The Washington times., 1917-04-27
HOW GEN. PERSHING
CARES FOR HIS MEN
Rests Them Ten Minutes in
Every Hour Of March
And Feeds Well.

The United States Infantry Journal
in its issue for April prints an
article concerning the duties of in
fantry company commanders, which
will prove of great instructive vslue
to the thousands of reserve officers.
by all the officers of the First In
fantry Brigade of the regular army
at the conclusion OF a long march
recently made by the three regiments
included in that unit. Thes article,
which has been published as an
official order by Major General Per
shing, is in part as follows:
There is a psychology of the march
as well as OF the combat As long
as a man does not see other men
falling out. he will grit his teeth
and go on; but il he sees a man of
his squad or company drop out, his
will force is weakened, as he knows
that he will not stand alone in the
opinion of his comrades il he falls
out, and there is nothing so demoral
izing as the sight of number OF
men sitting or lying along the road
waiting for the ambulance As
consequence all men who are not
physically fit to make the march
should be left behind
Anects the Nerves.
II q man is not in good physical
condition he is not only unable to
put forward the physical exertion
called for in marching, but his
nervous system being deranged. he is
not able to exercise the will force
often necessary to carry him through,
and, at times, to stand the punish
ment OF the march.
The company commander should
allow the men TO open shirts at the
throats and turn up the sleeves.
Keep men in their squads properly
dressed in the ranks and covered in file,
and by all means prevent struggling. He
will see that no man leaves the column
without authority in writing. which
he win give only in case OF sickness.
complete exhaustion, or for urgent ne
cessity.
Observe the physical condition Of men.
tag those who need medical attendance
and who are clearly unable to continue
the march, and permit these and no
others to fall out: cause men to halt.
fall IN, and to start promptly at the
commands.
to the right of the road to allow free
passing of people and vehicles going in
the opposite direction. and at halts see
that all members Of the command keep
to the right Of the road.
Prevent his men from drinking water
oftener than the distance to be marched
and time of fresh supply and health
require; also that no water Is obtained
from Unauthorized sources.
Relax at Every Halt.
Permit no lunch to be eaten until the
proper time
Give his men ten minutes rest every
hour II exercising an independent COM
mand. ~
Prevent men from closing up at the
halts for rests. and require them to gain
distance. IL lost, while marching.
Require men TO lie down or to sit dur
ing rests and discourage smoking on
the march. as smoking tends. to increase
the thirst.
Require sores and blisiers to be treated
at halts so that the man may continue
with his company.
Make details before reaching camp:
Ca) To dig latrines. (b) To unload
wagons. (c) To report to headQuar-
ters. (d) To pitch officers tents.
NSJ 10 put up STOVES VI 10 get
wood. (g) To get water.
Caution the men to avoid cooling
off too rapidly, and to enforce es-
pecial economy in the use of water.
In camp 1t is his duty:
To see that tents are promptly and
properly pitched.
To see that tents are ditched
To have hot coffee or tea provided
for the men as soon as possible after
reaching camp.
To see that his men are promptly
and properly fed, but not to permit
eating or drinking when overheated.
Guard Against Files.
In, issuing rations, to see that men
handling them are clean. To see that
food Is properly protected from flies,
dust and sun, and that the kitchen
and grounds around 1t are kept scru-
pulously clean; that solid refuse is
Immediately burned, that all liquid
refuse Is placed IN pits protected
from flies. and the pits covered with
earth before marching.
To look after the general condi-
tion and health, to pay particular at
tention TO the feet, hold foot inspec-
tion at the end OF each days march
to see that shoes fit properly, and
that they are from an inch to ~
inches longer than the foot. /
To see that his men are as COM
Portable as possible, without interfer-
ing with the comfort of others. To
prevent the use of liquor, and to pre-
serve order and discipline. To pre-
vent trespass on or depreciation Of
private property. To see that all |