Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-25
VETERAN RECALLS
ISLAND CAMPAIGN
Tells of Pershing's Leader
ship as Captain Against
"HoIy Man" Hassan.

CHICAGO, February 25--A Pershing
who rode a chunky pony or mula instead
of In a luxurious special train, who rolled
up in a poncho in the jungle instead OF
living in French chateau and who
faced a hail of poisoned bullets in the
front line instead of receiving reports
from the front by telephone, is the pic
ture this story aims to sketch-a picture
drawn by q Chicagoan who Soldiered
with the general when he was only a
captain, in war against "hoiy man
in the Philippines years and years ago.
John j. Pershing as line officer, who
shared all the hardships of his men
through arduous campaigning against
strange and sometimes uncanny odds, Is
brilliant memory in the stirring recol-
lections of Sergt. George L. Chamber
lain, u. S. A. And when Gen. Per-
shtngs story of his experiences in the
World War began Sergt. Chamberlain
told of other dramatic experiences the
general has never mentioned.
He was the same Pershing then, in
command of a handful of Regulars
fighting the Moros, that he was years
later when he led 100000 Yanks to
victory in France" says Chamberlain.
with this difference-in those early
campaigns he didn't push: he led, per-
sonally But in both instances his
strict devotion to duty, his aggressive
ness and the example he set in military
behavior were the same. He was born
with winning streak"
Defeated Hassan's Forces.
A sort of "Pershing of the ranks"
this Sergt. Chamberlain. Tall, erect,
Square-jawed and immaculate in dress
and military department, the sergeant
is seen almost daily in Chicago, on re-
cruiting duty.
1t was at the battle of Hassan's Gotta,
near Jolo, that Sergt. Chamberlain
learned the caliber of Pershing's soldier
ing.
Three houndred of "Holy Man" Has
sans force Of 5000 were killed or cap
tured in that one successful attack. The
American losses were small, owing to
the leadership of Maj Hugh L. Scott
and such able subordinateS as Capt.
Pershing.
at was in February, 1904, that Maj
SCOTS column set forth to subdue the
Moro chieftain, Pang Lima Hassan,"
says Sergt. Chamberlain. 1.-THE main
object of the expedition was to abolish
slavery. But HaSsan had long been q
thorn in the side of the American occu-
patton. He was a born leader, with a
fanatic disposition, and he claimed
magic powers.
"Hassan claimed the power Of making
his soldiers immune to enemy bullets.
Their fanaticism was increased by their
belief that any member of the tribe who
killed an enemy would promptly go to
heaven, riding white horse.
Speaking of white horses reminds
me that what kept our command from
going to heaven was our mules. We had
big, strong, Missouri mules to carry the
mountain artillery through the rugged
country and jungles of Sulu land. Capt
Pershing sometimes seemed more
thoughtful about the mules than he did
about the men. But, after all, he was
right. The mules were our only way of
getting the artillery up to point where
we could fire on the enemy. No wonder
Capt Pershing was strict about the care
and feeding of the animals and the way
they were loaded with guns and am
munition.
Cool Under Fire.
at was night when our cavalry scouts
located HasSan's Gotta. We formed for
an early morning attack. The artillery
was placed behind the Infantry line Of
departure. AS we started going into DO
sition, with our mules carrying 600
pound loads Of gun or tripod, we came
under enemy fire. It wasn't pleasant,
III tell you. The enemy used q Ram
tngton type rifle, firing brass-tipped
bullet. These bullets were poisoned.
We unloaded the mules and put our
guns In position under direct fire. Then
the worst thing in a soldiers experience
began-waiting under fire for orders.
It was now that Capt. Pershing's iron
control became evident. AS Mai. SCOTS
aid he calmly walked up and down
under direct fire and set an example to
the men, who were getting fed up and
wanted to open up on the enemy be-
fore the order to fire was given.
AT last came the order the men had
been praying for. The firing was point
blank. At the first blast Of our artile
Iery the Cavalry and doughboys set up
cheer. They could see chunks OF
mud and rock flying loose on the para
pets OF the Moro fort. Bodies we're
hurled into the air, and there were
groans and yells-not only by the
enemy wounded, but by the disillusioned
warriors whom HasSan had told they
were proof against Yankee ammuni-
ton.
The Infantry skirmishers went for
ward and, forming O new line, began
hiring upon the defenders at close range.
Without waiting for the order to charge
part OF the skirniSh line rushed the
outer line Of defenses, scaled a bamboo
renee and leaped from parapet into a
trench.
Ordered Men Back.
1T was at this point that saw Capt.
PerShing restore discipline and regain
control. He. too, went forward and up
70 the parapet.
Get out of that pit or you'll be cut
70 pieces! he yelled to the oyerenthu-
slastic doughboyS. And II you aren't
cut up, I'll have you court-marshaledl'
There was more to fear from Capt.
pershing'S eye-and his ready fists
tnan from the blunt-noSe brass bullets
hn fKzf
turned to their own advance line in
Time TO avoid counter-attack by
floeSmen armed with poisoned spears
and krisseS or bolo knives.
shortly after noon, after four hours
OF commandment, the holy mans ban
ner came tumbling down and the com
mano Cease firing! was given. Dough-
boys and troopers poured into the Gotta
with rifles and pistols ready, but the
nghtlng was over. The rule of Hessan,
the holy man. was ended.
attribute our small losses in this
engagement to the control exercised by
Maj. Scott, Capt. Pershing and other
ofncers OF their calibsr. At every point
In the battle Capt. Pershing was cool.
methodical and determined On a vast
y larger scale he displayed the same
qualities in France. AS at Hassan
Gotta, he showed his ability to make
careful preparations. to see that orders
were carried out 70 the minutest detail,
and then TO hit hard--thus getting the
nghting over as soon as possible and
holding down his own losses to the
minimum"
Returned as Brigadier.
Sergt. Chamberlains recollections of
Capt. Pershing embrace only one phase
Of Pershings eight years Of 'distin-
guished service In the phiIiDnines It's