Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-11
.PERSH|NC IDEAL
WEST POINTER

Maj. Gen. John Joseph PerShlng,
named by the President to lead the
first division Of United States troops
to fight on the soil of France. is an
American of whom all sections of the
country may feel proud.
Here are some pertinent facts about
him:
He is from Missouri.
His first service as an officer was as
an Indian fighter under Gen. Nelson A.
Miles.
He is veteran Of warfare against
the Apaches and the Sioux, of the war
with Spain, of hard bush campaigns
against the Moros in the Philippines,
and of the punitive campaign of 1916
in Mexico.
He is 81 years old and a widower,
his wife and three young daughters
having lost their lives in the burning
of their home at the officers quarters
in the Preside, San Francisco, on Aug.
II, 1915
Couldn't Forget Her Pies
1t is said of Gen. Pershing that he is
the ideal West Pointer--a man of iron,
great organizer, fearless fighter, a
clever diplomat. and beneath it all
very much man.
An anecdote illustrating the latter
point is told of his return to his home
town few years ago.
The first person he sought out was
Aunt" Susan Hewitt, a friend of his
mothers, whose pies were a memory
of his boyhood days.
When the white haired old lady and
the stern faced soldier met, both
wept; and when, that night, a recep-
ton was given in honor of the General.
he came tor Aunt" Susan to take her
to the party in a buggy.
AS an administrator Gen. Pershing
has shown great powers. Like Grant,
Sherman and Sheridan, he arrived at
military efficiency through Flooding
labor as quartermaster and in other
jobs involving much labor and atten-
ton to detail.
AS diplomat he showed his merit
in the trying II months his punitive
expedition spent in Mexico. His or
ders were to put the soft stop" on the
situation wherever possible, for the adj
ministration, possibly foreseeing that
the world war would drag in the
United States, was bent on pacifying
the Mexicans, not rousing them.
Distasteful as such course was to
soldier, Pershing followed it in the
logical way. He brought the be-
nishted Mexicans whom he met out of
the cloud of suspicion that covered
them and made them understand that
the intentions of the United States
toward the Mexican people were not
hostile.
Leading dates in the life of Gen.
Pershing are as follows:
1860 Oct, IS, born at Laclede, Linn
county. Mo, his father being a section
boss on railroad.
1877, taught in country schools in his
rative state.
1880. was graduated from the Kirk
Vile Normal School.
$50. was graduated from the U. S.
Military Academy at West Point.
" here he had attained the school rank
of 1st cadet captain; assigned as a I'd
lieutenant to the 9Th Cavalry and
fought against the Apaches in New
Mexico.
1887. to September, 1890, on duty at
Fort Stanton, y. NJ.
1890, to Feb. Q, 1891, on duty in the
Sioux campaign at the Pine Ridge
Agency, South Dakota.
1891 to 1895, professor of military
tactics and science at the University
Of Nebraska, Lincoln. Neb.
1892. Oct. 30, to 1895, Oct. /, first
lieutenant of cavlary.
1892, Oct. II, to 1896, Oct s, sta
toned at Fort Assiniboine. Mont, and
employed in administrative control of
Cree Indians.
1897, on temporary duty at Army
Headquarters, Washington.
1897. June Is. to 1898. May 2, in
structor in tactics at West Point.
1898 on duty with his regiment in the
Cuban campaign as quartermaster and
acting adjutant chief ordnance officer.
United States Volunteers. on duty at
Army Headquarters.
1899. Assistant Adjutant General,
United States Volunteers.
1900. in charge of Division Of Gus
toms and Insular Affairs. War Depart
nent; November, sent to the Philip
pines.
Promoted Over s62 Seniors
1so1-Adjutant geenral Of the De.
partment OF Mindanao and Jolo. in the J