Sergeant Spottswood Poles, A Soldier's Story
Sergeant Spottswood Poles, A Soldier's Story
Sergeant Spottswood Poles was born on December 27, 1887, in Winchester, Virginia. As a young man, he moved north to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he began playing baseball with the Harrisburg Colored Giants in 1906.
By 1909, Poles turned professional with the Philadelphia Giants, one of the premier teams in early Black baseball. Under manager Sol White, he soon followed the organization to New York, where he became a standout player with the New York Lincoln Giants. Known for his speed, intelligence on the basepaths, and strong defensive play in the outfield, Spottswood Poles developed a reputation as one of the most dynamic leadoff hitters of his era.
Like many Black athletes of his generation, Poles built a career in the Negro Leagues at a time when Major League Baseball remained segregated. His talent was undeniable, and contemporary accounts frequently praised his disciplined hitting and athleticism.
When the United States entered World War I, Poles left professional baseball and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment, the famed “Harlem Hellfighters.” The regiment, composed primarily of African American soldiers, was trained in the United States but fought under French command due to racial discrimination within the American military structure.
The 369th Infantry spent 191 days in frontline combat, more continuous combat time than any other American unit during the war. Sergeant Spottswood Poles served honorably and was wounded in action, earning five battle stars and the Purple Heart for his service.
After returning home, Poles resumed his professional baseball career, continuing to play at a high level until his retirement in 1923. In later years, he worked as a taxi driver and later as a civilian employee at Olmsted Air Force Base in Pennsylvania. Though his playing days were behind him, his legacy within Black baseball and military history endured.
Sergeant Spottswood Poles died on September 12, 1962, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a final honor befitting both a decorated soldier and a pioneering athlete.
Spottswood Poles represents a powerful dual legacy: excellence on the field during an era of segregation and courage on the battlefield during one of the most consequential wars in history. His story stands as a reminder that American service has always included men whose talents extended far beyond the uniform, but who chose to wear it when called.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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