University of South Carolina Libraries
(I IKSESSSSS I in tiifi World War I By Ckeneroil Join J. Penhlng Gen. J^hn J. Pershing. From p.'ilnUiiu, b? Joseph CummlugN Clinic in I'lirl*, 1011). I FOREWORD Aj primary purposp in writing thia ry of the American expeditionary cos in Prance is to render what I iceive to he an important service my country. In that adventure re are many lessons useful to the icrican, people, should they ever in be called to arms, and I felt it luty to record them as I sow them, lie World war found us absorbed the pursuits of peace and quite onscious of possible threat to our ) urity. We would listen to no nings of danger. We had mitle ill preparation for defense arid >e for aggression. So when war tally came upon us we had to *' nge As Tory habits of our lives I minds to meat its realities. The v processes by which we achieved te changes and applied our latent rer to the problems of combat in *ope, despite our will, our numbers I our wealth, I have endeavored to < cribe. Therein lie the lessons of ! ich I write. wish to dedicate this modest rk to the men of all ranks who ved with me in France, and es"iullv tu those who gave tlirii lives the rause for which we fought. To tny comrades of the allied , mies I wish to say that I am not tempting, to write a history of the orld war or of the epic part they, <>k in it. I write of our own army d for our own people^ and I have' <1 consciously magnified or minized the effort of any army or any ople. There is credit for all of us the final triumph of our united ',r*' orsunAio ITIC anrro nmr much longer, their sacrifices very much greater, than ours. I am grateful to President Wilson and Secretary Baker for selecting me to command our armies and for the whole-hearted and unfailing support they accorded me in France. No com mander waa ever privileged to lead a finer force; no commander ever de rived greater inspiration from the per formanee of his troops. I JOHN J. PERSHING. H CHAPTER I On Mhy 3, 1917, four weeks after hnitetl States had declared war Germany, I received the following legrara from nty father-in-law, the te Senator F. E. .Warren, In Wash gton: "Wire me today whether and how urh you speak, read and write ench." At this time 1 was stationed nt Fort m Houston, which adjoins San An Texas, ami was in command of <- southern deforcement with the rank major general. Naturally. Senator , ;>rren's tuiogrnin stlggesteil Unit I to rtt? * assigned to some duty in . Bim -e, hut as no intimation had been " ' ii out regarding the extent of our ^ i\e^participation In the war, the was somewhat puzzling. .". |'0wever, I telegraphed the followr"piy: ^ ; sl?ent several months In France H1" '-I'n-eight studying language. . ??ke quite fluently; could read and ;BHte well at that time. Can easily acquire satisfactory working knowl Quotes Warren's Letter. Nty reply, to be gore, was rather o^ ??istlc, yet It wfts comparatively ae* rate and perhaps was Justified by [ Be possibilities to be Inferred from ^ nator Warren's telegram. A few ys later 1 received from him the llowlng letter: [ "Dear Jack: "Tbla ta what happened: Lest night, about ten o'clock, the a*reCf? ?L w,r rmng ?P ?nd want* :vW* lo know If X would call In and * SiP** ",m Mils morning, and' I rsP ^ ponded that I would If I could ?* -a* X . reach film at nine o'clock. This Is the first time he has ever asked nio to call for a consultation. "When I reached him he said in the most distant and careless way: 'Oh, by the way, before I discuss the matter about which I asked you to call?c(o you hupppu to know whether Pershing speaks French? (This is the first time your name was ever mentioned between the secretary of war aud me, direct.) "I said I was not certain about that; that I knew he was a lln guist along the lines of Spanish and, to some extent, Japanese, and all of the Philippine dialect* (a pardonable exaggeration by one's father-in-law)?that perhaps my wife might know, as she speaks French a little and reads It ren dily. "He said : 'Well, it is of no special consequence, only I happened to think of it at this moment.' I replied: 'Well, I'll ask my wife about it today and see whether she knows, and will lot yon ki.mv' He then said: 'If you don't mind, do so.' "And then tie proceeded to discuss quite fully some appropriation matters on which I intended to go to work upon my afrivnl at the Capitol. 7 "I hope you will wire me promptly upop receipt of my telegram so that I may tell the sec.? 'wtint tin*.- uu/a -tuilil ulmul it <?).' "Affectionately, "F. E. WARREN." Message Promises Command. Shortly after the receipt of the private wire and before the above tetter reached me, a telegram dated May'2 came from Maj. Hen Hugh U Scott, chief of staff, containing the opening words, "For your eye alone," followed by a message In code: "Under plans under consideration Is one which will require among oth#r troops our Infantry regiments and one artillery regiment from your depart- J ment for service in France. If plans ape carried out you will be in command. You will be in command of the entire force. Wire me at once designation of the regiments selected by you and their present stations." I construed thijk message to mean that these troops were to form a division. which, tngtflher with such other troops as might he sent over at once, would t>e under niy command. Within n day or so after the receipt of Scott's telegram it was intimated to Col. M. II. Rjirnutn, my chief of stall, that we might he called upon for a recommendation, nr..I after eon sulfation with him i selected the Six teenth. Eighteenth. Twenty-sixth and Twenty-eighth regiments of Infantt> and the Sixth field artillery. These together with two other artillery regl ments and the necessary auxiliary units, were Inter organized as our first division. Surprised by Developments. 1 had scarcely given a thought to the possibility of my being selected to j be fn supreme command of our forces as afterward developed, air hough my old friend. Maj. Gen. J. Franklin Hell, bed written uie that he \bought my selection nlmoet certain. After I left the Philippine*. In 1l?13. where he wjw In command. he and I Imd kept np ati Intermittent correspondence In which we freely exchanged confidences on mrmy matter*. To"firm* mrw*r?nty~Tft April. 1ITI7, Oeneral Hell spoke of the poe idbllity of our aendlng gn army to France and gave a list of the geoeml officer* who might be considered for the supreme command. Discussing the c heaves for ttad against mrh *?? , h predicted. mttrh to my I He* ell , the others, Including bimwil. would he over and the! 1 would be trlHrtl, I wee the Junior on the list of nut JoJT generals, hence I could not fully ftccept General Hell's view, but tie urns ee Strongly convinced that be wee flight thut he requested eu assignment under my command. lite major general* senior to me at the time were, In order of rank: I*?<?naid Wood, General Bell, Thomua It.d Barry, 11 ugh L. Scott and Tusker II. Bliss. ft*1 CHAPTER II * I arrived In Washington May ft and the next morning culled ut the olllce of the chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Hugh I.. Scott. He spoke of my assignment, which, as had been my Impression from his message of May 2, was to command a division, ami told me that It hud been inudo upon his recom- . mendatton. General Scotti outlined the general plans In so far as unylhing definite hud been determined. Beginning with February 3. the war college division of the general staff presented u number of recommendations for uctlon In the event of wur with the centrul powers. One was for the enactment of a draft law and others referred to the size of the army to be organized and the necessity for the procurement of equipment and supplies. Chagrined by Unpreparedness. March 15, acting tinder Instructions . of the chief of staff, the war college division rubmltted a more detulled scheme for raising an army of 500,(XX) men. But these were all eleventhhour suggestions aud no definite action was taken on any of them until May 18, when congress passed the law authorizing the Increase of military I establishment through the application of the drufl. I vyis really more chagrined than aatoimdied to realize that so little had been done when there were so many things thut might have been done long before. It had been apparent to everybody for months that we were likely to be forced Into the war and u state of war had actually existed for sev eral weeks, yet scarcely a start had been made to prepare for It. The War I, department seemed to be suffering from a kind of Inertia, for which It was probably not altogether responsible. But the truth is that the general staff, at Washington had never been organized along modern lines, Us membership had been recently reduced by congress, and but few of its officers had the experience necessary fully to understand Its functions. In this fact we me doubt find tfee basis of many of the difficulties thai-arose later In connection with the preparation of our army' at home and Its shipment and supply abroad. Prales for Secretary Baker. My next call was upon the secretary of war, Mr. Newton D. Baker. It was a much younger and considerably smaller man who greeted roe than I had expected. He actually looked diminutive as he set behind his desk, doubled up In a rather large office chair, but when he spoke my lmpres?slon fhnngod Immediately.?We talkedty ;? of my recent experience In Mexico and of condition! on the border, which, fortunately, were quieter than they had been for several years. Mr. Baker referred to my appointment and said that he had given the subject very careful thought and had made the choice solely upon my record. t expressed my deep appreciation of the honor, mentioned the responslhnity of the position nnd said that I hoped he would have no reason to regret his action. I left Mr. Baker's office with n dis tlnctly favorable Impression of the man upon whom, as head of the War department, would rest the burden of preparing for n great* war to which the wholly unready nation was now committed. Still proceeding under the assumption that 1 was to command only n division In Krnnce, my feelings may well be Imagined when a few days later, the secretary of war railed me In to say that It had been decided by the President to send me abroad as commander In chief, and that 1 should select my staff accordingly and prepare to sail as' soon as possible. The thought of the responsibilities that fhla high position carried depressed nte for the moment. Here In the face of a great war 1 had beenplaced In command of a theoretical army which had yei to be const ituied,cqulpi ed. trained and sent abroad Still, there was no douht In t.iy mind then or at any nth??rvtlme of my ntdl fty to do ftir jnh, provided the gov i ?! inn HBppgpm nil mmucut would furnish men, equip meui ami supplies. Harford Chief of 9Uff. t>bvlmjsly li was advisable to chooae :ny staff ax anon u* prucficuhte. After study lag the record* of several officers of my acquaintance and of otkani who were retHMMUMtfidod for tba position; I cUuaa U4 Jauioa U. ilartiordL Ui* efficiency in every grade from the day of bio enlistment a* a private In (lie army In January, 1899, waa not only of record hut wee well known to those with whoiii he had served. Throughout the war Harkord never hcaitated a joomem to express hi* 1 opinion with the utmost frunkueas, uo matter how radically it might differ from my own, nor did he ever fall to carry out Instructions fulthfully even when they were not In accord with his views. (entirely uneeltiah. he labored incessantly for what he believed to.,be the host interests of our armies, Ills ability, his resourcefulness. Ills faculty for organization, and, above all, his loyalty, were outstanding qualities, and these, together with a compelling personality, made him tuvaluuhle to the nation In this Important position. After consultation with the pertnamunent heads of staff and supply departments, and with no little Insistence on my part in more than one Instance, the corresponding representatives to accompany me were designated, ami they in. turn chose their assistants. Although the list did not Include all I would have selected, as some were nor rs .U'-.i- ^.jj^'i.ii'Wtae'aaBBHKaaMwaauLixwtt u?11 my two v,n\ 'tneodx>r* Hoowvelt, Jr? aged i^nlir^nM, and Archll?*tUJ It, Kooaevelt. BKf<) twenty* three, both of Harvard, be allowed to enl'#t tis private* with yon. to ko oxer with the rtral troop*. 'I'he fortuer I* m major ami the hitter m eaptntri In the oftti-ern' reserve eorp?. They are at IMuttshttrg for their third anionier. "My own IwMef la that emii|H?tent men of their standing and rank can km In very little from u third Hummer at IMnttsbitrg and thrt they should he ntlli/.ed as of Veers. even If oijly a* seeond llontenantH. lint they are keenly dty irons to see service: ninf If they jierve under yon nt'the front, and are not killed, tltey will he fur hitter aide lo instruct the drnft. ar tv t?f \v foil or next winter, or \vl 'hnxer they nfe fcont home, than lit v will Ijo offer spending the I an inner at I'hitlxburjr. "The 1'rosldcni hue ttunonneeil lit it onl.x rea.nlnr nllicers ore to 1*0 w i h ? on. and If I Ids is lo lie l he In arlnhle role then I opply on " 'Italf .oi r'.y. two soils ihot they may se.Ke nr.-'t yon o> enlisted men, to go to the front wl.h the tlrst, I roups sept oxer. "Trtistlna to lumr Ihjit tJ;|?x re iptest iiits heen granted, 1 inn, with ({leal toKpeel, "Very sincerely yours, "TIIKO! n ?i: 1: it< it nKVKl.T "I*. S, ??!f I xxere physically tit, Instead of o|il and heavy ami stitf, available, yet all rose to important places Itai the final organization, except one or two who failed in health. The total number lit my party that sailed on the Baltw was as follows: Regular army officers 4S Marine corps officers .............. 2 ORC officers In active service .... 17 Enlisted men 27 Field clerks . 32 Civilian clerks 20 Civilian Interpreters G Civilians (correspondents) 3 Total on Baltic 100 Draft Act Passed May 18. The method of raising our armies by conscription wus bused on studies made by the war college under Instructions from General Scott. .President Wfl8on recommended the plan to congress April 7, 1917, but the druft act was not passed until May 18, fortytwo days after the declaration of war. Roosevelt Offer Rejected. The nppeal of Col. Theodore Roosevelt at this time for permission to raise jt.voUiuleer^divMea aroused ik>uular sentiment throughout the country in his favor, but approval would hove opened the door for many other applications and the policy would have interfered materially with the orderly and businesslike application of the draft law. Moreover, the regular establishment would have suffered from the loss of an endue proportion ef the best officers, who Inevitably would have been selected far Important portions (n these special units at a time when their services were urgently needed In * building more largely. ^ Another ImportantVeafon for disapproving Colonel Roosevelt's application was that in such a war it was necessary that officers, especially those In high .command, should be thoroughly trained and disciplined. Furthermore, Colonel Roosevelt was not In the best of health and could not have withstood the hard work and exposure of training camps and trenches. The secretary of war, much to the disappointment of Colonel lfooseveit, wisely made an adverse decision in his case, which was confirmed by the President. It was evident that hotlt Mr. Wilson and Secretary Raker were looking for trained leaders and were determined to avoid the embarrass ment Resident i,m<oln experienced in the Civil.war, when he was more or less driven to fill niuny high position* with political appointees who. In Hie end, had to be replaced by men trained In the military profession. Roosevelt's Plea for 8ons. The following letter from Oolonei Roooevelt, dated May 17. 1017, will show his own fine attitude: "My Dear General Pershing: ^ " "I very" heartily congratulate you, and especially the people at the United States, upon your ae, lection to tend the expeditionary force to the froot. When I wus Qdeavoring to persuade the aerte^ tary of war to |>erm1t mo to raise a division or two of volunteers. I stated Hint If reu, or ?nme men like jwtx. were'to nimmand the eXped'Tlnnu.rjr force I could rulse the j . . HivL p - * wl'hotlt trouble. . ' i \ t?o?? to H : ? 1 ' y V - ' ) 1 should myself ask to go under you In any capacity down to and including u sergeant; but at tny rige, and condition, 1 suppose that I cottld not do work you would consider worth while In the fighting line (my only line) in a lower grade than brigade commander." (Continued next week) - Secretary of War Newton D. Salter, at Hti Daak. General Pershing With Gen. James Q. Harbord. His Chie* of Staff. HEADACHES v V ' -'If I have the headache or foe!? the need of a purgative, I take Mack-Draught," Bays Mr. Edgar Gamble, of 114 Fowler Ave., llopklnHVlllo, Ky. "It in easy to take and quick to relieve. I used to have dull headaches. My eyes would burn and when I would stoop over I seemed to turn blind. This Isn't much of a good feeling when one has to work, and I have hud to work hard in my time, be)ng a timber man. This work takes me from home a good deal and .U?4YS?" J'Kf" to get Hlck.jcsanKlttPLy ?v?txj iruin'noixte. x iiiuiiu lue dwi way to avoid this wns to take an occasional dose of Hlack-Draught, and keep the system cleansed." m i ' Thedford's BLACK-DRAUGHT -3 For CONSTIPATION, INDIGESTION, BILIOUSNESS IMPORTANT Very Liberal Week Bud and Sunday . EXCURSION FARES Every Friday, Saturday aod Sunday Effective March .5*7 to O^tobOr 25, 1?3T. One Fare Plus One-Fifth Round Trip Between all points. Good returning Tuesday's following Extremely Low Sunday Tickets Sold for morning trains to all points within radius of l'OO miles at One Cent Per Mile Traveled Return limit date of sale ' Consult Ticket Agents o SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM Travel By Train ? Economical?Safe?Reliable 666 LIQUID or TABLETS Cure Colds, Headaches, Fever 6 6 6 SALVE CURES BABY'S COLD ROBT. W. MITCH AM | Architect Crocker Building, Camden,S. C. t .. _ , A DeKALB COUNCIL Na M Junior Order U. A. M. month at 8 p.aa. ' Visiting Broth ran are welcomed. A. W. MUMPIflfflS, L. H. JONES, Councillor. Recording 8eetp. jfifc V' - " " r S Cole Blease Joins In Rector Defense (ireenvifle, 8. C., April 10.?'Former Senator Oole L. Blease today became attorney for Carlos A. Roctoi ami J. Harmon 'Moore, convicted as acvessorie* to manslaughter in connection with the slaying of Sheriff Sam I)'. Willis. J. Frank Eppes, attorney who represented the two men during their trial, announced Blease would be associated with him in carrying an appeal to the supreme court for them. At the same time, Solicitor J. 11. latatherwood withdrew a motion asking dismissal of the appeal. lie said he believed time would Ik* saved by the step. Argument of his motion was scheduled before Judge John S. Wilson today. I Rector succeeded Willis as sheriff after the latter was shot front ambush one night in June, 102,7, -as he drove into his yard. Mpgjj^erved under Rector as'a deputy. ' Blair Rook, a neg^o, confessed to killing Willis und said Rector aful Moore had hired him to kill the officer. He is awaiting trial on a charge of murder. Wisconsin Woman Lost 11 lbs. "Have been talcing Kruschen Salts for fat reduction?am on my second bottle?I lost 11 pounds In six weeks and feel fine?Kruschen sure gives you a lot of vim and pop." Kruschen Salts arc used daily by millions all over the world not only to take off fut from overweight people but to rejuvenate the entire system. dm- hot-Jo < " Kruschen .Salts (lust* 4 weeks) costs but Hlk- and one bottle will prove of vast benefit to pepple who have constipation, headaches, indigestion, nervousness, rheumatism, depression, acidity argi ^iiuto-intoxicacation. Not only that but one bottle will bring about body activity?increase in energy, vigor and ambition, sparkling eyes and freedom from pimples and blemishes?imillions know all this ?you ought to know it. Take one half teaspoon in a glass of hot water every morning before breakfast-? walk a little each day-~-?ut down on sweets and fat forming foods. Sold by DeKalb Pharmacy and druggusts America over with tne..dif-> tinct understanding that one bottle will help you lose fat or money back. EXCURSION - ' V , TO CHARLESTON, S. C. ACCOUNT Magnolia Gardens Middleton Gardens FRIDAY AND?SATURDAY APRIL 17-18 Fares from: Camden $4.00 Kershaw 5.00 Lancaster 5.50 Excursion tickets gold for all trains except Crescent Limited and good returning to* reach original starting uoint by midnight Wednesday fol- , date j>t sale. _ __ _ ^ . .. i-'. peak oi bloom. '7 . Wdrld famous, and unexcelled in variegated coloring and size otf piants. "Well worth the time and small expense to aee-^these beautiful Gardens, as well me other interesting places in Charleston. Excursion tickets at one and onehalf fare round tri|p will also be sold on other dates. Apply to ticket agents, Southern Railway NO-MO-KORN FOR .CORNS AND CALLOUSBS Made in Camden And For Sale By DeKalb Phamaey?Phone #5 ' i EYES EXAMINED and Glasses Fitted 11 THE HOFFER COMPANY I Jewelers and Optometrists I j R. L Chewning & Son General Contractors * *' ? I tad Builders Phene S8S Csudsp, S. G , AUnstsi VttaUMdji AH ... "~71n|n sf Work Floors Sanded on Request ' *^*vT ^ .;** -~-Y~ ,? '*>? J ? /a '-7: ^; -v*|? . ^ '? \ - * ~y "> V"Vi jfvVf* y?5 V-Vv ''