivory confiscated by the
Germans in Antwerp, he donated several thousand francs to the Belgian
Relief Fund.
By his untimely death, the Legion lost one of its strongest characters,
France a fine soldier and America a good citizen. He was buried at Ferme
d’Alger. His last words, were,—“I am an American.”
The flag was carried by Phelizot until his death. Then, Bob Soubiron
wrapped it about his own body and so kept it until he was wounded in
October, 1915. On his recovery, February, 1916, it was taken to the
Aviation, and, July 14, 1917, presented, by Dr. Watson, to the French
Government. It was deposited in the Hotel des Invalides along with the
other historic battle flags of France. The Minister of War acknowledged
its receipt,—“I accept with pleasure, in the name of the French army,
this glorious emblem, for which General Noix, Governor of the Invalides,
has reserved a beautiful place in the Hall of Honor in the Museum of the
Army.”
[Illustration:
United States Army
INDIVIDUAL SERVICE
MEDAL
Spanish-American War
1898
]
[Illustration:
United States Army
INDIVIDUAL SERVICE
MEDAL
Philippine Insurrection
1899
]