Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-02
GENERAL .PERsH|NG
BUSY At CHAuMONT
No Scntrlcs in Front Of Chateau
Where American Commanders
in-Chief Lives.
SERVANTS NEGRO SOLDIERS
Meals Always Infor1nal-Army Head
in Splendid Physical Condition.
Little Ceremony at Old Castle on
Banks OF Marine.

CHAUMoNT. HAUTE MARINE.
T. r a n G Il, January tSpcciaD.-
When he is here at general headquar-
tcrs General Pershing leads a very
busy, but very simple. life. There is
little ceremony of an ostentatious
kind either at his chateau or around
his offices. There is nothing to dis
tinguish his Office rooms In "a" build
ing of the headquarters group from
those OF any other officer. one orderly
sits at his door, there Is no sentry
and the visitor walks unannounced into
the adjoining reception ruom, to be
received by one OF his stan.
General Pershing's trips TO and from
his chateau In the country are made
by it's red four starred insignia on
The Windshield, and where would be
the number plato. which slips un-
the city. Ordinarily he is accompa MED
only by his personal aid. his staff fol-
lowing at Il distance great enough not
10 mark the pig cars as one squadron;
the two or three miles from the out
skirts OF Chaumont TO his country
home. and that, with quiet horseback
hereabouts. gave him his needed ex-
ercise.
Much .: his time since last spring.
when the American forces began real
particination in strength in the fight
Ing. has been spent at advanced army
headq9arters These have been at varl-
Gus o., Places, sometimes at distance.
from them to Chaumont when circum-
stances demanded his presence here
often after hard day at advanced
Headquarters the general has made the
three or four-hour drive late at night
only to depart early the next day Ills
powerful closed car, with double rear
and In Its comfortable cushions he OBJ
taIns the rest denied him In bed.
Life at Genc'al Pershing's chateau is
naa, to to The The point Of simplicity; Eek.
IT'S picturesque setting In the Valley OF
the Marine. ii might he the home life
OF any fairly well-to-do American bust
ness man. Only uniforms of his mil
itary household set 1t apart. Ills per-
sonal staff lives with him and his serv-
anus arc negro soldiers detailed. And
can TESTIFY. placing on his table simple,
well-cooked American dishes USUALLY
three or al most four courses. including
coffee and cheese and served Americas
style.
No scntrics are in evidence. nothing
10 marx the chateau az tho residence
OF inc comnander-in-ch chief. The visit
ors car drives through a plain un-
guarded gateway in n ciosely-sc,
grove, along curving roadway for
:. rev hundred yards. and then only is
lyinE In It's parks and lawns bordered
on ono side by long. sweeping curve
OF the River Marine and It's canal llneo
on either bank with tall poplars set
eGuidistant and lending an added touch
OF forniality TO the always formal
French landscape
often General Pcrshing himself
rises from seat on the terrace to greet
u guest and. if not. one Of his staff. Tho
meal is very Informal, conversation he
ing general and tho commandments
chief apparcntly does not like to IinRer
NJ table Afterward coffee and cigars
IN tho big lounge room or Stroll un-
dor the trees until the general indicates
that ms leisure Is ended.
General Pershing has kept himself
IN splendid physical condition during
these trying months. lie is MS lcar
ana clear-cyed as he was when lie cam,.
from the Mexican campaign. as straight
and soldierly in bearing as ho was i'm
the days of his Philippine campaigns
when he first won notice. His eyes still
twinkle when occasion calls and th,,
corners Of his mouth still turn i'm tho
FAMILIAR, quickly passing smile
FOR those he has known in past DAVIS
ne always has some mutual reminjs
Snnce to recall some invident of the
philippines or OF Mexico or the Jays
he was on duty in Washington. and Ills
hearty laugh often sounds through the
doors Of his Office as ne chats with som,
old acquaintance.