Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-09
LIFE SKETCH

acer IN the American army who had
commanded amy bDdy Of troops SO
large as a brigade in anything. ap-
preaching action. II liz true that the
Lite General Funston commanded
more than a brigade ON the Vera Cruz
expedition but FunEton's troops new
er got into action
From the time Pershing graduared
from West Point in 1886 he had his
fun share uf active and valuable
service In the army. Like his ciass-
mates he immediately was plunged
INTO the Indian Wars. He entered q
campaign against the great Apache
chief Geronimo who for many years
had kept the great southwestern
country almost closed 10 immigration
by his skill and bravery. Ii was IN
those campaigns that many of young
American army officers received that
special training evolved in combat
with the willy sayRges which proved
Of peculiar value IN certain phases of
the highly scientific modern warfare
IN France and Belgium. They were
taught the art Of scouting, of trailing
and of perfect sRE-reiianre in the
school beyond the kun OF any Euro
peRn soldier and many a midnight
rad by the Americans INTO No Mans
Land doubtless found its inception
and clever execution in the brain OF
one of these one-time Indian fighters
af Pershing's type
II is recorded officially Of Pershing
that AZ the beginning Of his career
for instance he was cumplimented by
General Miles. his cGmmander-in
chief IN the Geronimo campaigns. for
marching his troop, with pack train.
over rough country. LAD miles In 40
hours. bringing in every animal and
man IN good condition" Until ne
reached command rank Pershing al
wavs YVES a cavalry officer and the
records of the War Department SHOW
more than one honorable mantion for
mis- conduct during his ten wears ser
vice in the Department Of Arizona
In the Spanish War as an officer Of
the Tenth Cavalry ne was promoted
for galianr,y at the battle of FL Ca
nev 10 be a major in the Volunteer
army and after q short detail IN
Washington in the Bureau Of Insular
Affairs was sent out 10 the Philip
pines as adjutaut- general-of the De-
pHrtnent Of Mindanao and Jolo.
That was the turning ppint IN Per-
shing's career. lie began 10 take his
profession OF arns more seriously
and TO display the powers OF concen-
trariun upon difficult problems that
stuud him in good stead IN the great
campaigns that were to follow in
Europe Attracted by his earnest
ness and suldierfy qualities, General
Leonard Wood. whp was his superior
officer at the time. selected Pershing
to organize and conduct a campaign
against the Murns wflp for centuries
had successfully resisted all attempts
of the Spanish army ID snbjugate
them
Up 10 that point something Of a
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
President Roosevelt for sx-raprdina-
ny promotion because Of their high
promise OF military ability. Rpnse-
veit had made Wood a brigadier gen
eral in 1901 and he made Persning,
then a captain. hrigadier general IN
lqU6. to the absolute CONSERVATION Of
the old line of the army because il
involved the jumping of both Off
GERS over many hundreds of their
seniors.
Pershing justified the confidence that
Wood had imposed IN him in his Moro
camra gn. There WIS Sultan Oh BAG
Rlod with unknown thousands gf for
lowers intrenrted IN the marshes anu
mountains Of the tropical islands be
hind heavy furts Of palm wu0d. logs
ana giant crespers and. thorn bushes
woven into what was SUPPOSED To nf
impregnRbie tiefenBeg. PerEhfng na1
made a study of the conditions and SO
well had he organized his little force
consisting OF battaiiuu OF infantry.
squadron of cavalry and ssction Of
artillery that In two dayB TIM Muroe
were cleared out ann the
Island of Mindazaao WINS suun placed
under PerBning-s military governor
ship.
whsn he returned hume IN INA IN
was gwen blrt short rest m San Fran
cisco. Truurle hogan ON TIM Mexican
burter and I'M YVES sent there IN crm-
msna OF fhe Eighth brigade. charged
with the special duty of running down
ny driving of Villa. Els expedition
many miles iuto Mexico and
ARMY offiusrs bslieved that the uitimate
zuture of Villa was prevented only by
recall ortders trnm Washington wnsrs,
tine authorities decided thnt tfey were
unwilling to eontinue a military policy.
seeming certain 10 involve the United
States in regular war with Mexicn.
When PershinE wus ciusen To com-
fnxnd the American forces in Fra11cs.-
f,e took with hmm mnry Of the hrUwnsd
ana hnrdsnna xetsrnnn ~ hts 1kexirnns
rnmuninn ANA these mnn xn<1nan -
uurfeaan ~ 1aas fnmnaas Ei1Mt. Etxininn
q tn Amnrlran Exusdfff0nnry Eorus.
a terribls Tragedy had annzne mn
Pershing.s life alsring his MexicAn hbr-
der serwire through the loss Of h1s
wifs ana three 1f their little rfiissrea
Ir7nn yrprN hx1fuad IN daM<n IN IT,