Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1919-09-08
(By The Associated Press.)

New York, Sept. S.-General John j.
Pershing is home again.
Standing on the bridge of the huge
I.eviathian, itself symbolic of victory
sover Germany. the commander OF the
greatest force ever gathered to serve
single cause came slowly up the bay,
world famed and hailed as Il conquer
ing hero should be.
Dawn had barely broken when the
vessel passed the Ambrose Light post.
Slowly steaming her way through the
narrow passage, the great steamer
came slowly in. There greeted her six
destroyers while sea planes circled
over head
HarbOr BOOms Salute!
The forts guarding the harbOr BOOM
ed salutes while the greeting was
echoed by the whistles of merchant ves-
sells, steamers, tugs, gaily decorated
ferry boats, excursion boats and every
known kind of craft as factory whistles
on shore gave a discordant salute.
The shore was lined with thousands
whose shouts came family across the
bay.
Z General Pershing stepped ashore at
800 o'clock Waiting for him at the
end of the gang plank was Secretary
Baker with hand outstretched. and
other officials. After the greetings
were over, General Pershing made the
following statement to The Associated
Press:
There isn't anything of conse-
quence to say in circumstances
like these. 1t is overwhelming.
overpowering 10 say that l am
glad to be home is superfulOus.
l accept this welcome in the name
Of the brave fellows who served to
the best of their ability and who
made our success possible"
Fourth General.
When congress conferred the perlna-
nent title of general upon John j.
l'ershing he became the fourth man to
hold that coveted title in the army of
the United States. The other three
were Grant, Sheridan and Sherman.
1t is recorded officially of PerShing
that at the beginning of his career,
he was complimentcd by General Miles.
his commander in chief in the Ger
OnimO campaigns. for marching his
troop, with pack train. over rough
country, 40 miles i'm 46 hours, bringing
in every animal and man in good CON
dition." Until he reached command
rank Pershing always was cavalry
officer and the records of the war de-
partment show more than one honor
able mention for his conduct during his
ten years service in the Department.
of Arizona. In the Spanish War as an
officer of the Tenth cavalry he was pro-
NOTED for gallantry at the battle of El
Caney to be "A major in the volunteer
army and after Il short detail i'm Wash
ingtOn in the bureau of insular affairs
was sent to the Philippines as adjutant
general of the department of Mindanao
and Jolo.
Was Turning Point.
That was the turning point in Pcrsl- |
ing's career. He began to take his
profession of arms more seriously and
to display the powers Of concentration
upon difficult problems that stood him
in good stead in the great campaigns
that were to follow in Europe. At
tracted by his earncstness and soldier
ly qualities, General Leonard Wood,
who was his superior officer at the
time, selected Pershing to organize and
conduct a campaign against the Moros
who for centuries had successfully re-
sisted all attempts Of the Spanish army
to slbjugate them.
Up to that point something OF Il
parallel may be found in the careers
of Wood and Pershing. Each had
made brilliant regulations as Indian
fighters and each had been picked by