Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-06

Pershing. whose wife, Frances War
rem, met her death several years ago
by fire, Senator Warren said: Gen.
Pershing has suffered somewhat in
the past because of the statement
widely made that he was jumped owe"
the heads of many officers through
my influence and commissioned a
brigadier general.
1T is true that l was chairman of
the military committee in the SEN
ate when Capt. Pershing was pro-
noted, but l had no hand in the mat
ter. 1t was the result, indeed, of
change of. policy that was inaugu-
rated by President Mckinley. Younger
officers, Mckinley thought, should be
\ given places of responsibility in the
Army.
$50 when he was to choose chief
or ordnance he appointed committee
OF omcers to look over the ground
and find suitable man. This commit
tee recommended William Crozier,
3: long captain of ordnance, and Nc.
k1nley made him brigadier general.
The appointment came before the
committee on military affairs of the
senate and /, as member, approved
II; and the nomination was confirmed
After Roosevelt, whom knew
when he was ranchman in the west,
became President he desired to do
something for Albert l.. Mills, an able
young captain in the Regular Army
Mills had lost an eye while fighting
In the Spanish war and had been
awarded medal of honor by Con-
sress for distinguished gallantry in
action near Santiago de Cuba, July
l. 1898, in encouraging those near
MIN by his bravery and GOODNESS after
being shot through the head and en-
tirely without sight
BESIDES Roosevelt said to me. in
his high-pitched voice, Mills saved
my life. l intended to lead NV men
into action on horseback. Mills agre ed
that such proceeding would be dra-
matte, but that l would be shot as
soon as the Spaniards saw me. Lead
your men, he said. but do it on foot.
ana, Roosevelt added, Il followed his
advice
Il told Roosevelt that if he promot-
ed Mills the military committee.
being chairman at the time, would
stand by the nomination and have it
confirmed. The promotion was sent
to the Senate and l made good my
word.
Soon after that Elihu Root, Secre-
tary of War, said: DO you think you
could put another man through?
WHO is hep 1 asked.
Capt. John J. Pershing. We wish
to make him a brigader general
Then Root told me about Pershing's
brilliant record as an Indian fighter
and while in the Philippines Until
then l had never heard Of him.
Jumping captains over the heads
of other officers and making them
crigadier generals has been done l
said, but it always causes trouble
Il thought no more about Capt. Per-
shing until the month of November,
1904. While my daughter Frances,
who had graduated at Wellesley COL
lege that summer, and l were return
ing to Washington from cheyenne.
we bought Chicago newspaper that
contained romantic story about
Capt. Pershing and his deeds as a SOL
der, with the statement that the
President. it was believed meant to
promote him to brigader general
ship.
"I am for Capt. Pershing,' Frances
said. after reading the article.
ION reaching our hotel in Washing
ton, we were invited by Miss Willard
daughter of Senator Joseph H. Mil
lard of Nebraska, to take dinner with
her and her father that evening.
There will be only six Of us, she said,
and one of the guests will be Capt.
Pershing, whom we knew when he
was on duty at Omaha
so, that evening. we made the &C.
quaintance Of Capt Pershing. On the
same night there WAS a ball at Fort
Myer. There again Frances met Capt.
Pershing and danced with him Two
nights later she attended a party
given by Mrs. Thomas f. Walsh, going
alone in a carriage.
"And you must come home alone
| told her That is the etiouette of