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Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard

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Black and white photograph of embers of Company A, Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.

Members of Company A, Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, ca.1918. Standing at right is Captain Clarence Wigington, who petitioned the governor to allow the formation of an African American unit. To his left is Lieutenant Homer Goins. Seated (L to R) are Dr. George Berry and Sergeant William Griffin. The remaining pictured are unidentified.

During World War I, African American Minnesotans wanted to serve their state and their nation. Historically, however, the U.S. military had been racist in its recruiting. It allowed African Americans to serve only in segregated units. Facing this institutional racism, the African American community of Minnesota asked Governor J.A.A. Burnquist to form an all-African American battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard. The Sixteenth Battalion became the first Minnesota-recruited African American military unit in state history.

When the Minnesota National Guard was federalized in the spring of 1917, the state was left without any military organization. To defend the home front the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety created the Minnesota Home Guard. The Home Guard existed for the duration of World War I. Units performed civilian and military duties.

Minnesota’s Home Guard units followed the racist recruiting policies of the U.S. military. Still, African American men saw the Home Guard as an opportunity. A leader in the community named Clarence Wigington petitioned Governor Burnquist to form an all-African American battalion of the Home Guard. In the racist climate that prevailed, a “separate but equal” unit was the most feasible option.

On April 20, 1918, nearly a year after the creation of the Home Guard, the all-African American Sixteenth Battalion was ordered to form. Before this order was received, companies A and B formed in St. Paul. Led by Wigington, African American men met at the old state capitol building. Wigington gave an address; afterward, the men were sworn in. Wigington became captain of Company A. Orrington C. Hall led Company B.

On April 26, 1918, companies C and D formed in Minneapolis and were sworn in at city hall. Gale C. Hilyer led Company C and Charles Sumner Smith captained Company D. A medical corps headed by Dr. Valdo Turner formed. About five hundred men enlisted in the battalion overall, with Major Jose H. Sherwood in command. The Sixteenth also had a band and drum corps. The band was led by Professor William H. Howard and the drum corps by Charles Miller.

The officers of the Sixteenth were all men of color. Due to the poor treatment they received when trying to enlist, the men of the battalion demanded that their officers be of their own race. The Adjutant General’s office agreed. As the companies formed some whites criticized the state government for allowing African Americans to become officers.

After its formation the battalion became active. Spanish American War veterans and ex-regulars ensured the battalion was well drilled. Each company began a schedule of drilling every week. On Memorial Day in 1918 it marched in parades alongside all white Home Guard units in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The men did not have uniforms at the time but wore white gloves. According to newspaper accounts, the battalion received special applause from the crowd.

The African American community of the Twin Cities embraced the battalion. There were patriotic rallies and parades and the battalion band became popular. It played at community events, dances, and battalion drills. The Sixteenth escorted African American draftees to the train station. The battalion also provided a line of communication between the state government and the African American community.

During the summer of 1918 the battalion experienced infighting. Some men felt they should be in charge because they had military experience, which most of the officers lacked. Many expressed a desire to leave the unit. Discipline was not maintained. Attendance suffered, but the battalion continued to host events.

When World War I ended, Home Guard units began to muster out. The Sixteenth continued to operate. Its band played concerts as late as February 1919. Determined to continue serving, leaders of the battalion pushed for the unit to be inducted into the Minnesota National Guard.

On April 25, 1919, the Minnesota Legislature approved the formation of a separate battalion in addition to units of the Minnesota National Guard. This new unit was composed of the Sixteenth Battalion and was officially designated the First Infantry Battalion of the Minnesota Militia. Some African American veterans returning from overseas joined the new unit. The African American men of this unit were not officially part of the Minnesota National Guard. Like the Sixteenth, it was a segregated unit.

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“Battalion Band Smoker a Pleasant Affair.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, November 9, 1918.

Buell, C.J. The Minnesota Legislature of 1919. [St. Paul?: C.J. Buell, 1919?].
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/NonMNpub/oclc00500242.pdf

“Commissions Negro Minnesota Home Guard.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, June 15, 1918.

A/.K18
Edward Karrow Scrapbooks, 1917–1925
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Edward Karrow served in several military organizations during World War I. His scrapbooks include official rosters of the Minnesota National Guard after World War I. These rosters include the unit which the old Sixteenth Battalion formed after the war. The unit was designated the First Battalion of Infantry, Minnesota Militia.

Hilyer, Gale C. “Home Guards to Uniform.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, August 31, 1918.

“Home Guard Friction.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, August 17, 1918.

“Home Guard Notice.” St. Paul Appeal, April 6, 1918.
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016810/1918-04-06/ed-1/seq-3/

Home Guard Records, 1917–1919
Minnesota National Guard
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00862.xml
Description: Records documenting the duties and activities of the Home Guard by battalion. Enlistment records of the Sixteenth Battalion, and miscellaneous correspondence written by some of its members is included.

“Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” St. Paul Appeal, May 25, 1918.
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016810/1918-05-25/ed-1/seq-3/

“Maj. Curtis Commissions Negro Home Guard Officers.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, May 11, 1918.

SAM 1
Military Service Record Cards, [c.1860]–[c.1945]
Minnesota Office of the Adjutant General
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/sam001.xml
Description: The collection includes cards which provide information about individuals who served in the Minnesota Home Guard during World War I. Records of the Sixteenth Battalion are included.

Minnesota 41st Legislature. “An act relating to the organization and equipment of an additional battalion of infantry for the Minnesota National Guard.” April 25, 1919.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/?year=1919&type=0&doctype=Chapter&id=472

“Negro Assistant to Adjutant General.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, October 26, 1918

“Negro Captain Serves on Staff of Adjutant-General During Fire Trouble.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, October 19, 1918.

“Negro Home Guards Receive Ovation on Memorial Day.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, June 1, 1918.

“Negro Nurses Wanted.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, July 20, 1918.

“Negroes to Organize a Home Guard Unit.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, April 20, 1918.

“Plan Negro Guard Units.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, December 7, 1918.

“Revive the Home Guards.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, November 23, 1918.

Rhinow, W. F. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Minnesota covering the Thirteenth Biennial Period Ending December 31, 1918. Vol. 1. Minneapolis, MN: Syndicate Printing Co., 1918.
http://books.google.com/books?id=Gj4WAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA340&lpg=PA340&dq=adjutant+general+report+minnesota+1917&source=bl&ots=kAV2FAUdZN&sig=PU11b3ruDqwx98vWiZARSUQ-8js&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JMkuVIK4GY-hyATivoKgAg&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

“Sherwood Appointed Major.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, May 25, 1918.

Taylor, David Vassar. Cap Wigington: An Architectural Legacy in Ice and Stone. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2001.

“The Drafted Men Leave Saturday, Aug. 3.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, August 3, 1918.

“The Negro Home Guard.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, April 13, 1918.

“Two Home Guard Companies.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, April 27, 1918.

Wigington, Clarence W. “Home Guard Notice.” St. Paul Appeal, April 20, 1918.
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016810/1918-04-20/ed-1/seq-3/

“16th Battalion Band.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, June 8, 1918.

“16th Battalion in Reserve.” Minneapolis Twin City Star, September 19, 1918.

Related Images

Black and white photograph of embers of Company A, Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of embers of Company A, Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of members of the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918. After petitioning the governor, African American citizens formed their own battalion in order to serve.
Black and white photograph of members of the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918. After petitioning the governor, African American citizens formed their own battalion in order to serve.
Black and white photograph of officers of the Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of officers of the Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of enlisted men of the Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of enlisted men of the Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of men of the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of men of the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of men and officers of the Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of men and officers of the Sixteenth Battalion, Minnesota Home Guard, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of Musicians of the Sixteenth Battalion Band, c.1918.
Black and white photograph of Musicians of the Sixteenth Battalion Band, c.1918.
An advertisement for a concert put on by the Sixteenth Battalion Band from the St. Paul Appeal, October 25, 1919. The band was led by Lieutenant William Howard.
An advertisement for a concert put on by the Sixteenth Battalion Band from the St. Paul Appeal, October 25, 1919. The band was led by Lieutenant William Howard.
Black and white newspaper image of George W. Holbert, c.1911.
Black and white newspaper image of George W. Holbert, c.1911.
Black and white photograph of Dr. Valdo Turner in his office, c.1915.
Black and white photograph of Dr. Valdo Turner in his office, c.1915.
Black and white newspaper image of Charles H. Miller, c.1917.
Black and white newspaper image of Charles H. Miller, c.1917.
Black and white newspaper image of Patrick. H. Southall. c.1917.
Black and white newspaper image of Patrick. H. Southall. c.1917.
Black and white newspaper image of Charles Sumner Smith, c.1917.
Black and white newspaper image of Charles Sumner Smith, c.1917.
Black and white photograph of Major Jose H. Sherwood, 1918.
Black and white photograph of Major Jose H. Sherwood, 1918.
Black and white photograph of Dr. O.D. Howard Sergeant in the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard and his grandson, Howard Maxwell, 1918.
Black and white photograph of Dr. O.D. Howard Sergeant in the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard and his grandson, Howard Maxwell, 1918.
Sixteenth Battalion event advertisement
Sixteenth Battalion event advertisement
Photograph of William H. Howard, c.1919.
Photograph of William H. Howard, c.1919.
Black and white newspaper image of Gale Pillsbury Hilyer, c.1919.
Black and white newspaper image of Gale Pillsbury Hilyer, c.1919.
Black and white newspaper image of William R. Morris, c.1919.
Black and white newspaper image of William R. Morris, c.1919.
Black and white photograph of Orrington C. Hall, c.1920.
Black and white photograph of Orrington C. Hall, c.1920.
Black and white photograph of George L. Hoage, 1924.
Black and white photograph of George L. Hoage, 1924.

Turning Point

Preempting official orders, African American men in St. Paul meet at the old state capitol building on April 11, 1918, to begin organizing an all-African American battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard.

Chronology

April 28, 1917

The Minnesota Commission of Public Safety officially orders the creation of the Home Guard.

1918

In the early spring, Clarence Wigington petitions Governor J.A.A. Burnquist to form a separate battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard for African American citizens.

April 11, 1918

Led by Clarence Wigington, African American men of St. Paul muster into companies A and B of the Sixteenth Battalion. A week later the St. Paul companies hold their first drill.

April 20, 1918

Governor Burnquist and Adjutant General Rhinow order the Sixteenth Battalion to form.

April 26, 1918

Companies C and D of the Sixteenth Battalion form in Minneapolis and are sworn in.

May 25, 1918

The Sixteenth Battalion receives six hundred uniforms from the state adjutant general.

May 27, 1918

The Sixteenth Battalion marches alongside other Home Guard units in Memorial Day parades in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

June 14, 1918

The Sixteenth Battalion Band gives its first performance at a Flag Day parade. In the evening they perform music at a Sixteenth Battalion Ball.

August 1918

The Sixteenth Battalion experiences infighting and insubordination.

Septem-ber 2, 1918

Company C holds the first in a series of entertainment events to raise money for uniforms. Twenty men are recruited.

October 1918

Captain Charles Sumner Smith of the Sixteenth Battalion serves on Adjutant General Rhinow’s staff as intelligence officer during devastating fires in northeastern Minnesota. The battalion is held in reserve during the disaster.

November 1918

After the armistice is signed with Germany, many Home Guard units begin mustering out.

November 25, 1918

The Sixteenth Battalion takes part in St. Paul’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

April 25, 1919

The Minnesota Legislature approves the formation of a separate battalion of infantry in addition to Minnesota National Guard units. The new “separate but equal” battalion is made up of the Sixteenth Battalion of the Minnesota Home Guard.

December 15, 1920

The Minnesota Commission of Public Safety is dissolved. As a result, the Home Guard officially ceases to exist.

March 21, 1921

The First Battalion of Minnesota Militia is listed on a roster of state military units.