THE MAN BEHIND THE GENERAL
IT would be as impertinent as it is impossible for one who has not been
associated with General Pershing for a long time directly and closely to
attempt anything like an analysis of the man or his career. There are,
nevertheless, certain qualities that have become more or less the
possessions of the public because they have been manifested in his
public service. It is therefore permissible to refer briefly to certain
of them.
As a foundation for all his work is a strong, vigorous body which at all
times has been cared for in a way to make it the servant and not the
master of the man. Regular and somewhat strenuous physical exercise
maintains the uniformly excellent health and vigor of the Commander.
Naturally strong, hard work developed his strength in his boyhood, and
his military career has made many demands upon as well as increased
these powers. Even when he entered West Point he was an acknowledged
expert in horsemanship and his early work in the ten years of his
campaigns against the Indians, certainly tested his skill to the utmost
in this particular line.
He has known almost every form of active service the American Army can
provide. In the demands for rough or heavy work excellent judges
asserted when he was sent to France that he has no superior and since
his arrival he has shown that he was equally at home in the finer and
higher demands that were made upon him. His distinguished bearing, his
physical vigor and good health have provided an excellent foundation.
The old Latin proverb _Mens sana in corpore sano_ has certainly been
verified in the life of General Pershing.
It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who has been frequently quoted as having
said that "the foremost qualification for success is the proper
selection of one's grandparents." The forcefulness of General Pershing's
father, the inspiring words of his mother form a rare background.
"Foremost citizen," "devoted to his family," "sterling,"
"ambitious"--these are some of the words of old-time friends and
neighbors, descriptive and expressive of their estimates of his father.
All of them, however, are not more suggestive and tender than a
neighbor's description of the General's mother as a "splendid
homemaker," and "an inspiration to her children." There are many things
a son cherishes more highly than the inheritance of great riches, and
foremost is the heritage of a good name.
As the oldest of nine children naturally he learned and assumed certain
responsibilities at an early age. With the advice and help of his mother
it is said that even when he was only fourteen he was managing a farm in
the absence of his father. There was work to be done and in abundance.
There is ancient authority for the claim that it is good to "learn to
bear the yoke in one's youth." A "yoke," however, is not the burden, it
is a contrivance which enables one to bear his burden.
A prominent and successful man of business in New York City declared not
long ago that if a man does not learn to work when he is young (this man
placed the limit at twenty-two) he does not learn afterward. This was
the result of both observation and experience.
Whether or not these conclusions are correct, certain it is that in the
case of General Pershing, as it has been also in many other marked
instances, he learned not only to work but also learned how to work when
he was only a boy.
His birthplace was in the great state of Missouri. Reference has already
been made to the semi-slang expression which indicates that a man from
that State "must be shown." Not long ago there appeared in one of the
foremost newspapers of America a bit of verse applying this saying to
the present gigantic task of the Commander of the American Expeditionary
Forces in France. The following quotation (_The Evening Telegram_),
whatever it may lack in poetic flavor, is expressive of the public
conception of the meaning of the statement:
"When 'Jack' Pershing left for Europe
With his sturdy fighting men,
Kaiser Willy said, 'How silly!
I'll annihilate them when
I have time to bother with 'em,
For that peewee Yankee force
Won't be in it for a minute
With my Prussian troops, of course.'"
"Is that so? Well, Kaiser Willy
You have made a foolish bet,
You have boasted, then you've roasted,
But you haven't whipped 'em yet.
Let this, Kaiser, make you wiser,
If you really care to know,
Jack was born in old Missouri,
He's a man you'll 'have to show.'"
"Pershing, Pershing, 'Black Jack' Pershing,
We are with you, one and all,
We will ever pull the lever
That will make the Prussians fall.
Fighting Pershing,--yes, we know you,
Old Missouri born and bred,
Here's our motto, we will show you,
'All together! Forge ahead!'"
His determination is one of his fundamental qualities. It is seen in the
very expression of his face, emphasized by the prominent nose and jaw.
Although it was doubtless a heritage, nevertheless the trying
experiences of his early days intensified and aided in developing the
quality.
He knew the meaning of hard work when he was a boy, as has been said,
but it did not shake his ultimate purpose. He was eager to obtain an
education and with this determination once fixed in his mind he never
relaxed. Working, teaching, saving, when he entered the Kirksville
Normal School he understood something of the price he was paying for the
advantages he received. He knew what the attendance had cost him and it
is easily understood why he was determined to get the worth of his
money.
At West Point this same element was still prominent. It impressed his
classmates and teachers. He saw what he wanted and wasted no time or
effort on "asides" that might interfere. To be senior captain of cadets
was to him the supreme honor--therefore it was only natural that he won
the appointment.
The same spirit carried him through his campaign in the Philippine
Islands. The Moros could be brought to reason, therefore the Moros were
brought to reason. It animates him in France--"Germany can be beaten,"
"Germany must be beaten," and the third clause is as natural as the
words of the General can make them--"Germany will be beaten." It is
fitting that the commander of the best trained army America ever had
should lead it in a spirit of determination that cannot be shaken.
Underneath this firmness is an unfailing spirit of fairness. After seven
years of hard work he established in the Philippines a new record in
diplomacy by winning the complete confidence of the natives. Said one
man, "In all the Philippines there is no one so beloved for his gentle
yet unrelenting manner, his absolute fairness and justice, as this
soldier who had the unusual power of instilling love for himself and
fear for his enmity at the same time."
In his boyhood his close friends report that this same quality often
made him the protector of the younger boys when they were the victims
of the school bully. "As a young fellow," states one of his early
friends, "he was accommodating and never pushed himself forward. He was
always ready to help other fellows who were not able to work out their
problems. As a boy his decisions were always quick and accurate."
Of course the spirit of fairness implies the possession of a kindly
nature as well as imagination. One cannot be fair or just to his enemies
unless he can first get their points of view. This was the underlying
quality in the work Lincoln did. He saw what his opponents saw but he
also saw more. It is the quality which makes of a man or a boy "a good
sport." He appreciates his antagonist and also--in the end--is
appreciated by his antagonist.
A writer in the _Missouri Historical Review_, whose words have before
been quoted, pays the following tribute to this quality in General
Pershing:
With his scholarly attainments, his ability as a
writer and speaker and his grasp of big problems,
Pershing might have developed into a statesman:
he certainly would have succeeded as a business
man if he could have contented himself with the
humdrum life in a downtown office; and with his
attractive personality he might indeed have led a
successful career as a politician, except for his
unfortunate modesty which even in the army has
frequently delayed for him a merited promotion. As
a soldier, Pershing's methods are those of
clemency rather than ruthlessness and he makes
personal friends even of his enemies.
Writing as he did before the declaration of war with Germany he adds:
Since the death of General Funston he has been in
command of the Department of the South, one of the
important military posts of the country at the
present time. With this country an active
participant in the War of the Nations and the
probability that a strong expeditionary force will
be sent to cooperate with the Allies in France,
what is more probable or desirable than that
General Pershing should command it? He has
participated in every war in which this country
has been engaged for thirty years and in every
campaign has added luster to his own name and
distinction to American armies.
One has to read no more than the painstaking reports which he sent from
the Philippines to the Adjutant General or to the Headquarters
Department of Mindanao and Jolo to comprehend the mastery of details
which has been a striking characteristic of General Pershing. From his
recommendations concerning military posts and the disposition of the
troops in the province he turns to deal specifically with detailed
suggestions about cold storage plants and to present carefully prepared
suggestions to aid the quartermaster from whom "too much is expected."
It is easy for one to tell what _ought_ to be done. The world has never
lacked, nor does it lack now, multitudes of men who fancy they are
competent to do that. But to find one who is able to tell how to do
it--he is the individual for whom the world ever has a warm welcome.
Many are officious, but only a few are competent or efficient.
Nor is this quality of mind and heart limited to details of
administration alone. It applies also to his knowledge of men. The
incident of the telegram to the former cook, John Kulolski, related in
Chapter XVI, is illustrative. Most men find that for which they are
looking. If they expect to find evil they seldom are disappointed. If
their objective is the thing worth while, that too they find. To know
men as well as maps, to study soldiers as well as supplies, to grasp the
varying and differing elements that compose an army--these are the
essential elements in a successful leader of men. To the German war
lords their men may be merely "cannon fodder." To the public a French
soldier may be a poilu, a British fighter a Tommy, an American a
doughboy. To General Pershing every one that carries a gun is above all
else a man. This is at once the basis of his confidence in and appeal to
his followers. It may be because of this trait that Rowland Thomas and
others have described General Pershing as "the most brilliant and most
dependable general officer in our army."
Like many men who are large, physically as well as mentally, he has
almost infinite patience. This quality too is so closely linked to
self-control that at times it is difficult to distinguish between them.
Confidence and self-possession are the foundation stones upon which
patience rests. It is the man sure neither of himself nor of the goal he
seeks nor of the cause for which he fights who becomes impatient. Was
promotion delayed? Then he must wait with patience, first making himself
fit to be promoted or doing his work in a manner that would compel
recognition. Had the Moros for three centuries successfully resisted
every attempt to subjugate them? Then his campaign must be so conducted
that the little brown people must be made to see that the United States
was seeking to help as well as to subdue. Had Germany for more than
forty years been preparing armies to overthrow civilization and dominate
the world? Then, "Germany can be beaten, Germany must be beaten, Germany
will be beaten," is the quiet statement of the American Commander,
because, having confidence in the cause for which he is fighting and
faith in his fighters, he can be patient. With the end in view, there
must be no hasty or impatient activity which might lead to disaster.
[Illustration: General Foch and General Pershing.]
One distinguished writer on military topics has called him the American
Kitchener, because of his ability as an organizer. Points of resemblance
there may be and doubtless are, and these are not limited to any one
man, British or American, but the people of the United States are well
content to take him as he is. If comparisons are to be made then the
resemblance should be based upon the fact that the party to which
reference is made is "like Pershing," not because General Pershing is
like another.
It is a marvelous time in the history of the world and the times require
men equal to the demand. Nearly four years of the war passed and up to
that time the hearts of many were heavy because no one outstanding
figure had appeared. The unspoken call was for a leader. Great men, good
men and many of them were in evidence, but the Napoleonic leader had not
appeared.
Then upon the insistence of the President of the United States a supreme
commander, one brain, one heart, one sole power to direct, was found and
the Allies were no longer separate units, each free to come or go,
without adhesion or cohesion. There was now to be one plan and one
planner. The world already is aware of the result, for Foch has been
tried and tested. The great unifying power has been discovered. The man
for whom the world had been waiting had appeared and taken charge.
Whether times make men or men make the times is a riddle as old as the
one concerning the egg and the hen as to which was first produced.
Without question both are true.
But no military genius can win battles, much less win a war, unless he
is supported by strong men and true. And in the number of those who are
closest to Foch is the Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in
France. All are rejoiced that he is where he is, but they are equally
proud that he is what he is.
It is easy to paraphrase the words of the great Apostle to the Gentiles,
and to say of General John Joseph Pershing that he too "is a citizen of
no mean country." It is also easy to say that he is no mean citizen of
that country, for he is both the citizen and the general, the man as
well as the soldier. And there is the strongest possible desire on the
part of his countrymen, that, upheld by his armies and helped by
everyone in his native land, he may speedily add new luster to his name
and to that of his own land until the words of the greatest orator of
the new world may have an added significance and a deeper meaning--"I--I
also--am an American!"
CHAPTER XX
HIS MILITARY RECORD
THE complete Military Record of General Pershing as it has been kept by
the War Department of the United States is here presented. To the facts
obtained from this Department are added a few later items, which the
Acting Adjutant General kindly has provided.
JOHN J. PERSHING
BORN SEPTEMBER 13, 1860 IN AND APPOINTED FROM
MISSOURI.
Cadet Military Academy July 1, 1882
2nd Lt. 6th Cavalry July 1, 1886
1st Lt, 10th Cavalry Oct. 20, 1892
Captain, 1st Cavalry Feb. 2, 1901
Trs. to 15th Cavalry Aug. 20, 1901
Brigadier General Sept. 20, 1906
Accepted Sept. 20, 1906
Major General Sept. 25, 1916
General Oct. 6, 1917
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Maj. Chief Ord. Officer Aug. 18, 1898
Honorably discharged May 12, 1899
Maj. A. A. G. June 6, 1899
Honorably discharged June 30, 1901
SERVICE
Served with regiment on the frontier from September, 1886 to 1891;
Professor of Military Science and Tactics at University of Nebraska,
September, 1891 to October, 1895; was Instructor of Tactics at the
Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., June, 1897 to May, 1898; served
throughout the Santiago Campaign in Cuba, June to August, 1898; on duty
in War Department, August, 1898 to September, 1899, when he left for
Philippine Islands; served in Philippine Islands until 1903; member
General Staff Corps 1903 to 1906; and also Military Attache at Tokio,
Japan; served again in Philippine Islands from 1906 to 1914; commanded
Punitive Expedition in Mexico from March, 1916 to February, 1917;
commanded Southern Department to May, 1917, and United States Forces in
France since that date.
BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS
Sioux Indian Campaign, South Dakota, September,
1890 to January, 1891; action near mouth of Little
Grass Creek, South Dakota, January 1, 1891; Las
Quasimas, Cuba, June 24, 1898; San Juan, Cuba,
July 1, 1898, and was recommended by his
regimental commander for brevet commission for
personal gallantry, untiring energy and
faithfulness; and by the brevet board convened
that year for the brevet of Captain for gallantry
at Santiago de Cuba, July 1, 1898; in the field in
Philippine Islands, November, 1900 to March, 1901,
against General Capistrano, commander of
insurrectionary forces; in command of an
expedition against the hostile Moros of Maciu,
starting from Camp Vicars, Mindanao, September 18,
1902; action at Gauan, September 18, and Bayabao,
September 19, 1902; captured Fort Moro, September
29, 1902, driving the Moros from Maciu Peninsula
on that date. He attacked the Moros at Maciu
September 30, 1902, capturing their two forts, and
returned to Camp Vicars, October 3, 1902; was in
action at Bacolod, April 6 to 8, 1903; Calahui,
April 9, 1903, and Taraca River, May 4, 1903. He
commanded the first military force that ever
encircled Lake Lanao; Punitive Expedition in
Mexico, 1916 and 1917; and since June, 1917,
commanding the Expeditionary Force in France.
An additional statement by the War Department:
John J. Pershing was appointed a Major General in
the Regular Army, during a recess of the Senate,
on September 25, 1916, with rank from that date.
His name was submitted to the Senate on December
15, 1916, for the permanent form of commission, in
confirmation of his recess appointment, and the
nomination was confirmed on December 16, 1916, the
permanent commission being signed on December 20,
1916. He accepted his appointment as Major General
on September 30, 1916.
He was appointed General on October 6, 1917, with
rank from that date, for the period of the
existing emergency, under the provisions of an Act
of Congress approved October 6, 1917. He accepted
this appointment on October 8, 1917.
Gen. Pershing sailed for Europe on May 28, 1917.
Prior to that date a total of 211 officers and 919
enlisted men had embarked from the United States
for Europe.
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
The frontispiece of General Pershing was taken from the 1920 edition of
this book.
"Bastille" spelled "Bastile" throughout the text.
Page 4, "attaches" changed to "attaches" (and civilian attaches)
Page 32, "diagraming" changed to "diagramming" (by each diagramming)
Page 41, "roommate" changed to "room-mate" to match rest of usage (My
room-mate, "Lucy")
Page 67, "Sanitago" changed to "Santiago" (harbor of Santiago)
Page 72, "inpenetrable" changed to "impenetrable"
Page 80, "potection" changed to "protection" (protection moving to)
Page 129, period added after Sept (Sept. 7)
Page 130, period added after Sept (Sept. 22)
Page 132, "reconnoissance" changed to "reconnaissance" (conducted a
reconnaissance)
Page 158, "cooperation" changed to "cooperation" (all succor or
cooperation)
Page 167, "magnificiently" changed to "magnificently" (the magnificently
furnished)
Page 197, closing quotation mark added (own--La Marseillaise.'")
Page 205, period added to end of paragraph (upon as typical.)
Page 214, "incapicitated" changed to "incapacitated" (was incapacitated
for)
Page 215, "in" changed to "on" (place it on a desk)
Page 220, "wood pile" changed to "woodpile" to match rest of usage (boys
at the woodpile)
Page 225, "catagory" changed to "category" (and into one category)
Page 231, "came" changed to "come" (days have come)
Page 234, "Poincare" changed to "Poincare" (President Poincare
personally)