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8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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U l
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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PERSONALITIESANDREMINISCENCESOF THE WAR
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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PERSONALITIES ANDREMINISCENCESOF THE WAR
BYROBERT LEE BULLARDMAJOR GENERAL, U . S . A . , R e t i r e d
GARDEN CITY NEW YORKDOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY1925
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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COPYRIGHT, 1925, BY DOUBLEDAY, PAGECOMPANY . ALL RIG HTS RESERVED .
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE
COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, G ARDEN CITY, N . Y .
FIRST EDITION
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
A s t h e s e a r e p e r s o n a l m e m o r i e s o r e x p e r i e n c e s , t h e p r o -
n o u n " I " c a n n e v e r b e o u t o f s i g h t . I a m n o t o f f e r -
i n g t h e s e m e m o r i e s a s a b s o l u t e f a c t , b u t a s m y i m p r e s s i o n
a n d b e l i e f a t t h e t i m e .
R. L . BULLARD .
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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PREFACET H E S E a r e m y m e m o r i e s o f t h e W o r l d W a r . They
a r e n o t m a d e f r o m " t h e r e c o r d s . " T h e y a r e t r u l y
m e m o r i e s - m e m o r i e s r e c a l l e d , a s a l l m e m o r i e s a r e ,
b y a w o r d , a t h o u g h t , a c h a n c e s o u n d o r a s i g h t , a w h i f f
o f a i r - a n y t h i n g . T h e y a r e n o t o f f e r e d a s h i s t o r y .
Though sometimes stirred by others' s u g g e s t i o n s ,
they are my own . B e g u n i n t h e h o p e o f c a u s i n g n o
h e a r t - b u r n i n g s o r c o n t r o v e r s i e s , i n t h e e n d t h i s h o p e
h a s b e e n a b a n d o n e d f o r t h e l a r g e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f
t r y i n g t o g i v e t o m y c o u n t r y m e n a j u s t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g
t h a n t h e y s e e m e v e r t o h a v e h a d o f o u r p a r t i n a n y o t h e r
f o r e i g n w a r t h a t w e h a v e e v e r w a g e d . R e c o r d s 1 I
h a d n o t i m e t o g a t h e r t h e m . A l l m y t h o u g h t a n d e f f o r t
h a d t o b e g i v e n t o t h e d u t y o f t h e h o u r : b e f o r e t h e
a r m i s t i c e f a c i n g t h e e n e m y , a f t e r t h e a r m i s t i c e p r e s e r v -
i n g d i s c i p l i n e a n d m o r a l e i n o u r o w n a r m y .
R. L . B .
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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CONTENTS
CHAPTERI . THE MEXICAN BORDER .
I I . GENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAMPS
I I I . AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT
IV . THE VOYAGE TO FRANCE . .
V. PERSHING .
VI . FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE FRENCH
VII . THE SCHOOLS IN FRANCEIII . THE ORGANIZATION OF THE A . E . F . . .
IX. AUTUMN, 1917-A PERIOD OF DEPRESSION
X IN COMMAND OF THE 1ST DIVISION • .
XI. TRAINING IN FRANCE0 0
XII . SUMMERALL1 0
XIII. UNDER THE FRENCH IN LORRAINE . . . 1 1 5
XIV INTO THE LINE2 6
XV PATROLLING AND RAIDING4 6
XVI . TRENCH LIFE . . .•
1 5 3
XVII . THE MARCH OFFENSIVE6 4
XVIII . RELIEF FROM THE QUIET SECTOR . . . 1 7 4
XIX . OFF TO THE BATTLE FRONT7 7
XX. MESNIL-SAINT FIRMIN. •
1 8 6
i x
PAGE1
8
•
2 0
•
3 2
41
52
59
73
78
93
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X
CHAPTERCONTENTS
XXI . CANTIGNY . . 192
XXII . ON THE WEST LEG OF THE CHATEAU-
THIERRY SALIENT . .
XXIII . So ISSONSXIV. ACROSS THE SALIENT .
XXV. THE FRENCH MORALE . .
XXVI. BEYOND THE VESLEXVII. SOUILLY AND RAMPONT .
XXVIII. THE MEU SE-ARGONNEXIX . THE SECOND ARMYXX. THE 92ND DIVISIONXXI . THE ATTACK OF THE SECOND ARMY
XXXII. THE ARMISTICEXXIII. AFTER THE ARMISTICE .
XXXIV. HOMENDEX .
PAGE
202
212
225
239
246
258
264
282
291
299
307
316
328
3 39
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PERSONALITIESANDREMINISCENCESOF THE WAR
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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PERSONALITIES ANDREMINISCENCESOF THE WARCHAPTER I
THE MEXICAN BORDERWEN the war came I was on the Mexic an bo rder .
T h e r e I f i r s t r a n i n t o G e r m a n h o s t i l i t y , i n d i r e c t l y
a p p l i e d t h r o u g h M e x i c a n s i t i s t r u e , b u t n o n e t h e l e s s
German hosti lit y . Practically ever since 1911, in
c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e r e v o l u t i o n a n d d i s o r d e r i n M e x i c o ,
t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s r e g u l a r a r m y h a d
been drawn toward t he border . I n p r o p o r t i o n a s t h e
danger o f war between the United States and Ger-
m a n y d e v e l o p e d , t h e a c t i v i t y o f M e x i c a n r a i d e r s a n d
t h r e a t s o n o u r b o r d e r i n c r e a s e d . To m eet these con-
d i t i o n s , t h e b u l k o f o u r N a t i o n a l G u a r d w a s o r d e r e d
t h e r e i n t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 1 6 ; a n d t h e P e r s h i n g p u n i -
tive expedition was ord ered acros s the border in
p u r s u i t o f r a i d i n g M e x i c a n b a n d s u n d e r V i l l a . These
d e m o n s t r a t i o n s k e p t d o w n o p e n h o s t i l i t i e s , b u t d u r i n g
t h e r e s t o f 1 9 1 6 a n d t h e f i r s t f e w m o n t h s o f 1 9 1 7 G e r m a n
p r o p a g a n d i s t s w e r e p l a i n l y a t w o r k , b o t h i n t h e i n t e r i o r
o f M e x i c o a n d a l o n g t h e b o r d e r , s t i r r i n g u p t r o u b l e f o r
t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d t r y i n g t o c r e a t e a d i v e r s i o n t h a t
w o u l d k e e p u s o c c u p i e d o n o u r o w n s i d e o f t h e w o r l d -
a n d t h u s p r e v e n t o u r e f f e c t u a l e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e E u -
ropean war .
I
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2 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
N o r w e r e a l l t h e e f f o r t s o n t h e M e x i c a n s i d e o f t h e
f r o n t i e r . O n A p r i l 3 0 , 1 9 1 6 , n e a r l y a y e a r b e f o r e w a r
w a s d e c l a r e d , I w r o t e i n m y d i a r y
" U p o n t h r e a t o f d i s a g r e e m e n t w i t h G e r m a n y i t h a s
b e c o m e e v i d e n t o f l a t e t h a t t h e N a t i o n w o u l d h a v e t o
b e g i n b y p r o t e c t i n g i t s e l f a g a i n s t i n t e r n a l e n e m i e s . "
A f e w d a y s a f t e r w a r w a s d e c l a r e d ( A p r i l 1 0 , 1 9 1 7 ) ,
m y d i a r y r e a d s :
" P e r s o n a l l y I h a v e t a k e n s e c r e t p r e c a u t i o n s a g a i n s t
G e r m a n s p i e s a n d t r e a c h e r y , b o t h i n m y c o m m a n d a n d
h e r e a b o u t s [ T e x a s - M e x i c a n b o r d e r ] , p l a c i n g w a t c h e s
u p o n d o u b t f u l c h a r a c t e r s a n d s c a t t e r i n g o b s e r v e r s o v e r
t h e c o u n t r y . A f t e r I h a d d o n e s o I r e c e i v e d o r d e r s
t o d o s o . I t l o o k s a s t h o u g h t h e g r e a t A m e r i c a n p u b l i c ,
b y i t s o w n m o t i o n , w i t h o u t d i r e c t i o n o r a u t h o r i t y f r o m
t h e G o v e r n m e n t , h a s f o r e s t a l l e d a n y G e r m a n t r e a c h e r y
i n s i d e o u r o w n c o u n t r y . I f s o , i t w o u l d b e a w o n d e r f u l
r e s u l t . "
T h i s , h a p p i l y , t u r n e d o u t t o b e t r u e .
T h e d e m o b i l i z a t i o n o f t h e N a t i o n a l G u a r d b e g a n i n
1 9 1 6 a n d c o n t i n u e d w i t h o u t a p p a r e n t h e s i t a t i o n e v e n
a f t e r w a r w i t h G e r m a n y w a s p r a c t i c a l l y c e r t a i n - e a r l y
i n 1 9 1 7 . This caus ed much wonderment in the mind s
o f m a n y l o w e r o f f i c e r s b o t h i n t h e N a t i o n a l G u a r d a n d
i n t h e r e g u l a r a r m y , t o w h o s e u n a c c u s t o m e d e y e s t h e
f o r c e b e i n g d e m o b i l i z e d s e e m e d t r e m e n d o u s . E s p e c i a l l y
d i d t h e d e m o b i l i z a t i o n p u z z l e t h o s e w h o f e l t t h a t t h e
threat on the Mexic an bor der had been used by the
P r e s i d e n t a s a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e
Euro pean war .
C o n s i d e r i n g t h a t P r e s i d e n t W i l s o n n e v e r c h a n g e d h i s
poli cy with regard to Mexico , that Mexic o's past
h i s t o r y h a d b e e n f u l l o f a g g r e s s i o n s a n d r a i d s u p o n u s ,
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THE MEXICAN BORDER 3
c o n s i d e r i n g t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s k n o w n p a c i f i c p o l i c y t o w a r d
G e r m a n y , a n d c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t l o n g b e f o r e h e c h a n g e d
h i s v i e w s w i t h r e g a r d t o p r e p a r e d n e s s h e h a d o r d e r e d
i n t o M e x i c o a n d t h e n o r d e r e d o u t b o t h t h e V e r a C r u z
E x p e d i t i o n o f 1 9 1 5 a n d G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s p u n i t i v e
e x p e d i t i o n o f 1 9 1 6 , w i t h o u t v i s i b l e r e s u l t s , i t s e e m s
p r o b a b l e t h a t i n t h e m o b i l i z a t i o n o f t h e N a t i o n a l G u a r d
o n t h e b o r d e r i n 1 9 1 6 , t h e P r e s i d e n t n e v e r r e a l l y c o n -
templated anything mo re than what he said -the
d e f e n c e o f o u r t e r r i t o r y , n o t p r e p a r a t i o n f o r w a r w i t h
Ger m any .
Moreover, large as it seemed then, the Mexic an
m o b i l i z a t i o n w a s n e i t h e r o f a s i z e n o r c h a r a c t e r t o
prepare for a European war . Y e t i t s e f f e c t w a s n o t
a l t o g e t h e r l o s t ; w e k n o w n o w t h a t i t h e l p e d t o t r a i n
a n d p r e p a r e m a n y o f f i c e r s a n d n o n - c o m m i s s i o n e d o f f i -
c e r s w h o a f t e r w a r d i n t h e g r e a t m o b i l i z a t i o n w e r e f o u n d
a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y r e a d y t o t a k e h o l d a n d h e l p t h e w h o l l y
- u n t r a i n e d . The forc e assembled al ong t he bor der
f o r m e d t h e l a r g e s t b o d y o f A m e r i c a n t r o o p s t h a t h a d
k e e n g o t t o g e t h e r s i n c e t h e S p a n i s h W a r . My obser-
v a t i o n o f t h e s e t r o o p s , f e w a s t h e y w e r e , j u d g e d b y t h e
standar ds o f the World War, gav e me some indica -
t i o n s o f t h e s t r e n g t h a n d t h e w e a k n e s s e s l i k e l y t o
d e v e l o p i n a n A m e r i c a n a r m y .
I t w a s r e a s s u r i n g , a s t o t h e b e h a v i o u r a n d d i s c i p l i n e
o f A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r s a s f o u n d i n t h e N a t i o n a l G u a r d .
T h e r e w e r e c e r t a i n k i n d s o f e s s e n t i a l s o l d i e r w o r k ,
s u c h a s c o o k i n g , k i t c h e n p o l i c e , a n d t h e c a r e o f a n i m a l s
a n d m e a n s o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , t o w h i c h t h e y w e r e q u i t e
averse, and which they cou ld hardly be made to do .
B u t i n m a r k e d c o n t r a s t t o o u r e x p e r i e n c e w i t h i r r e g u l a r
t r o o p s ( b o t h N a t i o n a l G u a r d a n d v o l u n t e e r s ) i n t h e
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4 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r , i t h a d b e e n p o s s i b l e t o c o n t r o l
t h e m , d r i l l t h e m a n d h a v e t h e m o b s e r v e t h e n e c e s s a r y
r u l e s o f s a n i t a t i o n i n c a m p a n d o n t h e m a r c h . - A l l o f
t h e m h a d s h o w n a n e x t r e m e l y l i v e l y i n t e r e s t a n d z e s t
i n t h e l a r g e r t r o o p m a n c e u v r e s a n d f i e l d e x e r c i s e s .
M u t i n i e s , v i o l e n t o u t b r e a k s , d e f i a n c e o f s u p e r i o r o r d e r s ,
f e u d s a n d f i g h t s b e t w e e n o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h e r e h a d b e e n
none, or prac tica lly none, in the Mexican Border
m o b i l i z a t i o n . Also, these troops were wrought into
c o h e r e n t u n i t s . " A w e e k a g o t o - d a y [ D i a r y , A u g u s t 2 5 ,
1 9 1 6 ] a t r o p i c a l w i n d a n d r a i n s t o r m b r o k e o n t h i s c a m p .
W e h a d r e c e i v e d t h e w e a t h e r w a r n i n g s o f i t s c o m i n g .
My orders held all organizati ons together in camp
t r y i n g t o s a v e t h e c a m p a n d t h e p r o p e r t y , u n t i l t h i s
w a s u s e l e s s ; t h e n , t h r o w i n g d o w n t h e r e m a i n i n g t e n t s ,
w e m a r c h e d o u t b y o r g a n i z a t i o n , l a t e i n t h e a f t e r n o o n ,
t o o c c u p y f o r t h e n i g h t p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s i n t h e t o w n .
T h e t h i n g w a s d o n e i n f i n e o r d e r i n t h e m i d s t o f o n e o f
t h e w o r s t s t o r m s I e v e r s a w . A l l ' p h o n e a n d t e l e g r a p h
w i r e s i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s o u t o f t h i s r e g i o n f a i l e d." Again
a r a i l r o a d s t r i k e w a s t h r e a t e n e d ; w e h a d f o o d o n h a n d
i n t h e d e p o t f o r o n l y t w o w e e k s . I a t o n c e p u t t h e
whole command on half rations until I could know
t h a t w e w o u l d n o t b e c u t o f f f r o m t h e o u t s i d e s u p p l y .
It was accepted . P l a i n l y , v e r y p l a i n l y , t h e a v e r a g e
A m e r i c a n c i t i z e n , a s t y p i f i e d i n t h e s e c i t i z e n - s o l d i e r s ,
h a d n o t f o r g o t t e n t h e e v i l r e s u l t s o f h i s w i l f u l n e s s a n d
i n d i s c i p l i n e i n t h e g r e a t c a m p s o f t h e S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a nWar . A n d a s t o s o b r i e t y , t h e r e s u l t w a s a l l t h a t c o u l d
b e e x p e c t e d . We had in the New York tr oops, under
General O'Ryan, the fir st cas e that I ever s aw of
e f f e c t i v e " p r o h i b i t i o n " f o r s o l d i e r s .
I n s o m e c a s e s t h e s m a l l r e g u l a r r e g i m e n t s h a d l o n g
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THE MEXICAN BORDER 5
b e e n w i d e l y s c a t t e r e d i n v e r y s m a l l d e t a c h m e n t s g u a r d -
i n g t h e i s o l a t e d b o r d e r r a n c h e s , s e t t l e m e n t s a n d v i l -
l a g e s . T h i s s e r v i c e h a d d e v e l o p e d t h e f e w e n g a g e d t o a
m o s t a s t o n i s h i n g d e g r e e . W i t h t h e f e e l i n g o f s e l f -
r e l i a n c e a n d s e n s e o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , t h e p r i v a t e b e c a m e
f i t t o b e a n o n - c o m . , a n d t h e N . C . 0 . f i t t o b e a n o f f i c e r .
T h e l a s t I s a w o f a c a r e l e s s , h a p p y - g o - l u c k y o r d e r l y t h a t
I h a d u p o n t h i s s e r v i c e , h e w a s t h e r e s p o n s i b l e f i r s t
s e r g e a n t o f a c o m p a n y o f 2 5 0 f i g h t i n g m e n i n F r a n c e.
I n t h e p r o s p e c t o f w a r t h a t w a s a h e a d o f u s , t h e r e
w a s t o m e a n o t h e r r e a s s u r i n g f e a t u r e i n t h i s m o b i l i -
zation of the National Guard on the border . U p o n
b e i n g c a l l e d t o t h e c o l o u r s , t h e m e n o f t h e G u a r d h a d
hoped for and expected immediate active service ;
i n s t e a d , t h e r e w a s m o n t h a f t e r m o n t h o f m o n o t o n o u s
l i f e a n d e l e m e n t a r y d r i l l i n r e m o t e c a m p s , f a r f r o m
h o m e , o u t o f s i g h t o f t h e w o r l d a n d t h e e n c o u r a g e m e n t
o f p u b l i c r e c o g n i t i o n , u n d e r t r o p i c a l s u n i n a l a n d o f
d u s t , s t o r m s , a n d d e s e r t s . The men becam e inex-
p r e s s i b l y t i r e d , w e a r y o f m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e . Yet t he
pros pect of war immediat ely re-awakened their en-
thusiasm . I t w a s a g o o d s i g n .
Q u i t e d i s t u r b i n g t o t h e m i l i t a r y m i n d w e r e t w o t h i n g s
o f b a s i c n a t u r e a n d i m p o r t w h i c h s t o o d f o r t h o n t h e
b o r d e r a t d i f f e r e n t t i m e s d u r i n g t h e t w o o r t h r e e y e a r s
p r e c e d i n g o u r e n t r y i n t o t h e W o r l d W a r , a n d w h i c h i f
c a r r i e d o v e r i n t o t h e w a r w o u l d m e a n f i r s t c o n f u s i o n
a n d ' t h e n d i s a s t e r . These things were thorou ghly
impressed upon my mind at the time . Wit h me they
w e r e o f i l l o m e n ; t h e y c o n s t i t u t e d a g e n u i n e g r e a t f e a r
f o r t h e f u t u r e o f m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e i n e i t h e r p e a c e o r w a r .
T h e f i r s t w a s t h e e x e r c i s e o f c o m m a n d i n t h e f i e l d
a s e x e m p l i f i e d d u r i n g a l a r g e p a r t o f t h e t i m e o n t h e
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6 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
b o r d e r . From the mouth of the R i o Grande along
t h e w h o l e b o r d e r t o S a n D i e g o o n t h e P a c i f i c t h e r e w e r e ,
f o r l o n g , a l w a y s t w o a n d s o m e t i m e s t h r e e s e p a r a t e a n d
i n d e p e n d e n t c o m m a n d s a t t e m p t i n g t o d o t h e s a m e t h i n g
on the same grou nd at the same time . I t i s e n o u g h
t o s t a t e t h e f a c t ; n o c o m m e n t , i s n e c e s s a r y . T h i s ,
i t w a s s a i d a t t h e t i m e , w a s t h e p l a n c o m i n g f r o m t h e
o f f i c e o f t h e C h i e f o f S t a f f o f t h e A r m y a t t h a t t i m e
a n d a t t h e t i m e o f o u r e n t r y i n t o t h e w a r - t h e p r o d u c t
o f t h e b r a i n o f a l a t e d e p a r t m e n t c o m m a n d e r o f t h i s
r e g i o n . I t h a d f o r t u n a t e l y d i s a p p e a r e d f r o m t h e l o w e r
R i o G r a n d e r e g i o n b e f o r e o u r e n t r y i n t o t h e w a r , b u t i t
r e m a i n e d a s a d i s t u r b i n g t h o u g h t t o m i l i t a r y m i n d s
a s a s t y l e o f c o m m a n d t o w h i c h w e m i g h t r e t u r n i f w a r
came .
T h e s e c o n d w a s t h e m o v e m e n t o f t h e t r o o p s t o t h e
b o r d e r a n d t h e i r p l a c i n g i n c a m p a n d u n d e r c o m m a n d .
T h e s e o p e r a t i o n s s h o w e d n o w h i t o f i m p r o v e m e n t o v e r
t h e l i k e w o r k i n t h e S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r e i g h t e e n
y e a r s b e f o r e . It was in deed something to m ake a
s o l d i e r w e e p . Command ers of troops arr iving knew
n o t w h i t h e r t h e y w e r e g o i n g . Commanders to w hom
t h e y w e r e c o m i n g k n e w n o t , i n m a n y c a s e s , t h a t t h e
troo ps were coming or when or how or whither they
w e r e t o g o . Most of the information-and always the
f i r s t i n f o r m a t i o n - r e a c h i n g t h e s e o f f i c e r s o n t h i s s u b j e c t
c a m e f r o m r a i l r o a d e m p l o y e e s , a n e n g i n e e r o r a s t a t i o n
agent I The General Staff of the Army had at that
t i m e b e e n i n e x i s t e n c e s o m e f i f t e e n y e a r s , a n d h a d m a d e
s t u d i e s o f s u c h t r o o p m o v e m e n t s a n d e v e n o f t h i s v e r y
movement to the Mexican bo rder . They had pla nned
a n d e x e c u t e d w i t h g r e a t s m o o t h n e s s a l i k e t r o o p m o v e -
ment t o Cuba in 1906 ; a n d i t i s i n c r e d i b l e t h a t t h e y
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THE MEXICAN BORDER 7
h a d a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h i s m o v e m e n t t o t h e b o r d e r i n
1 9 1 6 . T h e r e i s b u t o n e c o n c e i v a b l e c o n c l u s i o n ; i t i s
t h a t t h e G e n e r a l S t a f f h a d i n t h i s m a t t e r b e e n i g n o r e d
o r d i s r e g a r d e d , a n d t h a t w e h a d o b s t i n a t e l y r e t u r n e d t o
t h e r o t t e n , i n e f f i c i e n t s y s t e m a n d m e t h o d s o f t h e d a y s
o f t h e S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r .
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CHAPTER IIGENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAININGCAMPS
V V
HEREVER in thes e mem or ies I co me t o a ma n
w h o p l a y e d a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t i n t h e w a r , e s p e -
c i a l l y i f h e b e o n e w h o m I h a d k n o w n l o n g a g o i n t h e
a r m y , I s h a l l s t o p l o n g e n o u g h t o t e l l m y r e a d e r s w h a t
I k n o w o f h i m .
L i t t l e a s I l i k e d t h e a s s i g n m e n t t o a t r a i n i n g c a m p ,
w h i c h w a s m y f i r s t d u t y a f t e r t h e w a r b e g a n , I h a d
n e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e g r e a t e s t r e s p e c t f o r t h e o r i g i n a t o r
o f t h e c a m p - s c h o o l i d e a , G e n e r a l L e o n a r d W o o d . He
h a s a l w a y s b e e n a w a y - b r e a k e r , a d o e r o f u n u s u a l a n d
r e m a r k a b l e t h i n g s .
W h e n a s a y o u n g l i e u t e n a n t I j o i n e d m y c o m p a n y i n
the Geronimo ca mpaign near the Mexican bor der in
1 8 8 5 , m y c a p t a i n w a s c o m m e n t i n g u p o n t h e e x p l o i t o f a
y o u n g m e d i c a l o f f i c e r i n b r i n g i n g i m p o r t a n t d i s p a t c h e s
t h r o u g h t h i s w i l d c o u n t r y i n f e s t e d w i t h I n d i a n s a n d o u t -
l a w s . I t w a s a D o c t o r W o o d w h o h a d d o n e t h i s , p r a c t i -
c a l l y a l o n e , r i d i n g a m u l e . A f t e r t h a t i n t h e G e r o n i m o
c a m p a i g n w e h e a r d a s m u c h o f D o c t o r W o o d a s o f G e n -
e r a l L a w t o n , t h e p r i n c i p a l p u r s u e r a n d , f i n a l l y , t h e
captor of Geronimo . Twice in Mexico while hunting
G e r o n i m o t h e l i t t l e c o m m a n d t o w h i c h I b e l o n g e d c r o s s e d
that in which Doctor Wood served on the same work .
N e i t h e r t i m e d i d I s e e h i m , f o r b o t h t i m e s h e w a s a l o n e
l e a d i n g A p a c h e s c o u t s a n d t r a i l e r s o n d i s t a n t s e a r c h e s
8
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G ENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAM PS 9
f o r t h e t r a i l o f t h e h o s t i l e b a n d . He was plainly the
impor tant man of the expeditio n, the man on whom
G e n e r a l L a w t o n r e l i e d , a n d a b o u t w h o m a l l h i s o f f i c e r s
a n d s o l d i e r s t a l k e d .
A f e w y e a r s l a t e r a t a g r e a t w a t e r i n g p l a c e o n t h e
C a l i f o r n i a c o a s t , I s a w h i m a g a i n , n o w a c a p t a i n ; a n d
n o t e d t h a t h i s m a r k e d p e r s o n a l i t y a t t r a c t e d a s m u c h
attentio n as the Commanding General of the United
Stat es Arm y, wit h whom he then was . Agai n in a
l a r g e a r m y p o s t I s a w h i m s e r v i n g u n d e r a v e t e r a n o f t h e
C i v i l W a r , t o g e t h e r w i t h m a n y o t h e r o f f i c e r s h i s s e n i o r
i n s e r v i c e a n d i n r a n k . N e v e r t h e l e s s , h e w a s h e r e a l s o
the marked character, the person spoken of, amo ng
t h e m a l l . In Washingto n later on the army knew of
h i m a s o n e w h o w a s a b l e t o r e t a i n t h e c l o s e f r i e n d s h i p
o f i m p o r t a n t m e n w h o w e r e f i g h t i n g o n e a n o t h e r w i t h
t h e u t m o s t h o s t i l i t y - a s i g n o f n o m e a n c a p a c i t y . Then
in the Spani sh-Americ an War he attr act ed the at-
t e n t i o n a n d w o n t h e l i f e l o n g f r i e n d s h i p o f t h e g r e a t
Americ an Theodore Roos evelt . In Cub a the who le
w o r l d k n e w o f h i m a s a g r e a t s a n i t a r i a n a n d a d m i n i s -
t r a t o r . In the Philippines, in servic e among our
diffi cul t Mohammedan people, the Moros, I saw him
c o n s t a n t l y a n d s e r v e d u n d e r h i s i m m e d i a t e c o m m a n d i n
o u r e f f o r t s t o e x t e n d o u r c o n t r o l o v e r t h e s e t u r b u l e n t
and wholly unusual people . As gov ernor of a Moro
d i s t r i c t I h a d t o d o w i t h h i m w h e n g o v e r n o r o f t h e
M o r o s t a t e , a n d a l s o a s c o m m a n d e r o f a m i l i t a r y r e g i o n
I served u nder him when he was c omm ander o f the
m i l i t a r y d e p a r t m e n t .
G e n e r a l W o o d i s a m a n o f m e d i u m s t a t u r e , y e t o f s u c h
b r o a d b u i l d a s t o s u g g e s t s t u m p i n e s s ; w i t h a n a t h l e t i c
f i g u r e , a r u g g e d c o u n t e n a n c e , a v e r y s c r u t i n i z i n g b u t
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10 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
f r i e n d l y e y e ; and plain almost t o h o m e l i n e s s . Hes u r r o u n d e d h i m s e l f w i t h p e r s o n a l a i d e s a n d s t a f f o f f i c e r s
w h o w e r e d e v o t e d t o h i m , h i s s e r v i c e a n d h i s i d e a s .
T h e y w e r e a l w a y s a b o u t h i s b u s i n e s s a l t h o u g h h e n e v e r
s e e m e d t o d i c t a t e o r b e e x a c t i n g w i t h t h e m ; a n d s e e m e d
t o f o l l o w h i s l e a d f r o m h i s v e r y q u a l i t i e s o f l e a d e r s h i p .
I n t h e v a r i o u s c h a n g e s o f h i s w o r k i n t h e a r m y t h e s e
men followed him . T h e i r d e v o t i o n a d d e d g r e a t l y t o
h i s s u c c e s s a n d r e p u t a t i o n . H e w a s s t r o n g , i t s e e m e d t o
m e , n o t s o m u c h i n h i s j u d g m e n t s a s i n h i s i n s p i r a t i o n
of men .
T h e r e a r e t w o m e a n s , l e g a l f o r c e a n d p e r s o n a l i t y ,
b y w h i c h m i l i t a r y m e n e x e r c i s e l e a d e r s h i p . T h e f i r s t
will make a good captain and perhaps even a good
c o l o n e l ; t h e s e c o n d i s n e c e s s a r y f o r l e a d e r s h i p o f a n y
h i g h e r d e g r e e . T h i s w a s t h e q u a l i t y w h i c h c h a r a c t e r -
ized General Wood-personality, natural leadership .
M e n a n d o f f i c e r s l o v e d t o b e u n d e r a n d n e a r h i m i n
w h a t e v e r s e r v i c e , w h e t h e r i n c a m p o r g a r r i s o n , c a m -
p a i g n o r f i g h t . T h e s o l d i e r , m o r e t h a n a n y o t h e r m a n ,
d e p e n d s f o r s u c c e s s a n d c o n t e n t m e n t u p o n t h e r e c o g -
n i t i o n o f h i s m e r i t b y h i s s u p e r i o r s . O f a l l t h e s o l d i e r s
u n d e r w h o m I h a v e s e r v e d , t h i s m a n w a s t h e k e e n e s t
f o r t h e r e c o g n i t i o n o f m e r i t i n h i s s u b o r d i n a t e s . I t c o u l d
hardly escape his notic e, and this bound men and
o f f i c e r s t o h i m f o r e v e r . S e v e r a l l e t t e r s o f c o m m e n -
d a t i o n f o r e x p e d i t i o n s a n d f i g h t s m a d e u n d e r h i s d i r e c -
t i o n o r c o m m a n d I h o l d a l m o s t a s I d o c i t a t i o n s f o r
e f f i c i e n c y o r b r a v e r y f r o m m y g o v e r n m e n t . He ha d
a c u r i o u s w a y o f s e e k i n g t h e o p i n i o n o f o f f i c e r s s e r v i n g
under his com mand . M o s t m e n w o u l d a s k y o u d i r e c t l y
f o r y o u r o p i n i o n . A l m o s t a l w a y s h e a n n o u n c e d o p i n i o n s
o r i n t e n t i o n s w h i c h a p p a r e n t l y h e n e v e r h a d , m e r e l y
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G ENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAM PS 1 1
f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f d r a w i n g y o u o u t a n d o b t a i n i n g y o u r
o p i n i o n . A f t e r w a r d y o u w o u l d b e g r e a t l y s u r p r i s e d t o
s e e t h a t h i s a n n o u n c e d p l a n s o r i n t e n t i o n s w e r e n e v e r
e n t e r t a i n e d , a n d t h a t q u i t e d i f f e r e n t p l a n s , p e r h a p s
y o u r o w n , w e r e a d o p t e d .
G e n e r a l W o o d i n h i s o f f i c i a l w o r k s e e m e d n e v e r t o b e
t r o u b l e d b y a s p i r i t o f e x a c t i o n . H e w a s n o t p u n c t i l i -
o u s l y m i l i t a r y a l t h o u g h h e f u l f i l l e d a l l o b l i g a t i o n s a n d
r e q u i r e m e n t s . He was not what milit ary men would
c a l l " c o c k y , " a l t h o u g h h e w a s u s u a l l y w e l l d r e s s e d .
H i s o w n c o n d u c t a n d b e a r i n g a n d h i s r e q u i r ements of
o t h e r s s e e m e d t o c o n f o r m t o t h e s t a n d a r d o f u t i l i t y a n d
common sense . H e r e q u i r e d , n o t g r e a t e x a c t n e s s i n t h e
e x e c u t i o n o f h i s o r d e r s , b u t t h e g r e a t e s t a c t i v i t y a n d
e n e r g y . A l a c k o f e n e r g y h e c o u l d n e v e r f o r g i v e . Bu t
h i s u n f o r g i v e n e s s w a s i n n o w i s e p e r s o n a l : h e s i m p l y
d r o p p e d t h e m a n t h a t f a i l e d a n d h a d n o m o r e o f f i c i a l u s e
f o r h i m .
" U n d e r n o c o n d i t i o n s m u s t t h e r e n o w b e a n y f i g h t i n g
o f t h e M o r o s , " c a m e a n o r d e r t o m e . J u s t t h e n a M o r o
c h i e f d e f i e d t h e a u t h o r i t y o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . He wa s
u n d e r m y j u r i s d i c t i o n : I h a d t o f i g h t o r h e w o u l d h a v e
t r i u m p h e d , t o t h e g r e a t s a t i s f a c t i o n o f t h e h o s t i l e M o r o s
a n d t o t h e d e m o r a l i z a t i o n o f t h e f r i e n d l y M o r o s r o u n d
about . I d i d f i g h t , a n d i t g o t i n t o t h e n e w s p a p e r s a t
once . But t he Moro c hief was made an exam ple of,
t o t h e g r e a t p r o f i t o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t . Then ca me a
d i r e c t i o n f r o m t h e G e n e r a l : " P u t B u l l a r d i n a r r e s t
i f h e d o e s n ' t o b e y m y o r d e r ." A few days later the
General himself appeared on the scene . I tol d him
o f t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s a n d a d d e d w i t h v e h e m e n c e t h a t
no other like conditions wou ld probably now arise ;
b u t i f t h e y d i d , t h e r e ' d b e n o t h i n g l e f t b u t t o p u t m e
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12 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
i n a r r e s t b e c a u s e I w a s g o i n g t o v i o l a t e h i s o r d e r s a n d
f i g h t . W e w e r e r i d i n g a l o n e a t t h e t i m e : I c a n n e v e r
f o r g e t t h e i n d u l g e n t s m i l e t h a t t h e G e n e r a l g a v e m e .
H e h a d s e e n t h a t I h a d b e e n a l i v e a n d a c t i v e , a n d t h a t
s u f f i c e d h i m , a l t h o u g h h i s o r d e r s h a d b e e n d i s r e g a r d e d .
I f h e d i d n o t r e q u i r e h i s s u b o r d i n a t e s t o f u l f i l h i s
o r d e r s t o t h e l e t t e r , i n h i s t u r n h e d e m a n d e d a l i k e
l i b e r a l i t y f r o m h i s s u p e r i o r s . T o m y k n o w l e d g e , h e d i d
n o t h e s i t a t e t o g o c o u n t e r t o t h e o r d e r s o f t h e P r e s i d e n t
o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i f c o n d i t i o n s o f w h i c h t h e P r e s i d e n t
w a s i g n o r a n t r e q u i r e d i t . He was right .
"Any newspaper cor respon dents u p there?" cam e
a message from him to me in the Moro count ry at a
t i m e w h e n I k n o w h e h a d r e c e i v e d g e n e r a l i n s t r u c t i o n s
c o m i n g f r o m p o l i t i c a l W a s h i n g t o n t o h a v e n o f i g h t i n g .
"No, " I a n s w e r e d . I n a f e w d a y s h e w a s t h e r e c o n -
d u c t i n g a p u n i t i v e e x p e d i t i o n a g a i n s t r e b e l l i o u s , m a -
r a u d i n g M o r o s w h o c o u l d b e h a n d l e d i n n o o t h e r w a y .
Throughout his long career I have never kno wn a
g r e a t e r e n c o u r a g e r o f m e n w h o d e s i r e d t o d o t h i n g s .
I h a v e n e v e r k n o w n h i m t o t h r o w c o l d w a t e r u p o n a n y
s c h e m e w h i c h p r o m i s e d b e n e f i c i a l a c t i o n . A n y o f f i c e r
or man who proposed to do t h i n g s h a d a l w a y s h i s
sympathy and suppo rt . One of the means by whic h
h e o b t a i n e d m u c h w o r k f r o m h i s s u b o r d i n a t e s w a s h i s
g o o d s e n s e i n n o t e x p e c t i n g a m a n t o b e a b l e t o d o
e v e r y t h i n g , b u t i n p i c k i n g o u t t h e m a n t o d o a n y s p e c i a l
t h i n g a n d i n r e c o g n i z i n g t h e f a c t i f h e d i d i t w e l l . In
t h e v a r i o u s e x p e d i t i o n s o n w h i c h I h a v e o b s e r v e d h i m ,
h e a l w a y s h a d m a n y m e n a n d m a n y o f f i c e r s a b o u t h i m .
P r a c t i c a l l y e a c h o n e o f t h e m w a s a s p e c i a l i s t a n d h a r d
a t w o r k a t h i s s p e c i a l t y . A n d h e c o u l d b e v e r y g e n e r o u s
t o w a r d e a c h m a n ' s p e c u l i a r i t i e s o r f a i l i n g s p r o v i d e d
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G ENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAM PS 1 3
t h a t m a n w a s d e v o t e d a n d u p t o t h e n o t c h i n h i s o w n
s p e c i a l t y . I n d e e d , h i s s t r o n g p o i n t w a s t h a t h e c o u l d
f i n d e a c h m a n ' s m e r i t a n d h i s u s e .
Any expedi tio n which General Wood c ond uc ted in
t h e M o r o c o u n t r y w a s a n e x p e d i t i o n f o r g e o l o g i c a l ,
b i o l o g i c a l , e t h n o l o g i c a l , r e l i g i o u s , a n d e v e r y o t h e r
k i n d o f r e s e a r c h f o r w h i c h h e c o u l d f i n d a s p e c i a l i s t .
I n p a s s i n g f r o m o n e p o r t i o n o f h i s c o m m a n d t o a n o t h e r
t h e d i s t a n c e s w e r e g r e a t , a n d t h e y w e r e u s u a l l y m a d e
b y s t e a m e r . H i s p r e d e c e s s o r s c o v e r e d t h e m i n t h e d a y -
time ; b u t h i s d a y s w e r e n e v e r g i v e n t o t r a v e l , e x c e p t
b y l a n d . H e m a d e a l l o f h i s j o u r n e y s b y n i g h t a n d h i s
d a y f o u n d h i m a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f a d a y ' s w o r k a n d a
w h o l e d a y w a s g i v e n t o t h e w o r k . He was an exa mple
i n t h e u t i l i z a t i o n o f t i m e . T h i s s t a t e m e n t i s n o t m a d e
i n p r a i s e , i t i s m a d e i n e n v y .
H e h a d a r r i v e d i n t h e M o r o c o u n t r y w i t h v e r y l i t t l e
e x p e r i e n c e o f t h i s p e o p l e . It was hard to keep him
o u t o f d a n g e r , b e c a u s e n o s o o n e r w a s c a m p m a d e a t t h e
e n d o f a d a y ' s m a r c h t h a n h e h a d a g u n i n h i s h a n d a n d
was rambling about alone . Or, du ring the march,
h e w o u l d r i d e o u t f r o m t h e c o l u m n a t g r e a t r i s k t o
h i m s e l f , f o r t h e M o r o s w e r e t h e g r e a t e s t s n e a k s a n d
h i d e r s e v e r k n o w n . They would dog the march of a
c o l u m n a l l d a y f o r t h e m e r e c h a n c e o f g r a b b i n g a s i n g l e
s t r a y s o l d i e r a n d c a p t u r i n g h i s r i f l e . The General ,
I b e l i e v e , o w e s h i s l i f e t o a n a l e r t F i l i p i n o , m y i n t e r -
p r e t e r , w h o u p o n o n e o c c a s i o n a n t i c i p a t e d t h e a c t i v i t y
of suc h a lurking Moro near whom the General was
p a s s i n g i n o n e o f h i s s t r a y i n g s f r o m t h e c o l u m n . I
d o u b t t h a t t h e G e n e r a l r e a l i z e d f u l l y h i s d a n g e r o r w h a t
h a d h a p p e n e d , b u t t h e e x p e r i e n c e d o l d M o r o f i g h t e r ,
my interpreter, showed a c oncern that I had never
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1 4 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
b e f o r e s e e n h i m d e m o n s t r a t e . I f e l t q u i t e s u r e , e v e n
i f t h e G e n e r a l d i d n o t , t h a t , b u t f o r T h o m a s T o r r e s ,
t h e G e n e r a l w o u l d h a v e e n d e d h i s c a r e e r a t t h e s o u t h -
east c orner o f Lake Lanao in Mind anao in 1904-
h a c k e d t o d e a t h b y M o r o k r i s e s .
T h e M o r o s o f t h e s o u t h e r n P h i l i p p i n e s w i l l a l w a y s
r e m e m b e r G e n e r a l W o o d a s t h e m a n w h o f i r s t t o l d t h e m
t h a t s l a v e r y m u s t c e a s e . "But , " s a i d t h e S u l t a n o f
S u l u , " I s h a l l l o s e m y w i v e s . " " W e l l , S u l t a n , " r e p l i e d
the General , "you hav e too man y anyhow ." And
s o a b e g i n n i n g o f t h e a b o l i t i o n o f s l a v e r y a m o n g t h e
Moros was ma de with the highest authori ty-the
S u l t a n h i m s e l f . H a r d e r w a s t h e a b o l i t i o n o f t h e c a r r y -
i n g o f a r m s . F o r t h i s , y e a r s a n d y e a r s w e r e t o b e r e -
q u i r e d , n o t s i m p l y t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e f a c t b u t e v e n t o
m a k e t h e s e p e o p l e a c c e p t t h e i d e a .
F r o m t h e d a y s o f t h e M o r o s I s a w G e n e r a l W o o d n o
m o r e t i l l a f t e r t h e o u t b r e a k o f t h e W o r l d W a r . He
w a s t h e n e n g a g e d i n t r y i n g t o p e r s u a d e t h e A m e r i c a n
p e o p l e o f t h e f o l l y o f t h e i r u n p r e p a r e d n e s s t o d e f e n d
t h e i r o w n c o u n t r y . F o r h i s e f f o r t s i n t h i s d i r e c t i o n h e
h a d j u s t b e e n s e v e r e l y r e p r o v e d b y o u r p a c i f i s t m i l i t a r y
a u t h o r i t i e s w h o , a s w e l l a s t h e A m e r i c a n p e o p l e , b e -
c a m e i n t h o s e d a y s h y s t e r i c a l a t t h e m e n t i o n o f a m e r e
p o s s i b i l i t y o f o u r h a v i n g t o f i g h t . "That was severe,
G e n e r a l , " I s a i d . " Y e s , " h e a d m i t t e d , " I a m s k a t i n g
o n t h i n i c e , b u t I a m g o i n g t o s k a t e ." And he con-
t i n u e d a n d a c c o m p l i s h e d t h e f i r s t g r e a t s t e p i n t h e
preparati on of the American people for the war in
w h i c h w e w e r e s o o n a f t e r t o j o i n . H e e s t a b l i s h e d t h e
i d e a o f t h e P l a t t s b u r g T r a i n i n g S c h o o l f o r c r e a t i n g
t h e j u n i o r o f f i c e r s w h o w o u l d b e s o g r e a t l y n e e d e d i n
case of any war . I n t h e w a r i t s e l f h e w a s d e s t i n e d
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G ENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAM PS 1 5
t o h a v e n o p a r t e x c e p t t h e m a k i n g o f s o l d i e r s a n d t h e
c r e a t i n g o f p a t r i o t i c s e n t i m e n t . N i n e m o n t h s l a t e r ,
w h e n o u r t r o o p s w e r e a t l a s t e f f e c t i v e l y e n t e r i n g t h e
war, I saw him in Franc e . " G o o d - b y e , " h e s a i d , " I
a m g o i n g b a c k t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ; I s h a l l n o t b e i n
i t . "
T h e f i r s t p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r w a r i n w h i c h I w a s c o n -
c e r n e d w e r e t h e t r a i n i n g c a m p s f o r s u b a l t e r n o f f i c e r s
f o r t h e a r m y w h i c h w a s t o b e f o r m e d l a t e r o n b y c o n -
s c r i p t i o n o r v o l u n t a r y e n l i s t m e n t .
" T h e r e 1 " I t h o u g h t o n r e c e i v i n g t h e d e t a i l . " T h e r e 1
My enemi es" ( I h a d s o m e ) " h a v e ` p l a n t e d ' m e f o r t h e
war . I s h a l l n o t b e i n i t . " I went to m y new work
i n b i t t e r n e s s o f h e a r t .
T h e P l a t t s b u r g s c h o o l s w h i c h G e n e r a l W o o d h a d p u t
u n d e r w a y h a d d r a w n f r o m a l l s e c t i o n s o f t h e c o u n t r y
a c t i v e , a l e r t y o u n g m e n o f a g e s f r o m t w e n t y t o f o r t y ,
and had interested the American publi c in general
p r e p a r a t i o n s a n d i n t h e t r a i n i n g o f m e n t o t a k e t h e i r
p l a c e s a s o f f i c e r s i n c a s e o f n e e d . His effo rts had
r e s u l t e d i n t h e f o r m a t i o n o f a s o r t o f s o c i e t y o f t h e
g r a d u a t e s o f t h i s P l a t t s b u r g c a m p , a n d t h i s h a d s p r e a d
t h r o u g h o u t t h e n a t i o n , c a r r y i n g t h e g e r m o f t h e i d e a
everywhere . When war was d eclar ed the Plat tsb urg
idea was seized upo n by the War Department as the
most practi cable and expeditious way of provid ing
o f f i c e r s w i t h s o m e t r a i n i n g f o r w a r . Fort unat ely by
t h e n t h e i d e a h a d b e e n t r i e d o u t ; i t w a s n o l o n g e r m e r e l y
a t h e o r y .
T h e s y s t e m a d o p t e d d i v i d e d t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i n t o
s e c t i o n s , a s s i g n i n g a t r a i n i n g c a m p o f t h r e e m o n t h s t o
e a c h s e c t i o n , a n d c a l l i n g f o r v o l u n t e e r s t o t a k e a c o u r s e
u n d e r s p e c i a l l y s e l e c t e d a n d p r e p a r e d a r m y o f f i c e r s ,
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1 6 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
who were to teach the same thing in t he same way
i n a l l c a m p s o r s c h o o l s . I w a s a s s i g n e d t o t a k e c h a r g e
of one at Litt le Rock, Arkansas . Fund s had been
p r o v i d e d a n d o f f i c e r s o f t h e R e g u l a r A r m y h a d b e e n
hurriedly assig ned to each camp, but hardly had a
b e g i n n i n g b e e n m a d e i n t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f t h e n e c e s -
s a r y b u i l d i n g s a n d t e n t a g e b e f o r e t h e s t u d e n t o f f i c e r s
b e g a n t o a r r i v e . T h e r e w a s c o n s e q u e n t l y g r e a t h u r r y
i n o p e n i n g t h e s e c a m p s i n t i m e t o r e c e i v e t h e m . It
w a s d o n e , n e v e r t h e l e s s , s o m e h o w , a s m u c h b y t h e e f f o r t s
o f c i t i z e n s a s b y t h e a c t i o n o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t . The
i n t e r e s t o f c i v i l i a n s i n t h e i m m e d i a t e v i c i n i t y w a s m o s t
marked and encour aging . Near my cam p, bus iness
m e n a n d c o m m e r c i a l c l u b s , c i t y a n d c o u n t y o f f i c i a l s ,
u n i t e d t o h e l p b o t h t h e o f f i c e r s i n c h a r g e a n d t h e i n -
c o m i n g s t u d e n t s . Between ci tizens and Gov ernment,
t h e w o r k w a s d o n e .
I n c r e a t i n g t h e s e s c h o o l s , t h e G o v e r n m e n t h a d m a d e
a s p e c i a l a p p e a l t o t h e c o u n t r y t o o b t a i n m e n o f m a t u r e
judg ment, because they woul d be the first and the
highest ranking among the subordinate officers t o
f o r m t h e n e w a r m y , a n d i t w a s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h o s e
o f h i g h e s t r a n k s h o u l d b e m e n o f t h e b e s t j u d g m e n t .
I n t h e r e s p o n s e t o t h i s I w a s s t r u c k b y t h e l i t t l e a p -
p r e c i a t i o n t h a t t h e c o u n t r y s t i l l h a d o f i t s d a n g e r . In
m y o w n s c h o o l a n d , I u n d e r s t a n d , i n a l m o s t a l l t h e
others, young men, almost m ere boys, many from
t h e h i g h s c h o o l s a n d t h e l e s s e r c o l l e g e s , a p p l i e d f o r
a d m i t t a n c e . G r e a t n u m b e r s h a d t o b e r e j e c t e d m e r e l y
o n a c c o u n t o f y o u t h a n d l a c k o f p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l
development . I t w a s e v i d e n t t h a t t h e c o u n t r y s t i l l
r e g a r d e d t h e w a r a s b o y s ' w o r k .
H o w e v e r , i n s o m e t w o w e e k s o f e f f o r t t h e s c h o o l s
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GENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAMPS 17
w e r e f i l l e d w i t h s t u d e n t s , a m o n g t h e m a s o n a n d f i v e
o t h e r o f m y r e l a t i v e s - n e a r o r d i s t a n t . Then began a
s t r e n u o u s t h r e e m o n t h s o f s t u d y a n d a p p l i c a t i o n t o
p h y s i c a l t r a i n i n g . Like cadets at the U . S . M i l i t a r y
A c a d e m y , t h e s t u d e n t o f f i c e r s w e r e l a r g e l y r e l i e v e d o f
t h e u s u a l f a t i g u e w o r k o f s o l d i e r s , d e v o t i n g t h e i r
t i m e t o s t u d y , c a r e a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e i r e q u i p -
m e n t , t o d r i l l a n d t o p r a c t i c e i n i n s t r u c t i o n o f o t h e r s
l e s s a d v a n c e d .
T h e c r i s i s o f w a r n e v e r r e l i e v e d t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f
t h e n e c e s s i t y f o r b e n g e x t r e m e l y s e n s i t i v e t o c r i t i c i s m
f r o m p r i v a t e p e r s o n s a n d i n f l u e n t i a l f r i e n d s o f s t u d e n t s
who may have thoug ht that the stu dents were not
r e c e i v i n g t h e h i g h e s t a n d m o s t p u n c t i l i o u s c o n s i d e r -
a t i o n t h a t c o u l d b e g i v e n b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t . Onc e
a c c e p t e d , a s t u d e n t o f f i c e r c o u l d n o t t h e r e a f t e r b e
e x p e l l e d f r o m t h e e n c a m p m e n t w i t h o u t t h e c o n s i d e r -
a t i o n o f a b o a r d o f R e g u l a r A r m y o f f i c e r s c a r e f u l l y
r e c o m m e n d i n g a n d s e t t i n g f o r t h t h e c a u s e s o f t h e i r
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n f o r h i s e x p u l s i o n . I n v i e w o f t h e f a c t
t h a t s o m a n y o f t h e s e y o u n g m e n h a d n o t y e t d e v e l -
o p e d a m a n ' s s e n s e o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , t h i s r e q u i r e -
ment was exceedingly onerous to t he offic ers, few
i n n u m b e r , w h o h a d b e e n d e t a i l e d f o r d u t y i n t h e s e
camps . Yet it was observed with the utmost care
a n d c o n s i d e r a t i o n .
I w a s i m p r e s s e d w i t h o n e t h i n g , e s p e c i a l l y , i n t h e
a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e s e m e n f o r t h e t r a i n i n g c a m p s . I t w a s
t h a t t h e a r m y i d e a o f t h e p h y s i c a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o f
s e r v i c e w a s i n g e n e r a l i n f i n i t e l y a b o v e t h e c i v i l i a n i d e a ;
I t p r o v e d l a t e r o n t o b e f a r a b o v e t h e E u r o p e a n m i l i t a r y
i d e a a l s o . I n E u r o p e , a l l m e n , t h e l a m e , t h e h a l t , a n d
t h e b l i n d , s e r v e d a n d h a d t o s e r v e . Y e t t h e h i g h s t a n d -
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18 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
a n d w e r e q u i r e d o f s t u d e n t o f f i c e r s b r o u g h t t h e c o u n t r y ' s
a t t e n t i o n t o t h e n e e d o f p r o p e r p h y s i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t .
I t h a s s i n c e h a d a v e r y e x c e l l e n t e f f e c t . T h e i n t e n s i v e
w o r k r e q u i r e d i n t h e s e c a n t o n m e n t s c a u s e d m a n y o f t h e
w e a k l i n g s , t h o s e w h o w e r e u n w i l l i n g t o t a k e t h e s t e p
o f s p e e d , t o f a l l b y t h e w a y s i d e . I t w a s t h e f i r s t g o o d
s o l d i e r - t r a i n i n g a n d t e s t o f m a n h o o d .
I n m i n i a t u r e , a n o f f i c e r s ' t r a i n i n g c a m p b r o u g h t o u t
c l e a r l y t h e u n i f i c a t i o n a n d n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n t h a t w a s
now going on throughout the country . Nati ve and
loyal f oreigner, Jew and Gentile, Northerner and
Southerner, Catholic and Protestant, fo rgot their
differences in the comm on caus e and met with one
v o i c e i n t h e e n c o u r a g e m e n t o f t h e c o m i n g y o u n g o f f i c e r s .
It brou ght out als o som e of the human cus sedness
in it s own people with which the Government had
l a r g e l y t o d e a l l a t e r i n t h e w a r . L a b o u r , u n i o n l a b o u r ,
l a y i n g a s i d e a l l p a t r i o t i c c o n s i d e r a t i o n s o f t h e h o u r ,
a t o n c e b e g a n t o b u l l y a n d d i c t a t e t o o t h e r l a b o u r a n d
to t he Government . T h e y d i d t h e w o r k b u t l i t e r a l l y
e n r i c h e d t h e m s e l v e s a t t h e v e r y s t a r t . I n s a f e t y a t
h o m e , f a r f r o m s c e n e s o f c a r n a g e t h r o u g h w h i c h m a n y
o f t h e i r s o l d i e r f e l l o w m e n h a d t o p a s s , i n w e a l t h a n d
l u x u r y f r o m t h e h i g h p a y w h i c h n o s o l d i e r h a d , t h e y
w e r e t o k e e p u p t h e i r b u l l y i n g a n d d i c t a t i o n d u r i n g t h e
w a r a n d m a k e i n t h e i r c o u n t r y ' s h o u r o f n e e d a r e c o r d o f
s t r i k e s a n d l a b o u r t r o u b l e s t h a t w e r e a d i s h o n o u r t o t h e
name of America .
A f t e r a m o n t h o f t h e s c h o o l , I w a s c a l l e d f o r t h e f i r s t
c o n t i n g e n t t o g o t o F r a n c e . The order was a gr eats u r p r i s e , s o g r e a t t h a t f o r s o m e h o u r s i t s h o c k e d -
benumbed-me with its unexpectedness . My detail
t o t h i s s c h o o l a t t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g o f t h e w a r I h a d
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G ENERAL WOOD AND THE TRAINING CAM PS 1 9
t a k e n a s a s o r t o f n o t i f i c a t i o n b y t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t
o f i t s i n t e n t i o n t o " p l a n t " m e , t o g i v e m e n o p a r t i n
a c t i v e o p e r a t i o n s . T h e n t o b e c a l l e d f i r s t s u r p r i s e d a n d
puzzled me . N e v e r t h e l e s s , h a v i n g b e e n f o r t h e p a s t
f o u r y e a r s p r a c t i c a l l y a l l t h e t i m e i n t h e f i e l d , I w a s
r e a d y , h o r s e s a n d a l l , a n d s t a r t e d b y t h e n e x t t r a i n .
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CHAPTER IIIAT THE WAR DEPARTMENT
I
N JUNE I repo rt ed in p erso n to General Tas kerH . B l i s s , A c t i n g C h i e f o f S t a f f . He was t o be
t h e m i l i t a r y h e a d o f t h e a r m y a n d w a s t o d i r e c t a l l
i t s w o r k . A b i g m a n , a s i x - f o o t e r , w i t h s t r o n g , b u r l y
f i g u r e , c r i t i c a l , s e a r c h i n g e y e s , a p u g n a c i o u s n o s e a n d
j a w , a n d a g e n e r a l e x p r e s s i o n a n d c o u n t e n a n c e w h i c h
h e s e e m e d a t n o p a i n s t o m a k e a g r e e a b l e . His l ooks
seemed to say, "Give an account of yourself, sir . "
T h e G e n e r a l s e e m e d p r e o c c u p i e d .
" S o f a r a s I k n o w , " h e s a i d a b r u p t l y , " y o u a r e t h e
f i r s t o n e o f t h i s c o n t i n g e n t t o r e p o r t h e r e f o r d u t y . "
H i s v o i c e a n d m a n n e r w e r e a l m o s t g r u f f a n d g a v e o n e
the idea somehow that he was annoyed at being in-
t e r r u p t e d . A l l o f m y o b s e r v a t i o n o f t h i s o f f i c e r c o n -
f i r m s m y c o n v i c t i o n t h a t h e w a s b y n a t u r e a s t u d e n t ,
a m a n g i v e n t o h i s o w n t h o u g h t s , s e p a r a t e d v e r y l a r g e l y
f r o m o t h e r m e n a b o u t h i m , a n d l i t t l e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e i r
w o r k s , s a v e a s a s u b j e c t o f a b s t r a c t t h o u g h t . Thing s
a b o u t h i m s e e m e d t o a t t r a c t h i s a t t e n t i o n v e r y l i t t l e .
H e h a d a n a b s e n t - m i n d e d , f a r - a w a y l o o k i n h i s e y e s
w h e t h e r i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f h i s s u p e r i o r s o r h i s i n f e r i o r s
i n d o o r s o r o u t h e s e e m e d a b s o r b e d i n h i s o w n t h o u g h t s .
" S i t d o w n t h e r e , " s a i d t h e G e n e r a l b r i e f l y , " a n d r e a d
t h a t ." He handed me a c opy of a letter of g eneral
i n s t r u c t i o n s , d i r e c t e d , a s n e a r l y a s I c a n r e m e m b e r , b y
t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s o r d e r t o G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g , w h o h a d
~ o
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AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT 2 1
b e e n s e l e c t e d t o c o m m a n d t h e A m e r i c a n E x p e d i t i o n a r y
F o r c e s .
I d i d a s h e d i r e c t e d . I have almost no memor y of
w h a t t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s w e r e , s o g e n e r a l w a s t h e i r n a t u r e .
M y o n l y d i s t i n c t m e m o r y o f t h e m i s t h a t t h e w i d e s t
a u t h o r i t y h a d b e e n g i v e n b y t h e P r e s i d e n t t o t h e C o m -
m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f o f t h e A m e r i c a n E x p e d i t i o n a r y F o r c e s .
G e n e r a l B l i s s e v i d e n t l y h a d a s i m i l a r i d e a , b e c a u s e h e
comm ented upon the fact as he conceived it, that
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g h a d a l r e a d y a s k e d t h e W a r D e p a r t -
m e n t f o r a n e n o r m o u s n u m b e r o f o f f i c e r s a n d t h i n g s .
The General snapped this out without any apparent
a t t e m p t t o c o n c e a l h i s v i e w s . As he told me of them
I w o n d e r e d t h a t h e s h o u l d t h i n k t h a t G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s
d e m a n d s h a d b e e n t o o g r e a t . T h e y s e e m e d t o m e s m a l l
i n d e e d f o r t h e u n d e r t a k i n g .
I r e m a i n e d f o r s o m e t i m e i n t h e o f f i c e o f G e n e r a l
B l i s s w h i l e h e w a s g i v i n g a n u m b e r o f o r d e r s b y m e m o -
r a n d a t o t h e d i f f e r e n t d e p a r t m e n t s o f t h e s t a f f . As
I l i s t e n e d , I t h o u g h t t h a t f o r a C h i e f o f St a f f o f a n a r m y
t h a t w a s d e s t i n e d t o b e c o m e v e r y g r e a t , a n i m m e n s e
amount of detail was falling to him . The thou ght
w o r r i e d m e , b e c a u s e n o o n e m a n c o u l d c a r r y t h e d e t a i l s
f o r a g r e a t a r m y w h i c h t h i s m a n w a s t h e n t a k i n g u p .
This was tr ue no matter how able the man . General
B l i s s I k n e w t o b e a m a n o f r e c o g n i z e d a b i l i t y , t h o u g h
n o t o f m u c h r e a l s o l d i e r l y e x p e r i e n c e . While i n Cuba
d u r i n g o u r s e c o n d i n t e r v e n t i o n I h a d l e a r n e d o f h i s
v e r y e f f i c i e n t w o r k a s T r e a s u r e r o f t h e I s l a n d d u r i n g
o u r f i r s t i n t e r v e n t i o n ; a n d I r e c a l l e d a l s o a r e m a r k o f
S e n a t o r P r o c t o r y e a r s a g o : "I know a m ajor in the
United States Army, Major Bliss , who is com petent
t o b e a g e n e r a l o f f i c e r a n d t o e x e r c i s e any c o m m a n d . "
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22 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
T o w h i c h I r e p l i e d : " W e l l , M r . S e n a t o r , i f y o u t h i n k
t h a t s u f f i c i e n t l y s t r o n g l y , I a m s u r e h e w i l l b e a g e n e r a l
o f f i c e r a t l e a s t . " W i t h i n s i x m o n t h s h e w a s a g e n e r a l
o f f i c e r . I c a m e u n d e r h i s c o m m a n d n e x t i n M a y , 1 9 1 1 ,
i n a s m a l l b r i g a d e w h i c h w a s f o r m e d a n d p l a c e d u p o n
t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r i n C a l i f o r n i a a t t h e t i m e o f t h e
M a d e r o R e v o l u t i o n , j u s t b e f o r e t h e f a l l o f P o r f i r i o D i a z .
G e n e r a l B l i s s s t r u c k m e t h e n a s a v e r y p e r s i s t e n t
s t u d e n t a n d t h i n k e r , b u t a n o f f i c e r w h o k n e w l i t t l e
a n d c a r e d l i t t l e f o r s o l d i e r s a n d s o l d i e r i n g , e s p e c i a l l y
i n t h e f i e l d . I n t h e t i m e w h i c h I s p e n t , o n e m o n t h ,
m o s t o f i t i n c a m p , u n d e r h i s c o m m a n d , I d i d n o t s e e
h i m a t a l l w i t h h i s t r o o p s e x c e p t d u r i n g a p r a c t i c e
m a r c h a n d m a n o e u v r e f o r a w e e k o r t e n d a y s . I n e x t
s a w h i m i n c o m b i n e d m a n o e u v r e s o f t h e N a t i o n a l G u a r d
a n d t h e R e g u l a r A r m y , i n C o n n e c t i c u t i n 1 9 1 2 . These
w e r e o f t h e k i n d k n o w n a s " c o n t r o l l e d m a n o e u v r e s , "
by which was meant that every operatio n was abso -
l u t e l y g u i d e d u p t o a c e r t a i n l e s s o n a n d n o t a l l o w e d t o
be varied from its especial purpose . The Genera l
h a d t h e m c o m e o f f a s p l a n n e d , a l t h o u g h t o a c c o m p l i s h
t h i s i t w a s n e c e s s a r y t o g i v e f a r - f e t c h e d a n d i m p r o b a b l e
d e c i s i o n s a n d o r d e r s t h a t s t r a i n e d t h e i m a g i n a t i o n
t o t h e l i m i t a n d m a d e t r o o p s a n d c o m m a n d e r s d u m m i e s .
"Let the brigade," he said to me as umpi re on one
o c c a s i o n , " h a l t h e r e , u p o n t h i s r u t o f t h e w a g o n w h e e l ,
not upon that other." The dis tanc e apart o f two
w a g o n w h e e l s i s a b o u t t h r e e a n d a h a l f f e e t . No, ma n,
e v e n w i t h G o d - l i k e p o w e r s , c o u l d h a v e a c c o m p l i s h e d
a n y s u c h r e s u l t .
While co mmandi ng t he Sout hern Depart ment, Gen-
e r a l B l i s s l e f t , o r a t l e a s t t h e r e w a s a t t r i b u t e d t o h i m ,
a c u r i o u s a r r a n g e m e n t o f t h e t r o o p s o f o u r R e g u l a r
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AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT 2 3
A r m y p l a c e d a l o n g t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r t o p r e v e n t t h e
r a i d s w h i c h s t a r t e d i n t h e t i m e o f t h e M a d e r o R e v o -
l u t i o n i n 1 9 1 1 . This was the system as I fou nd it :
t r o o p s o f d i f f e r e n t a r m s s e r v i n g a t t h e s a m e p l a c e w e r e
u n d e r e n t i r e l y s e p a r a t e c o m m a n d s ; w h e r e I w a s s e r v i n g
(and I was inform ed that the same system extended
a l o n g t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r f r o m t h e m o u t h o f t h e R i o
G r a n d e t o f a r b e y o n d E l P a s o ) t h e r e w e r e a l m o s t a l w a y s
two, and sometimes three, separate and independent
c o m m a n d s c o v e r i n g t h e s a m e t h i n g , o n t h e s a m e g r o u n d ,
a t t h e s a m e t i m e . S u c h a s y s t e m c o u l d n e v e r h a v e b e e n
t h e p r o d u c t o f a s o l d i e r ' s m i n d .
A s o u r C h i e f o r A c t i n g C h i e f o f S t a f f o f o u r a r m y , a s
m e m b e r a f t e r w a r d o f a s o r t o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l " s t r a t e g y
b o a r d " d u r i n g t h e w a r , a n d a s t a k i n g p a r t l a t e r i n t h e
peace conference, General Bliss mus t have had much
i n f l u e n c e u p o n t h e i n i t i a t i o n , c o n d u c t a n d c o n c l u s i o n
o f t h e w a r s o f a r a s A m e r i c a w a s c o n c e r n e d .
" J u n e 1 s t t o 5 t h [ D i a r y ] . In Washin gto n . There
I s t u d i e d a n d l e a r n e d a l l I c o u l d a b o u t t h e o r d e r s a n d
p l a n s f o r t h e e x p e d i t i o n o n w h i c h I w a s d e t a i l e d t o g o t o
France . O f m y s t a y i n W a s h i n g t o n t h e g r e a t i m p r e s s i o n
l e f t i s t h a t i f w e r e a l l y h a v e a g r e a t w a r , o u r W a r D e p a r t -
ment will quic kly break down . To me it appeared
f e a r f u l l y w e a k a n d c o m p l i c a t e d a n d c e n t r a l i z e d . "
F o r i n s t a n c e , t o o m a n y o f t h e d e t a i l s i n r e g a r d t o t h e
d i v i s i o n w h i c h w a s s o o n t o g o t o F r a n c e w e r e a r r a n g e d
f o r a n d o r d e r e d b y t h e h i g h e s t o f f i c i a l s o f t h e W a r D e -
partment . "Under suc h a system, the highest au-
t h o r i t y w o u l d h a v e n o t i m e f o r t h e h i g h e r q u e s t i o n s o f
p o l i c y . The convi ction made me quite blue about
w h a t i s l i k e l y t o h a p p e n t o u s i n t h i s w a r . I l e f t W a s h -
i n g t o n c o n s i d e r a b l y d i s c o u r a g e d . "
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24 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
" I f o u n d [ D i a r y ] t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t n o t v e r y b u s y ,
c e r t a i n l y n o t a s b u s y a n d h a r d w o r k e d a s a t t h e o u t -
break of the Spani sh-Americ an War . This has sur-
prised me . Nobod y seems v ery busy or v ery much
w o r r i e d . I wonder if we are really awake . . . .
W e l l , a l t o g e t h e r , I ' v e n o t b e e n i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e
busi ness of this War Department . I b e l i e v e t h a t i t
w i l l f a i l i n t h i s w a r : I c a n s e e n o t h i n g e l s e a h e a d o f i t .
I t s e e m s t o m e t o o p o n d e r o u s ( m e a n i n g f u l l o f d e t a i l )
i n i t s m e t h o d s . T o - d a y I , a c o l o n e l o n l y , r e p o r t e d
i n p e r s o n t o t w o o f t h e h i g h e s t o f f i c e r s o f t h e W a r
Department for duty . I n a n y e f f e c t i v e o r g a n i z a t i o n
some subo rdina te would have received me and given
me my orders . I a m a f r a i d f o r o u r W a r D e p a r t m e n t .
I b e l i e v e i t w i l l ` fa l l d o w n ' a n d ` f a l l d o w n ' s o o n . "
S u c h w a s t h e i m p r e s s i o n o f f o u r d a y s o f o b s e r v a t i o n
a t t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f w a r - m a k i n g a u t h o r i t y i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s . The memory of the confusi on and
c e n t r a l i z a t i o n o f t h e d a y s o f t h e S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n
W a r c a m e b a c k u p o n m e , o f t h a t w a r i n w h i c h a c e n -
t r a l i z e d a u t h o r i t y f o u n d n o w a y w h a t e v e r t o d e c e n t r a l -
ize, but continued to run an army of two or three
hundred thousand m en with the same arrang ements,
the same staff, and the same antiquat ed system as
t h o s e u n d e r w h i c h i t h a d b e e n r u n n i n g i n t i m e o f p r o -
f o u n d p e a c e a n a r m y o f 2 5 , 0 0 0 .
A l t h o u g h I h a r d l y d a r e d t o s t a t e i t e v e n i n a d i a r y ,
I f e l t p e r f e c t l y s u r e u p o n l e a v i n g W a s h i n g t o n t h a t
t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e a r m y w a s d e s t i n e d t o a s g r e a t
c o n f u s i o n a n d h e l p l e s s n e s s i n t h i s w a r a s i n t h e l a s t . I t
a p p a r e n t l y s o t u r n e d o u t . B e f o r e t h e e n d o f 1 9 1 7 ,
t h e h e a d o f t h e S e n a t e M i l i t a r y C o m m i t t e e s h o c k e d t h e
cou ntry and the troops that had arriv ed in France
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AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT 2 5
by the sta tement t hat "the War Depart ment has
c e a s e d t o f u n c t i o n . "
When I wa s i n Washingto n, the com mander for the
Americ an Expedi tio nary Forc e in Franc e, General
P e r s h i n g , h a d b e e n s e l e c t e d , a n d w i t h h i s h u r r i e d l y
g a t h e r e d s t a f f h a d a l r e a d y d e p a r t e d f o r E u r o p e . He
h a d t a k e n w i t h h i m , I h a d b e e n t o l d , s o m e s i x t y o r
o n e h u n d r e d a n d s i x t y o f f i c e r s ( I do no t remember
w h i c h , b u t w h e t h e r s i x t y o r o n e h u n d r e d a n d s i x t y m a k e s
n o d i f f e r e n c e i n s o f a r a s i t c o n c e r n s t h i s m a t t e r . )
I n t e l l i n g m e o f t h i s n u m b e r t h e A c t i n g C h i e f o f S t a f f ,
G e n e r a l B l i s s , d i s p l a y e d a n d e x p r e s s e d g r e a t i r r i t a t i o n
a t w h a t h e a p p a r e n t l y b e l i e v e d t o b e t h e u t t e r l y e x -
o r b i t a n t i d e a a n d d e m a n d s o f G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g f o r h i s
s t a f f. The same views were shared b y the Assist ant
C h i e f o f S t a f f . F r o m t h i s i t c a n b e e a s i l y s e e n w h a t
t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t a t t h a t t i m e r e a l l y e x p e c t e d t h i s
w a r t o b e . T h e s t a f f o f t h e a r t i l l e r y a l o n e o f t h e 1 s t
Army at the battle of the Meuse-Argonne cons isted
o f 1 5 0 o f f i c e r s .
W h i l e i n W a s h i n g t o n i t w a s o f f i c i a l l y i n t i m a t e d t o m e ,
a c o l o n e l o f i n f a n t r y , t h a t I w a s t o b e a p p o i n t e d a
brig adier general and assigned to co mmand the 2d
I n f a n t r y B r i g a d e o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n a n d g o t o F r a n c e .
" I d o n ' t c a r e [ D i a r y ] t h r e e c e n t s a b o u t i t . T h i s w a r ,
i f a n y t h i n g a t a l l , w i l l , w i t h i t s h a r d s h i p s a n d s a c r i f i c e s ,
m a k e t h e g e n e r a l a n d t h e p r i v a t e e q u a l . " A t a b a n q u e t
o n t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r a m o n t h b e f o r e , o n t h e e v e o f
m y d e p a r t u r e , w h i c h a l l f e l t w a s f o r t h e w a r , s p e a k e r
a f t e r s p e a k e r w i s h e d m e p e r s o n a l l y g r e a t p r o m o t i o n;
b u t t h e w a r l o o m e d i n s u c h s e r i o u s n e s s a n d m a g n i t u d e
b e f o r e m y m i n d t h a t t h e p e r s o n a l f a c t o r , I f e l t , c o u l d
n o t b e t h o u g h t o f , a n d I f o r g o t t o t h a n k t h e m f o r t h e i r
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26 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
w i s h e s f o r m y o w n s u c c e s s a n d a d v a n c e m e n t . I f i n a l l y
selected as my adjutant a man who had long been
p e r s o n a l l y d i s a g r e e a b l e , e v e n h o s t i l e , t o m e . I d i d s o
o n a c c o u n t o f h i s e f f i c i e n c y , a n d n e v e r r e g r e t t e d i t .
P l a n s i n W a s h i n g t o n w e r e e v i d e n t l y v e r y i n d e f i n i t e
a n d f o r t h e t i m e b e i n g d i d n o t s e e m t o g o b e y o n d t h e
f o r m a t i o n o f t h e f i r s t c o n t i n g e n t o f t r o o p s t h a t w o u l d
go to France-the 1st Division . This doub t and in-
d e c i s i o n w e r e a p p a r e n t l y t h e n o r m a l s t a t e o f t h i n g s a t
Washingt on . Polici es of t he Government in most
q u e s t i o n s h a d n o t s h o w n s u f f i c i e n t c o n t i n u i t y t o m a k e
a n y o f f i c i a l f e e l s u r e o f h i m s e l f . I h e a r d n o t h i n g o f a n y
reorgani zati on of the War Department alo ng mo dern
l i n e s i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e w a r ; a l t h o u g h a n e n l a r g e -
m e n t o f t h e e x i s t i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n w a s e x p e c t e d .
T h e l a r g e i n d e p e n d e n c e o f t h e d i f f e r e n t b u r e a u s o f t h e
Department had never ceased after the format ion of
o u r G e n e r a l S t a f f s o m e f i f t e e n y e a r s b e f o r e . I t t a k e s
s o m e t h i n g m o r e t h a n a l a w o r a r e g u l a t i o n t o b r e a k
down a custom . T h e G e n e r a l S t a f f , a s h a d b e e n s h o w n
i n t h e m o b i l i z a t i o n o f t h e R e g u l a r A r m y a n d N a t i o n a l
G u a r d o n t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r i n 1 9 1 6 , w a s n o t y e t a b l e
t o c o o r d i n a t e t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e s e b u r e a u s .
I t b e g a n t o b e e v i d e n t t o m e w h i l e i n W a s h i n g t o n ,
a n d b e c a m e m u c h m o r e e v i d e n t t o m e a f e w d a y s l a t e r a t
the port of embar kat ion, at Hobo ken, New Jersey,
that the General Staff and the bur eaus of the War
D e p a r t m e n t w e r e n o t w o r k i n g w e l l t o g e t h e r . B r i e f l y ,
t h e G e n e r a l S t a f f h a d n o t y e t l e a r n e d t o b e o r t o f u n c t i o n
a s a G e n e r a l S t a f f ." S l o w l y a n d c o n f u s e d l y [ D i a r y ,
J u n e 1 5 t h ] t h e t r o o p s h i p s w e r e h e r e b e i n g p r e p a r e d f o r
s e a . S l o w l y a n d m o r e c o n f u s e d l y s u p p l i e s a n d t r o o p s
were being bro ught . Evidently the first convoy of
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AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT 27
t h i s e x p e d i t i o n had been h u r r i e d l y o r d e r e d . Lac k
o f s y s t e m , l a c k o f d i r e c t i o n , c o h e s i o n , a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n
w e r e e v i d e n t u p o n a l l h a n d s a n d i n e v e r y t h i n g . Sup -
p l i e s a n d t r o o p s w e r e l o a d e d i n c o n f u s i o n a n d d i s o r d e r .
Men were sent to ships unprepared to receive them .
S u p p l i e s w e r e p i l e d i n p e l l - m e l l . M a n y ha d t o b e
unloaded . S o m e s h i p s r e c e i v e d t o o m a n y t r o o p s , s o m e
t o o f e w , a n d h a d t o b e c h a n g e d . Men came expecting
t o g o a b o a r d t o l i v e a n d h a d t o s t a y a s h o r e o r o n a
l i g h t e r a n d l i v e a s b e s t t h e y c o u l d . Troops intended
t o b e p u t a b o a r d s h i p s t o l i v e h a d t o b e h e l d f o r a c o u p l e
o f d a y s i n r a i l r o a d f r e i g h t y a r d s , b l o c k e d i n b y f r e i g h t
trains, and most dirty and uncomfortable . . . .
O n e s h i p , t h e S a n J a c i n t o , my own, could not ac com-
m o d a t e t h e n u m b e r o f m e n s e n t t o i t . F o r t w e n t y - f o u r
h o u r s i t h a d n o t a d e q u a t e w a s h p l a c e s f o r t h e t r o o p s ,
b e c a u s e p a r t o f t h e p l a c e s p r e p a r e d d r a i n e d t h e i r w a t e r s
on one of t he decks . It also now has no adequat e
b a t h i n g f a c i l i t i e s o r l a d d e r c a p a c i t y f r o m d e c k t o d e c k
t o e n a b l e p r o m p t a b a n d o n m e n t o f s h i p i n c a s e o f s i n k i n g
o r f i r e . I n t r u t h , t h e S a n J a c i n t o i s i l l p r e p a r e d . On e
o f h e r t r o o p d e c k s l e a k s s o b a d l y u p o n t h e o n e b e l o w
t h a t w e d a r e n o t w a s h t h e u p p e r . B u t t h e t r o o p s a l l g o t
aboard s o m e h o w . That is all one can say-somehow . "
T h e s e t h i n g s a r e r e c a l l e d h e r e , a n d w e r e w r i t t e n a t
t h e t i m e , i n n o c r i t i c a l h u m o u r . I t h i n k t h a t t h e e n t i r e
c o n t i n g e n t o f t r o o p s , a n d c e r t a i n l y I m y s e l f , w a s i n t h e
l e a s t c r i t i c a l f r a m e o f m i n d o f m y e n t i r e l i f e . All
s e e m e d t o f e e l t h a t t h i s w a s n o t i m e f o r q u i b b l i n g . The
f a c t s a n d t h e d i a r y a r e q u o t e d h e r e a s h i s t o r i c a l m e m -
o r i e s a n d t o s h o w w h a t w a s n a t u r a l l y t o b e e x p e c t e d
i n t h e c o m i n g o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t . Ba d
a s t h e y s o u n d a b o v e , a f f a i r s a t t h e p o r t o f e m b a r k a t i o n
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28 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
s e e m e d b e t t e r m a n a g e d a n d s h o w e d m o r e d i r e c t i o n a n d
head than at Washington . My st op at Washin gt on
f r i g h t e n e d m e a s t o o u r p r o s p e c t s f o r t h e w a r .
T h e r e i s n o i n d i c a t i o n i n m y d i a r y , a n d I h a v e n o
m e m o r y o f w h a t I t h o u g h t a t t h e t i m e a s t o t h e r e a l
p u r p o s e o f t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h i s f i r s t c o n t i n g e n t o f
t r o o p s f o r s e r v i c e i n F r a n c e . Long afterward we knew
t h a t i t w a s s e n t i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e u r g e n t a p p e a l o f
M a r s h a l J o f f r e , l a r g e l y f o r t h e m o r a l e f f e c t u p o n F r a n c e
a n d t h e F r e n c h A r m y , w h i c h h a d s u f f e r e d s e v e r e l o s s e s
a n d c h e c k i n t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 1 7 . B u t t h e d i v i s i o n
i t s e l f r e a l l y e x p e c t e d s o o n t o b e i n t h e f i g h t i n g . The
point of embar katio n was Hoboken, New Jersey, on
t h e p i e r s o f t h e G e r m a n H a m b u r g - A m e r i c a n l i n e , w h i c h
h a d b e e n s e i z e d b y o u r G o v e r n m e n t . The troops c om-
p o s i n g t h e d i v i s i o n w e r e e x p e d i t i o u s l y g a t h e r e d , c o m i n g
very largely from the remote Mexic an bor der . On
J u n e 8 t h , t h e y b e g a n t o c o m e a b o a r d a n d , e x c e p t i n g
t h e a r t i l l e r y o f t h e d i v i s i o n , w e r e o n b o a r d b y J u n e 1 2 t h
w h e n a p p a r e n t l y a l l t h e t r a n s p o r t s h a d l e f t t h e p i e r
and were d own New Yor k Bay . " I b e l i e v e [ D i a r y ]
t h a t s p i e s w o u l d h a v e f o u n d i t d i f f i c u l t t o d e c i d e w h e n
t h e f i r s t c o n v o y w a s t o p u t t o s e a . I t a c t u a l l y w a s
h a r d f o r u s a b o a r d t o l e a r n . "
A f t e r I h a d b e e n a t H o b o k e n s o m e d a y s w a i t i n g f o r
t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e r e g i m e n t s o f m y f u t u r e b r i g a d e , I
h e a r d t h a t G e n e r a l S i b e r t , t h e o f f i c e r s e l e c t e d t o c o m -
m a n d t h e d i v i s i o n n o w b e i n g o r d e r e d t o F r a n c e , w a s
in New Yor k . He did not for so me time appear at
H o b o k e n t o s e e t o t h e e m b a r k a t i o n o f h i s t r o o p s . I
do not know who had selected him for the com mand .
H e w a s a n e n g i n e e r o f f i c e r w h o h a d s o d i s t i n g u i s h e d
h i m s e l f a s a n a s s i s t a n t t o G e n e r a l G o e t h a l s i n t h e
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AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT 29
cons truc tion of the Panama Canal t hat he had been
p r o m o t e d t o a g e n e r a l u n d e r a s p e c i a l a c t o f C o n g r e s s .
A s c o m p a r e d w i t h h i s f u t u r e g e n e r a l s , c o l o n e l s , a n d e v e n
o t h e r f i e l d o f f i c e r s , h e h a d h a d l i t t l e e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e
c o m m a n d o f t r o o p s . I doubt ed the wisdo m of his
s e l e c t i o n . " W a a l , n o w , " s a i d a n o l d s o l d i e r o n c e t o a
y o u n g l i e u t e n a n t , " s o l d i e r s i s q u e e r b e i n ' s . Yer hav e
t o g e t s o y e r c a n u n d e r s t a n d 'em . " G e t t i n g s o y o u c a n
underst and 'em may, of cou rse, come to an offic er
b y t h e g i f t o f G o d , w i t h o u t t h e n e e d o f h a v i n g t o l i v e
w i t h s o l d i e r s : b u t g e n e r a l l y i t d o e s n o t . In the main
i t c o m e s f r o m e x p e r i e n c e w i t h s o l d i e r s , r a r e l y i n a n y
o t h e r w a y . G e n e r a l S i b e r t h a d n o t h a d t h a t e x p e r i e n c e .
T h e q u i e t n e s s o f o u r d e p a r t u r e I c o u l d b u t c o m p a r e
w i t h t h e m e m o r y o f t h e n o i s e o f t h e m o v e m e n t o f o u r
f i r s t t r o o p s i n t h e S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n W a r . That w as
a p i c n i c ; t h i s p r o m i s e d t o b e a t r a g e d y .
A d a y o r t w o b e f o r e t h e t r o o p s w e r e a l l a b o a r d t h e
t r a n s p o r t s a t H o b o k e n , G e n e r a l B l i s s , t h e A c t i n g C h i e f
o f S t a f f , c a m e i n t o t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s o f f i c e , w h e r e
I h a p p e n e d t o b e . I n o t i c e d a l o n g w i t h G e n e r a l B l i s s
a v e r y s m a l l m a n i n c i v i l i a n d r e s s . In stature and
m a n n e r h e w a s s o o v e r s h a d o w e d b y G e n e r a l B l i s s a s t o
a p p e a r q u i t e i n s i g n i f i c a n t . I s t o o d a t a t t e n t i o n t o a n d
s a l u t e d G e n e r a l B l i s s , b u t p a i d n o a t t e n t i o n t o h i s
c o m p an i o n. After so me litt le time General Bliss ,
in his ab sent-minded way, seemed to remember this
com panion and to remember me also, and I was pre-
s e n t e d t o t h e l i t t l e m a n - S e c r e t a r y o f W a r B a k e r l I
h a d a l l t h e t i m e u p t o t h a t i n s t a n t t a k e n h i m t o b e ,
p e r h a p s , G e n e r a l B l i s s ' s s e c r e t a r y o r s t e n o g r a p h e r .
W h e n I r e a l l y l o o k e d i n t o t h e l i t t l e m a n ' s f a c e I f o u n d
i t a v e r y i n t e l l i g e n t o n e , a t h i n f a c e , b e a r d l e s s , w i t h a
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3 0 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
m a r k e d J e w i s h c a s t o f c o u n t e n a n c e , a v e r y p r o m i n e n t
n o s e , a n d a n o b s e r v a n t b u t n o t a n e s p e c i a l l y a l e r t
l o o k. Mr . B a k e r h a d a v e r y s l i g h t s t o o p a n d a n a l m o s t
b o y i s h f i g u r e , a n d h i s s i z e s e e m e d t h e s m a l l e r i n c o n -
t r a s t w i t h t h a t o f G e n e r a l B l i s s . His presence was
n o t i m p r e s s i v e . He looked as thoug h he was abo ut
something which he did no t underst and, seemed un-
c o m f o r t a b l e , n o t s e l f - p o s s e s s e d . His perso n and man-
n e r a f f e c t e d m e a t t h e t i m e a s t h o s e o f o n e w h o w o u l d
n e v e r , i n a n e x e c u t i v e p o s i t i o n , b e a s s e r t i v e . They
w e r e c e r t a i n l y n o t c o m m a n d i n g .
M a n y t i m e s s i n c e t h i s f i r s t m e e t i n g I h a v e m e t M r .
B a k e r a n d o b s e r v e d h i m , a n d i n t h e c o u r s e o f o r d i n a r y
a f f a i r s h a v e h a d m a n y o c c a s i o n s t o f o r m o p i n i o n s a b o u t
hi m . T h r o u g h i t a l l h e h a s a p p e a r e d t o m e t h e s a m e
u n o s t e n t a t i o u s , q u i e t , . u n a s s e r t i v e , a l m o s t c l e r i c a l - l o o k -
i n g o f f i c i a l ; b u t i n m a n y t h i n g s t h a t h a v e c o m e u n d e r
m y o b s e r v a t i o n h e h a s s h o w n a q u i e t f i r m n e s s t h a t n o
importu nity and no man, no matter what h i s r a n k ,
could move . I have seen him when men of m uc h
c o n s e q u e n c e w e r e f i n d i n g f a u l t w i t h h i s d e c i s i o n s ; y e t
h e a l w a y s a p p e a r e d q u i e t , g o o d - n a t u r e d a n d p a t i e n t ,
b u t f i n a l l y f i r m .
T w o o r t h r e e t i m e s , o n c e j u s t a s o u r f i r s t t r o o p s h a d
t a k e n t h e i r p l a c e i n l i n e a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y , a n d a g a i n
a t t h e b a t t l e o f t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e , h e a p p e a r e d a m o n g
the troo ps in France, without no tic e and without
p a r a d e . H e s e e m e d u p o n t h e s e o c c a s i o n s t o b e i n t e n t
u p o n h e l p f u l n e s s , u p o n s e e i n g t h i n g s w i t h h i s o w n e y e s
and judging for himself . On the last oc cas ion he
startled me and my provost mars hal by catching us
h u r r i e d l y h e r d i n g o u r G e r m a n p r i s o n e r s i n t o a w e t ,
muddy, barbed-wire pen for safe keeping . I wa s a
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AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT 3 1
l i t t l e s t a r t l e d a n d e x p e c t e d c r i t i c i s m , b u t i t t u r n e d
o u t t h a t t h e s e p r i s o n e r s w e r e s o h a p p y t o h a v e g o t o u t o f
t h e w a r a t l a s t w i t h t h e i r l i v e s , t h a t t h e y h a d l i t t l e o r
n o g r o w l a t t h e w e t a n d m u d o f o u r p r i s o n p e n .
F r o m t i m e t o t i m e I r e a d o f h i m a s b e i n g i n F r a n c e ,
and understood that he was making arrangements
for the better supply and equip ment of the United
S t a t e s t r o o p s. A l w a y s w h e r e I s a w h i m , s o f a r a s t h e
t r o o p s w e r e c o n c e r n e d , h e c o m p l e t e l y l a i d a s i d e s h o w
a n d a t t e n d e d s t r i c t l y t o b u s i n e s s . He disa ppear ed
a s q u i e t l y a s h e c a m e . A l t o g e t h e r I b e l i e v e t h a t t h e
s o l d i e r a n d t h e a r m y m a y b e s a i d t o h a v e s e e n n o t h i n g
of him ; but they felt the results o f his comi ng .
O n c e , a l i t t l e w h i l e b e f o r e t h e A r m i s t i c e i n 1 9 1 8 ,
the troops where I was w ere greatly in need of
m o t o r t r a n s p o r t . I h e a r d t h a t M r . B a k e r w a s m a k i n g
e s p e c i a l a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r i n c r e a s i n g t h e s u p p l y . I
d o n o t k n o w w h e t h e r t h i s w a s t r u e . I o n l y k n o w t h a t
v e r y s h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d t h e m o t o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a l -
lowanc e had been largely increased . I remem ber
t h i s e s p e c i a l l y b e c a u s e o f s u b s e q u e n t t a l k t h a t t h e
American Army could not have follo wed the retiring
G e r m a n s h a d t h e A r m i s t i c e n o t c o m e . W i t h t h i s m o t o r
t r a n s p o r t w e w o u l d h a v e b e e n a b l e v e r y e f f e c t u a l l y
to pur sue them . And I do in memory, whatever the
f a c t s m a y b e , a t t r i b u t e t h i s c o n d i t i o n t o t h e v i s i t o f
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f W a r .
I n o u r p o s t - w a r p o l i t i c s a n d o u r p o s t - w a r f a c i n g o f
t h e w a r ' s g r e a t c o s t , c r i t i c i s m a n d a b u s e h a v e b e e n
heaped upon him . A s I s a w h i m d u r i n g a n d a f t e r t h e
w a r , h e a p p e a r e d a l w a y s t o m e a s o n e w h o g a v e h i m s e l f
w i t h c a l m d e v o t i o n a n d c o m p l e t e s e l f - e f f a c e m e n t t o t h e
s e r v i c e o f h i s c o u n t r y .
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CHAPTER IVTHE VOYAGE TO FRANCE
BOUT 1 P . M . , J u n e 1 4 t h [ D i a r y ] , w e p u t t o s e a
w i t h c o n v o y n a v a l v e s s e l s - t h e c r u i s e r C h a r l e s t o n
a n d t h r e e t o r p e d o - b o a t d e s t r o y e r s , w i t h o n e c o l l i e r .
O u r t r a n s p o r t s n u m b e r e d t h r e e , o n e b e i n g l o a d e d w i t h
marines . " T h i s w a s b u t o n e s e c t i o n o r d i v i s i o n o f t h e
c o n v o y , a n o t h e r h a d a p p a r e n t l y p r e c e d e d a n d o n e o r
more were to foll ow us . " W e p u t o u t w i t h c a r e , i t
s e e m e d t o m e , f r o m t h e s t a r t . W e w e r e s o o n z i g - z a g g i n g
a s t h o u g h w e w e r e a m o n g h o s t i l e s u b m a r i n e s , a n d w e
h a v e s i n c e k e p t t h a t u p . "
B e f o r e e n t r a i n i n g t h e t r o o p s f o r t h e p o r t o f e m -
b a r k a t i o n a n d a g a i n a t t h e t i m e o f e m b a r k a t i o n a l l o r -
g a n i z a t i o n s h a d b e e n s e a r c h e d f o r d i s l o y a l p e r s o n s . On
a c c o u n t o f s u s p i c i o n o f p r o - G e r m a n i s m o r o n a c c o u n t
o f e n e m y b i r t h o r p a r e n t a g e , c o n s i d e r a b l e n u m b e r s o f
e n l i s t e d m e n h a d b e e n s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e t r o o p s m a k i n g
u p t h e e x p e d i t i o n a n d h a d b e e n t r a n s f e r r e d t o o r g a n i -
zatio ns remainin g in t he United States . Ano ther
c u l l i n g o v e r a t t h e p o r t o f e m b a r k a t i o n g a t h e r e d a f e w
more men and one officer . The measure wa s u n-
questionably wise and considerate . Even i f they
w e r e l o y a l t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a s m a n y o f t h e m u n -
d o u b t e d l y w e r e , i t w a s b e t t e r n o t t o r e q u i r e t h e m t o f i g h t
p e o p l e w i t h w h o m t h e y h a d b e e n e s p e c i a l l y f r i e n d l y
or who were dear to them personally . Throu gh the
c u l l i n g I p a s s e d a y o u n g s o l d i e r b o r n i n G e r m a n y w h o
3 2
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THE VOYAGE TO FRANCE 33
h a d b e e n b u t s o m e f i v e o r s i x y e a r s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
a n d a t t h a t t i m e h a d t w o b r o t h e r s i n t h e G e r m a n A r m y .
I f e l t h i m t o b e a l o y a l A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r , a n d s o h e
p r o v e d t o b e i n a l m o s t t w o y e a r s a t t h e f r o n t i n F r a n c e .
A n o f f i c e r , a c a p t a i n o f m y o l d r e g i m e n t , t h e 2 6 t h
I n f a n t r y , w a s , l a r g e l y u p o n m y r e p o r t , h e l d b a c k a s o f
d o u b t f u l l o y a l t y : t h o u g h b o r n i n A m e r i c a , h e w a s o f
German parentage . A f t e r i t h a d b e e n d e c i d e d t h a t h e
s h o u l d n o t b e a l l o w e d t o a c c o m p a n y t h e e x p e d i t i o n ,
he showed me a letter of high commendation from a
h i g h l y t r a i n e d A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r w h o h a d m a d e a t h o r -
ough study of German methods of t raining . The
commendation was tinged with defeatism . I ha d
n e a r m e a l s o a n o t h e r o f f i c e r w h o h a d m a d e a s i m i l a r
study . B o t h o f t h e s e o f f i c e r s h a d b e e n s o m o v e d w i t h
admira tion of German mil itary methods that they
h a d b e c o m e p r a c t i c a l l y p r o - G e r m a n , a n d i t t o o k s o m e
months of the war to c hange their view . "The im -
p r e s s i o n [ D i a r y ] t h a t t h e a v e r a g e m a n d e r i v e s f r o m
hearing them talk and fr om being wi th them is the
h o p e l e s s n e s s , t h e u t t e r f o l l y o f o u r r e s i s t i n g o r f i g h t i n g
the Germans at al l ." Too muc h knowledge o f the
d i f f i c u l t i e s o f a n u n d e r t a k i n g i s n o t a l w a y s a g o o d t h i n g .
A n o t h e r i n c i d e n t t o s h o w h o w l i t t l e a p p r e c i a t i o n
e v e n t h e h i g h d e p a r t m e n t s o f o u r g o v e r n m e n t h a d o f a
d a n g e r w h i c h t w o o r t h r e e m o n t h s l a t e r t h e p e o p l e o f t h e
w h o l e c o u n t r y w e r e e n g a g e d i n r e p r e s s i n g : a s h o r t w h i l e
b e f o r e o u r d e c l a r a t i o n o f w a r , f e e l i n g s u r e t h a t w a r
w o u l d c o m e , I m a d e a n o f f i c i a l r e p o r t o f a n o t h e r o f f i c e r
of my regiment for dang erous pro-Germanis m . No
l e s s a n o f f i c i a l t h a n t h e I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l o f t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s A r m y r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t I b e i n v e s t i g a t e d f o r
h a v i n g m a d e s u c h a r e p o r t 1
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34 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
Ou r c o n v o y , z i g - z a g g i n g p r a c t i c a l l y a l l t h e t i m e ,
s e e m e d v e r y s l o w . O n t h e s e c o n d o r t h i r d d a y o u t t h e
w h o l e l i t t l e s q u a d r o n h a d t a r g e t p r a c t i c e a t a s i m u l a t e d
s u b m a r i n e p e r i s c o p e . Some two hundred shots in all
w e r e f i r e d , b u t t h e s i m u l a t e d p e r i s c o p e e s c a p e d a l l
damage . T h i s w a s n o t v e r y r e a s s u r i n g i n c a s e s u b -
m a r i n e s s h o u l d a c t u a l l y c o m e .
O u r f l o t i l l a a p p a r e n t l y a v o i d e d c o m p a n y a s m u c h a s
p o s s i b l e . A l l t h e g r e a t s h i p s t h a t w e s a w e n r o u t e h a d
o n t h e i r g r a y c o a t s o f p a i n t f o r c o n c e a l m e n t a g a i n s t
t h e e y e s o f a G e r m a n p e r i s c o p e . There came up wi th
u s a c o n s i d e r a b l e f l e e t o f s h i p s b e a r i n g f r o m t h e s o u t h
u n d e r c o n v o y o f a g r e a t B r i t i s h c r u i s e r ; a n d b y d a r k
we were quite near them . Their co mpan y, however,
was apparently not agreeable, for we soon changed
cour se and zig-zagged away from them . Co m p a n y
e v e n o f t h e b e s t w o u l d a t t r a c t a t t e n t i o n , a n d w e w e r e
p r o c e e d i n g c i r c u m s p e c t l y , o u r t o r p e d o - b o a t d e s t r o y e r s
going well out and examining minutely all passing
v e s s e l s . M o s t o f t h e m w e f o u n d t o b e B r i t i s h . Never-
t h e l e s s , a n y c o m p a n y w a s b a d a n d w e q u i t i t a s f a s t
a s w e c o u l d .
O n J u n e 1 9 t h , a b o u t d u s k , o n e o f o u r s h i p s s o u n d e d
t h e a l a r m o f s u b m a r i n e s . " T h e w h o l e f l e e t , o f c o u r s e
[ D i a r y ] , a n d a l l o n b o a r d p r e p a r e d . I n a l i t t l e w h i l e o n e
of our transpor ts fired a shot or two . Everybo dy
stood by . L a t e r s t i l l a d e s t r o y e r f i r e d t h r e e o r f o u r
s h o t s . L a t e r s t i l l o u r c o n v o y i n g c r u i s e r f i r e d a s h o t .
A l l s h i p s , I h e a r d , b e l i e v e d t h e y s a w p e r i s c o p e s . There
w a s , o f c o u r s e , i n t e n s e e x c i t e m e n t a n d - e q u a l l y i n t e n s e
s i l e n c e . All hand s were ready for an y emergency .
W e w e n t u n d e r f u l l s p e e d , z i g - z a g g i n g a l l t h e w h i l e . I
watched our c ourse . I think we turned o ff to the
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THE VOYAGE TO FRANCE 35
s o u t h f o r a t l e a s t t w o h o u r s . We had been going, in
t h e m a i n , e a s t w a r d . I s l e p t l i t t l e u n t i l 1 A. M . , and
t h e n w i t h a l l m y c l o t h e s o n . I w a s b a d l y s c a r e d ; w e
s e e m e d s o h e l p l e s s . B u t I n o t i c e d t h a t s h i p s a n d m e n
o b e y e d t h e o r d e r s p r o v i d e d f o r t h e a l a r m . Abou t mid -
n i g h t d a r k n e s s a n d f o g e n a b l e d u s t o f e e l r e a s o n a b l y
s a f e . N o t h i n g f u r t h e r . "
T h e g r a t i f y i n g t h i n g a b o u t t h i s a l a r m w a s t h e a b s o -
l u t e o b e d i e n c e o f t h e t r o o p s a b o a r d m y v e s s e l t o t h e
p l a n s p r o v i d e d f o r s u c h a c o n t i n g e n c y . I t w a s m o s t e n -
c o u r a g i n g . N e x t d a y I o r d e r e d a l l o f f i c e r s t o s a y t o
the men : " W e h a v e e s c a p e d w i t h a l l s h i p s a n d a l l m e n ,
b e c a u s e a l l s h i p s a n d a l l m e n o b e y e d t h e i r o r d e r s w h e n
w e m e t t h e s u b m a r i n e s . O b e y t o - d a y , t o - m o r r o w , a n d
a l w a y s . T h a t w i l l b e o u r s a f e t y ." The lesso n went
h o m e .
" J u n e 2 2 , 1 9 1 7 [ Di a r y ] . Yesterday we met t wo o r
three British merchant ships going toward America .
A l l w e r e a r m e d . T h e y s e e m e d q u i t e u n a f r a i d ( a s t h e y
w e r e a p p r o a c h i n g u s ) , f r o m w h i c h I c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e y
h a d a l r e a d y r u n i n t o s o m e o t h e r d i v i s i o n o f o u r c o n v o y
ahead of us and had been prepared for meeting us .
. . . We are somehow making very slow time to-
d ay . I h a v e a s o r t o f a n i d e a t h a t t h e p r e c e d i n g d i v i -
sions of our co nvoy are being conducted into some
E u r o p e a n p o r t , o n e a f t e r a n o t h e r , a n d t h a t o u r d i v i s i o n
i s k i l l i n g t i m e a w a i t i n g i t s t u r n . " Nobody aboard,
e x c e p t t h e o f f i c e r s o f t h e s h i p , k n e w w h a t c o u r s e w e h a d
taken from the United States to ward Europe . The
c o n s t a n t z i g - z a g g i n g a n d t h e i r r e g u l a r i t y o f i t h a d
c o n f u s e d u s . We didn't know whether we were to the
n o r t h o r t o t h e s o u t h o f t h e u s u a l r o u t e o f t r a v e l , o r
w h e t h e r w e w e r e g o i n g t o G r e a t B r i t a i n o r d i r e c t t o
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36 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
France . I n f a c t w e d i d n o t k n o w t h a t w e w e r e g o i n g
t o F r a n c e : w e o n l y s u s p e c t e d i t f r o m t h e s u c c e s s o f
M a r s h a l J o f f r e ' s v i s i t t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . Howc o m p l e t e l y t h e t r o o p s w e r e a t a l o s s t o k n o w w h e r e w e
w e r e , h o w f a r w e h a d g o n e , o r h o w f a r w e w e r e s t i l l
f r o m l a n d m a y b e s e e n b y t h e f a c t t h a t a f t e r t h e n o t a t i o n
a b o v e w a s w r i t t e n w e s t e a m e d f o r f o u r d a y s m o r e b e f o r e
r e a c h i n g t h e c o a s t o f F r a n c e . At no t ime, however,
f r o m t h e v e r y s t a r t u n t i l t h e l a n d i n g w a s t h e r e a n y
r e l a x a t i o n o f t h e c a r e a n d t h e w a t c h f u l n e s s a g a i n s t
p o s s i b i l i t y o f s u b m a r i n e a t t a c k .
" O n t h e n i g h t [ D i a r y ] o f t h e 2 3 r d o r t h e 2 4 t h ( I d o
n o t n o w r e c a l l w h i c h ) , a t 1 2 P. M . , a submarine alarm
w a s s o u n d e d b y m y t r a n s p o r t . I w a s o u t o f b e d b e f o r e
t h e s o u n d c e a s e d , f i n d i n g t h a t t h e s h i p ' s w a t c h h a d s e e n
c o m i n g t o w a r d u s , a t a n a n g l e , w h a t w a s e i t h e r a t o r p e d o
o r a g r e a t f i s h , s t i r r i n g u p t h e p h o s p h o r e s c e n c e . Our
s h i p s t o p p e d , t h e o b j e c t p a s s e d a c r o s s o u r b o w a n d w a s
s e e n n o m o r e . F e w a b o a r d t u r n e d o u t ; w e h a v e b e c o m e
l e s s s u s c e p t i b l e t o a l a r m ." We were fast ac qu iri ng
o n t h e s e a t h a t c a l l o u s n e s s t o d a n g e r t h a t o n l a n d b r i n g s
m e n t o t h e e n d o f e v e n a l o n g l i f e s t i l l n o t e x p e c t i n g
death . It is human nature and sav es us many times
t h e a g o n y o f d e a t h b e f o r e w e d i e . A l t h o u g h t h i s a l a r m
p a s s e d o f f w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t o r a c c i d e n t I s h a l l a l w a y s
remember the noise of the great whistl es of the
d i f f e r e n t s h i p s a s c a r r y i n g t h e s e n s a t i o n o f a g r e a t
s h u d d e r p a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h e f l e e t - s o m u c h s o t h a t f o r
t w o o r t h r e e y e a r s a f t e r w a r d , e v e n i n t h e q u i e t e s t
t i m e , a s h i p ' s w h i s t l e w o u l d w a k e m e w i t h t h i s s a m e
s e n s a t i o n .
T h e t h r e e o r f o u r s e c t i o n s o f t h e c o n v o y c a r r y i n g
t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n p r o c e e d e d s e p a r a t e l y , a n d f i n a l l y a r -
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THE VOYAGE TO FRANCE 3 7
r i v e d i n F r a n c e t h r e e o r f o u r d a y s a p a r t . E a c h s e c t i o n
r e p o r t e d u n s u c c e s s f u l G e r m a n t o r p e d o a t t a c k s . "There
s e e m s n o d o u b t [ D i a r y ] t h a t w e w e r e p u r s u e d a n d f i r e d
a t , b u t o f c o u r s e t h e r u m o u r s w e r e e x a g g e r a t e d a s t o
number and danger ." These rumo urs caus ed in t he
U n i t e d S t a t e s , I a f t e r w a r d l e a r n e d , a g r e a t d e a l o f
e x c i t e m e n t a n d i n c r e d u l i t y a s t o a n y a t t a c k o r a t -
tempted attack by German submar ines upon any sec-
tion of our convoy . Duri ng the two weeks of o ur
c r o s s i n g t h e r e w a s a g r e a t f a l l i n g o f f i n t h e l o s s e s o f
Allied ships fro m German subma rines . This wou ld
seem to indic ate that the enemy submarines were
p e r h a p s j u s t t h e n g i v i n g t h e i r a t t e n t i o n t o s e e k i n g
our convoy . B u t l e a v i n g a s i d e a l l o t h e r m e r e i n d i -
cati ons, the two alar ms I witnessed did not evok e
s u c h a s t a t e o f e x c i t e m e n t o r f e a r u p o n t h e p a r t o f t h e
r e g u l a r n a v a l c o n v o y o r t h e p e o p l e a b o a r d a s w o u l d
m a k e o n e b e l i e v e t h a t t h e y " s a w t h i n g s . "
T h e f i r s t s i g n o f a p p r o a c h t o E u r o p e w a s t h e a p p e a r -
a n c e a b o u t J u n e 2 5 t h o f t w o o r t h r e e s m a l l , s w i f t ,
F r e n c h t o r p e d o b o a t s . T h e s e t o o k u p t h e s c o u t i n g a s
f l a n k e r s a n d a d v a n c e g u a r d o f t h e s e c t i o n o f t h e c o n v o y
t o w h i c h m y b o a t b e l o n g e d . T h e y c o u l d d o l i t t l e e l s e
t h a n s c o u t , b e i n g v e r y v e r y s m a l l .
E a r l y o n t h e m o r n i n g o f J u n e 2 8 t h o u r s e c t i o n o f t h e
c o n v o y s e e m e d t o b e l o a f i n g s o m e w h e r e i n a f o g . The n
t h e f o g l i f t e d , a n d s l o w l y w e m o v e d i n t o t h e m o u t h o f a
r i v e r a n d t o t h e p o r t o f S t . N a z a i r e , F r a n c e . We kn ew
w h e r e w e w e r e a t l a s t .
As the vessels moved slo wly toward the port and
q u a y s , m a n y e y e s w e r e t u r n e d u p o n t h i s O l d W o r l d f o r
t h e f i r s t t i m e , m i n e a m o n g t h e n u m b e r . And the thing
t h a t i m p r e s s e d t h e s e u n a c c u s t o m e d e y e s w a s t h e c l e a n -
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38 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
n e s s , n e a t n e s s , a n d e s p e c i a l l y t h e f i n i s h o f t h e v i l l a g e s
a n d h o u s e s a l o n g t h e b a n k s . W e h a d s e e n b u t l i t t l e ,
w e n e e d e d t o s e e b u t l i t t l e o f i t b e f o r e w e w e r e e x c l a i m i n g
" W h a t a b e a u t i f u l c o u n t r y , a l a n d i n d e e d w o r t h f i g h t i n g
f o r 1 " A b o u t o u r l a n d i n g t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g u n u s u a l .
" We disem bar ked [Diar y] and have been in c amp
( c a n t o n m e n t p r e p a r e d b y t h e F r e n c h ) a c o u p l e o f m i l e s
out from St . N a z a i r e e v e r s i n c e . The can ton ment is
v e r y w e l l f i x e d c o n s i d e r i n g a l l t h i n g s , b u t i t i s n o t a n d
n e v e r w i l l b e a s g o o d a s w e ' v e b e e n a c c u s t o m e d t o i n
the U . S . W a t e r a n d w o o d a r e v e r y s c a r c e . W a t e r i s
h a u l e d f i f t y m i l e s i n b o a t s a n d t h e n p u m p e d i n t o t a n k s
f o r o u r u s e . " T h e F r e n c h w e r e d o i n g t h i s f o r u s . Howl i t t l e , w i t h t h e s e s i m p l e a n d i n a d e q u a t e m e a n s , t h e y
f o r e s a w t h e m i g h t y A m e r i c a n e f f o r t t h a t t r a n s f o r m e d
not only St . N a z a i r e , b u t h a l f a d o z e n o t h e r p o r t s
i n t o m i g h t y c a m p s w i t h e v e r y t h i n g e s s e n t i a l t o l i f e i n
w a r l
T h e t r o o p s , b o t h o f f i c e r s a n d m e n , s t i l l k n e w l i t t l e
o f t h e r e a l p u r p o s e f o r t h e i r a p p e a r i n g i n F r a n c e . M o s t
o f t h e m e x p e c t e d t o j o i n i n t h e f i g h t i n g a t t h e f r o n t
w i t h o u t d e l a y . S o l i t t l e r e a l c o m p r e h e n s i o n h a d a n y o f
u s o f t h e c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h w e w e r e f a c i n g 1 I t w a s t o
b e m o n t h s b e f o r e a n y o f u s w o u l d s e e t h e f r o n t . Weh a d n o t u p o n l a n d i n g , w e l a t e r f o u n d t o o u r c h a g r i n ,
a n y t h i n g b u t a w i l l i n g n e s s t o f i g h t . W e l a c k e d n o t o n l y
t h e t r a i n i n g , b u t t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n ; a n d e v e n f o r t h e
i n f a n t r y , t h e b o d y o f t h e a r m y , w e l a c k e d ' t h e k i n d o f
a r m s w i t h w h i c h w e w e r e l a t e r t o f a c e t h e e n e m y . T h i s
knowledge very quic kly came to me . " I f e a r t h e
F r e n c h [ D i a r y t w o w e e k s a f t e r l a n d i n g ] w i l l g r o w t i r e d
o f w a i t i n g o n a n d h e l p i n g u s b e f o r e t h e y a t l a s t s e e u s
g o f o r w a r d . T h e r e a r e s i g n s i n t h e i r n e w s p a p e r a r t i c l e s
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THE VOYAGE TO FRANCE 3 9
t h a t t h e y e x p e c t m u c h o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . We ar e
t r y i n g , h o w e v e r , t o k e e p d o w n t h e i r e x p e c t a t i o n s o f a n y
e a r l y e f f e c t i v e m i l i t a r y h e l p . "
I h a d n o t e d o n t h e v o y a g e t h a t n e a r i n g t h e s c e n e
o f w a r w a s s o m e h o w c h a n g i n g t h e t h o u g h t s o f o f f i c e r s
and men . They began while upo n the way to gr asp
m o r e r e a l l y t h e f a c t o f w a r . Now, i n Fran ce, men
s e e m e d t o c o m e a l l a t o n c e , a s i f i n c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e
m e r e p r e s e n c e o f r e a l i t y , t o a j u s t u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f w h a t
t h e w a r a n d t r a i n i n g f o r w a r m e a n t . A r r i v a l b r o u g h t
t h e u n q u e s t i o n e d c o n v i c t i o n t h a t t h e f i n a l a n d h i g h e s t
f i n i s h o f t r a i n i n g a n d p r e p a r a t i o n m u s t b e m a d e h e r e
i n F r a n c e , i n t h e p r e s e n c e a n d i n t h e a t m o s p h e r e o f w a r .
O n c e h e r e , n o o n e s e e m e d t o h a v e a n y o t h e r i d e a . I t
t o o k p o s s e s s i o n o f a l l m i n d s .
T h e r e s t r i c t i o n s u p o n w h a t o u r m e n c o u l d w r i t e i n
l e t t e r s h o m e o r e l s e w h e r e a t f i r s t b o r e v e r y h a r d u p o n
u s a l l . I n o u r n e w s i t u a t i o n s w e f e l t a n a l m o s t i r -
r e s i s t i b l e d e s i r e t o t e l l o u r f r i e n d s a t h o m e a l l a b o u t
w h e r e w e w e r e , w h a t w e w e r e d o i n g , a n d w h a t t h e A m e r -
i c a n a n d A l l i e d f o r c e s w e r e d o i n g o r h o p e d t o d o . Of
c o u r s e , t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e A l l i e s b e f o r e w e c a m e
s h o w e d t h a t t h i s w o u l d s i m p l y b e g i v i n g d i r e c t i n f o r -
m a t i o n o f o u r p u r p o s e s t o t h e e n e m y . Our own Amer-
i c a n c e n s o r s h i p r e g u l a t i o n s t h e r e f o r e w e r e s t r o n g a g a i n s t
i t . A t f i r s t i t c h a f e d . After a month or s o it wa s
a s t o n i s h i n g h o w l i t t l e m e n r e a l l y d e s i r e d t o w r i t e o f
what was passing about them . I n s t e a d o f h a v i n g t o
r e s t r a i n t h e m i n w r i t i n g , i t s o o n b e c a m e n e c e s s a r y
f o r t h e a u t h o r i t i e s t o u r g e t h e m t o w r i t e h o m e i n o r d e r
t o l e t t h e i r o w n p e o p l e k n o w t h a t t h e y w e r e w e l l and
h e a r t y , o r i l l . A n d t h e s e m e a s u r e s o f e x h o r t a t i o n h a d
to b e supplemented by provid ing everybody with
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4 0 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
f a c i l i t i e s , p e n a n d i n k a n d p a p e r a n d s t a m p s , i n o r d e r
t o i n d u c e t h e m t o d o i t . T h i s p a s s i n g s o q u i c k l y f r o m
one extreme to another-early irritat ion and final
absolute callousness-was an amusing and striking
t h i n g .
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CHAPTER VPERSHING
HARDLY were we settled i n camp before General
P e r s h i n g a p p e a r e d f r o m h i s h e a d q u a r t e r s i n P a r i s ,
w h i t h e r h e h a d g o n e s o m e t w o w e e k s b e f o r e , t o c o n c l u d e
a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h F r e n c h a u t h o r i t i e s f o r o u r e n t r y
i n t o t h e w a r .
Here, then, was the man desti ned to c ommand the
A m e r i c a n f o r c e s i n t h e w a r . I had known him sinc e
t h e t i m e w h e n b o t h o f u s w e r e i n W e s t P o i n t . He had
c o m e a s a p l e b e i n t h e s u m m e r o f 1 8 8 2 , o n e c l a s s b e h i n d
m e : b u t e x c e p t t h a t h e h a d b e e n e l e c t e d p r e s i d e n t o f
h i s c l a s s , I h e a r d n o t h i n g o f h i m f o r a y e a r , w h e n h e w a s
made a corporal . I n t h o s e d a y s , t h e s e t w o t h i n g s ,
c l a s s p r e s i d e n t a n d a y e a r l i n g c o r p o r a l c y , w e r e n o t s i g n s
o f h i g h s t a n d i n g i n s t u d i e s , b u t r a t h e r o f m i l i t a r y ,
m a n l y s e r i o u s b e a r i n g a n d o f a t l e a s t a g o o d s c h o l a s t i c
s t a n d i n g . A y e a r l a t e r h e c a m e a s f i r s t s e r g e a n t t o
"A" Comp any of t he Cadet Corps, o f whic h com pany
I w a s t h e " n t h ( l a s t r a n k i n g ) c a d e t l i e u t e n a n t ; b u t
a s h e w a s o f a n o t h e r c l a s s f r o m m i n e a n d o f d i f f e r e n t
g r a d e , I w a s n e v e r i n t i m a t e w i t h h i m . H e w a s , h o w e v e r ,
f o r a y e a r c o n s t a n t l y b e f o r e m y e y e s , a n d I s a w s o o n
a f t e r h e c a m e , t h a t h e j u s t i f i e d t h e j u d g m e n t o f h i s
c l a s s m a t e s i n m a k i n g h i m c l a s s p r e s i d e n t a n d o f t h e
t a c t i c a l o f f i c e r i n m a k i n g h i m c o r p o r a l a n d f i r s t s e r -
g e a n t . I h a v e h e a r d t h a t b e f o r e c o m i n g t o W e s t P o i n t
h e h a d t a u g h t s c h o o l . I d o n o t k n o w w h e t h e r t h i s i s
4 1
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4 2 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
t r u e . I f s o , i t p r o b a b l y a c c o u n t s f o r t h e j u d g m e n t a n d
p o i s e w h i c h m a d e h i m m o r e m a t u r e t h a n m o s t c a d e t s ,
a s w e l l a s f o r t h e p r o m p t d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e r i g h t i d e a
of authority and command ; f o r t h i s h e c e r t a i n l y d e -
v e l o p e d .
O f r e g u l a r b u t n o t h a n d s o m e f e a t u r e s a n d o f r o b u s t ,
strong body, broad s houldered and well developed ;
a l m o s t o r q u i t e s i x f e e t t a l l ; p l a i n l y o f t h e e s t a t e o f m a n
w h i l e m o s t o f t h o s e a b o u t h i m w e r e s t i l l b o y s ; w i t h ke e n
s e a r c h i n g g r a y e y e s a n d i n t e n t l o o k , P e r s h i n g i n s p i r e d
confidence but not affection . Personal magnetism
s e e m e d l a c k i n g . H e w o n f o l l o w e r s a n d a d m i r e r s , b u t
n o t p e r s o n a l w o r s h i p p e r s . P l a i n i n w o r d , s a n e a n d
d i r e c t i n a c t i o n , h e a p p l i e d h i m s e l f t o a l l d u t y a n d a l l
w o r k w i t h a m a n i f e s t p u r p o s e , n o t o n l y o f s u c c e e d i n g '
in what he attempted, but of su rpassing, guidi ng,
a n d d i r e c t i n g h i s f e l l o w s i n w h a t w a s b e f o r e t h e m . Hi s
e x e r c i s e o f a u t h o r i t y , w a s t h e n a n d a l w a y s h a s b e e n
s i n c e , o f a n a t u r e p e c u l i a r l y i m p e r s o n a l , d i s p a s s i o n a t e ,
h a r d a n d f i r m . T h i s q u a l i t y d i d n o t i n h i m , a s i n m a n y ,
g i v e o f f e n c e ; t h e m a n w a s t o o i m p e r s o n a l , t o o g i v e n o v e r
t o p u r e b u s i n e s s a n d d u t y . H i s m a n n e r c a r r i e d t o t h e
minds of those under him the suggestio n, nay, the
c o n v i c t i o n , o f u n q u e s t i o n e d r i g h t t o o b e d i e n c e . There
w a s n o s h a d o w o f d o u b t a b o u t i t . T h i s f a c u l t y h e h a s
c a r r i e d t h r o u g h l i f e . It was twice qu estioned by
s u b o r d i n a t e s : o n c e b y o n e w h o , a s I h e a r d , w a s c o n -
v i n c e d b y S e c o n d L i e u t e n a n t P e r s h i n g i n s h i r t - s l e e v e s ,
a n d o n c e , I k n o w , b y o n e w h o w i t h i n f o r t y e i g h t h o u r s
h a d p a i d w i t h h i s l i f e f o r h i s d i s o b e d i e n c e t o C a p t a i n
P e r s h i n g - d y i n g o f c h o l e r a . I b u r i e d h i m .
On becoming a first-class man, Pershing was made
f i r s t c a p t a i n i n t h e C o r p s o f C a d e t s , t h e h i g h e s t a n d
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PERSHING 43
m o s t c o v e t e d p l a c e t h a t a c a d e t c a n h o l d . To st and
f i r s t i n s t u d i e s , t o g r a d u a t e a t t h e h e a d o f t h e c l a s s ,
i s a s n o t h i n g t o i t , i n d i c a t e s n o t h i n g a s t o a c a d e t ' s
m i l i t a r y c a p a c i t y . W h i l e a t W e s t P o i n t , t h e n , h e h a d
r e c e i v e d t h e h i g h e s t m a r k o f c o n f i d e n c e t h a t t h e a u -
t h o r i t i e s c o u l d g i v e a s t o h i s f u t u r e c a r e e r a s a n o f f i c e r .
B o o k s a n d t h e l e a r n i n g o f b o o k s h a v e n e v e r b e e n t h e
s o l e s t a n d a r d s o f t h e M i l i t a r y A c a d e m y .
Of Cadet Pers hing o ne memo ry mo re . He wa s a
hop-goer, what ca dets cal led a "spoony" man . He
l o v e d t h e s o c i e t y o f w o m e n . T h a t , t o o , l i k e o t h e r e a r l y
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , s e e m s t o h a v e h e l d o n w i t h h i m .
On leaving the Mili tary Acad emy, Wiley Bean, an
e r r a t i c q u e e r f e l l o w o f a c l a s s m a t e , s e e m s b e t t e r t h a n
a n y o t h e r o f P e r s h i n g ' s a s s o c i a t e s t o h a v e d i v i n e d
w h a t w a s i n P e r s h i n g f o r d e v e l o p m e n t . By nat ur e a
p o l i t i c i a n , W i l e y ' s q u e e r m i n d , s e e i n g s o m e t h i n g u n -
u s u a l l y s u p e r i o r a n d p r o m i s i n g i n h i s c l a s s m a t e , j u m p e d
a t p o l i t i c a l h o n o u r s f o r h i m . " H e w i l l b e P r e s i d e n t , "
s a i d W i l e y . H e h a s n o t b e c o m e P r e s i d e n t , b u t b e f o r e
t h e w o r l d h e h a s r i s e n a l m o s t a s h i g h a s t h e P r e s i d e n c y ,
a n d h i s p l a c e i n h i s t o r y i s a s s e c u r e a s m o s t p r e s i d e n t s ' .
Serving aft er graduat ion i n the Apache countr y
near him, I heard fav ourab le comments of him as a
c h a s e r , w i t h o t h e r s , o f t h e " A p a c h e K i d , " a n d I m e t
h i m a t r i f l e c o m p e t i t i o n s . Then my army ass oc iates
t a l k e d o f h i s h a v i n g a t t r a c t e d t h e a t t e n t i o n a n d f r i e n d -
s h i p o f t h e g r e a t A m e r i c a n , T h e o d o r e R o o s e v e l t , a t t h e
B a t t l e o f S a n t i a g o , o r a t l e a s t d u r i n g t h e S p a n i s h -
Amer ic an War . B u t , p e r s o n a l l y , I c a m e n o m o r e i n
c o n t a c t w i t h h i m u n t i l 1 9 0 2 , i n t h e M o r o c o u n t r y i n
Mindanao . H e r e h e c l e a r l y s h o w e d t h e q u a l i t i e s t h a t
m a d e h i s c a r e e r ; a n d I h a d e x c e p t i o n a l m e a n s o f j u d g i n g
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4 4 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
h i s c h a r a c t e r a s v i e w e d b y t h e a u t h o r i t i e s o v e r h i m ,
b y h i s b r o t h e r o f f i c e r s , b y M o r o s w h o c a m e u n d e r h i s a u -
t h o r i t y , a n d b y m e m b e r s o f h i s c o m m a n d . The Moro s
w e r e M o h a m m e d a n s o f p e c u l i a r l y w a r l i k e a n d f a n a t i c a l
d i s p o s i t i o n , v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o m a n a g e , a n d a l m o s t n o n -
u n d e r s t a n d a b l e b y o u r a r m y o r c i v i l o f f i c i a l s .
C a p t a i n P e r s h i n g w a s c o m m a n d i n g a t r o o p o f c a v a l r y
o n t h e n o r t h s h o r e o f M i n d a n a o , o n t h e e d g e o f t h e
region oc cupi ed by the Moros . H e , a l m o s t t h e o n l y
o n e o f t h e o f f i c e r s o f a c o n s i d e r a b l e g a r r i s o n , b e c a m e
v e r y m u c h i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e s e p e o p l e ; a n d b y a s s o c i a t i n g
w i t h t h e m a n d s t u d y i n g t h e m w o n t h e i r c o n f i d e n c e a n d
a d m i r a t i o n . H e b e c a m e , i n f a c t , v e r y i n f l u e n t i a l w i t h
t h e m l o c a l l y . T h e s e t h i n g s I s a w o r l e a r n e d f o r m y s e l f
o n t h e s p o t , o f t e n b y t h e a d v e r s e c r i t i c i s m o f m e n
w h o w e r e j e a l o u s o r w h o d i s a p p r o v e d o f h i s t h u s o c -
c u p y i n g h i m s e l f . T h e M o r o s , i t i s t o b e r e m e m b e r e d ,
h a d a l w a y s b e e n a b u g a b o o t o t h e S p a n i a r d s i n t h e i r
o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e s , a n d a t e r r o r t o t h e o t h e r
F i l i p i n o s . T h e A m e r i c a n s h a d i n h e r i t e d t h e i d e a t h a t
t h e y w e r e i r r e c o n c i l a b l e , a n d i m p o s s i b l e o f c i v i l i z a t i o n .
P e r s h i n g ' s i n f l u e n c e b e g a n t o l e a d t h e m t o w a r d t h e
A m e r i c a n a u t h o r i t i e s . T h i s a t t r a c t e d t h e a t t e n t i o n
of General George W. Davi s, who was at t he tim e
c h a r g e d w i t h t h e p r o v i s i o n o f s o m e s o r t o f c i v i l - m i l i t a r y
government f or t hem, and who soon put Pershing's
k n o w l e d g e a n d i n f l u e n c e t o u s e .
O n a c c o u n t o f t h e v i o l e n t l y w a r l i k e , s a v a g e , m a r a u d -
i n g a n d a g g r e s s i v e d i s position of the Moros, their
c o n t r o l h a d b e e n l e f t t o t h e A r m y w h e n t h e r e s t o f t h e
P h i l i p p i n e I s l a n d s p a s s e d u n d e r t h e c i v i l g o v e r n m e n t .
A n A m e r i c a n e x p e d i t i o n i n t o c e n t r a l M i n d a n a o i n 1 9 0 1
o r 1 9 02 r e s u l t e d i n o u r m i l i t a r y o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e s o u t h
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PERSHING 4 5
shor e of Lake Lana o . T h i t h e r C a p t a i n P e r s h i n g , o n
a c c o u n t o f h i s s p e c i a l k n o w l e d g e o f M o r o c h a r a c t e r ,
h a b i t s , c u s t o m s a n d r e l i g i o n , w a s a t o n c e c a l l e d b y
General George W. D a v i s , c o m m a n d i n g t h e d e p a r t m e n t ,
t o b e m i l i t a r y c o m m a n d e r a n d t a k e c h a r g e o f r e l a t i o n s
w i t h t h e M o r o s t h e r e . He was given this duty when
t h e r e w e r e o n t h e s p o t o t h e r o f f i c e r s m a n y y e a r s h i s
s e n i o r i n a g e a n d s e r v i c e . This was acc omplished, of
c o u r s e , b y a s p e c i e s o f m i l i t a r y j u g g l e r y , b u t i t w a s
a m p l y j u s t i f i e d b y t h e c o n d i t i o n s . I l l j u d g e d t r e a t -
m e n t o f f r i e n d l y M o r o s b y a n o f f i c e r o f m i n e h a d n e a r l y
p r e c i p i t a t e d a g e n e r a l w a r w i t h t h e M o r o s , a n d I n o t e d
i n m y D i a r y a t t h a t t i m e :
"Camp Mar ahui, Mindan ao, P . I . , A u g u s t 2 4 , 1 9 03 .
T h e m o r e I s e e o f t h i s u n u s u a l w o r k t h e m o r e I k n o w
t h a t f e w m e n a r e f i t t o m a n a g e i t , a n d t h e m o r e I a m
o f t h e o p i n i o n t h a t G e n e r a l D a v i s d i d r i g h t t o k e e p
P e r s h i n g i n c h a r g e o f t h e s e M o r o s i n s t e a d o f p l a c i n g
i n c h a r g e s o m e f o o l o f f i c e r w h o i g n o r a n t l y s u p p o s e d t h a t
h e c o u l d c o m e a n d i n a n o f f - h a n d m a n n e r m a n a g e t h e s e
s a v a g e s . "
I n P e r s h i n g ' s s e r v i c e s i n t h e M o r o c o u n t r y I a l s o
n o t i c e d h i s l o y a l a d h e r e n c e t o t h e o r d e r s , p l a n s , a n d
w i s h e s o f h i s s u p e r i o r s . These were alm ost alwa ys
c o n t r a r y t o t h e v i e w s a n d d e s i r e s o f b r o t h e r o f f i c e r s
a n d s o l d i e r s a b o u t h i m , a n d h e w a s s t e a d i l y a n d s e v e r e l y
c r i t i c i z e d f o r h i s s t r i c t a d h e r e n c e t o t h o s e o r d e r s w h e n
he might have deviated from t hem ; a l l o f n o a v a i l -
h e s t i l l a d h e r e d . This then becam e or had al ready
becom e-and has remain ed to this da y-the marked
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e m a n : loyal acceptance of and
o b e d i e n c e t o a u t h o r i t y , n o c r i t i c i s m o r f a u l t - f i n d i n g
w i t h t h e p l a n s a n d c o n d u c t o f a f f a i r s b y h i s s u p e r i o r s .
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46 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
I s a w h i m i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e f e a r f u l G e r m a n d r i v e
i n M a r c h , 1 9 1 8 . T h e w h o l e A l l i e d w o r l d l o o k e d b l a c k ,
a n d e v e r y b o d y w a s l a y i n g b l a m e . " I t l o o k s b a d , " h e
s a i d , " b u t I s u p p o s e i t c o u l d n ' t b e h e l p e d ; o u r a u t h o r -
i t i e s h a v e s e e m e d t o d o a l l t h e y k n e w h o w . "
His Moro services ful ly launched him up on his
s u c c e s s f u l c a r e e r : h i s n a m e w a s m a d e . I n 1 9 0 6 h e w a s
p r o m o t e d f r o m a c a p t a i n c y t o a b r i g a d i e r - g e n e r a l c y ,
j u m p i n g s c o r e s a n d s c o r e s o f h i s s e n i o r s , m y s e l f a m o n g
the number . C o n v i n c e d o f P e r s h i n g ' s e f f i c i e n c y a n d
m e r i t , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e w i d e c r i t i c i s m o f h i s p r o -
m o t i o n , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e c o m m o n a s s e r t i o n t h a t i t
w a s d u e t o t h e s e n a t o r i a l i n f l u e n c e o f h i s f a t h e r - i n - l a w ,Mr. Warren, Chairm an of the Senate Military Com-m i t t e e , I w r o t e t o h i m a s i n c e r e l e t t e r o f c o n g r a t u l a t i o n
- t o w h i c h I r e c e i v e d n o a n s w e r .
P e r s h i n g ' s e a r l i e r c o n d u c t o f t h e I n s u l a r B u r e a u o f t h e
W a r D e p a r t m e n t a n d h i s s u b s e q u e n t c o n d u c t o f t h e V i l l a
p u n i t i v e e x p e d i t i o n i n t o M e x i c o i n 1 9 1 6 s e e m t o g r o u p
t h e m s e l v e s a b o u t h i s M o r o e x p e r i e n c e s . O f t h e V i l l a
e x p e d i t i o n a l l m i l i t a r y m e n k n o w t h a t u n d e r t h e o r d e r s
h e r e c e i v e d h e h a d a s m u c h c h a n c e t o g e t V i l l a a s t o
f i n d a n e e d l e i n a h a y s t a c k . He must have know n
t h i s b e f o r e h e s t a r t e d , y e t n o w h e r e d o e s h e s e e m t o h a v e
b r o k e n o v e r t h e r e s t r a i n i n g c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e s e o r d e r s .
D o w n a t B r o w n s v i l l e , w h e n I h e a r d o f h i s s e l e c t i o n
a n d h i s o r d e r s , I s a i d , " H e w i l l o b e y h i s s u p e r i o r s
a b s o l u t e l y . Had the Presid ent searched the whole
a r m y o v e r t o f i n d a c o m m a n d e r o f t h i s e x p e d i t i o n h e
coul d probab ly have found no other who would b e
r e a d y s o a b s o l u t e l y t o o b e y h i s i n s t r u c t i o n s a n d c o m p l y
w i t h h i s w i s h e s i n e v e r y r e s p e c t . "
S u c h w a s t h e m a n , a s I s a w h i m , t h a t c a m e t o c o m -
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PERSHING 49
i f h e h a d t r i e d e a r l i e r t o l e a d t h e p e o p l e i n t o w a r , h e
knew that he would not have found them ready and
t h e e f f o r t w o u l d h a v e f a i l e d . T h i s w a s a n i n t e r e s t i n g
v i e w t o u s , b e c a u s e t o m o s t o f u s i t w a s e v i d e n t t h a t f a r
f r o m l e a d i n g t h e p e o p l e i n h i m s e l f , h e h a d h i m s e l f
b e e n d r a g g e d i n t o i t b y t h e m . H e w a s p a c i f i s t , a s l o n g
a s i t w a s p o s s i b l e t o b e , a n d h e l d b a c k a s l o n g a s h e
c o u l d . I r e c a l l a s p e e c h o f M r . E l i h u R o o t o n t h i s
s u b j e c t s o m e m o n t h s b e f o r e w a r w a s d e c l a r e d . " I f , "
h e s a i d , " t h e P r e s i d e n t w i s h e s t o k n o w t h e w i l l o f t h e
p e o p l e , l e t u s c r y a l o u d t o h i m o u r d e s i r e s i n t h i s m a t t e r
o f w a r . T e l l h i m t h a t w e w a n t i t . "
E a r l y w e h a d t h e k n o w l e d g e c o m e h o m e t o u s t h a t w e
k n e w l i t t l e o f o u r f u t u r e a l l i e s , t h e F r e n c h , a n d t h e y
a s l i t t l e o f u s . O n e d a y I m e t t w o F r e n c h s o l d i e r s f a r
o u t i n t h e c o u n t r y .
" Who ar e you? " I a s k e d .
"We are mili tar y gendarm es." Both s topped and
s h o w e d t h e m s e l v e s q u i t e a f f a b l e a n d r e a d y t o p u r s u e
t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n .
" Y o u a r e t w o v e r y f i n e - l o o k i n g , s t r o n g s o l d i e r s , "
I s a i d . T h e y d i d h a v e e x c e p t i o n a l l y v i g o r o u s b o d i e s .
" O h , w e a r e m o u n t a i n e e r s f r o m t h e P y r e n e e s , " o n e
answered . I had been speaking to t hem in broken
F r e n c h , a n d n o w I a d d r e s s e d t h e m i n m o r e f a c i l e S p a n -
i s h
"Then you speak Spanish, probab ly, do you not?"
" O h , y e s , y e s , a s w e l l a s w e s p e a k F r e n c h . You are
a n A m e r i c a n , a r e y o u n o t ? " t h e y a s k e d m e .
" Y e s , " I a n s w e r e d .
" T h a t i s w h y y o u s p e a k S p a n i s h s o w e l l . "
I l a u g h e d , a n d b o t h o f t h e m t h e n , o n l e a r n i n g m y
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FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE FRENCH 55
T h e s a m e d i f f e r e n c e o f d i s p o s i t i o n , o u r w a s t e f u l n e s s
a n d t h e F r e n c h e c o n o m y , c a m e t o t h e s u r f a c e a g a i n i n
t h e m a t t e r o f w o o d a n d t r e e s . I n F r a n c e a t r e e o r a
piece of lumber is a sac red thing, and wood, even
o r d i n a r y f i r e - w o o d , a l m o s t a s m u c h s o . In Ameri ca
a n d e v e n i n E n g l a n d , w h e n a t r e e i s s p a r e d , w e w r i t e
p o e t r y a b o u t i t . I n F r a n c e , w h e n i t i s n o t s p a r e d , t h e
l a w a n d t h e p e o p l e g e t h o l d o f a m a n . Now, in our
d a i l y l i v e s i n b i l l e t s i n F r e n c h v i l l a g e s , i n t h e r a w ,
damp weather there was a tr emendous desire among
A m e r i c a n s t o b u i l d a f i r e , a b i g o n e , a n d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e ,
a t f i r s t , t h e r e w a s a t e n d e n c y t o l a y h a n d s u p o n e v e r y
p i e c e o f w o o d o r l u m b e r , o r t o f e l l e v e r y t r e e t h a t w a s
i n r e a c h . I t l i t e r a l l y c a u s e d h y s t e r i a a m o n g t h e F r e n c h
p e o p l e . A l i t t l e l a t e r I k n e w a r e g i m e n t a l c o m m a n d e r
t o l o s e h i s r e g i m e n t a n d a m a j o r g e n e r a l h i s d i v i s i o n
b e c a u s e o f a few d e a d t r e e s c u t u p o n t h e p r e m i s e s o f
a h i g h F r e n c h o f f i c i a l .
C o n s t a n t e f f o r t s w e r e t h e r e f o r e n e c e s s a r y t o i m p r e s s
A m e r i c a n s w i t h t h e F r e n c h v i e w , t h e a b s o l u t e n e c e s s i t y
of respecting woo d, lumber and trees . We di dn 't
a l w a y s s u c c e e d , a n d s o m e t i m e s p e c u l i a r m e a n s h a d t o
b e u s e d t o s m o o t h r u f f l e d r e l a t i o n s . O n o n e o c c a s i o n ,
p a s s i n g a v i l l a g e i n t h e w a r - r u i n e d r e g i o n o f F r a n c e , I
e x p l a i n e d t o a F r e n c h o f f i c i a l t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n
t h e A m e r i c a n a n d t h e F r e n c h p o i n t s o f v i e w i n t h i s
m a t t e r , a n d e x p r e s s e d t h e h o p e t h a t h e a n d h i s p e o p l e
would be patient, assurin g him that the American
a u t h o r i t i e s w e r e d o i n g e v e r y t h i n g p o s s i b l e t o p r e v e n t
d e s t r u c t i o n , a n d w o u l d i n t h e e n d p a y f o r a l l s u c h .
H e a n s w e r e d i n a v e r y i r r i t a t e d t o n e ,
"Yes, I kno w that you have mor e trees and b urn
more wood than we . Bu t . I w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w i f y o u
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T HE SCHOO LS IN FRA NCE 6 3
t r a i n i n g o f t r o o p s i t w a s F i s k e ' s h a n d a n d p e r s o n a l i t y
t h a t w e r e a b o v e a l l m a n i f e s t .
S i x w e e k s a f t e r t h e i r a r r i v a l i n F r a n c e , o f f i c e r s a n d
m e n h a d n o t y e t g o t t h e i r b e a r i n g s u p o n h o w t o p r e p a r e
themselves for entering the war . "Things are not
[ D i a r y ] g o i n g v e r y m u c h t o s u i t m e t h e s e d a y s . Mys c h o o l w o r k p r o c e e d s v e r y s l o w l y . I do not somehow
s e e m t o g e t m y p e o p l e d o w n t o t h e r e a l t h i n g o f w o r k
a n d e x e c u t i o n . T h e y s c a t t e r . A s f o r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
getting into this war, we do not seem to b e doing
i t . I t i s , a s f a r a s I s e e i t , a v e r y r e m o t e p r e p a r i n g . " ,
T h i s q u o t a t i o n s h o w s h o w p o o r a n i d e a I h a d a t t h e
t i m e o f w h a t w e w e r e r e a l l y t o d o i n t h e w a r . I b e l i e v e d
t h a t i t w a s a q u e s t i o n m a i n l y o f p r e p a r i n g t h e s m a l l
c o n t i n g e n t w h i c h h a d a c c o m p a n i e d u s o n t h e f i r s t t r i p .
T h e s c h o o l s , I e v i d e n t l y t h o u g h t , w e r e f o r t h e s e a n d
p e r h a p s f i v e o r s i x d i v i s i o n s m o r e . I n s t e a d , t h e y w e r e
t o b e f o r a f o r c e o f t w o m i l l i o n m e n b e f o r e t h e e n d .
B u t e v e n w i t h t h i s i n a d e q u a t e i d e a , t h e s l o w b e g i n n i n g
i l l u s t r a t e s h o w d i f f i c u l t i t w a s t o a r r i v e a t a j u s t i d e a a n d
b e g i n w o r k u p o n i t .
A t l a s t a f t e r a l o n g d r a w n o u t c o n s u l t a t i o n a t G e n e r a l
P e r s h i n g ' s H e a d q u a r t e r s i n P a r i s i n r e g a r d t o t h e e s -
t a b l i s h m e n t o f t h e s c h o o l s , a f t e r l i s t e n i n g t o t h e a d v i c e
a n d s u g g e s t i o n s a n d d i f f e r e n c e s o f o p i n i o n o f m a n y
s t a f f o f f i c e r s o n t h e s u b j e c t , I t u r n e d t o t h e o f f i c e r w h o
w a s e s p e c i a l l y c h a r g e d w i t h t h e m a t t e r , C o l o n e l P a u l
Malone, and said, "You are taking too much advice .
T e l l u s w h a t y o u w a n t d o n e a n d w e w i l l d o i t ." His
a n s w e r w a s i n s u b s t a n c e , " A l l r i g h t : g o a n d e s t a b l i s h
t h e s c h o o l s . " T h e w a y t o b e g i n i s t o b e g i n . Within a
w e e k t h e f i r s t o f t h e m w a s w e l l u n d e r w a y a t G o n d r e -
c o u r t . T h i s s c h o o l w a s f i r s t s t a r t e d a s a 1 s t D i v i s i o n
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6 4 PERSON A LIT IES AN D REMINISCENCES O F THE WA R
s c h o o l w i t h a p e r s o n n e l o f l e s s t h a n a h u n d r e d m e n -
t e a c h e r s , a t t e n d a n t s , c o o k s , l a b o u r e r s , a n d s t u d e n t s
-with some twenty tents and two little portabl e
b a r r a c k s .
A m o n g t h e o f f i c e r s o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n t h e r e l a r g e l y
p r e v a i l e d o u r o l d i d e a t h a t e x p e r i e n c e i n w a r w a s t h e
o n l y p r o p e r t e a c h e r o f w a r - m a k i n g , a n d t h a t w a r h a v i n g
c o m e , s c h o o l s s h o u l d c e a s e : w e s h o u l d t a k e t h e f i e l d
a n d l e a r n w a r t h e r e . T h i s e x p l a i n s t h e s m a l l s c a l e o f
t h e f i r s t w o r k a t G o n d r e c o u r t . T h e d i v i s i o n c o m m a n d e r
a n d m a n y o f h i s o f f i c e r s s e e m e d t o r e g a r d t h e s c h o o l
i d e a a s p u e r i l i t y , a f a d o f s c h o o l m e n ; v e r y t r o u b l e s o m e
a n d i r r i t a t i n g a t a t i m e w h e n e v e r y b o d y w a s g e t t i n g
r e a d y t o f i g h t . T h e s e i d e a s r e m a i n e d a m o n g A m e r i c a n s
u n t i l t h e y h a d s e e n r e a l w a r a t t h e f r o n t . Then every
commander wanted officers and men who had b een
through the schools . T he demand for school in-
s t r u c t i o n s o o n b e c a m e s o g r e a t t h a t i t c o u l d n o t b e m e t .
A y e a r l a t e r t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n s c h o o l h a d b e c o m e t h e
1st Corps school, with a personnel of between two
thousand five hundred and three thousand men . I t
e d u c a t e d a n d p r e p a r e d f o r a c t i v e o p e r a t i o n s a g a i n s t
the enemy thousands of officers, non- commissioned
o f f i c e r s , a n d s p e c i a l i s t s - m a c h i n e - g u n n e r s , a u t o m a t i c
r i f l e m e n a n d b a y o n e t s p e c i a l i s t s , g r e n a d i e r s , S t o k e s -
m o r t a r m e n , e n g i n e e r s , s i g n a l l e r s , e v e r y k i n d o f s p e c i a l -
i s t i n f i e l d a r t i l l e r y , p l a t o o n l e a d e r s , c o m p a n y c o m -
manders, battalion and regimental commanders, all
t r a i n e d f o r t h e s p e c i a l w o r k w h i c h t h e y w e r e t o d o .
T h i s s c h o o l a n d i t s s i s t e r s c h o o l s t h a t l a t e r w e r e s t a r t e d
m a y j u s t l y b e r e g a r d e d a s t h e e x p l a n a t i o n o f t h e s u c c e s s
o f t h e A m e r i c a n s i n t h e f i e l d . I n a l l o u r p r e v i o u s w a r s
a n d t h r e a t s o f w a r s o u r s c h o o l s s e e m e d t o b e t h e f i r s t
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AUTUMN 19 1 7- PERIOD OF DEPRES S ION 79
I c o u l d f e e l t h e g r o w i n g r o t t e n n e s s w h e r e v e r I w a s i n
Franc e . G e r m a n y w a s p l a i n l y a c q u i r i n g f r i e n d s , s p i e s ,
and hel pers in France these day s . Commu nica tion
with the enemy was growing throug h Switzerland .
T h e r e w a s n o m i s t a k i n g t h e c o n d i t i o n s . French g ov-
e r n m e n t o f f i c i a l s w e r e i n v o l v e d i n t h e w e a k e n i n g a n d t h e
p r e p a r a t i o n t o y i e l d i n v o l v e d m o r e , I b e l i e v e , t h a n
was ever prov ed or than Frenchmen will ev er admit .
W i t h r e g a r d t o f i g h t i n g , a s t r o n g f e e l i n g o f " O h , w h a t ' s
t h e u s e 1 " w a s s p r e a d i n g m o r e a n d m o r e t h r o u g h F r a n c e .
T o t h i s d e p r e s s i o n , t h e s l o w n e s s o f t h e p r o g r e s s o f t h e
A m e r i c a n f o r c e s i n F r a n c e t o w a r d e f f e c t i v e e n t r a n c e
i n t o t h e w a r c o n t r i b u t e d . The first American con-
t i n g e n t r e a c h e d F r a n c e a t t h e e n d o f J u n e , 1 9 1 7 . O t h e r ,
s m a l l e r , c o n t i n g e n t s , m a i n l y o f s p e c i a l t r o o p s , h a d b e e n
a r r i v i n g s i n c e t h a t t i m e , b u t a t t h e e n d o f S e p t e m b e r
w e s t i l l h a d n o f i g h t i n g m e n u p o n t h e f r o n t l i n e . T h e
F r e n c h p e o p l e , h a v i n g h a d l i t t l e i d e a o f t h e u n p r e p a r e d -
n e s s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w h e n i t d e c l a r e d w a r , w a r -
w e a r y a n d h o p i n g f o r e a r l y r e l i e f , w e r e e x p e c t i n g f a r
g r e a t e r s p e e d t h a n t h i s .
"Unless [ Diary, September 30 1 the United States
r e a l l y g e t s a m o v e o n a n d p u t s i n s o l d i e r s f a s t e r h e r e t h a n
t h e p r e s e n t i n d i c a t i o n s p r o m i s e , o u r F r e n c h A l l i e s w i l l
b e c o m e , i n d e e d h a v e a l r e a d y s o m e w h a t b e c o m e , c r i t i c a l .
I h e a r s o m e q u e s t i o n a l r e a d y a m o n g t h e w e a k - h e a r t e d a s
t o w h y t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s p u t s i t s s o l d i e r s i n t h e r a i l r o a d
s h o p s a n d l e a v e s t h e F r e n c h m e n o n t h e f i g h t i n g l i n e . "
T h o u g h u n j u s t i f i e d , t h a t , n e v e r t h e l e s s , w a s t h e f e e l i n g .
" I f e a r [ D i a r y ] w e a r e d e s t i n e d t o m a n y f a i l u r e s h e r e i n
Franc e . I know that Frenchmen who do n ot know the
t r u e i n w a r d n e s s o f o u r e a r l y c o m i n g t o F r a n c e a r e n o w
b e g i n n i n g t o c r i t i c i z e o u r n o t s e n d i n g A m e r i c a n t r o o p s
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80 PERSON A LIT IES AN D REMINISCENCES O F THE WA R
up to the front. The true ex planation which these
people do not know is that the French Government,
through General Joffre, hysterically besou ght the
United States to send some troops ov er to France-
qu ick l qu ick 1-for the moral effect upon France,
w h i c h w a s a l m o s t r e a d y t o g i v e u p t h e f i g h t . T h u s
w e c a m e h u r r i e d l y , n o t a s a m i l i t a r y b u t a s a p s y c h o -
l o g i c a l e x p e d i t i o n . We have not yet become a m i l i t a r y
e x p e d i t i o n , b u t w e h a v e a l w a y s , f r o m t h e d a t e o f o u r
a r r i v a l , h a d a n e n o r m o u s m o r a l , b r a c i n g e f f e c t u p o n
F r a n c e , w h o h a s c o m p l e t e l y r e c o v e r e d h e a r t a n d d e -
t e r m i n a t i o n f o r t h e f i g h t . T h u s w e h a v e f u l f i l l e d o u r
f i r s t r e a l p u r p o s e , a n d t h e F r e n c h o u g h t n o w t o w a i t
for our military purpose . We are only beginning
that now . Y e t i n t h e l a s t f e w d a y s I h e a r s o m e m o r e
t a l k o f F r e n c h i m p a t i e n c e t o s e e u s g o u p t o t h e f r o n t
l i n e s . W e l l , t h e y m u s t w a i t , I s h o u l d s a y , a s w e h a v e
a s y e t v e r y l i t t l e t o p u t u p o n t h e f r o n t l i n e s , a n d i f w e d o
a n y t h i n g o f t h e s o r t i t w i l l b e f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f d e c e i v -
i n g t h e F r e n c h p u b l i c , m a k i n g i t t h i n k t h a t w e a r e d o i n g
something . I f w e g o u p t o t h e f r o n t , I s h o u l d s a y a l s o
t h a t i t i s m o s t i m p o r t a n t t o d o s o i n i s o l a t e d u n i t s .
O t h e r w i s e w e s h o u l d s o o n h a v e n o t h i n g u p o n t h e f r o n t
l i n e , b e c a u s e w e w o u l d s o o n h a v e t o r e l i e v e o u r t r o o p s ,
a n d i f w e s h o u l d s e n d t h e m t o t h e f r o n t i n l a r g e r b o d i e s ,
w e w o u l d h a v e n o o t h e r s w i t h w h i c h t o r e l i e v e t h e m .
T h e G e r m a n s , i f t h e y h i t o u r t r o o p s a t a l l , w o u l d s a y
t h a t w e h a d b e e n k n o c k e d o u t i n t h e f i r s t r o u n d . "
A m e r i c a n o r g a n i z a t i o n i n F r a n c e w a s , i n t h e m i d d l e
o f t h e f a l l , s t i l l i n c o m p l e t e a n d u n p r e p a r e d t o o p e r a t e
f u l l y , a n d t h e p r o s p e c t t h a t w e w o u l d s o o n b e a b l e t o
t a k e a n y e f f e c t i v e p a r t i n t h e w a r w a s s m a l l . I w r i t e :
" S e p t e m b e r 2 7 t h . W e a r e b e i n g n u r s e d a n d c a r e d f o r
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8 2 PERSO NA LIT IES AN D REMINISCEN CES O F THE WA R
w a r , e n c o u n t e r e d t h e m a n , J . J . P e r s h i n g , w h o s m a s h e d
i t , a s i t w e r e , w i t h a n a x , t o r e - f o r m i t i n t o f o u r o r f i v e
s e p a r a t e a n d e f f i c i e n t s e r v i c e s . "Amen 1 " I s a i d .
O u r s l o w p r o g r e s s i n F r a n c e , h o w e v e r , c a m e m a i n l y
f r o m c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
F i r s t : A c o m p l e t e l a c k o f g o v e r n m e n t a l a n d p o p u l a r
u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f h o w g r e a t w a s t h e u n d e r t a k i n g , a h o p e
t h a t w e c o u l d a v o i d a n y g r e a t p a r t i n t h e a c t u a l f i g h t -
i n g o f t h e w a r , t h a t w e n e e d e d o n l y t o g i v e o u r m o r a l
a n d f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t t o t h e A l l i e s . This was a con-
d i t i o n t h a t h a d o b t a i n e d i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s f r o m
o u r v e r y d e c l a r a t i o n o f w a r . I t w a s a c o n t i n u a t i o n
o f t h a t p o p u l a r f e e l i n g w h i c h i n t h e b e g i n n i n g s e e m e d
t o t h i n k t h a t t h e B oy S c o u t s m i g h t d o i t , w h i c h j u s t
a l i t t l e b i t l a t e r r e s u l t e d i n t h e g r a n t i n g o f g r e a t f i n -
a n c i a l a i d t o t h e A l l i e s , s t i l l i n t h e h o p e o f r e a l l y
k e e p i n g o u t o f t h e w a r , a n d w h i c h f i n a l l y r e s u l t e d i n t h e
p r e s e n t a t i o n o f o n l y b o y s a n d u n d e v e l o p e d y o u n g m e n
i n t h e f i r s t c a l l f o r o f f i c e r s t o b e s e n t t h r o u g h t h e t r a i n i n g
s c h o o l s i n t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 1 7 . I n s h o r t , t h e n a t i o n
s t i l l h o p e d t o k e e p o u t o f a n y r e a l p a r t i n t h e w a r .
Second : T h e l a c k o f m i l i t a r y o r g a n i z a t i o n i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s t o c o o p e r a t e w i t h o u r m i l i t a r y o r g a n i z a -
t i o n i n F r a n c e . As I passed throu gh Washing ton in
t h e f i r s t d a y s o f J u n e , i n 1 9 1 7 , I s a w w h a t w a s t o b e
e x p e c t e d , a n d I l e f t W a s h i n g t o n i n a s t a t e o f p r o f o u n d
discouragement . I f e l t s u r e a n d s o w r o t e i n m y d i a r y
that the War Department would " fall down . " I t w a s
n o w d o i n g s o . B e f o r e t h e e n d o f 1 9 1 7 , a g r e a t s e n a t o r ,
Mr. Chamb erla in, chair man of the Senate Milita ry
Committee, s aid, " The War Department has cea sed
t o f u n c t i o n ." We in France knew that he spoke the
t r u t h .
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AU T UMN 1 9 1 7 - A PERIOD OF DEPRESSION 8 5
a l l U n i t e d S t a t e s a r m y o f f i c e r s a t t h i s t i m e . I t w a s
t r u l y a b l u e s e a s o n .
Chaumont, December 4th . " C o l o n e l H o u s e ' s g r e a t t a l k
c o m m i s s i o n p a s s e d u s h e r e t o - d a y , o n l y c a r o m i n g o n u s ,
n o t s t o p p i n g . I h a v e n ' t t h e f a i n t e s t i d e a w h y t h e y e v e n
c a r o m e d h e r e . I a m s o d i s g u s t e d w i t h A m e r i c a n b l o w
a n d b r a g t h a t I c a n n o t t h e s e d a y s s p e a k w i t h r e s p e c t o f
a n y o f o u r p u b l i c m e n . None of the men whose words
r e a c h u s o n t h i s s i d e h a s a n y j u s t c o n c e p t i o n o f w h a t
w a r , a n d e s p e c i a l l y p r e s e n t w a r , c o n d i t i o n s a r e . O u r
President protectingly and lou dly assures Rumania
t h a t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w i l l s t a n d b y h e r i n t h e p e a c e
n e g o t i a t i o n s , w h e n a f t e r e i g h t m o n t h s w e a r e n o t i n t h e
w a r e x c e p t b y d e c l a r a t i o n . O u r S e c r e t a r y o f W a r t w o
m o n t h s a g o d e c l a r e d t h a t s m a l l B r i t i s h s u c c e s s e s o n
the West Front `woul d seem to b e decisive . ' T w o
U n i t e d S t a t e s s e n a t o r s i n P a r i s g r a n d l y a s s u r e F r a n c e o f
t h e g r e a t t h i n g s w e a r e g o i n g t o d o f o r h e r . A n d n o w
t h i s ( C o l o n e l H o u s e ' s ) c o m m i s s i o n ( s a y t h e p a p e r s ) h a s
t h r o u g h i t s h e a d t o l d a l l E u r o p e , l o n g , l o n g b e f o r e w e
c a n e v e n m a k e a s t a r t , o f t h e g r a n d , g r a n d t h i n g w e w i l l
d o f o r t h e A l l i e s i n t h e g o o d n e s s a n d g e n e r o s i t y o f o u r
h e a r t s . D e a r m e l I t i s t o l a u g h , a n d t h e w o r l d w i l l
laug h, and France and Rumania and Italy wil l b e
d i s a p p o i n t e d , a n d F r a n c e a f t e r a b o u t s i x m o n t h s m o r e
w i l l ` g i v e u p , ' w h e n s h e s e e s h o w l i t t l e w e h a v e f u l f i l l e d
o f o u r b r a g , p r o m i s e s , a n d t a l k . "
" M u c h t a l k a b o u t p e a c e t e r m s [ D i a r y , J a n u a r y 1 2 ,
1918] b ack and forth between Entente and Boche
g o v e r n m e n t a l o f f i c e r s , b u t o u r A l l i e s w i l l i n m y o p i n i o n
h a v e t o r e d u c e t h e i r t e r m s v e r y g r e a t l y b e f o r e a n y
p e a c e w i l l e v e r c o m e . T h e A m e r i c a n s t a l k a w f u l l y b i g
b u t d o a w f u l l y l i t t l e ." This continual, immoderate
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AU T UMN 1 9 1 7 - A PERIOD OF DEPRESS ION 9 1
r e c o v e r e d c o u r a g e a n d m o r a l e t o a p p r e c i a t e t h e s p i r i t
o f t h e r u d e s o l d i e r b u t l e s s s k i l f u l m a n a g e r o f m e n
who was afterward to direct the Allies to v ictory .
F o c h ' s m e s s a g e f r o m I t a l y s e e m e d t o b r i n g h i m b a c k
t o t h e m i n d s o f h i s c o m r a d e s i n F r a n c e a s a m e m o r y ,
a reliance, almost bl otted out among the woes and
d e p r e s s i o n s o f t h e t i m e . I t w a s a s t e r n c a l l t o I t a l y
t o s t a n d . I t s f i g h t , i t s c o u r a g e i n t h i s h o u r o f d e -
p r e s s i o n , t u r n e d t h e F r e n c h i n d e s p e r a t i o n a g a i n t o w a r d
h i m a s a t o w e r o f s t r e n g t h
Such were the conditions-too high expectation
o n t h e p a r t o f t h e A l l i e s , e s p e c i a l l y t h e F r e n c h , f o r o u r
e a r l y a n d e f f e c t i v e e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e w a r ; t h e d e f e c t i o n
o f t h e R u s s i a n s ; t h e A m e r i c a n h o p e o f a v o i d i n g a n y
l a r g e p a r t i n t h e w a r ; t h e s l o w n e s s o f o u r p r o g r e s s i n
Franc e ; t h e v o c i f e r o u s n e s s , n e v e r t h e l e s s , o f o u r p u b l i c
p r e s s a n d s o m e o f o u r p u b l i c m e n i n p r o m i s e s t o t h e
A l l i e s o f w h a t g r e a t t h i n g s w e w e r e g o i n g t o d o , a n d
f i n a l l y t h e I t a l i a n d e f e a t - t h a t h a d b r o u g h t t h e s p i r i t s
o f b o t h t h e A m e r i c a n s a n d t h e i r A l l i e s v e r y l o w i n t h e
l a s t m o n t h s o f 1 9 1 7 . T h e y b r o u g h t m y s p i r i t s l o w , a s
m a y b e s e e n f r o m t h e f o r e g o i n g a n d t h e f o l l o w i n g d i a r y
q u o t a t i o n s
" C h a u m o n t , D e c e m b e r 3 r d . I a m w r i t i n g a g o o d m a n y
prophecies in this book these days . I write them
h e r e i n i n o r d e r t o f e e l l e s s d e s i r e t o t a l k t h e m o u t , w h e r e
i n a l l p r o b a b i l i t y t h e y m i g h t d o h a r m . I s h a l l n o w
add one : I t i s , t h a t o u r G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g i s n o t a f i g h t e r ;
h e i s i n a l l h i s h i s t o r y a p a c i f i s t a n d , u n l e s s d r i v e n
t h e r e t o b y t h e A . E . F . , w i l l d o n o f i g h t i n g i n F r a n c e f o r
many a day . N o w l e t ' s s e e i f i t d o e s n o t t u r n o u t s o .
I h a v e h a d s o m e ( p e r h a p s b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s ) m e a n s
a n d o p p o r t u n i t y , i n t h e M o r o c o u n t r y i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e
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9 8 PERSON ALITIES AN D REMINISCENCES O F THE WA R
l e a r n . Hard work from now on, al l day and a larg e
p a r t o f t h e n i g h t . "
I n s o m e w a y , p r o b a b l y i n c o n s e q u e n c e o f b e i n g a b l e
t o s p e a k a l i t t l e F r e n c h , t h e w o r k a s s i g n e d m e s i n c e
m y a r r i v a l i n F r a n c e h a d s t e a d i l y b r o u g h t m e w i t h t h e
F r e n c h , a n d I h a d h a d n o o p p o r t u n i t y t o s e e t h e w a r
u p o n t h e B r i t i s h f r o n t . B u t i n t h e s c h o o l s I s a w a l l
t h e m e t h o d s o f i n s t r u c t i o n w h i c h w e h a d g a t h e r e d f r o m
t h a t f r o n t . B e i n g t h r o w n s o s t e a d i l y w i t h t h e F r e n c h ,
w h o w e r e d e v o t e d a l m o s t e x c l u s i v e l y a t t h i s t i m e t o
trench warfare, I had constantly to gu ard myself
a g a i n s t p u r e l y d e f e n s i v e i d e a s o f w a r f a r e , a s i l l u s -
t r a t e d i n t h e t r e n c h w a r f a r e i n F r a n c e i n t h e l a s t h a l f
o f 1 9 1 7 . I recal led from m y boyhoo d the old Con-
f e d e r a t e s ' s t o r i e s o f t h e i r d e m o r a l i z a t i o n f r o m b e -
i n g l o n g b e s i e g e d i n V i c k s b u r g . I recalle d my own
e x p e r i e n c e o f s e e i n g t h e u t t e r d i s c o u r a g e m e n t a n d s p i r i t -
lessness of a regiment of our regular army in the
P h i l i p p i n e s t h a t h a d l i v e d i n t r e n c h e s s o m e , f i v e m o n t h s ,
s u r r o u n d e d b y e v e n a n i n f e r i o r e n e m y . I n s p i t e o f t h e i r
p r e s e n t b e l i e f i n a n d t h e i r a d h e r e n c e o n l y t o t r e n c h
w a r f a r e , I c o u l d s e e t h a t t h e F r e n c h h a d i n t h e m n o
o f f e n s i v e s p i r i t . G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g h i m s e l f , t h e o f f i c e r s
i n c h a r g e o f t r a i n i n g a t h i s h e a d q u a r t e r s , a n d t h e o f f i c e r s
i n c h a r g e o f t h e v a r i o u s s c h o o l s o f i n s t r u c t i o n , w e r e
always very insistent upon open instead of trench
w a r f a r e , a n d u p o n m a k i n g t h e f o r m e r t h e p r i n c i p l e a n d
b a s e o f a l l i n s t r u c t i o n . I n d e e d , t o o m u c h a c c e p t a n c e
f r o m t h e F r e n c h o f o n l y d e f e n s i v e t r e n c h m e t h o d s o f
warfare had been one of the ob jections to General
S i b e r t a m o n g G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s h e a d q u a r t e r s o f f i c e r s .
T h o s e m e t h o d s w e r e a l l t o o s u g g e s t i v e o f h o p e l e s s n e s s .
In talking with me ab out my assignment to command
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CHAPTER XIIS U M M E R A L L
AMONG the changes of officers during my command
o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n , t h e r e c a m e t o m e o n e o f f i c e r
whom I knew wel l ; a n d w h o a f t e r w a r d g r e a t l y d i s t i n -
guished himself-Summerall . I had known him since
1 8 9 9 , w h e n I w e n t w i t h m y r e g i m e n t t o a s m a l l s t a t i o n
i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e I s l a n d s t h a t h a d f o r s o m e f o u r m o n t h s
b e e n h e l d i n a s t a t e o f s i e g e b y i n s u r g e n t F i l i p i n o s .
H e r e I f o u n d a l i e u t e n a n t o f a r t i l l e r y , C h a r l e s P. S u m -
m e r a l l , c o m m a n d i n g t h e o n l y a r t i l l e r y a t t h e s t a t i o n ,
a p l a t o o n o f " R i l e y ' s B a t t e r y . " A s s o o n a s t h e r e l i e f
o f t h e p r e c e d i n g s t a t i o n c o m m a n d e r c o u l d b e a c c o m -
plished-on New Year's Day-with Summerall 's artil-
l e r y a n d t w o b a t t a l i o n s o f m y i n f a n t r y r e g i m e n t , I
b r o k e o u t o f t h e b e s i e g e d p l a c e . A s w e m a d e t h e f i r s t
b r e a k i n t h e e n e m y ' s l i n e s , a n o p e n i n g w a s m a d e f o r
S u m m e r a l l ' s a r t i l l e r y . He broug ht it up to the very
i n f a n t r y l i n e a n d , u n d e r a r a t t l i n g f i r e f r o m t h e e n e m y ,
h i m s e l f s t o o d b o l d l y f o r t h i n t h e o p e n , d i r e c t i n g t h e
f i r e o f h i s s i n g l e p i e c e a n d a G a t l i n g g u n . Every body
w a s c o n c e a l e d e x c e p t t h i s o n e m a n , S u m m e r a l l . T h e
i n f a n t r y l i n e , i n d e e d , h a d l a i n d o w n u n d e r t h e e n e m y ' s
f i r e. Summerall was strutting up and down in the
o p e n , h i s c h e s t w a s s t u c k o u t , a n d h e w a s b e h a v i n g a s i f
he were on parade . I t w a s a n i n s p i r i n g s i g h t , a n d
u n d e r i t s e f f e c t i t w a s e a s y t o l e a d t h e l i n e o f i n f a n t r y
1 1 0
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SUMMERALL 1 1 3
m a n l y z e a l f o r t h e c a u s e , a w i l l t o d o . I n e x e c u t i o n , i n
d o i n g , w i t h h i m b o t h i n h i s g i v i n g a n d i n h i s r e q u i r i n g
o f o t h e r s , t h e r e w a s n e v e r s h o r t m e a s u r e . I t w a s a l l
d o n e , d o n e o n t i m e , a n d m o r e . Of no man could you
b e m o r e s u r e .
H i s s e n s e o f j u s t i c e w a s a s g r e a t a s h i s s e n s e o f
l o y a l t y , h o n o u r , a n d d u t y . H e l e t n o m a n w h o m e r i t e d
i t g o u n r e c o g n i z e d o r u n r e w a r d e d . N o t r o u b l e w a s t o o
g r e a t f o r h i m t o t r y t o s e c u r e s u c h r e c o g n i t i o n o r r e w a r d .
He w o u l d t a l k o r w r i t e u n t i l i t w a s d o n e . I t i s n e e d l e s s
t o s a y t h a t h e r e i s f o u n d h i s p o p u l a r i t y w i t h t h e s i m p l e
s o l d i e r . H e n e v e r c o d d l e d , h e s o m e t i m e s e v e n t r e a t e d
s o l d i e r s w i t h a c a l m , u n c o m p r o m i s i n g h a r s h n e s s , b u t
t h e s o l d i e r t h a t d i d s o m e t h i n g u n d e r S u m m e r a l l w a s
n e v e r f o r g o t t e n . A s a c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e s e q u a l i t i e s
h e w a s a m a n w h o w a s a b l e t o s e c u r e a l m o s t f a n a t i c a l
s u p p o r t a n d c o n f i d e n c e f r o m h i s i n f e r i o r s . W h a t h e
s a i d s h o u l d b e d o n e w a s d o n e . T h o s e w h o d i d i t n o t
f r o m l o v e o r c o n f i d e n c e d i d i t f r o m f e a r .
T h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e s e q u a l i t i e s c o u l d b u t p r o d u c e
a w o n d e r f u l c a r e e r . They secured the confidence of
everybody, high and low . Sunimerall in every way
w a s a h i g h t y p e o f t h e p e r s o n a l l e a d e r . H i s o f f i c e r s
a n d s o l d i e r s g o t r e a d y f o r h i m : t h e y w a n t e d t o p l e a s e
a n d f e a r e d t o d i s p l e a s e h i m ; a n d h i s c a r e e r i s a n i l l u s -
t r a t i o n o f t h e t r u t h t h a t a m a n o f c o n v i c t i o n c a r r i e s s u c -
c e s s a n d g r e a t n e s s i n h i m . He entered th e World War
a s a l i e u t e n a n t c o l o n e l o f a r t i l l e r y . H e c a m e o u t o f i t a
m a j o r g e n e r a l c o m m a n d i n g a c o r p s , w i t h t h e p r o s p e c t ,
had the war lasted long enough to form a third or
f o u r t h a r m y , o f b e c o m i n g a l i e u t e n a n t g e n e r a l c o m -
manding an army .
W i t h h i s h e l p I h a d s t a r t e d a v o l u n t e e r r e g i m e n t
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UN DER T HE FREN CH IN LO RRA INE 1 1 7
a p a r t o f t h e p r e p a r a t i o n n e c e s s a r y . I b e l i e v e t h a t I
s h a l l s u c c e e d . "
L o n g y e a r s o f o b s e r v a t i o n o f A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r s h a d
t a u g h t m e t h a t t h e y a r e n e v e r h a t e r s ; t h a t t h e y a r e
e v e n i n w a r f a r e v e r y c o n s i d e r a t e a n d k i n d l y t o w a r d
t h e i r e n e m i e s . The history of the conduct of the
G e r m a n s d u r i n g t h e w a r s h o w e d c r u e l t y a n d b r u t a l i t y ,
u n n e c e s s a r y i n a l l c a s e s a n d i n m a n y c a s e s i n e x c u s a b l e .
T h e e n e m y h a d t h o u g h t , n o d o u b t , t h a t h e c o u l d s h o r t e n
t h e w a r b y c r u e l t y a n d f r i g h t f u l n e s s , b u t h i s c r u e l t i e s
h a d t r e m e n d o u s l y r o u s e d b o t h E n g l i s h a n d F r e n c h , t h e
E n g l i s h e v e n m o r e t h a n t h e F r e n c h .
D u r i n g t h e l a s t h a l f o f 1 9 1 7 r u m o u r s w e r e r e a c h i n g
t h e A m e r i c a n f o r c e o f a l m o s t n o " q u a r t e r " g i v e n b y
c e r t a i n B r i t i s h t r o o p s d u r i n g t h e i r r a i d s a g a i n s t t h e
G e r m a n s a n d i n r e t a l i a t i o n f o r G e r m a n e x c e s s e s . Ac-
c o r d i n g t o t h e s e r u m o u r s A u s t r a l i a n t r o o p s w e r e e s p e c i -
a l l y f i e r c e . While the French were very vehement in
d e c l a r i n g t h e i r h o s t i l i t y t o t h e G e r m a n s a n d t h e i r i n -
t e n t i o n t o s e i z e u p o n e v e r y o c c a s i o n t o r e t a l i a t e w i t h
c r u e l t i e s , a s a m a t t e r o f f a c t , w h e n G e r m a n s f e l l i n t o
F r e n c h h a n d s , t h e y w e r e n e v e r t r e a t e d w i t h c r u e l t y .
The Frenchman was too kind-hear ted . N e v e r t h e l e s s ,
t h e h a t r e d o f b o t h F r e n c h a n d B r i t i s h a g a i n s t t h e G e r -
m a n s s e e m e d j u s t i f i e d a n d m a d e t h e f i g h t i n g f i e r c e .
E v e n i n t h e q u i e t e s t t i m e s a n d u p o n t h e q u i e t e s t
f r o n t s , i n t h e t r e n c h e s , s o l d i e r s o n n e i t h e r s i d e d a r e d t o
e x p o s e t h e m s e l v e s , e v e n w h e n h o s t i l i t i e s w e r e n o t i n
p r o g r e s s . A head, a hand, any sign of a hu man body
s h o w n a b o v e t h e t r e n c h e s a n y w h e r e i m m e d i a t e l y d r e w
t h e f i r e o f t h e e n e m y . I n o t h e r w a r s t h i s h o s t i l i t y o f
i n d i v i d u a l m e n a g a i n s t o n e - a n o t h e r h a s - always been
k n o w n t o h a v e n o e f f e c t u p o n t h e g e n e r a l r e s u l t o f w a r ,
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1 2 0 PERSO NALITIES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
A l t o g e t h e r , t h e h a t e - m a k i n g p r o d u c e d s o m e e f f e c t
u p o n o u r m e n . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i n t h e f o l l o w i n g m o n t h s
o f f i g h t i n g w e h a d l i t t l e u s e o f i t . B e y o n d i n s t a n t f i r e
u p o n i n d i v i d u a l s e x p o s i n g t h e m s e l v e s , w e e n c o u n t e r e d
n o G e r m a n f r i g h t f u l n e s s o r c r u e l t y i n w a r f a r e w h e r e I
w a s . P o o r p s y c h o l o g i s t s o f a l l b u t t h e i r o w n p e o p l e ,
t h e G e r m a n s h a d p e r h a p s f o u n d t h a t i t d i d n o t p a y ,
a n d q u i t i t . T h e r e w a s n o o t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o
i n f l u e n c e t h e m . T h e i r p u r p o s e t o w i n t h e w a r s h u t
o u t f o r t h e m a l l l i g h t e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n s o f h u m a n i t y i n
i t s c o n d u c t , i f i n h u m a n i t y w e r e f o u n d t o c o n t r i b u t e t o
s u c c e s s : a n d t h e y w e r e a l w a y s , u n t i l t h e v e r y e n d o f t h e
w a r , i n p o s i t i o n t o i n f l i c t o n t h e i r e n e m e i e s m o r e
c r u e l t y , b r u t a l i t y , a n d f r i g h t f u l n e s s t h a n t h e y c o u l d
t h e m s e l v e s b e m a d e t o s u f f e r i n r e t a l i a t i o n .
" J a n u a r y 4 t h a n d 5 t h . I w e n t w i t h G e n e r a l P e r s h -
i n g ' s C h i e f o f S t a f f u p t o t h e F r e n c h s e c t o r w h e r e m y
d i v i s i o n i s t o b e s e n t . O u r p a r t y w a s q u i t e l a r g e : T h e
C h i e f o f S t a f f a n d t w o o f f i c e r s o f h i s O p e r a t i o n s S e c t i o n ,
t w o F r e n c h M i s s i o n o f f i c e r s , m y s e l f a n d m y C h i e f o f
S t a f f . O u r p a r t y h a d c o n s i d e r a b l e m i s g i v i n g s a s t o h o w
w e w o u l d b e r e c e i v e d b y t h e F r e n c h g e n e r a l w h o c o m -
m a n d s a n d w h o w a s k n o w n t o b e h o s t i l e t o A m e r i c a n s .
W e l l , w i t h a l o t o f F r e n c h t a l k I s l i p p e d u p o n t h a t f e l -
l o w ' s b l i n d s i d e a n d w e h a d l i t t l e d i f f i c u l t y w i t h h i m .
I t w a s F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n s i n b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . "
T h e " l o t o f F r e n c h t a l k " r e f e r r e d t o w a s n o t o f f i c i a l .
T h e F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r , w h o h a d b e e n q u i t e u n y i e l d i n g
o n a d e m a n d m a d e b y G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g a s a s i n e q u a
n o n o f a g r e e m e n t , i n v i t e d u s t o d i n n e r .
O f c o u r s e , d u r i n g t h e m e a l a l l o f f i c i a l s u b j e c t s w e r e
t a b o o , b u t , n e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e r e i s p r o b a b l y n o p e o p l e
w h o a s m u c h a s t h e F r e n c h d e c i d e b u s i n e s s q u e s t i o n s
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UNDER THE FRENCH IN LORRAINE 1 2 1
o v e r d i n n e r s . T h e y r e g a r d a d i n n e r a s t h e o l d s a y i n g
d o e s p l a y : " Y o u l e a r n t o d o m o r e w i t h a m a n i n a h a l f
h o u r o f p l a y t h a n y o u c a n i n a d a y o f w o r k . " K n o w -
i n g t h i s , I d e v o t e d m y w h o l e a t t e n t i o n t o t h e c o m m a n d e r
of the French army to which my division was to b e
a t t a c h e d , G e n e r a l D e b e n e y . G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s C h i e f
o f S t a f f a f t e r t h e d i n n e r r e m a r k e d , " B u l l a r d , w i t h
your French talk you played up to him b ull y, and
y o u h a v e h e l p e d t o s e t t l e t h i s q u e s t i o n f a v o u r a b l y . "
And so in effect it proved . There was no further
d i f f i c u l t y ; all American conditions were complied
with . T h e 1 s t Di v i s i o n , a n d I c o m m a n d i n g i t ,
s e r v e d u n d e r G e n e r a l D e b e n e y f o r s i x m o n t h s w i t h o u t
t h e s l i g h t e s t f r i c t i o n , e v e r w i t h t h e g r e a t e s t g o o d w i l l
and consideration upon the part of himself and his
s t a f f .
I n a n t i c i p a t i o n o f o u r g o i n g i n t o t h e t r e n c h e s w i t h t h e
F r e n c h , t h e i r a u t h o r i t i e s w e r e v e r y i n s i s t e n t u p o n o u r
h a v i n g a g r e a t n u m b e r o f F r e n c h l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s . T h e
A m e r i c a n s , i n c l u d i n g m y s e l f , n e v e r q u i t e u n d e r s t o o d
t h e n e e d o f a n y g r e a t n u m b e r o f s u c h o f f i c e r s , a n d w e
w e r e t r y i n g t o d o d g e t h e m . I t w a s a s u g g e s t i o n , m o s t
o f u s t h o u g h t a t t h e t i m e , o f e s p i o n a g e u p o n t h e A m e r i -
c a n l i n e o f a c t i o n , a n d w e r a t h e r , r e s e n t e d i t . B u t
s u b s e q u e n t d a y s s h o w e d , a t l e a s t t o m y s a t i s f a c t i o n ,
that no unworthy purpose was contemplated by the
F r e n c h t h a t i n a l l t h i s t h e y h a d n o o t h e r m o t i v e b u t
p r o t e c t i o n t o t h e m s e l v e s a n d u s e f u l n e s s t o u s . I t i s
t r u e t h a t a l w a y s t h e F r e n c h W a r O f f i c e , t h r o u g h i t s
l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s , k e p t i t s e l f a c c u r a t e l y i n f o r m e d a b o u t
A m e r i c a n f e e l i n g a n d o u r m e t h o d s a n d l i n e o f a c t i o n .
B u t n e a r m e , a t l e a s t , t h e F r e n c h l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s c o n -
d u c t e d t h e m s e l v e s w i t h s u c h d i s c r e t i o n a n d t a c t a s n e v e r
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UNDER THE FRENCH IN LORRAINE 1 2 3
a g r e a t e r m a n , d i r e c t o r a n d p r o p r i e t o r o f t h e R e s t a u -
r a n t L a u r e n t , o n t h e c e l e b r a t e d C h a m p s E l y s e e s , P a r i s .
R e g a r d i n g u s s t i l l a s v e r y m u c h i n n e e d o f t u t e l a g e ,
t h e F r e n c h r a t h e r p u s h e d o n u s a t a c t i c a l o f f i c e r t o h e l p
t h e t a c t i c a l o f f i c e r o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n i n b i l l e t i n g a n d
l a y i n g o u t t h e r o u t e o f m a r c h o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n u p t o
t h e t r e n c h e s . F o r t h i s w e r e a l l y n e e d e d a n d a c c e p t e d
h i m ; b u t w e d i d n o t w a n t h i m " f o r g o o d a n d a l l . " O n c e
w i t h u s , h o w e v e r , w e c o u l d n o t a t f i r s t , a n d a t l a s t
w o u l d n o t f o r a n y c o n s i d e r a t i o n " s h a k e " h i m . W e
f o u n d t h a t w e l i k e d a n d n e e d e d h i m , a n d h e , l i k e a l m o s t
a l l o t h e r F r e n c h l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s t h a t I s a w , p r o v e d t o
b e o f v a l u a b l e h e l p . B e t w e e n t h e s e o f f i c e r s a n d u s
t h e r e g r e w u p f i n e a n d l a s t i n g c o m r a d e s h i p s t h a t s i n c e
t h e w a r h a v e h e l p e d t o k e e p F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n s c l o s e
t o g e t h e r .
I n t h e f i r s t d a y s o f t h e y e a r 1 9 1 8 c a m e a p e r i o d o f
f i v e d a y s ' s p e c i a l t r a i n i n g , t h e c u l m i n a t i o n a n d t h e e n d
o f t h e t r a i n i n g p e r i o d f o r t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n . I c a n n e v e r
f o r g e t i t . I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t a n y m a n t h a t p a s s e d
t h r o u g h i t c o u l d e v e r f o r g e t i t . I d o n ' t b e l i e v e t h a t a n y
m a n w h o p a s s e d t h r o u g h i t a n d a f t e r w a r d w e n t t h r o u g h
t h e b a t t l e s t h a t f o l l o w e d i n 1 9 1 8 b e l i e v e d t h a t h e e v e r
f a c e d a n y t h i n g e x c e p t d e a t h i t s e l f w h i c h w o u l d b e
h a r d e r t o b e a r .
" G o n d r e c o u r t , J a n u a r y 2 n d . B a d w e a t h e r - s n o w a n d
c o l d a n d w e t - c o n t i n u e s . S t u c k l a s t n i g h t i n a u t o m o -
b i l e i n s n o w d r i f t o n r o a d r e t u r n i n g f r o m A . E . F . H e a d -
q u a r t e r s a n d h a d t o w a l k h o m e , s e v e n m i l e s . B u t w e
a r e , n e v e r t h e l e s s , ` g e t t i n g t h i n g s d o n e . " '
" J a n u a r y 8 t h . F i n i s h e d y e s t e r d a y f i v e d a y s ' t r e n c h
m a n o e u v r e s b y b r i g a d e a n d d i v i s i o n . W o r s t w e a t h e r
i n w h i c h I e v e r s a w t r o o p s w o r k . T h e t e m p e r a t u r e
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12 4 PERSO NA LIT IES AN D REMINISCENCES O F THE WA R
w a s n e a r z e r o , C e n t i g r a d e , m o s t o f t h e t i m e , a n d o n t h e
last day it snowed, thawed, and rained . W e w e r e
wet and muddy all over . H o w o u r s o l d i e r s e v e r w i l l
e s c a p e s i c k n e s s , I d o n o t k n o w . "
T h i s l a s t f i v e d a y s c o n s t i t u t e d , o n a c c o u n t o f t h e
w e a t h e r , t h e f i e r c e s t s t r a i n t o w h i c h I e v e r s a w t r o o p s
s u b j e c t e d o u t s i d e o f t h e h a r d e s t b a t t l e s . T hey b e g an
w i t h r a i n , w h i c h c h a n g e d i n t o s l e e t a n d s n o w a n d s l u s h ,
a n d l a s t e d t h e e n t i r e f i v e d a y s w i t h o u t b r e a k . Mens t o o d i n t h e t r e n c h e s a n d o u t i n t h e o p e n o v e r s h o e -
tops in mud and snow and water ; w i t h t h e s n o w f o u r ,
o r f i v e i n c h e s d e e p u p o n t h e o p e n g r o u n d ; a n d f r o m '
s t a r t t o f i n i s h w e r e n e v e r c l e a r o f t h e s e h a r d s h i p s .
E a r s , f i n g e r s , a n d n o s e s w e r e f r o z e n ; h o r s e s f e l l f r o m
c o l d a n d e x h a u s t i o n , s o m e d y i n g u p o n t h e f i e l d . T h e
m e n b o r e i t b e t t e r t h a n t h e h o r s e s . They had before
t h e m t h e k n o w l e d g e o f t h e g r e a t c o m i n g o f f e n s i v e o f t h e
enemy . They must do it, they must maintain their
s p i r i t s a n d t h e i r e f f o r t , a n d t h e y d i d . T h e s a v i n g t h i n g
was the rolling kitchen . Until now the A merican
t r o o p s h a d n e v e r h a d i t . I t s t o o d b e s i d e t h e m e n i n
t h e s e f i v e d a y s o f h a r d s h i p w i t h h o t s o u p a n d c o f f e e
a n d h o t f o o d s - t h e o n e c o m f o r t a n d r e a l l y t h e s a v i n g
o f t h e o c c a s i o n . T h e h o r s e s h a d n o s u c h l u c k : a l r e a d y
w e a k e n e d b y t h r e e w e e k s ' s h o r t f e e d , m a n y f e l l a n d
p e r i s h e d .
W h y d i d w e d o i t ? B e c a u s e w e h a d t o , i n o r d e r t o
s a v e o u r s e l v e s f r o m a w o r s e f a t e a t t h e h a n d s o f a h a r d
enemy who we knew the whole worl d now knew-
w o u l d , l o n g b e f o r e s p r i n g c o u l d g i v e u s w e a t h e r f o r
d r i l l i n g i n c o m f o r t , b e d r i v i n g h i s v e t e r a n t r o o p s i n
g r e a t e r n u m b e r s t h a n e v e r a g a i n s t o u r a l l i e d f r o n t .
Serbia, Russia, Rumania, and Italy had all been
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UNDER THE FRENCH IN LORRAINE 1 2 5
b e a t e n . W h a t n e x t ? W e k n e w , a n d w h e n . T i m e
w a s n o t o u r s . Besides, nine months had now passed
s i n c e w e h a d p u t o u r s e l v e s i n t h e w a r a n d w e w e r e s t i l l
t h e r e b y d e c l a r a t i o n o n l y . G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g a n d h i s
e n t i r e s t a f f w e r e d r i v i n g n o w t o m a k e g o o d .
T h u s f i n i s h e d o u r t r a i n i n g . We were ready to go .
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INT O THE LINE 1 27
morning, so l i t t l e distance had t h e y g a i n e d . T h e
t r o o p s , w i t h w e t c l o t h i n g a n d w e t b l a n k e t s , a n d a n i m a l s
with bruised bodies and strained muscles, s u f f e r e d
m u c h , b u t a s i n t h e l a s t f i v e d a y s ' p r e p a r a t i o n , t h e r e
w a s n o t u r n i n g b a c k . T h e s t r o n g b o d i e s o f t h e A m e r i -
c a n s o l d i e r s s t o o d t h e s u f f e r i n g w e l l ; y e t I d o u b t n o t
t h a t e v e r y o n e o f t h e m w i l l b e a r t h e f e e l i n g s a n d t h e
e f f e c t s o f t h a t n i g h t a n d t h a t d a y t o h i s l a s t h o u r .
O u r A m e r i c a n m u l e s s t o o d u p w e l l , b u t t h e h o r s e s w h i c h
we had obtained from the French had passed already
t h r o u g h t h r e e y e a r s o f h a r d s h i p i n w a r , w e r e w e a k , e a s i l y
e x h a u s t e d , a n d s u f f e r e d g r e a t l y u n d e r t h e s t r a i n .
D a r k n e s s f o u n d t h e d i v i s i o n w i d e l y s c a t t e r e d . I d o
n o t k n o w h o w i t s l e p t o r h o w i t p a s s e d t h e n i g h t . I
a t t e m p t e d i n e f f e c t u a l l y i n a n a u t o m o b i l e t o f o l l o w d u r -
i n g a p o r t i o n o f t h e c o u r s e . I t w a s i m p o s s i b l e . After
a m i l e a n d a h a l f o r t w o m i l e s I g a v e i t u p a n d r e t u r n e d
to the pla ce whence I had started in the m orning .
T h e t r i p h a d t a k e n m e i n a n a u t o m o b i l e n e a r l y h a l f a
d a y , w i t h m a n y r i s k s o f c o m p l e t e d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e
a u t o m o b i l e a n d d a n g e r t o i t s d r i v e r .
T h e t h i n g t h a t s t r u c k m e a b o u t t h i s m e m o r a b l e d a y
w a s t h a t , w h i l e o u r s o l d i e r s d i d n o t k n o w h o w t o a d a p t
themselves to the conditions or meet the hardships
a n d l a b o u r s e n c o u n t e r e d , y e t , w h e n t h e y k n e w t h a t i t
h a d t o b e d o n e , s t o l i d l y b u t manfully t h e y w a d e d i n t o
t h e s l u s h o f s n o w a n d w a t e r u p t o t h e k n e e s , w e l l k n o w -
i n g t h a t t h e y w o u l d s l e e p , i f s l e e p t h e y c o u l d , i n w e t ,
p e r h a p s f r o z e n , c l o t h e s a n d b l a n k e t s d u r i n g t h e n i g h t .
I t w a s a g o o d s i g n , a f i t c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h e f i v e d a y s '
h a r d t r a i n i n g . I f e l t p e r f e c t l y s u r e t h a t t h e s e s o l d i e r s
were never afterward to encounter anything except
d e a t h t h a t w o u l d b e h a r d e r t o f a c e t h a n t h e l a b o u r s
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INT O T HE LINE 1 29
n o w b u t o n e d i v i s i o n r e a d y t o g o o n t h e l i n e a g a i n s t t h e
e n e m y .
T h e G e r m a n s , k n o w i n g t h a t A m e r i c a n s w e r e i n
France, had jeere d us and had promis ed their own
p e o p l e t o m a k e s h o r t w o r k o f u s w h e n w e s h o u l d c o m e
o n t h e l i n e . I t s e e m e d p r o b a b l e t h a t a s s o o n a s t h e y
s h o u l d d i s c o v e r u s i n t h e t r e n c h e s a g a i n s t t h e m t h e y
might make a sudden hard effort to push us out, in
o r d e r t o j u s t i f y t h e i r b o a s t a n d p r o d u c e t h e m o r a l e f f e c t
u p o n t h e i r o w n p e o p l e o f s a y i n g t h a t t h e y h a d k n o c k e d
o u t t h e w h o l e A m e r i c a n f o r c e a t a s i n g l e b l o w . T h e
h a l v i n g o f t h e d i v i s i o n i n t h e m a n n e r r e f e r r e d t o a b o v e
would enable u s still to have the second half, the
e q u i v a l e n t o f a F r e n c h o r G e r m a n d i v i s i o n , f r e s h a n d
r e a d y t o t a k e i t s p l a c e a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y i n c a s e t h e
f i r s t h a l f w e r e r e a l l y f o r c e d o u t o f l i n e . B u t t h e f o r c i n g
o u t n e v e r t o o k p l a c e .
A s t h e d i v i s i o n c a m e i n t o t h e t r e n c h e s f o r t h e f i r s t
t i m e , I d i d n o t s e e a m o n g t h e m e n a n y o f t h a t s p i r i t o f
f i e r c e e x p e c t a t i o n , a n x i e t y t o g e t a t t h e e n e m y , o f
w h i c h w r i t e r s a b o u t t h e w a r h a v e s o m e t i m e s t o l d u s .
T h e y w e r e q u i e t a n d b u s i n e s s - l i k e , a l m o s t s t o l i d . Eve n
the newest of them met the hardships with the look
a n d s p i r i t o f r e g u l a r s . I thought with pride, " They
a r e r e g u l a r s . " I n f a c t , f e w w e r e .
G e n e r a l D e b e n e y , t h e c o m m a n d e r o f t h e F r e n c h a r m y
i n o u r n e w s e c t o r , h a d u n t i l r e c e n t l y b e e n t h e c h i e f o f
s t a f f o f G e n e r a l P e t a i n , c o m m a n d i n g t h e b u l k o f t h e
Frenc h in France . He was a typical -l ooking French
o f f i c e r : b l a c k h a i r , b l a c k m o u s t a c h e , m i l i t a r y i n d e p o r t -
ment, and neat in dress ; well kept, handsome, and
o f p l e a s i n g m a n n e r s : very keen and alert, and with
s h a r p b u t k i n d l y e y e s . L i k e M a r s h a l s F o c h , P e t a i n ,
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INT O T HE LINE 1 3 3
p a r t o f o u r e n e m y s t o o d f o r t h t o o u r e y e s o n o u r v e r y
f i r s t s i g h t o f h i m . I t m a d e u s t h i n k ; i t w a s e n o u g h t o
make us think . O p p o s i t e t h e l e f t f l a n k o f o u r s e c t o r
a n d r i g h t i n t h e e n e m y ' s p o s i t i o n , a h i l l , M o n t s e c , b a r e
a n d c l e a n - c u t , l i f t e d i t s h e a d a n d l o o k e d d o w n i n t o o u r
t r e n c h e s f r o m e n d t o e n d . F r o m i t n o t h i n g w a s h i d d e n .
A p p r o a c h i n g o u r p o s i t i o n b e f o r e M o n t s e c y o u f e l t a s i f
y o u w e r e u n d e r t h e e y e o f G o d , t h r e a t e n i n g a n d i n e s -
c a p a b l e . Miles b ack, even as you emerge from the
a n c i e n t F o r e t d e l a R e i n e , l i f t i n g u p y o u r e y e s t o i t ,
y o u i n v o l u n t a r i l y s h r i n k , s t o o p , a n d d o u b l e u p , t h i n k -
ing to avoid its eye . U s e l e s s l M o n t s e c , w i t h i t s
c a r e f u l G e r m a n s o l d i e r - o b s e r v e r , s a w a l l . He trac ed
o u r t r e n c h e s a n d m a r k e d o u r r o a d s , e x c e p t t h e r o a d s
f a r b a c k i n t h e F o r e t d e l a R e i n e ; h e e a s i l y s p o t t e d o u r
a r t i l l e r y p o s i t i o n s a n d k n e w o u r d u m p s o f m a t e r i a l s
and ammunition . O f c a m o u f l a g e t h e r e w e r e m i l e s f o r
t h e r o a d s a n d a c r e s f o r t h e g u n p o s i t i o n s , b u t t h e y h i d
n o t h i n g f r o m t h e e y e o f M o n t s e c .
N e a r t h e f o o t o f M o n t s e c b e g a n a t a b l e - l i k e h i l l t h a t
stretched away westward from our sector . T h i s h i l l
a b u t t e d a g a i n s t o u r w e s t e n d i n t h i c k w o o d s a n d l o w
ground . O u r s e c t o r h e r e t e r m i n a t e d i n a n i m p a s s a b l e
lake and was always safe against the enemy . B u t
t h a t s a f e t y w a s n o t w h a t e s p e c i a l l y c o n c e r n e d m e . T h e
w o o d s a n d t h e h i l l m a d e h i s s i d e s a f e a g a i n s t u s - a v e r y
m u c h w o r s e c o n d i t i o n . A t t i m e s w e c o u l d s e e a n d h e a r
t h e e n e m y w i t h o u t e v e r b e i n g a b l e t o g e t a t h i m . A n d
f r o m t h i s p o i n t h e w a s a b l e t o p r e p a r e r a i d s a l m o s t
u n d i s t u r b e d a g a i n s t o u r F r e n c h f r i e n d s o n o u r l e f t .
T h e p l a c e w a s a t h o r n i n m y f l e s h t o t h e l a s t d a y t h a t
m y d i v i s i o n o c c u p i e d t h i s s e c t o r . I l o o k e d a t t h e m a p
a n d a t t h e p o s i t i o n d a i l y , a n d n e v e r c e a s e d t o p l a n a
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INT O THE LINE 1 3 5
T h e h a b i t w a s o n h i m a n d h e s h e l l e d i t s t i l l , a l t h o u g h i t
had long ag o been shot dead and bare . Upon this
a n g l e f e l l h i s m o s t f r e q u e n t a t t e m p t s a t r a i d s . Duri ng
o u r o c c u p a t i o n o f t h i s s e c t o r w e h a d t h e g o o d l u c k a l -
w a y s t o r e p e l h i s e f f o r t s s u c c e s s f u l l y a n d e v e n s e v e r e l y ,
b u t t h e A m e r i c a n 2 6 t h D i v i s i o n t h a t r e l i e v e d o u r o w n
h e r e s u f f e r e d a s e r i o u s m i s h a p .
T h e h a r d c o n d i t i o n s a t S e i c h e p r e y a n d t h e w o o d c o n -
t i n u e d i n t o t h e F r e n c h s e c t o r u p o n o u r r i g h t , a r o u n d a
p l a c e k n o w n a s F l i r e y . I t w a s - o r o n c e w a s - a v i l l a g e ,
a t t h e f o o t o f a r i d g e a l o n g w h i c h n o w r a n t h e G e r m a n
t r e n c h e s . T h i s r i d g e w a s c r o s s e d b y w h a t w a s o n c e a
g r e a t h i g h - r o a d l e a d i n g d i r e c t l y t o w a r d t h e i m p o r t a n t
f o r t i f i c a t i o n s o f T o u l . I t h a d b e e n a n a r t e r y o f t h e
German advance, and the French, l ike the Germans
around Seicheprey and the wood in our sector, had
f o r m e d a h a b i t o f b o m b a r d i n g t h i s r i d g e . The habit
h a d b e e n k e p t u p u n t i l e v e r y f o o t o f t h i s g r o u n d f o r a
c o u p l e o f m i l e s e a s t a n d w e s t h a d b e e n p l o u g h e d o v e r
and reploug hed by French shells . S o h e a v y a n d
destruct ive had been the French bomb ardment that
a s s o o n a s t h e G e r m a n s h a d m a d e a t r e n c h i n o n e p l a c e
i t w a s a t o n c e d e s t r o y e d b y F r e n c h f i r e , a n d t h e G e r -
m a n s h a d a l l t h e i r w o r k t o d o o v e r i n a n o t h e r t r e n c h
l i n e , w h i c h p r o m p t l y m e t t h e s a m e f a t e . Thus their
l i n e , t h o u g h e v e r r e m a i n i n g , h a d w r i t h e d l i k e a w o u n d e d
s n a k e f o r t h r e e y e a r s . T h e F r e n c h , o n t h e i r s i d e , i n t h e
ravines leading down from the German ridge, were
s i m p l y d r i v e n i n t o t h e b o w e l s o f t h e e a r t h , a n d h a d b e e n
m a d e a g a i n t o b e c o m e h e r e w h a t t h e i r f o r e f a t h e r s h a d
b e e n b e f o r e h i s t o r y b e g a n - c a v e d w e l l e r s , m o l e s . T h e
r a v i n e s ' s i d e s w e r e p r o f o u n d l y a n d c o n t i n u o u s l y c h a m -
b e r e d t o t h e l a s t f o o t .
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INT O T HE LINE 1 3 9
that good food was not to be expected . But this
t u r n e d o u t t o b e n o t s o . I d o n o t m e a n t h a t t h e f o o d
w a s r i c h o r c o s t l y . I t w a s n o t ; b u t w h a t i t l a c k e d i n
t h e s e r e s p e c t s w a s m a d e u p i n t h e f i n e p r e p a r a t i o n b y
s k i l l e d F r e n c h c h e f s . T h e s e c h e f s , l i k e a l l F r e n c h m e n ,
o f w h a t e v e r b u s i n e s s i n l i f e , w e r e c a u g h t b y t h e d r a f t
and were found now in the Army . The chefs of the
f i n e s t h o t e l s o f t h e g r e a t e s t c i t i e s i n t h e w o r l d - P a r i s ,
London, New Y ork, San Francisco, Berl in even- were
found in the French Army . Howev er warlike these
m e n m a y h a v e f e l t i n t h e b e g i n n i n g , a s t h e t e r r o r s a n d
s l a u g h t e r o f w a r b e c a m e w i t h s e r v i c e m o r e a n d m o r e
e v i d e n t t o t h e m , t h e y w e r e v e r y g l a d i n d e e d t o a c c e p t
d e t a i l s a s c o o k s i n h e a d q u a r t e r s m e s s e s , a n d t h e r e t h e y
w e r e f o u n d . The French commander on our immediate
r i g h t h a d t h e b e s t f i e l d m e s s I h a v e e v e r s e e n . I s h a l l
t h a n k G e n e r a l M o n r o e i n m e m o r y f o r a l l d a y s t o c o m e
f o r t w o o r t h r e e g o o d d i n n e r s g i v e n m e l a t e r i n t h e
b l a c k e s t d a y s o f t h e g r e a t G e r m a n d r i v e i n t h e s p r i n g .
A h , M o n r o e , i n a d d i t i o n t o b e i n g a g o o d s o l d i e r , y o u
w e r e a g o o d l i v e r 1 A n d y o u l e n t m e a g o o d c o o k w h o
e n a b l e d m e , w i t h a b o d y i n p a i n a n d a s t o m a c h o n s t r i k e ,
t o r e m a i n , n e v e r t h e l e s s , i n t h e f i g h t a l l t h e h a r d s p r i n g
a n d s u m m e r o f o u r n i n e m o n t h s o f b a t t l e i n 1 9 1 8 .
A w e e k b e f o r e c o m i n g i n t o t h e t r e n c h e s I h a d w r i t t e n ,
" A l l p r e l i m i n a r i e s h a v e b e e n a r r a n g e d [ f o r e n t e r i n g
the trenches under French gu idance and temporary
French command] and about sixty-five per cent . o f
the 1st Division commences moving in two or three
days . I g o u p t o a r r i v e J a n u a r y 1 8 t h , b u t d o n o t t a k e
command for an undetermined period, ` they say' a
week . I s h a l l h a v e t o w a t c h t h a t . The French se em
v e r y n i c e a b o u t i t , b u t t h e y a r e a b i t a f r a i d o f u s a n d
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1 4 0 PERSO NALITIES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
w a n t t o k e e p u s u n d e r t h e i r t u t e l a g e a s l o n g a s p o s s i b l e .
I n f a c t , w e a r e l i t e r a l l y b e s e t w i t h o f f e r s o f g u i d e s a n d
m e n t o r s a n d F r e n c h l i a i s o n o f f i c e r s . "
" M e s n i l - l a - T o u r , J a n u a r y 2 3 r d . F i v e d a y s h e r e , a n d
l i t t l e a d v a n c e t o w a r d s e t t l e m e n t [ o f c o m m a n d ] . This
l a s t e d f o r n e a r l y t h r e e w e e k s . The French commander,
w h o , w i t h h i s d i v i s i o n , h a d j u s t t a k e n t h e p l a c e o f t h e
M o r o c c a n d i v i s i o n o n o u r r i g h t , w a s l o t h t o p a r t w i t h
t h e t a c t i c a l d i r e c t i o n o f t h e A m e r i c a n s . From st aff
o f f i c e r s a t G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s h e a d q u a r t e r s I l a t e r
l e a r n e d t h a t o t h e r A l l i e d c o m m a n d e r s , E n g l i s h a s w e l l
a s F r e n c h , s h o w e d a n e q u a l d i s i n c l i n a t i o n t o p a r t w i t h
t h e c o m m a n d o f A m e r i c a n f o r c e s w h e r e v e r t h e l a t t e r
f e l l u n d e r t h e m . The Americ an Command er-i n-Chief
w a s v e r y c a r e f u l t o r e t a i n h o l d o f t h e s e t r o o p s . I t
w a s h i s r e q u i r e m e n t , a t l e a s t w i t h c o m m a n d s w h i c h I
e x e r c i s e d u n d e r t h e F r e n c h , t o k e e p a s p e c i a l w i r e f r o m
the commander of American troops to his own head-
q u a r t e r s a n d t o r e q u i r e f u l l r e p o r t s t h e r e f r o m d a i l y
o f w h a t w a s p a s s i n g - o f a l l o r d e r s a n d a l l o p e r a t i o n s .
I t w a s a p p a r e n t , f r o m t h e i r d i s p o s i t i o n t o h o l d o n t o u s ,
t h a t o u r A l l i e s r e g a r d e d u s a s b a b e s i n t h e w o o d s , n e e d -
i n g c a r e . W e w e r e - a n d d i d . B u t a f t e r t w o w e e k s I
i n s i s t e d t h a t t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n w e r e b a b e s n o l o n g e r a n d
t h a t t h e y k n e w t h e w o o d s .
" F e b r u a r y 1 0 t h . Received tactical command of my
d i v i s i o n o n t h e 5 t h a n d b e g a n h a r r y i n g t h e e n e m y a t
once . W e l l , w e s t i r r e d h i m u p a n d h e c a m e b a c k a t u s .
I a m g l a d I c a n s a y t h a t i t w a s h e w h o ` c a m e b a c k , '
not we . O f c o u r s e , I l o s t m e n , b u t a s w e w e r e t h e
m o s t a c t i v e i t s e e m s p r o b a b l e t h a t w e m a d e h i m l o s e
more . "
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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INT O T HE LINE 1 4 1
H e r e i s h o w t h i s s c r a p a r o s e : U n d e r t h e F r e n c h o c -
c u p a t i o n o u r s e c t o r h a d b e e n v e r y q u i e t . The French
commander, desired that the Americans occupy the
s e c t o r e q u a l l y q u i e t l y i n o r d e r t h a t t h e m e n m i g h t g r o w
u s e d t o t h e t r e n c h e s w i t h n o t t o o m u c h d i s t u r b a n c e .
A s l o n g , t h e r e f o r e , a s t h e F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r h a d o u r
t a c t i c a l d i r e c t i o n , t h a t i s , d u r i n g t h e f i r s t t w o o r t h r e e
w e e k s , w e w e r e c o m p a r a t i v e l y q u i e t . Onl y now and
t h e n a n A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r w h o c o u l d n o t c o n t r o l h i s
c u r i o s i t y s e n t u p h i s h a t a b o v e t h e t r e n c h e s , t h u s a t -
t r a c t i n g t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e e n e m y i n a w a y q u i t e
u n u s u a l d u r i n g t h e o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e F r e n c h , w h o h a d
l o n g a g o f o r g o t t e n s u c h f o o l i s h n e s s . But in general
t h e F r e n c h o r d e r h a d b e e n o b e y e d . I t i s d o u b t f u l t h a t
the enemy knew that the trenches were occupied by
other than Frenchmen .
When I took over ta ctical c ommand, I rememb ered
t h e t r a d i t i o n o f t h e l o s s o f h e a r t , a g g r e s s i v e n e s s , a n d
m o r a l e o f t h e C o n f e d e r a t e s s h u t u p i n t h e t r e n c h e s a t
Vicksburg . I r e c a l l e d m y o w n o b s e r v a t i o n o f a r e g i -
m e n t w h i c h h a d l i k e w i s e b e e n s h u t u p i n t r e n c h e s i n a
v i l l a g e i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s f o r s o m e t w o o r t h r e e m o n t h s ,
l o s i n g a l l a g g r e s s i v e n e s s , a l l s p i r i t o f o f f e n c e . I reme m-
b e r e d , t o o , f r o m m y b o y h o o d , a o n e - a r m e d b r o t h e r - i n -
l a w ' s l i c k i n g a b i g t w o - a r m e d o p p o n e n t b y s t a r t i n g t h e
f i g h t b e f o r e t h e o t h e r f e l l o w . I t h e r e f o r e l e t i t b e
known that we were to "harry them up," and that I
d i d n o t i n t e n d t o l e t t h e a g g r e s s i v e n e s s o f o u r m e n , b e
l o s t . T h i s w a s a l l t h a t w a s n e e d e d .
T h e a r t i l l e r y m a n w i t h h i s c a n n o n a n d t h e i n f a n t r y -
m a n w i t h r i f l e a n d m a c h i n e g u n t o o k e v e r y c h a n c e f o r
a s h o t a t t h e e n e m y . This was quite a change from
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1 4 2 PERSO N A LIT IES A N D REMIN ISCEN CES O F T HE W A R
p r e v i o u s c o n d i t i o n s , a s b o t h t h e F r e n c h a n d t h e G e r -
m a n s h a d h e r e t o f o r e b e e n s e n t i n t o t h e s e s e c t o r s n o t
t o f i g h t b u t t o r e s t . The enemy therefore knew at
o n c e t h a t t h e r e h a d b e e n s o m e c h a n g e , s o h e d e c i d e d t o
m a k e s u r e b y a r a i d i n w h i c h h e c o u l d c a p t u r e p r i s o n e r s
a n d l e a r n r e a l l y w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d i n t h e M e s n i l - l a -
T o u r s e c t o r o f t h e l a t e F r e n c h l i n e s . S o h e p u t o n a
r a i d , o f c o u r s e a t t h e m o s t v u l n e r a b l e p o i n t o f o u r l i n e ,
u p n e a r S e i c h e p r e y . But ou r infantrymen there had
p r o f i t e d b y t h e t e a c h i n g s o f o u r F r e n c h t r e n c h i n s t r u c -
t o r s i n t h e p a s t f e w m o n t h s . T h e y r e a d t h e s i g n s b e f o r e
t h e h o u r o f t h e r a i d , a n d w h e n t h e e n e m y c a m e i n t o
o u r t r e n c h e s o n a s u d d e n d a s h , h e w a s e x p e c t e d a n d h e
found them almost vacant . B e f o r e h e c o u l d g e t o u t ,
o u r o w n m e n c o u n t e r - a t t a c k e d h i m , c a u g h t h i m a t a d i s -
a d v a n t a g e , a n d p u t h i m u p o n t h e r u n a t o n c e . He b e-
c a m e t a n g l e d u p i n h i s o w n w i r e , l o s t t w o o r t h r e e o f h i s
flame throwers, a machine gun or two, and some
f i f t e e n d e a d ; and left a number of corpses hanging
v i s i b l y i n h i s o w n w i r e . The Germans had well pre-
p a r e d t h i s r a i d , u s i n g a l l t h e i r d e v i c e s a n d m e a n s t h e r e -
f o r , i n c l u d i n g g o o d s h o c k t r o o p s s p e c i a l l y t r a i n e d f o r
s u c h w o r k , f l a m e t h r o w e r s , a n d m u c h a r t i l l e r y .
O u r F r e n c h f r i e n d s w e r e d e l i g h t e d . They had feared
that we would be caug ht . I t w a s a s u c c e s s , a t h i n g
a b o v e a l l i m p o r t a n t f o r n e w t r o o p s i n t h e s t a r t o f t h e i r
a c t i v i t i e s . It was no g reat affair prob ab l y two
h u n d r e d m e n o n e a c h s i d e e n g a g e d b u t i t s i n s p i r i t i n g
e f f e c t w a s o n e o f t h e f i r s t t h i n g s t h a t h e l p e d t o m a k e t h e
1 s t D i v i s i o n w h a t i t a f t e r w a r d r e a l l y b e c a m e , a m a g n i f i -
cent fighting machine . I was at the t ime prou d
e n o u g h o f t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f my men, but was made
m o r e p r o u d w h e n t w o m o n t h s l a t e r c a m e t h e r e p o r t o f
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PAT ROLLING A ND RAIDIN G 1 4 9
I f a p l a c e s e e m e d t o i n v i t e a r a i d i t s o c c u p a n t s g e n e r -
a l l y k n e w i t , i n c r e a s e d i t s s t r e n g t h , a n d t o o k o t h e r
p a i n s , s u c h a s k e e p i n g q u i e t a n d o u t o f s i g h t , i n o r d e r
t o d e c e i v e t h e e n e m y a n d s u c c e s s f u l l y m e e t h i s r a i d i f
it came. Any b ut an experienced soldier was thus
a l m o s t a l w a y s d e c e i v e d a s t o t h e a m o u n t o f d a n g e r t o
be encountered in making a raid . I t w a s g e n e r a l l y
f o u n d m o r e d e a d l y t h a n e x p e c t e d , a n d t h e o l d - t i m e r s ,
B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h , h a d c o m e t o ' l i s t e n w i t h a " f e d - u p "
f e e l i n g t o " s t r a i g h t e n i n g t h e l i n e a b i t , " a n d " I p e r -
s o n a l l y d o n ' t b e l i e v e w e w o u l d m e e t m u c h r e s i s t a n c e , "
e t c . , w h e n a r a i d w a s c o n t e m p l a t e d . I n r e a l i t y r a i d s
d i d l i t t l e o r n o h a r m t o t h e e n e m y a n d d i d n o t h e l p t o
e n d t h e w a r , b u t t h e y h a d t w o g r e a t v a l u e s : t h e y k e p t
u p t h e o f f e n s i v e s p i r i t o f m e n i n t h e t r e n c h e s a n d
o f t e n o b t a i n e d v a l u a b l e i n d i c a t i o n s a b o u t t h e e n e m y .
" T h e f i r s t [ D i a r y ] t w o o r t h r e e r a i d s t h a t w e m a d e
a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y m i g h t h a v e b e e n t h e m a k i n g o f w a r
b y t h e f o r c e s o f t h e e n t i r e n a t i o n , s o e l a b o r a t e w e r e t h e
p l a n s a n d p r e p a r a t i o n s t h e r e f o r . I n e v e r s a w b e f o r e
and never again expect to see as much counsel and
a d v i c e t a k e n u p o n t h e s u b j e c t o f a m i l i t a r y o p e r a t i o n ,
g r e a t o r s m a l l ." As we were serv ing u nder French
c o m m a n d , w e s o u g h t t h e h e l p o f t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e a n d
d i r e c t i o n . F r e n c h o f f i c e r s w e r e s e n t t o p r a c t i s e w i t h
o u r t r o o p s t h a t w e r e t o e x e c u t e t h e r a i d . We picked
t h e s e F r e n c h o f f i c e r s a f t e r a s m u c h d i s c u s s i o n a n d i n -
q u i r y a s w o u l d b e t a k e n i n t h e s e l e c t i o n o f a c a n d i d a t e
f o r P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a n d t h e y l i v e d a n d
w o r k e d d i r e c t l y w i t h t h e t r o o p s t h a t w e r e t o m a k e t h e
r a i d . T h e i r a d v i c e w a s s o u g h t a s i f i t w e r e g o s p e l , a n d
n o s u g g e s t i o n o f t h e i r s w a s e v e r o v e r l o o k e d . I m u s t s a y
t h a t e v e r y o n e o f t h e m s e n t t o w o r k w i t h u s b o r e u p o n
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1 5 2 PERSON ALITIES A ND REMINIS CENCES O F THE WA R
c u lm ination was reached it seemed to me in one in
w h i c h a r a i d i n g p a r t y o f m y o w n o l d r e g i m e n t , c a u g h t
between its own and the enemy's barrage, crawled
between - t h e t w o t o s u c c e s s a n d o u t a g a i n t o s a f e t y ,
w i t h t h e l o s s o f o n e m a n a n d t h e c a p t u r e o f t h i r t y o f
the enemy, and killing perhaps of as many more .
A s t o n i s h i n g s o m e t i m e s h o w s o o n m e n b e c o m e w a r r i o r s
i f n o t k i l l e d i n t h e b e c o m i n g . The French corps and
a r m y c o m m a n d e r s u n d e r w h o m w e w e r e s e r v i n g a t l a s t
became quite complimentary . "The Americans took
p r i s o n e r s u p o n c a l l , " t h e y s a i d . O f c o u r s e t h i s w a s a
b i t e x a g g e r a t e d f o r p o l i t e n e s s , b u t i t w a s n e a r l y t r u e .
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CHAPTER XVITRENCH LIFE
WH I L E t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n , t h u s i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e
e n e m y , w a s l e a r n i n g t h i n g s , i t a f f o r d e d a b a s i s
of observation and of "rub ber-necking" to many
Americans : o f f i c e r s a n d o f f i c i a l s w h o f e l t t h a t t h e y
m u s t see the enemy . S i g h t s e e i n g A m e r i c a n s o f a l l
kinds were down upon us daily, Major Generals and
t h e i r s t a f f s , n e w s p a p e r m e n , R e d C r o s s p e o p l e , v i s i t i n g
U n i t e d S t a t e s G o v e r n m e n t o f f i c i a l s , s t a f f o f f i c e r s ,
mov ing - pictu re men- ev eryb ody that cou l d reach
Franc e . I t h i n k i t v e r y l i k e l y t h a t t h e e n e m y d i s -
c o v e r e d u s a s q u i c k l y b y t h e s e w a n d e r i n g g r o u p s o f
v i s i t o r s a s b y o u r i r r e s i s t i b l e i n c l i n a t i o n t o s h o o t .
The war- skill ed French and Engl ish knew how to
c o n c e a l s u c h v i s i t o r s . W e h a d n o t y e t l e a r n e d . Ho w -ever, the enemy also beg an evidently to enjoy the
v i s i t o r s , b e c a u s e h e b e g a n p l a y f u l l y t o d r o p s h e l l s
a m o n g t h e m w h e n o n t h e i r t r i p s t h e y t r i e d t o g e t i n t o
t h e f r o n t - l i n e t r e n c h e s . T h i s , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e i r -
r i t a t i o n o f o u r a d v a n c e t r o o p s o v e r b e i n g s h o t a t f o r
s i g h t s e e r s , c a u s e d a n a b a t e m e n t a n d r e s t r a i n t t o b e
p u t u p o n t h e v i s i t o r s . B u t a l l o f t h i s w a s a p a r t o f t h e
g a m e . In a month we had learned it, and we could
h a n d l e v i s i t o r s w i t h a s m u c h e a s e a s t h e b e s t r a i l r o a d
h a n d l e s i t s p a s s e n g e r s . In this way we put through
t h e i r s i g h t s e e i n g a n d w e o u r s e l v e s h a d t h e c h a n c e t o
1 5 3
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1 5 6 PERSO NA LIT IES A ND REMINIS CENCES O F THE WA R
t h a t h e , t o o , h a d n e v e r t a s t e d i t b e f o r e . But he prom-
i s e d , a s h e l o o k e d a t t h e n o w n e a r l y e m p t y b o t t l e ,
t o b r i n g m e , u p o n h i s n e x t v i s i t , a f u l l o n e . I ma y
w r i t e h i m s o o n a n d r e m i n d h i m o f h i s p r o m i s e a n d t h e
d r y n e s s o f t h e c l i m a t e i n w h i c h A m e r i c a n s n o w l i v e i n
1 9 2 5 .
O u r A m e r i c a n s h a d p r a c t i c a l l y a l l c o m e t o E u r o p e
t h i n k i n g o f w a r o n l y a s f i g h t i n g - e v e r t h e w a y o f t h e
i n e x p e r i e n c e d . T h e r e i s h a r d l y a n y g r e a t e r m i s t a k e .
I n r e a l i t y , i n w a r e v e n t h e c o m b a t s o l d i e r f i n d s t w e n t y -
n i n e d a y s o f t h e h a r d e s t , m o s t d i s a g r e e a b l e , e v e n d i s -
g u s t i n g l a b o u r t o o n e o f s t r i c t l y m i l i t a r y w o r k , f i g h t i n g ,
o r d i r e c t o p e r a t i o n a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y . T h e 1 s t D i v i -
s i o n w a s a c o m b a t d i v i s i o n . I t w e n t a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y
i n t h e t r e n c h e s t h i n k i n g o n l y o f f i g h t i n g , a n d f o r t h r e e
f u l l w e e k s t h o u g h t o n l y o f t h a t . I n t h a t t i m e t h e
p a r t s o f t h e d i v i s i o n i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e e n e m y w e r e
supplied b y the others with ammunition, food, mu-
n i t i o n s , m a t e r i a l , e n g i n e e r i n g t o o l s , e v e r y t h i n g . All
t h i s h a d , o f c o u r s e , t o b e b r o u g h t a t n i g h t o v e r r o a d s
t h r o u g h w e t , m u d d y l o w l a n d s , i n m i d w i n t e r , i n r a i n
a n d m e l t i n g s n o w .
With our minds ever upon the enemy, suddenly we
f o u n d o u r s e l v e s a l m o s t u n a b l e t o s u p p l y t h e f r o n t l i n e
m e n w i t h t h e i r n e e d s , e v e n w i t h f o o d . " A r e y o u g e t -
t i n g y o u r m e a l s a l l r i g h t u p h e r e i n t h e f r o n t - l i n e
t r e n c h e s ? " " O h , y e s , s i r , b u t t h e y a r e s o m e t i m e s a d a y
o r t w o l a t e , " w a s t h e s o l d i e r s t o r y a t t h e t i m e . T h e
r o a d s h a d b e c o m e b o t t o m l e s s . T h e n w e b e g a n t h e m o s t
p a i n f u l e f f o r t s t o s a v e t h e r o a d s o r , b y t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n
o f n a r r o w - g a u g e r a i l r o a d s , t o s u p p l e m e n t t h e m . In
F r e n c h s e c t o r s t h e p e r s o n n e l t o d o s u c h w o r k h a d a l w a y s
b e e n a m p l y s u p p l i e d f r o m m e n o f i n f e r i o r p h y s i q u e o r
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T RENCH LIFE 1 5 7
o f g r e a t e r a g e , w h o w e r e u n a b l e t o d o s e r v i c e i n c o m b a t
o r g a n i z a t i o n s . As yet we had none such, althoug h
l a b o u r t r o o p s w e r e b e i n g f o r m e d . I r a i s e d a g r e a t o u t -
c r y f o r s o m e o f t h e s e , a n d u l t i m a t e l y o b t a i n e d t h e m ;
but as almost al ways happens, the American combat
s o l d i e r h a d t o r e l y m o s t u p o n h i m s e l f . A r t i l l e r y m e n
were hard at work upon narrow-gaug e roads for the
mov ement of their ammu nition ; infantrymen and
a r t i l l e r y m e n u p o n t h e r o a d s f o r t h e m o v e m e n t o f t h e i r
o w n f o o d a n d o t h e r s u p p l i e s .
N o t h i n g b u t s t o n e c o u l d s t a n d t h e s o l v e n t e f f e c t
o f t h e c o n t i n u o u s r a i n a n d m u d i n F r a n c e , a n d e v e n
s t o n e c o u l d n o t l o n g r e s i s t . U n d e r t h e c o n t i n u o u s w e t
a n d t h e h e a v y l o a d s t h e y s o u g h t t h e i r l e v e l l i k e w a t e r .
T h e t e a m s o f h o r s e - d r a w n v e h i c l e s h a d t o b e d o u b l e d , a n d
m o t o r v e h i c l e s w e r e m o s t l y e m p l o y e d i n p u l l i n g e a c h
o t h e r o u t o f r u t s . T h i s l a s t e d f o r a b o u t a m o n t h , w h e n
w i t h t h e h e l p o f t h e a r r i v i n g l a b o u r t r o o p s w e r e s c u e d
o u r s e l v e s a n d e a s e d t h e m i n d s o f t h e F r e n c h c o r p s a n d
a r m y c o m m a n d e r s w h o , a t t h e f i r s t s i g h t o f o u r r o a d s ,
h a d c r i e d o u t " M o n D i e u , M o n D i e u ! " They were as
g r e a t l y s u r p r i s e d a t t h e s w i f t r e s u l t s o f t h e s e e f f o r t s a s
t h e y w e r e a t t h e s u c c e s s f u l r a i d s a n d p a t r o l s t h a t t h e
1 s t D i v i s i o n w e r e m a k i n g .
A m o n g t h e t r o o p s w h i c h c a m e a s l a b o u r e r s t o u s w a s
a b a t t a l i o n o f F r e n c h - s p e a k i n g N e g r o e s f r o m L o u i s i a n a
a n d M i s s i s s i p p i , w h o g r e a t l y s u r p r i s e d a n d e n t e r t a i n e d
o u r F r e n c h o f f i c i a l v i s i t o r s , e s p e c i a l l y a m e m b e r o f t h e
French Academy who came ab out this time .
A d d e d t o t h e w o r k o f p u t t i n g t h e r o a d s a g a i n i n p a s -
sable condition was that of digg ing new trenches,
s h e l t e r s , a n d d u g o u t s , a n d t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e s e
dugou ts for gas attacks in our advanced trenches .
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1 5 8 PERSON A LIT IES AN D REMINISCENCES O F THE WA R
I k n o w o f n o d u t y w h i c h n e w t r o o p s d i s l i k e m o r e t h a n
d i g g i n g . W h e n t h e y h a v e c o m e t o b e w i l l i n g t o b e a r
i t t h e y a r e v e t e r a n s . B e f o r e o u r a r r i v a l t h e t r e n c h e s
here had been occu pied by a handfu l of Frenchmen-
war-weary men who had to rest . They omitted (and
w i s e l y ) e v e r y p h y s i c a l e x e r t i o n t h a t w a s n o t a b s o l u t e l y
n e c e s s a r y . The trenches were ill kept and the work
o f r e p a i r i n g t h e m f e l l u p o n o u r n e w t r o o p s w h o w e r e
n o t y e t i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e u p k e e p .
T h a t p a r t o f t h i s u n a c c u s t o m e d w o r k w h i c h w e t o o k
u p f i r s t w a s t h e v a r i o u s m e a s u r e s f o r o u r p r o t e c t i o n
a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y ' s g a s . J u s t b e f o r e w e a r r i v e d i n
t h e s e t r e n c h e s t h e l i t t l e F r e n c h d i v i s i o n t h a t h a d
p r e c e d e d u s i n t h e s e c t o r h e r e h a d c a r r i e d o u t f r o m o n e
s m a l l s p o t t w o h u n d r e d g a s c a s u a l t i e s . I t w a s a l e s s o n
w h i c h w a s n o t n e g l e c t e d . V e r y q u i c k l y t h e r e f o l l o w e d
u p o n o u r i r r e p r e s s i b l e A m e r i c a n s h o o t i n g a n d s i g h t -
s e e i n g o t h e r g a s a t t a c k s b y t h e e n e m y . Under these
o u r m e n w e r e n o t l o n g i n b e i n g r e a d y t o t e a r u p t h e i r
b l a n k e t s o r a n y t h i n g e l s e t o v e i l t h e i r t r e n c h e s a n d
d u g o u t s a g a i n s t g a s . As a thing unknown and un-
accustomed, it was the thing, of course, which we
most feared . As an insidious method of produ cing
c a s u a l t i e s w i t h o u t g r e a t l y a t t r a c t i n g a t t e n t i o n , t h e
e n e m y u s e d i t f r e q u e n t l y , a n d a s f r e q u e n t l y - d u r i n g
the first month-caught our inexperienced young
s o l d i e r s . A f t e r t h a t w e h a d l e a r n e d . The troops had
b e e n i m p r e s s e d , a n d t h e " g a s d i s c i p l i n e " b e c a m e g o o d .
O u t s i d e o f t h e i r p r e s c r i b e d t r a i n i n g , m e n a n d o f f i c e r s
w e r e p r a c t i s i n g u p o n a l l o c c a s i o n s t h e u s e o f t h e g a s
m a s k . A t t h e f i r s t s i g n o r s o u n d o f a g a s a l a r m , o n w e n t
t h e i r m a s k s . " G a s 1 G a s 1 " s c r e a m e d o n e n i g h t a h e a d
t e a m s t e r p e e r i n g i n t h e d a r k a t a s t a f f o f f i c e r o n t h e
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16 0 PERSO NA LIT IES AN D REMINISCENCES O F THE WA R
A s t i m e p a s s e d , r u m o u r s , g r o w i n g a l l t h e t i m e m o r e
numerous and direct, came to us of a g reat German
o f f e n s i v e i n t h e e a r l y s p r i n g . A s b y t h i s t i m e t h e e n -
e m y w o u l d b e r e i n f o r c e d b y a l l o f h i s t r o o p s t h a t h a d
f o r m e r l y b e e n e m p l o y e d a g a i n s t t h e R u s s i a n s , t h e s e
r u m o u r s u n q u e s t i o n a b l y c a u s e d t h e A l l i e s m u c h a p p r e -
h e n s i o n . To meet this threatened drive the French
w i t h w h o m w e w e r e s e r v i n g d e v i s e d a n e w s y s t e m , o f
t r e n c h d e f e n c e a n d b e g a n t o p u t i t i n e f f e c t . I t c o n -
s i s t e d i n p l a c i n g t h e l i n e o f r e a l r e s i s t a n c e t o e n e m y
attack beyond the reach of his m i n e n w e r f e r s , t h u s
f o r c i n g h i m t o a t t a c k t h e f i r s t l i n e w i t h h i s h e a v y minen-
w e r f e r s , a n d t h e n t o b r i n g u p t h e s e u n d e r f i r e o f o u r a r t i l -
l e r y t o a t t a c k t h e s e c o n d o r r e a l l i n e o f r e s i s t a n c e . F o r
t w o m o n t h s a n d a h a l f o u r t i m e w a s v e r y l a r g e l y s p e n t
i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e t r e n c h e s , d u g o u t s , a n d d e -
fences under this system . At the same time, the
w e a t h e r , f r o m t h e m i d d l e o f J a n u a r y t o t h e f i r s t o f
A p r i l , w a s c o n t i n u o u s l y w e t a n d s n o w y , a n d m e n a n d
o f f i c e r s w e r e i n t h e m u d d a y a n d n i g h t . The cold was
n o t v e r y g r e a t a n d o u r m e n w e r e r e a s o n a b l y p r o t e c t e d
a g a i n s t i t b y t r e n c h s t o v e s w h i c h w e r e f o u n d i n s u f f i c i e n t
q u a n t i t y i n t h e t r e n c h e s o r w e r e f u r n i s h e d b y t h e A m e r -
i c a n A r m y a f t e r o u r a r r i v a l . This work, as I have
b e f o r e s a i d , n e v e r a p p e a r e d s u f f i c i e n t l y n e c e s s a r y t o o u r
m e n , n o r h a d t h e y h a d s u f f i c i e n t e x p e r i e n c e i n w a r t o
m a k e t h e m d o i t w i t h a g o o d w i l l . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t w a s
done .
The constant movem ent of parts of the commandi n t o t h e f o r w a r d t r e n c h e s , o u t a g a i n , a n d i n t o t h e r e a r
trenches and rest areas prevented for a long time
e f f e c t u a l s u p e r v i s i o n o f o u r n e w t r o o p s w h e r e t h e y w e r e
l i v i n g . Consequentl y, sanitary regul ations and ob-
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1 6 2 PERSO NA LIT IES A ND REMINIS CENCES O F THE WA R
A g a i n , b e f o r e w e e n t e r e d t h e w a r I h a d n o t e d i n i t s
l i t e r a t u r e t h a t r e a c h e d m e a g r e a t a b s e n c e o f i n c i d e n t s ,
o f h a p p e n i n g s o f h u m a n p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t . O u r o w n
e x p e r i e n c e w a s n o w v e r i f y i n g t h i s . T h e n e r v e s t r a i n o f
c o n t i n u a l w a t c h f u l n e s s a n d d a n g e r i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e
enemy, we found, dehumanized men, benumbed them
i n t o d u m m i e s , m e r e t h i n g s t h a t c e a s e d t o a c t a n d f e e l
l i k e m e n . Humanity, and especial ly the hu manity of
o u r c o u n t r y , l o n g s f o r , d e m a n d s , i n i t s w a r l i t e r a t u r e
s t o r i e s , p e r s o n a l i n c i d e n t s o f h u m a n i n t e r e s t . Writers
o f w a r s t o r i e s a n d s o l d i e r s w h o t o o k p a r t i n t h e w a r a t
the front are now, after the war, suppl ying these
i n c i d e n t s - a t t h e e x p e n s e o f t r u t h . I t w a s d o u b t l e s s
t h i s t h a t m o v e d a h i g h s t a f f o f f i c e r t o r e m a r k , w h e n h e
r e c e i v e d t h e o r d e r f o r o u r m o v e m e n t h o m e w a r d a f t e r
t h e a r m i s t i c e : " I n o n e y e a r f r o m n o w t h e r e w i l l b e t w o
m i l l i o n l i a r s a b o u t t h i s w a r i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . "
Two great troub les we were encountering in the
t r e n c h e s - t o o f e w b a t h s a n d t o o m a n y c o o t i e s . We more
e a s i l y a d a p t e d o u r s e l v e s t o t h e f i r s t t h a n t o t h e s e c o n d .
O u r F r e n c h p r e d e c e s s o r s h a d l e f t u s s o m e a p p l i a n c e s
f o r b a t h s , s o m e s h o w e r s i n t h e b a c k a r e a s , b u t h a d n o t
l e f t u s t h e i r r o l l i n g l a u n d r i e s a n d " d e l o u s e r s ." These,
h o w e v e r , w e s o o n a c q u i r e d , t o o u r g r e a t r e l i e f .
T w o b a d h a b i t s w e w e r e a l s o a c q u i r i n g : s a l v a g e a n d
c a m o u f l a g e . For persons, salv age is no bad hab it,
b u t a s a m i l i t a r y m e a s u r e f o r a r m i e s i t f a s t e n e d i t s e l f
u p o n u s a s a f a d - a n d h a s n o t u p t o t h e p r e s e n t l e t g o .
W e b e g a n i n s e c t o r t o s a l v a g e e v e r y t h i n g : t i n c a n s ,
o l d s h o e s , o l d c l o t h i n g , o l d b l a n k e t s , n o n e o f w h i c h ,
w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f t h e s h o e s , c o u l d w e e v e r i n d u c e
o u r s o l d i e r s a f t e r w a r d t o u s e . The war did not come
s u f f i c i e n t l y strong upon u s to make this necessary
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THE MARCH OFFENSIVE 1 6 5
A l l t h e c o l o n e l s c o m m a n d i n g l i n e r e g i m e n t s o f t h e
d i v i s i o n b e c a m e , l a t e r i n t h e w a r , d i v i s i o n o r c o r p s
c o m m a n d e r s . A s a F r e n c h m a n r e m a r k e d , t h e 1 s t
D i v i s i o n w a s a v e r i t a b l e h o t b e d f o r t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f
s t a f f o f f i c e r s a n d o f g e n e r a l s f o r h i g h e r c o m m a n d s .
N e v e r t h e l e s s , a f t e r a l l t h e s e t h o r e t i c a l t e s t s a n d t r y o u t s
i n t r a i n i n g , w i t h i n t w o w e e k s o t h e r o f f i c e r s a n d m e n ,
i n t h e a c t u a l i t y o f r e a l w a r , w e r e f o u n d l a c k i n g . I t
w a s a p r o o f t h a t h o w e v e r t h e o r e t i c a l l y w e l l d e v i s e d a
m a c h i n e m a y b e , t h e r e i s b u t o n e p r o o f t h a t i t w i l l
w o r k , a n d t h a t i s i t s a c t u a l w o r k i n g . I n c o n t a c t w i t h
t h e e n e m y w e q u i c k l y c a m e t o k n o w t h a t w e h a d l e a r n e d
b u t l i t t l e a b o u t h o w t o u s e o u r m a c h i n e g u n s i n d e f e n c e .
I w a s b a d l y f r i g h t e n e d t o f i n d t h a t a f t e r n e a r l y t h r e e
weeks neither machine guns nor tank defences were
c o m p l e t e . T o m y g r e a t r e l i e f t h e m a c h i n e g u n s w e r e
f i n a l l y p l a c e d b y a n A m e r i c a n w h o h a d s e r v e d i n t h e
B r i t i s h - C a n a d i a n f o r c e s a n d h a d n o w t r a n s f e r r e d t o h i s
o w n p e o p l e . T h e l i t t l e F r e n c h 3 7 m m . g u n , s o a c c u r a t e ,
s o d e a r t o F r e n c h m e n , w e n e v e r r e a l l y k n e w u n t i l a f t e r
t h e a r m i s t i c e .
T h e g r e a t s i z e o f t h e d i v i s i o n a n d i t s o r g a n i z a t i o n ,
d i f f e r i n g m a t e r i a l l y f r o m t h o s e o f t h e F r e n c h d i v i s i o n s
a b o u t u s , s e e m e d t o c a u s e m u c h i n c o n v e n i e n c e t o t h e
F r e n c h s t a f f o f f i c e r s o f c o r p s a n d a r m y i n w h i c h w e
w e r e s e r v i n g . Apparently they didn't know how to
h a n d l e i t e i t h e r . They broke up our organ ization to
f i t t h e F re n c h i d e a s a n d t h e F re n c h sys t e m . T h i s
c o n t i n u e d f o r s o m e t w o o r t h r e e m o n t h s , u n t i l u p o n m y
i n s i s t e n c e t h e A m e r i c a n d i v i s i o n o r g a n i z a t i o n w a s l e f t
i n t a c t a n d w e p l a c e d o u r t r o o p s w i t h r e g a r d t o o r g a n i -
z a t i o n a n d c o h e r e n c e . A f t e r a l l , t o o , I h a v e a s u s p i c i o n
t h a t t h e b r e a k i n g u p o f o u r o r g a n i z a t i o n b y t h e F r e n c h
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1 6 6 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
c o rps a n d a r my s t a f f s w a s d u e n o t s o m u c h t o t h e
n e c e s s i t i e s o f t h e c a s e a s t o a d e s i r e t o h a v e t h e A m e r -
i c a n f o r c e s i n a s s m a l l u n i t s a s p o s s i b l e , s c a t t e r ed a m o n g
t h e F r e n c h a n d s e p a r a t e d f r o m A m e r i c a n s t a f f c o n t r o l
a s m u c h a n d a s l o n g a s po s s i b l e . T h e y w i s h e d t o
c o n t r o l : t h i s w a s a w a y . T h e F r e n c h s t a f f a n d g e n e r a l
o f f i c e r s c e r t a i n l y n e v e r f o r a l o n g t i m e b e l i e v e d , a n d
e v e n f i n a l l y u n w i l l i n g l y a c c e p t e d , t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n
s t a f f w a s c a p a b l e o f d i r e c t i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n o f i t s t r o o p s .
I t i s c e r t a i n t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f
i n F r a n c e a l w a y s f r o m t h e f i r s t h a d d i f f i c u l t y t o p r e s e r v e
h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d t o r e t a i n u n d e r A m e r i c a n c o m m a n d
h i s A m e r i c a n f o r c e s . T h i s w a s n o t a l w a y s a r g u e d o u t i n
the open between American and French authorities,
b u t s u b o r d i n a t e A m e r i c a n c o m m a n d e r s c o u l d s e e t h a t
t h e r e w a s j u g g l i n g b y t h e F r e n c h f o r a l o n g t i m e t o t r y
t o r e t a i n c o n t r o l o f t h e A m e r i c a n f o r c e s i n t h e w a y t h a t
I h a v e s a i d . T h e E n g l i s h , I a m t o l d , l a t e r d i d t h e s a m e
t h i n g . T h e f i n a l f i r m n e s s a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e
A m e r i c a n C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f o v e r c a m e i n b o t h c a s e s .
I f h e h a d n o t s u c c e e d e d w e s h o u l d h a v e c u t a s o r r y
f i g u r e b e f o r e t h e w o r l d i n t h e w a r , w i t h o u r m e n u n d e r
British and French command .
A f t e r t w o m o n t h s a n d a h a l f a l l o f m y 1 s t D i v i s i o n
h a d b e e n p u t t h r o u g h t h e t r e n c h e s i n t h e q u i e t F r e n c h
s e c t o r a n d h a d "foun d t h e m s e lves" at s u c h w o rk .
I n d e e d , t h e y h a d h a d t o o m u c h o f i t . I t w a s a s t r u g g l e ,
i n s u c h l o n g s e r v i c e i n t h e t r e n c h e s , t o p r e v e n t t h e m
f r o m l o s i n g t h e i r a g g r e s s i v e n e s s . A t t h e e n d o f t h e s e
t w o a n d a h a l f m o n t h s I w a s v i g o r o u s i n m y f e e l i n g
a n d e x p r e s s i o n t h a t l e s s t h a n h a l f t h i s t i m e w a s e n o u g h
f o r t r e n c h w a r f a r e t r a i n i n g f o r A m e r i c a n t r o o p s , i f t h e i r
o f f e n s i v e s p i r i t w a s t o b e f o s t e r e d a n d m a i n t a i n e d .
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1 7 0 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
p r a c t i c a l s u b j e c t i o n t o G e r m a n y i f t h e y y i e l d e d n o w , '
m a d e t h e m h o l d o u t .
B e s i d e s t h e p r i m e p u r p o s e o f t r y i n g t o f r i g h t e n t h e i r
remaining enemies into making peace, the German
G e n e r a l S t a f f and Government plainly had an alter-
n a t i v e p u r p o s e i n t h e i r p e a c e o f f e n s i v e . I t w a s t o b e
a b l e t o a s s e r t t o t h e i r o w n p e o p l e t h a t G e r m a n y h a d
d o n e h e r b e s t t o i n d u c e h e r e n e m i e s t o m a k e a n e nd
t o t h e w a r n o w , t o s h o w t h a t h e r e n e m i e s w o u l d n o t
d o s o b u t w e r e d e t e r m i n e d u p o n G e r m a n y ' s d e s t r u c t i o n .
T h e f i r s t p u r p o s e f a i l e d . The second succeeded and
w a s u s e d b y t h e G e r m a n G o v e r n m e n t a n d G e n e r a l
S t a f f w i t h g r e a t s k i l l a n d e f f e c t t o h o l d t h e G e r m a n
p e o p l e t o t h e w a r , a s t h e y s a w i t , f o r t h e l i f e o f t h e
n a t i o n .
A l l t h i s c o u l d b e f e l t i n F r a n c e . T h e n o n - i n t e r c o u r s e
o f t h e b i t t e r e s t w a r e v e r f o u g h t c o u l d n o t s h u t i t o u t .
T h e G e r m a n s c o n t i n u e d t h e i r g r e a t p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r
t h e o f f e n s i v e , a n d t h e w e s t e r n P o w e r s t h e i r s t o m e e t i t .
U n t i l l a t e i n t h e w i n t e r I c o u l d , n e v e r t h e l e s s , n o t
b e l i e v e t h a t t h e G e r m a n s w o u l d m a k e t h i s o f f e n s i v e
a g a i n s t t h e w e s t e r n f r o n t , b e c a u s e a t t h i s s t a g e o f t h e
w a r a l l o f h e r a l l i e s w e r e e x h a u s t e d a n d w a r - w e a r y .
She hersel f was almost exh austed . I f h e r o f f e n s i v e
o n t h e w e s t e r n f r o n t s h o u l d p r o v e a f a i l u r e , n a y , i f i t
s h o u l d n o t p r o v e a c o m p l e t e s u c c e s s , h e r a l l i e s w o u l d
f a l l a w a y , a n d t h e w a r w o u l d c o m e t o a d i s a s t r o u s e n d
f o r h e r . I f , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , s h e s t o o d o n t h e d e -
f e n s i v e o n t h e w e s t e r n f r o n t , s h e c o u l d , i n h e r e l a b o r a t e
a n d s t r o n g s y s t e m o f t r e n c h e s , s t a n d o f f h e r e n e m i e s a n d
c o n v i n c e h e r o w n p e o p l e t h a t t h e y w e r e f i g h t i n g f o r
t h e i r v e r y l i v e s , a n d t h u s h o l d t h e m t o t h e w a r i n -
d e f i n i t e l y . O r i f i n s t e a d o f t a k i n g t h e o f f e n s i v e o n t h e
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THE MARCH OFFENSIVE 173
f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , a s w e w e r e n o t y e t s u f f i c i e n t l y o r g a n -
ized for conducting operat ions ourselves, General
P e r s h i n g g a v e o v e r t o G e n e r a l P e t a i n t h e d i r e c t i o n
a n d c o m m a n d o f a l l A m e r i c a n f o r c e s i n F r a n c e . I t w a s
but temporary . T h i s w a s d i s t i n c t l y u n d e r s t o o d . Ac r i s i s w a s u p o n t h e w o r l d . W h e n t h a t c r i s i s w a s p a s t ,
a f e w m o n t h s l a t e r , t h e A m e r i c a n C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f
w a s a g a i n q u i c k l y t o g a t h e r c o n t r o l o f h i s f o r c e s i n t o
h i s o w n h a n d s .
T h e f e a r f u l b l o w b r o u g h t u n i t y o f A l l i e d c o m m a n d .
N o t h i n g e l s e w o u l d e v e r h a v e b e e n a b l e t o d o s o . T o
n o o t h e r r e a s o n , t o n o p e r s o n ' s p e r s u a s i o n o r i n f l u e n c e
o r p e r s o n a l i t y , i s i t t o b e a t t r i b u t e d .
A few days no w and I, far down upon the Alsace-
L o r r a i n e f r o n t , b e g a n t o s e e l o n g , c a l m p r o c e s s i o n s o f
F r e n c h t r o o p s g o i n g n o r t h w e s t t o f i l l t h e g r e a t g a p .
T h e w o r l d h e a r s o f t h e e x c i t a b l e F r e n c h m e n . I wa s
s t r u c k n o w b y t h e s i n g u l a r l y u n m o v e d l o o k s o f t h e i r
m e n . T h e y w e r e v e r y q u i e t , v e r y s e r i o u s , w i t h t h e
a i r o f v e t e r a n s w h o f a c e e v e r y t h i n g . I t w a s a n u n -
f o r g e t t a b l e , a n a d m i r a b l e s p e c t a c l e o f m e n w h o h a d
w i d e l y b e e n l o o k e d u p o n a s v o l a t i l e , d e c a y e d , e v e n
d e g e n e r a t e . I t l o o k e d t o m e a s i f t h e y k n e w t h a t t h e y
w e r e g o i n g t o s a c r i f i c e b u t t h a t t h e y w e r e g o i n g .
A n d w e w e r e s o o n t o j o i n t h e m . T h e 1 s t o f A p r i l
s a w a n o t h e r A m e r i c a n d i v i s i o n , n o t q u i t e s o e x p e r i -
e n c e d a s o u r s e l v e s , c o m e t o r e l i e v e u s a n d t o l e t u s
spe e d o n w i t h t h e l o n g F re n c h c o l u m n s t o w a r d t h e
northwest .
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CHAPTER XVIIIRELIEF FROM THE QUIET SECTOR
O U R r e l i e f , o u r p u l l i n g o u t o f c o n t a c t w i t h t h e
e n e my, was n o t e a s i ly done . Doing anythin g
i n F r a n c e a l w a y s i n v o l v e d c o n s u l t a t i o n b e t w e e n t w o
a u t h o r i t i e s , F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n , a n d t h e d e v i s i n g
o f a p l a n w h i c h w o u l d b e a c c e p t a b l e t o b o t h n e v e r a n
e a s y t h i n g . T h e p l a n t o p u l l o u t b e g a n i n o n e w a y a n d
ended in another . We were first orde red to spread
o u t a n d t h e n t o c o n t r a c t . D o i n g e i t h e r i n t h e p r e s e n c e
o f t h e e n e m y i s d a n g e r o u s , a n d d o i n g b o t h c a u s e d c a r e ,
w o r k , a n d d e l a y . B u t b o t h w e r e d o n e w i t h a g o o d w i l l
b e c a u s e t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n w a s a n x i o u s t o " g e t i n i t "
i n t h e n o r t h w e s t , a n d t h i s , w e k n e w , w a s p r e l i m i n a r y
t h e r e t o . Everybody was genero us and hel pful to our
r e l i e f . The 26th Division, however , commanded by
General Clarence Edwards wa s so fault -findin g and
o f f i c i a l l y c r i t i c a l o f o u r s h o r t c o m i n g s , a n d m a d e s u c h
b a d r e p o r t s o f u s t o o u r c o m m o n m i l i t a r y s u p e r i o r s , t h a t
f o r l o n g a f t e r w a r d w e w e r e k e p t e x p l a i n i n g , f i g h t i n g o u r
o w n p e o p l e b e h i n d w h i l e w e f o u g h t t h e e n e m y i n f r o n t .
I h a d p e r s o n a l l y t a k e n g r e a t p a i n s t o t r y t o a v o i d
giving any excuse for adverse reports . Before the
a r r i v a l - o f t h e 2 6 t h D i v i s i o n I h a d c a l l e d t o g e t h e r a l l
t h e s e n i o r o f f i c e r s o f m y o w n d i v i s i o n , w a r n i n g t h e m t h a t
a d v e r s e c r i t i c i s m w a s t o b e e x p e c t e d f r o m t h e r e l i e v i n g
d i v i s i o n a n d c a u t i o n i n g t h e m t o b e n o t o n l y c a r e f u l
b u t h e lpf u l a n d g e n e r o u s i n t u r n i n g ov e r t o t h e i r
1 7 4
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OFF T O T HE BA T T LE FRONT 179
of t he Somm e River . Attempting this, he would be
g r e a t l y f a v o u r e d b y t h i s r i v e r ' s m a k i n g d i f f i c u l t a n y
c o operat i o n be t w e e n t h e French o n t h e s o u t h a n d
B r i t i s h o n t h e n o r t h o f t h e S o m m e ; a n d h e w o u l d n o t
h a v e f a r o r l o n g t o e n c o u n t e r e v e n t h i s h o b b l e d c o -
o p e r a t i o n b e f o r e h e w o u l d r e a c h t h e E n g l i s h C h a n n e l
and win out . T h e A l l i e s k n e w t h e d a n g e r ; e v e r y b o d y
w a s l o o k i n g f o r t h e n e x t m o v e t o b e h e r e . T h e Engli s h
w e r e s t u b b o r n l y f i g h t i n g , a s M a r s h a l H a i g s a i d , " w i t h
t h e i r b a c k s t o t h e w a l l " ; a n d t h e F r e n c h , a n t i c i p a t i n g
s u c h a n e n e m y s u c c e s s , w e r e f e v e r i s h l y d i g g i n g a n e w .
l i n e o f d e f e n s i v e t r e n c h e s w e l l s o u t h o f t h e r i v e r , f a c i n g
n o r t h . T h e c a u s e w a s i n t h e b a l a n c e a n d t r e m b l i n g .
W h e r e w o u l d w e b e p u t t ? F o r a f e w d a y s u n t i l t h i s
s h o u l d b e d e c i d e d , w h e r e w e w e r e d e t r a i n e d t h e r e w e '
w e r e h a l t e d f o r a f e w d a y s i n t h e f o r m i n g r e s e r v e a r m y
o f t h e F r e n c h , u n d e r G e n e r a l M i c h e l e r . It wa s know n
t h a t w e s h o u l d a g a i n s e r v e i n l i n e a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y
w i t h t h e F r e n c h , b e c a u s e w e w e r e t h e o n l y A m e r i c a n
t r o o p s n e a r . T h e r e w a s n o h i g h e r A m e r i c a n c o m m a n d
n e a r t o b e o v e r u s , a n d t h e E n g l i s h w e r e n o t i n s i g h t -
c a p t u r e d , k i l l e d , o r p u s h e d a s i d e , s o f a r a s w e k n e w , t o
t h e n o r t h .
The next fighting was expected in the open-"war-
f a r e o f m o v e m e n t " a s t h e F r e n c h s a y . Now f or pre p-
a r a t i o n f o r i t a f t e r t w o m o n t h s a n d h a l f i n t h e t r e n c h e s .
A t i t w e w e n t w i t h z e s t i n a l l u n i t s , c o v e r i n g f i e l d s
a n d r o a d s i n a l l - d a y d r i l l s . E v e r y t h i n g n e w i n t a c t i c s
t h a t w e c o u l d h e a r o f , w h e t h e r o f t h e A l l i e s o r o f t h e
e n e m y , w a s t r i e d . A l l t h o u g h t s w e r e o n o n e s u b j e c t :
t o m e e t t h e e n e m y i n t h e o p e n i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l A m e r -
i c a n w a y . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e c o n d i t i o n o f t h e c o m -
mand was carefully looked to b y the French army
I
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1 8 0 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
c o m m a n d e r, Genera l Michele r , unde r w h o m w e h a d
t e m p o r a r i l y c o m e .
O u r a r t i l l e r y h o r s e s , r e d u c e d f i r s t b y h a l f r a t i o n s a n d
h a r d t r a i n i n g o f m o n t h s a g o , t h e n b y t h e e x p o s u r e ,
h a r d w o r k , a n d i n e x p e r i e n c e d h a n d l i n g i n t h e m u d
o f o u r l a s t s e c t o r , w e r e f a r f r o m b e i n g i n f i t c o n d i t i o n
f o r c o m b a t s e r v i c e , e s p e c i a l l y o p e n w a r f a r e . G e n e r a l
M i c h e l e r d i s c o v e r e d t h i s a n d w a s t r y i n g t o h o l d u s b a c k
i n h i s g r o u p o f r e s e r v e s . L i k e e v e r y o t h e r F r e n c h c o m -
m a n d e r t h a t I s a w , o n c e h e g o t h i s h a n d s o n a f u l l ,
f r e s h A m e r i c a n d i v i s i o n , h e c o u l d n o t b e a r t o t h i n k
o f p a r t i n g w i t h i t . We ha d s t a r t e d o u t t o m e e t t h e
e n e m y a n d w e r e d e t e r m i n e d n o t t o b e t u r n e d a w a y .
G ene r a l Summe r a l l, my a r t i l l e ry c o m m a n d e r, a n d
I a t t e n d e d G e n e r a l M i c h e l e r i n h i s p e r s o n a l i n s p e c t i o n .
T h e h o r s e s w e r e p l a i n l y m u c h r u n d o w n ; S u m m e r a l l a n d
I , n e v e r t h e l e s s , p u t u p a g r e a t b l u f f a b o u t t h e s e h o r s e s
b e i n g " j u s t n a t u r a l l y r a w - b o n e d - t h a t s t y l e o f t h i n
horses whic h we have in America, which never look
f a t ." We kept up this tal k during the w hole of the
inspection and would probably have succeeded in
c o n v i n c i n g G e n e r a l M i c h e l e r , i f a s m a l l d e t a c h m e n t o f
m o u n t e d m e n b e l o n g i n g t o t h i s a r t i l l e r y b a t t a l i o n h a d
n o t s t a r t e d t o c r o s s t h e i n s p e c t i o n f i e l d j u s t i n f r o n t
o f t h e g e n e r a l . W e w e r e v i g o r o u s l y p l y i n g t h e g e n e r a l
w i t h o u r a s s u r a n c e s t h a t h e d i d n o t k n o w t h e A m e r i c a n
h o r s e s , t h a t t h e y a l w a y s l o o k e d t h i n a n d l a n k y l i k e
t h e s e b e a s t s b e f o r e u s , t h a t t h e s e w e r e a l l r i g h t a n d
v e r y s p i r i t e d a n d s t r o n g . J u s t t h e n , b e f o r e t h e e y e s
o f a l l o f u s , a p o o r s t a r v e d , w o r n - o u t h o r s e i n t h i s
d e t a c h m e n t f e l l d o w n a n d w a s w h o l l y u n a b l e t o r i s e .
It w a s a d e a d l y m o m e n t - a n a w f u l c a t c h . But i n
s p i t e o f t h i s w e g o t t h e b e s t o f i t . When i t c a m e t o
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OFF T O THE B A T T LE FRONT 181
argument on paper before ou r French superiors the
h o r s e s c o u l d n o t b e p u t o n p a p e r t o s h o w t h e m s e l v e s u p .
I outwrote General Micheler and won the case . B e -
s i d e s , t h e n e e d f o r u s a t t h e f r o n t w a s t o o g r e a t f o r u s t o
b e d e t a i n e d b a c k h e r e .
A f t e r a g r e a t t e s t m a n o e u v r e i n o p e n w a r f a r e , i n
w h i c h w e w e r e f o u n d q u i t e p r o f i c i e n t , i t w a s d e c i d e d
t o s e n d u s o n t o w a r d t h e e n e m y .
G e n e r a l Pe r s h i n g w i t n e s s e d t h e t e s t m a n o e u v r e .
A f t e r i t h e h a d t h e o f f i c e r s o f t h e d i v i s i o n a s s e m b l e d
a t m y h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d s p o ke t o t h e m . A l l n o n -
A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r s w e r e e x c l u d e d . H e w a s g o i n g t o t a l k
t o A m e r i c a n s o n ly . It was not orat ory . H e i s n o t ,
o r a t l e a s t w a s n o t t h e n , a n o r a t o r . H e h a l t e d i n h i s
speech, after every few word s saying "eh, eh, eh . "
B u t h e h a d a m e s s a g e a n d h e g a v e i t . I t w a s a n e a r n e s t
b u t n o t a d r a m a t i c s p e e c h , a s m a n y , a f t e r t h e s t i r r i n g
e v e n t s t h a t f o l l o w e d , t r i e d t o m a k e i t o u t . I a m t o l d
t h a t G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g h i m s e l f n o w , i n 1 9 2 1 , s a y s t h a t
o n t h i s o c c a s i o n h e w a s d e e p l y m o v e d b y t h e i m p o r t
o f i m p e n d i n g m i g h t y e v e n t s . I f s o , t h e n I a m i n c l i n e d
t o b e l i e v e t h a t h e , t o o , s e e s m o r e i n t h e o c c a s i o n b y
backsight than he saw by foresight . His mess age,
g i v e n i n h i s t e r s e , b u s i n e s s - l i k e w a y , w a s s i m p l e e n o u g h .
I t w a s , i n s u b s t a n c e : "You have just had a test of
e f f i c i e n c y a n d m e t i t . I a m g r a t i f i e d . I a m c o n f i d e n t
t h a t y o u w i l l l i k e w i s e m e e t e v e r y t e s t p u t u p o n y o u .
You have been observed by a high French comman der
and other high French officers and been commended .
Y o u a r e n o w t o g o a g a i n s t a v i c t o r i o u s e n e m y u n d e r
n e w a n d h a r d e r c o n d i t i o n s . A l l o u r A l l i e s w i l l b e
watching to see how you conduct yourselves . I a m
c o n f i d e n t t h a t y o u w i l l m e e t t h e i r b e s t h o p e a n d m y
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1 8 2 PERSONA LIT IES AND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WAR
e x p e c t a t i o n f o r y o u . I n y o u r t r a i n i n g y o u h a v e b e e n
m a d e b y m y o r d e r s t o a d h e r e t o A m e r i c a n t r a d i t i o n s
a n d m e t h o d s . Y o u m u s t h o l d t o t h e s e i n y o u r f i g h t i n g
a n d i n a l l y o u r f u t u r e a c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y . T h e y
a r e o u r s , r i g h t , s a n e , r e l i a b l e , a n d w i l l w i n . "
T h e s e w e r e a l l n a t u r a l t h i n g s t o s a y . T h e y w e r e
h a r d l y n e w t o h i s h e a r e r s . His trai ning met hods
h a d l o n g b e f o r e t h i s b r o u g h t t h e i r m i n d s i n l i n e w i t h
h i s ; h i s t h o u g h t s w e r e t h e i r t h o u g h t s o n t h i s s u b j e c t .
I n a f t e r m o n t h s t h e o c c a s i o n a p p e a r e d m o r e h i s t o r i c a l
t h a n i t a t t h e t i m e s e e m e d , a n d m e n w e r e a s k i n g w h a t
G e n e r a l Pe r s h i n g h a d s a i d . F e w c o u l d r e m e m b e r .
The very naturalness of what he sai d kept it from
being especial ly marked for memory by his hearers .
A m a r c h o f t h r e e d a y s b r o u g h t u s i m m e d i a t e l y i n r e a r
o f t h e p o s i t i o n w e w e r e t o o c c u p y , f a c i n g t h e e n e m y .
T h e s e d ays w e r e m e m o r a b l e t o m e f o r t h r e e t h i n g s .
First, our "raw-bon ed " h o r s e s r e a l l y h e l d o u t w e l l ,
a n d w e m a d e g o o d o u r bl u f f t o Gener a l Michele r ;
s e c o n d , t h e c o m p l a i n t s a n d c r i t i c i s m l a t e l y m a d e a g a i n s t
u s u p o n o u r r e l i e f f r o m o u r l a s t s e c t o r w e r e b e i n g m a d e
t o r e c o i l u p o n t h e h e a d s o f t h o s e w h o h a d o r i g i n a t e d
t h e m ; a n d t h i r d , I m y s e l f s u f f e r e d t o r m e n t s w i t h m y
n e u r i t i s i n t h e d a m p a n d t h e c o l d o f t h e F r e n c h s p r i n g .
O n a p p r o a c h i n g t h e l i n e , I f o u n d w i t h s a t i s f a c t i o n
t h a t w e w e r e t o s e r v e a g a i n i n t h e a r m y o f G e n e r a l
D e b e n e y , u n d e r w h o m w e h a d b e e n i n o u r l a s t s e c t o r .
He had prec eded us here . I t w a s h i s a r m y t h a t h a d
s t o p pe d t h e B o c h e j u s t w e s t o f Mo n t d i d i e r . A ft e r
a f e w d a y s w e w e r e t o c o m e i n t o t h e c o r p s o f t h e F r e n c h
G e n e r a l V a n d e n b u r g , a n o l d e r a n d v e r y b r o k e n o f f i c e r ,
b u t a f i n e s o l d i e r , w h o m w e a l l s o o n c a m e t o l o v e f o r h i s
e a r n e s t n e s s a n d h i s c a r e f u l , h e l p f u l w a y t o w a r d u s .
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OFF T O THE B A T T LE FRONT 1 8 3
H e h a d b e e n s h o t i n t h e l e g a n d c o u l d h a r d l y w a l k ,
a n d i n t h e m o u t h a n d c o u l d h a r d l y t a l k ; b u t h e w a s
v e r y a c t i v e a n d a l w a y s i n s t r u c t i v e . H i s e a r n e s t n e s s ,
p a t i e n c e , a n d c o n s i d e r a t i o n o b t a i n e d f r o m ` A m e r i c a n s
a p r o m p t a n d w i l l i n g r e s p o n s e . N o t l e s s h e l p f u l a n d
c o n s i d e r a t e , b o t h o f f i c i a l l y a n d p e r s o n a l l y , w e r e a l l o u r
F r e n c h A l l i e s n e a r b y .
"But I have one complaint to make against the
F r e n c h c o l o n i a l d i v i s i o n t h a t p r e c e d e d u s h e r e , " I s a i d
t o t h e F r e n c h c o r p s c o m m a n d e r .
H e l o o k e d v e r y s e r i o u s a n d t r o u b l e d .
" T h e y d r a n k u p e v e r y d r o p o f w i n e i n t h e s e c t o r . "
R e l i e v e d , t h e g e n e r a l p r o u d l y d e c l a r e d t h a t t h e s e
c o l o n i a l s h a d o n l y p r o v e d t h e m s e l v e s g o o d F r e n c h m e n .
He was r ight . " P a s d e p i n a r d , p a s d e s o l d a t " ( n o
w i n e , n o s o l d i e r ) , u n a n i m o u s l y d e c l a r e d F r e n c h s o l d i e r s .
T h e F r e n c h c o u l d n o t h a v e c o n t i n u e d t h e w a r w i t h o u t
it, nor for that matter, could th e English . B o t h
p r o v i d e d a n d i s s u e d f r e e l y w i n e o r o t h e r l i q u o r t o t h e i r
s o l d i e r s . I t c o n s o l e d , c h e e r e d , a n d b r a c e d t h e m f o r
t h e i r h a r d s h i p s a n d l a b o u r s . I t s t a y e d t h e i r s p i r i t s
i n t i m e s o f g r e a t s t r e s s . I t g a v e t h e m p h y s i c a l c o u r a g e
t o f a c e d e a t h i n t h e f e a r f u l " j u m p - o f f ." Miss Jane
A d d a m s a n d o t h e r A m e r i c a n l a d i e s d i s c o v e r e d t h i s
g o v e r n m e n t a l a p p r o v a l o f t h e u s e o f l i q u o r a n d w e r e
shocked . L i q u o r w a s n e v e r i s s u e d t o A m e r i c a n s : b u t ,
w e m a y a s w e l l a d m i t i t , A m e r i c a n s n e v e r e x p e r i e n c e d
t h e a w f u l s t r a i n t h e w a r b r o u g h t t o B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h .
F o r o n e w h o l e m o n t h a f t e r w e h e r e t o o k o u r p l a c e
i n l i n e i t w a s p r a c t i c a l l y o n e c o n t i n u o u s f i g h t , s o m e -
t i m e s a l m o s t a b a t t l e . A s a l w a y s w i t h t h e i r e x p e r i -
e n c e d s o l d i e r s , t h e F r e n c h h a d l a i d o u t b u t h a d o n l y
p a r t i a l l y d u g a n e l a b o r a t e s y s t e m o f d e f e n s i v e t r e n c h e s .
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1 8 4 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
T h e b u l k o f t h e d i g g i n g w a s f o r u s . W e l e a r n e d i t w i t h
d i s t a s t e , n o t t o s a y h a t e . U n d e r f i r e a n y m a n w i l l d i g ,
b u t t o m a r c h u p n i g h t a f t e r n i g h t , a s n o w , f r o m t h e
r e a r t o d i g r e s e r v e p o s i t i o n s a n d a p p r o a c h t r e n c h e s l
I t ' s a h a r d j o b . B u t a t i t w e h a d t o g o , b e c a u s e t h e
n e w A l l i e d c o m m a n d e r F o c h , w a s n o t y e t r e a d y t o t r y
t h e o f f e n s i v e .
I n d e e d , t h e A l l i e s w e r e s c a r e d h a l f o u t o f t h e i r s k i n s
a t t h e p r o s p e c t o f a p o s s i b l e G e r m a n o f f e n s i v e , a n d t h e
B r i t i s h e s p e c i a l l y , j u s t a l i t t l e t o t h e n o r t h , w e r e f i g h t i n g
w i t h t h e i r b a c k s t o t h e w a l l . W e w e r e s c a r c e l y i n o u r
n e w s e c t o r b e f o r e w e d i s c o v e r e d a n e n e m y a c t i v i t y t h e
l i k e o f w h i c h w e h a d n e v e r k n o w n , a n d d a i l y o u r w i l l i n g -
n e s s t o d i g i n c r e a s e d . O u r m e n a n d o f f i c e r s h a d a l r e a d y
t h o r o u g h l y l e a r n e d t h e d e f e n c e m e t h o d o f t r e n c h w a r -
fare, and now, with the hope and prospect of open
w a r f a r e , w e t o o k u p o p e n - w a r f a r e i n s t r u c t i o n a g a i n f o r
t h e t r o o p s t h a t w e r e n o t a c t u a l l y i n t h e t r e n c h e s . T h e
s t a f f , t o o , n o w h a d l e a r n e d t o f u n c t i o n w e l l . I s h o r t l y
h a d t h e g r e a t e s t c o n f i d e n c e i n a l l t h e d i v i s i o n ' s o p e r a -
t i o n s .
A s t h e t r e n c h sys t e m w a s n o t c o mpl e t e upo n o u r
f i r s t c o m i n g u p t o t h e l i n e s , o u r r e l i e f o f t h e F r e n c h d i -
v is i o n ( o r t w o o f t h e m, a s I rem e m b e r ) h a d t o b e
a c c o mpl i s h e d w i t h u n u s u a l c a r e . It w a s d o n e a t
n i g h t , o f c o u r s e , t o a v o i d e x p o s u r e i n d a y l i g h t t o t h e
e n e m y ' s v e r y a c t i v e a r t i l l e r y f i r e . O u r n e w s e c t o r w a s
m o r e ope n a n d l e v e l t h a n o u r o l d, a n d o u r F re n c h
p r e d e c e s s o r s h a d n o t h a d t i m e , a s i n t h e o l d , t o c o v e r
r o a d s a n d a p p r o a c h e s , a r t i l l e r y p o s i t i o n s a n d i n f a n t r y
t r e n c h e s , w i t h a n a l l - p e r v a d i n g c a m o u f l a g e . A l l t h i s
m a d e o b s e r v a t i o n o f t h e r o a d s a n d o f t h e c i r c u l a t i o n
b e h i n d t h e l i n e m u c h e a s i e r f o r t h e e n e m y a n d m o r e
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OFF TO THE BATTLE FRONT 185
d a n g e r o u s f o r u s . Our men had consequently t o be
t a u g h t a d d i t i o n a l c a r e i n c o n c e a l m e n t , b o t h i n t h e i r
w o r k i n t h e s e c t o r a n d i n m a k i n g r e l i e f s . B u t a s
d a n g e r w a s a b e t t e r t e a c h e r t h a n e x h o r t a t i o n , t h e y s o o n
l e a r n e d .
I n o u r l a s t s e c t o r , n e a r t h e F r a n c o - G e r m a n f r o n t i e r ,
the population was of a mixed German and French
s t r a i n . We h a d c o m e n o w i n t o a c o u n t r y w h o l l y
F r e n c h , a n d h a d n o t t h e r e f o r e a s m u c h f e a r o f s p i e s
a n d i n f o r m e r s a s o n o u r pr ev io u s f r o n t . B u t t h e
i m a g i n a t i o n o f o u r s o l d i e r s w a s l i v e l y , a n d t h e y s t i l l
attributed to th e German enemy a foreknowledge of
w h a t w e h a d i n o u r m i n d s t h a t w a s n o t h i n g s h o r t o f
o m n i s c i e n c e . I f h e f i r e d a t a l l d u r i n g a r e l i e f , w e c o u l d
n o t m a k e i t w i t h o u t t h e t r o o p s f i r m l y b e l i e v i n g t h a t
t h e e n e m y h a d d i s c o v e r e d i t a n d w a s p o u r i n g u p o n u s
t h e h e a v i e s t f i r e o f w h i c h h e w a s c a p a b l e . I t i s c u r i o u s
a n y h o w , i s n ' t i t , h o w t h e r e n e v e r h a s b e e n a n y s u c h
h e a v y r a i n o f f i r e b e f o r e a n d n e v e r c o u l d b e a g a i n - i n
t h e o p i n i o n o f t h e m a n u n d e r i t a t t h e t i m e ?
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CHAPTER XXMESNIL-ST . FIRMIN
T H E d i v i s i o n c o m b a t h e a d q u a r t e r s w e r e e s t a b l i s h e d
a t t h e v i l l a g e o f M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n , n e a r e r t o t h e
e n e m y t h a n e v e r b e f o r e , t h e s u p p l y a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
s e c t i o n o f t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s b e i n g f a r t h e r t o t h e r e a r .
M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n s t o o d i n t h e o p e n , u p o n a h i g h w a y
w h i c h r a n p e r p e n d i c u l a r l y i n t o t h e e n e m y ' s p o s i t i o n
a t M o n t d i d i e r . A m i l e b e h i n d M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n l a y
a r a i l w a y s t a t i o n a n d o n e a m m u n i t i o n d e p o t , o b j e c t s o f
t h e e n e m y ' s e a r n e s t a t t e n t i o n , s o t h a t w e w e r e k e p t
u n d e r t h e s h r i e k o f h i s p a s s i n g s h e l l s . T h e a m m u -
n i t i o n d u mp h e a t l a s t e xpl o d e d, a n d t h e r a i l w ay
s t a t i o n w a s w r e c k e d t h o u g h n e v e r p u t e n t i r e l y o u t o f
b u s i n e s s . A t t h e e d g e o f t h e v i l l a g e t h e h i g h w a y w a s
i n t e r s e c t e d b y a c r o s s - r o a d , w h i c h o f c o u r s e a t t r a c t e d
t h e e n e m y ' s a r t i l l e r y f i r e a n d b r o u g h t t h e e x p l o d i n g
pro j e c t i l es d o w n a t o u r s i d e a n d s o m e t i m e s i n o u r
m i d s t . T h e y c a u s e d m u c h f r i g h t , b u t d i d l i t t l e d a m a g e .
M e n a f o o t l e a r n e d t o c i r c u m v e n t , a n d m e n i n v e h i c l e s
t o d a s h a t t h e i r b e s t s p e e d p a s t t h i s p l a c e a n d a l l s u c h
p l a c e s . B y w a y s , i n d e e d , n o t t h e h i g h w a y s , b e c a m e i n
t h i s w a y t h e f a v o u r i t e c o u r s e s o f t r a v e l n e a r t h e f r o n t .
T h e v i l l a g e b u i l d i n g s i n t h i s r e g i o n w e r e f o r t h e m o s t
p a r t l a t h a n d m u d p l a s t e r , d r y a n d c r a c k i n g . Wh e n a
s h e l l f e l l a m o n g t h e m t h e s h a t t e r i n g o f w a l l s w a s p h e -
n o m e n a l , a n d t h e c l o u d o f d u s t r a i s e d m a d e o n e t h i n k o f
a v o l c a n i c e r u p t i o n . T h e w r e c k o f t h e s e v i l l a g e s u n d e r
1 8 6
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MESNIL-ST . FIRMIN 1 8 7
t h e e n e m y ' s f i r e - M e s n i l - S t . Firmin n o t e x c epted -
was pitifully quick and complete . A n y w h e r e n e a r
t h e m o n e w a s s a f e o n l y w h e n w e l l u n d e r g r o u n d . For -
t u n a t e l y , t h e e a r t h b e i n g l a r g e l y s o f t c h a l k , d e e p c e l l a r s
a n d e v e n t r e m e n d o u s s u b t e r r a n e a n p a s s a g e s a n d c a v -
e r n s , c o n s t r u c t e d b y m e n i n t h e s t r u g g l e s o f l o n g , l o n g
a g o , g a v e u s r e a d y c o v e r .
My com bat staf f an d I, in the Mano r House of
M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n , w e r e g l a d t o b e i n s u c h a c e l l a r .
WetP It w as ree king ; b u t h o w m u c h b e t t e r i t i s t o b e
only wet, not dead 1 And now again I blessed my
F r e n c h w o l f s k i n g r e a t - c o a t . W r a p p e d i n i t , I l a y d o w n
i n m y d e e p c e l l a r a n d k n e w n o t t h e d a m p n e s s . A n d ,
t h e a i r d o w n t h e r e i i It wa s s c a r c e l How, anyh o w,
c o u l d o n e d o o n a s l i t t l e a i r a s A m e r i c a n s l e a r n e d t o
i n t h e i r d u g o u t s , c e l l a r s , a n d c a v e r n s i n t h e t r e n c h e s o f
F r a n c e s ' I d o n o t k n o w . B u t w e a l l k n e w t h a t w e g o t
a l o n g b e t t e r w i t h t h e l i t t l e a i r w e h a d i n t h e s e c a v e r n s
t h a n w i t h t h e p l e n t i f u l s u p p l y o n t o p o f t h e g r o u n d .
T h e a i r o n t o p w a s s p o i l e d w i t h t o o g r e a t a m i x t u r e o f
b u l l e t s , b o m b s , s h e l l s , a n d g a s .
S o w e a l l t o o k t o t h e M a n o r H o u s e d e e p c e l l a r ; a n d
t h e M a n o r H o u s e o w n e r , i f h e e v e r r e t u r n e d t o h i s o w n ,
h a d a b a d t i m e d i g g i n g a w a y a t h i c k s a n d - a n d - b r i c k
r e i n f o r c e m e n t o f a l l o f h i s f l o o r s . W e p l a c e d i t t h e r e f o r
s a f e t y a g a i n s t d e s c e n d i n g s h e l l s a n d a i r p l a n e b o m b s .
B u t t h e s e e x i s t i n g c a v e s o r c e l l a r s o f t h e r e g i o n h a r d l y
outdid the great dugou ts that the French Army had
d u g h e r e i n i t s b r i e f s t a y o f t h r e e w e e k s . D i v i s i o n h e a d -
q u a r t e r s g e n e r a l l y , a n d o t h e r e n t i r e o r g a n i z a t i o n s ,
o f t e n w e r e h i d d e n a w a y i n c a v e s a s b i g a n d a s c o m p l i -
c a t e d , o n e m a y a l m o s t s a y , a s t h e C a t a c o m b s . Howthey ever did so much digging, Heaven only knows .
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1 8 8 PERSONA LITIES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
B u t , a n y h o w , t h e F r e n c h m a n c o m e s n a t u r a l l y b y c a v e
d i g g i n g a n d c a v e d w e l l i n g : h i s a n c e s t o r s w e r e t h e f i r s t
E u r o p e a n t r o g l o d y t e s . I n e a r l y d a y s t h e y m a d e h o m e s
i n t h e l i m e s t o n e c a v e s o f t h e g r e a t b a n k s c u t b y t h e i r
r i v e r s i n t h e i r r a p i d d e s c e n t f r o m t h e A l p s t o t h e s e a ;
n o r h a v e t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s t o t h i s d a y g i v e n u p t h e
c a v e l i f e . Along some of these river banks one may
s t i l l s e e m a n y h o m e s , s o m e t i m e s a n e n t i r e v i l l a g e ,
h a l f h o u s e , h a l f c a v e . T h e l o v e o f g o o d w i n e h a s
helped to keep up the cave habits, and the good
F r e n c h w i n e i s o n e r e s u l t o f c a v e d w e l l i n g . I n t h e w a r ,
t h e n , t h e d u g o u t l i f e w a s f o r t h e F r e n c h m a n n o s u c h
s t r a i n i n g r e v e r s i o n a s i t s e e m e d : a n d h e h a d l e a r n e d
t o t a k e t o a d u g o u t a s n a t u r a l l y a s a p r a i r i e d o g t o a
h o l e .
The enemy was soon making us nightly airplane
b o m b i n g v i s i t s . Our supply a r r a n g e m e n t s, c a mps,
s t a t i o n s , a n d t r a i n s ( w h e n t h e s e t r a i n s w e r e o n t h e
w h i t i s h c h a l k r o a d s a t n i g h t ) r e c e i v e d h i s s p e c i a l a t -
t e n t i o n . Ou r r a i l r o a d , s o n e c e s s a r y f o r l i f e - h o w
q u i c k l y h e l o c a t e d i t a n d m a d e i t u n p o p u l a r a s a p l a c e
o f v i s i t l H i s " g r a s s - c u t t e r s " - a l i g h t b o m b f o r u s e
against men and animals-could be heard crashing
f a r a n d w i d e o v e r t h e s e c t o r a s o u r w a g o n s a n d m e n
m o v e d t o t h e f o r w a r d p o s i t i o n s a t n i g h t w i t h f o o d ,
w a t e r , m u n i t i o n s , a n d m a t e r i a l s f o r t h e i r c o m r a d e s i n
t h e f r o n t l i n e s . We knew afar t he rhythmi c rise a nd
f a l l o f t h e w h i r r o f h i s b o m b i n g p l a n e s . B y d a y o u r
m a c h i n e g u n s a n d o u r a i r c r a f t ( s t i l l F r e n c h 1 ) k e p t h i m
s o h i g h i n t h e h e a v e n s t h a t h e w a s r e n d e r e d h a r m l e s s ;
b y n i g h t h e s o m e t i m e s c a m e s o l o w t h a t o n e a l m o s t
f e l t t h e w h i f f o f h i s w i n g s . He was never very dang er-
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MESNIL- S T . FIRMIN 1 8 9
ous, although to the unaccustomed he was, whether
h i g h o r l o w , b y d a y o r n i g h t , t e r r i b l e . His f reedom
t o s o a r a b o v e y o u i m p o s e d a b i t t e r f e e l i n g o f h e l p l e s s -
n e s s a n d t e r r o r , a s i f y o u w e r e r i g h t u n d e r h i s h a n d o r
h e e l , c o m p l e t el y a t h i s m e r cy . T h e r e a l i t y n e v e r
j u s t i f i e d t h i s f e e l i n g .
A i r p l a n e s w e r e t e r r i b l e m a i n l y b e c a u s e t h e y w e r e
a n e w a n d u n f a m i l i a r a r m . I w e l l r e m e m b e r t h e f i r s t
e n e m y b o m b i n g I e ve r w i t n e s s e d - a t Na n c y . T h e
c r a c k a n d r a t t l e o f m a c h i n e g u n s , t h e b o o m o f a n t i -
a i r c r a f t c a n n o n, a n d t h e a w f u l r o a r o f d e s c e n d i n g
b o m b s w e r e t e r r i f i c , f r i g h t f u l . I t h o u g h t t h a t t h e d e -
s t r u c t i o n o f t h e c i t y w a s s u r e l y a t h a n d : n e x t d a y t h e
s u n r o s e u p o n a w r e c k e d b u i l d i n g o r t w o , m u c h s h a t -
t e r e d g l a s s , a n d a f e w d e a d : t h e c i t y w e n t i t s w o n t e d w a y
o f b u s i n e s s . The next experience was the bombing
o f o u r h e a d q u a r t e r s b y a n e n e m y a i r p l a n e . T h e
entire headquarters force ran excitedly for cover ;
death seemed imminent . T h e n e a r e s t b o m b f e l l s i x
h u n d r e d y a r d s a w a y , m i s s i n g n o t o n l y t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s
b u t t h e e n t i r e v i l l a g e i n w h i c h t h e y w e r e s i t u a t e d .
D a y a f t e r d a y f o r a l m o s t a y e a r t h e A l l i e d c o m m u n i q u e s
t o l d o f t h e " s u c c e s s f u l b o m b i n g " o f t h e M e t z - S a b l o n s
r a i l w a y s t a t i o n , w h i c h t o t h e d a y o f t h e a r m i s t i c e
c a l m l y w e n t o n f u n c t i o n i n g .
Y e t , s o m e t i m e s t h e b o m b h i t ( t h e f i r s t o f f i c e r o f r a n k
t h a t w e l o s t w a s s o k i l l e d ) , a n d , h i t o r m i s s , I s a y i t w a s
a l w a y s t e r r i b l e . I n e x p e r i e n c e d s o l d i e r s i n t h e t r e n c h e s
a n d s o l d i e r s a n d c i v i l i a n s i n c i t i e s a n d v i l l a g e s v i s i t e d
b y t h e e n e m y ' s p l a n e s , f a r t o t h e r e a r , b e c a m e s o m e t i m e s
a l m o s t h y s t e r i c a l i n t h e f e e l i n g o f h e l p l e s s n e s s a n d d e -
f e n s e l e s s n e s s t h a t c o m e s o v e r a m a n a t s e e i n g o r h e a r -
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1 9 0 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
i n g t h e e n e m y c i r c l i n g d e l i b e r a t e l y a b o v e h i m a n d
e a r n e s t l y s e e k i n g t o t a k e h i s l i f e .
G r e a t n u m b e r s o f p e o p l e i n t h e s e v i l l a g e s s l e p t i n
t h e f i e l d s , p r e f e r r i n g t h e r i s k o f d e a t h f r o m e x p o s u r e t o
t h e r i s k o f b e i n g h i t b y o n e o f t h e s e t e r r i b l e b o m b s .
I n c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h i s f e a r a n d d a n g e r , a b s o l u t e d a r k -
n e s s f e l l u p o n c a m p s a n d v i l l a g e s o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e
h o s t i l e l i n e s f a r , f a r t o t h e r e a r . S k i l l i n c o n c e a l i n g
i n t e r i o r l i g h t s b e c a m e p h e n o m e n a l . E v e r y o n e , t o t h e
l o w e s t , f e l t h i m s e l f r e s p o n s i b l e , a n d t h e p r i v a t e h a d
n o h e s i t a t i o n i n c a l l i n g o u t t o h i s o f f i c e r i n t h e n i g h t ,
" L i g h t s s h o w i n g i n t h a t h o u s e 1 "
O n c e i n t h e M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n s e c t o r a l o n e B r i t i s h
p l a n e , c i r c l i n g i n t h e d a y t i m e o v e r o u r l i n e s , d e s c e n d e d
- u n m o l e s t e d, o f c o u r s e t o b u t a l i t t l e a b ov e t h e
t r e e - t o p s , a n d t o o u r g r e a t s u r p r i s e o p e n e d f i r e u p o n
u s . S u r p r i s e a n d d o u b t e n d e d i n o u r o p e n i n g f i r e u p o n
h i m a n d d r i v i n g h i m a w a y ; b u t , f u l l o f g r i t , h e w a s b a c k
i n a f e w m i n u t e s , a t i t a g a i n , a n d a f t e r h e h a d k i l l e d
a c o u p l e o f h o r s e s a n d w o u n d e d a m a n o r t w o , w a s a g a i n
d r i v e n o f f , t h i s t i m e i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f a F r e n c h a v i a t i o n
f i e l d . " G e r m a n , " w e t h o u g h t , " s h a m e f u l l y u s i n g
a B r i t i s h p l a n e t o d e c e i v e u s . " A n h o u r l a t e r w e l e a r n e d
t h a t h e h a d a t t a c k e d t h e F r e n c h t o o . A F r e n c h a v i a t o r
d r e w n e a r h i m i n t h e a i r . U n m o l e s t e d, t h e F re n c h m a n
s h o t h i m d o w n ( t h e r e w a s n o o t h e r c h o i c e ) , t o f i n d t h a t
t h e s t r a n g e r a v i a t o r w a s r e a l l y E n g l i s h , h a d b e c o m e
l o s t , a n d m i s t a k i n g f r i e n d f o r f o e h a d u n h e s i t a t i n g l y
a t t a cked im m e n s e ly superio r n u m be r s . No d o u b t
h e f e l t t h a t h e w o u l d n e v e r h a v e a n o t h e r s u c h o p p o r -
t u n i t y a s t h i s t o i m m o r t a l i z e h i m s e l f . B y a l u c k y
c h a n c e h e w a s n o t k i l l e d . T h e E n g l i s h l i a i s o n o f f i c e r
c a m e a l o n g i n a d a y o r t w o t o e x p r e s s r e g r e t .
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MESNIL-ST . F I P. M I N 1 9 1
T o w a r d t h e e n d o f o u r s t a y i n t h e M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n
s e c t o r , a i r p l a n e s c e a s e d t o b e a g r e a t t e r r o r t o u s . Wehad learned . Every new divisi on of the ma ny that
a f t e r w a r d p a s s e d u n d e r m y e y e h a d t o g o t h r o u g h a l i k e
l e a r n i n g a n d e x p e r i e n c e b e f o r e t h e y b e c a m e s t e a d y a n d
s e l f - c o n t a i n e d a b o u t a i r p l a n e s .
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CHAPTER XXICANTIGNY
MYDIVISION h a d g o n e i n t o t h e M e s n i l - S t .
Firmin s e c t o r e x p e c t i n g a n e n e m y o f f e n s i v e .
F o r l o n g n o n e c a m e , b u t t h e e n e m y m a d e u p f o r i t b y
m u c h a r t i l l e r y a c t i v i t y . We did m o r e t h a n r e spond .
The French army and corps commanders were liber al
t o u s w i t h a m m u n i t i o n , a n d a s s o o n a s t h e y s a w t h a t o u r
a r t i l l e r y c o u l d s h o o t , t h e y m a d e s t i l l l a r g e r a l l o w a n c e s
t o u s . A p a s s i n g A m e r i c a n w r i t e r o f l i v e l y i m a g i n a t i o n
r a i s e d t h i s t o s o m e t h i n g l i k e a m i l l i o n r o u n d s p e r d a y .
T h e e n e m y ' s g u n s w e r e w e l l f o r w a r d , a n d o u r f i r e w a s
soon telling on them . T h i s i m m e n s e l y p l e a s e d a n d
s u r p r i s e d o u r F r e n c h A l l i e s , w h o w e r e n o t o n l y g r e a t
l o v e r s o f a r t i l l e r y , b u t s o m e h o w n e v e r e x p e c t e d m u c h
of us new troops and were surprised whenever they
f o u n d t h a t w e k n e w a l i t t l e a b o u t w a r . Often now w e
h e a r d t h a t r a t t l e w h i c h w a s s o c o n t i n u o u s a n d s o s t i r r i n g
u p o n t h e b l o o d t h a t t h e r e w a s b u t o n e n a m e f o r i t -
d r u m f i r e . I t m e a n t f i g h t . B a t t e r i e s w e r e e x t i n g u i s h e d ,
s i l e n c e d o n b o t h s i d e s ; g u n s d i s m o u n t e d a n d k n o c k e d t o
p i e c e s ; a n d c a n n o n e e r s d r i v e n t o t h e e a r t h o r f a r a w a y
f r o m t h e i r b a t t e r i e s . B u t w e h a d t h e a r t i l l e ry a d -
v a n t a g e a n d w e r e g e t t i n g t h e u p p e r h a n d o v e r t h e
e n e m y i n g e n e r a l . I t h i n k i t w a s d u e t o t h e f r e s h n e s s
a n d z e s t o f o u r m e n a s a g a i n s t t h e w a r - w e a r i n e s s a n d
s t a l e n e s s o f t h e e n e m y , e v e n t h o u g h h e h a d b e e n r e c e n t l y
v i c t o r i o u s . We soon ha d the ene my pulling his guns
1 9 . 2
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194 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
r e a l , e f f i c i e n t t r a i n i n g c a m e o n l y a f t e r h a r d e x p e r i e n c e
a n d a f t e r t h e h y s t e r i a o f g a s o f f i c e r s h a d c e a s e d . Of
o u r V i l l e r s - T o u r n e l l e l o s s e s , a g a s o f f i c e r f r o m o u r
G.H . Q . " s p o k e [ D i a r y ] w i t h o u t k n o w l e d g e o r c o n s i d e r -
a t i o n , i n t h a t t o n e o f s u p e r i o r c r i t i c i s m t h a t c o m e s f r o m
o n l y a b s t r a c t s t u d y , n o t e x p e r i e n c e , a n d l a i d h i m s e l f
o p e n t o a t t a c k w h i c h I p r o m p t l y m a d e . He w a s
required by proper authority to abstain from such
c r i t i c i s m i n f u t u r e . "
O u r p o s i t i o n s a n d l i n e s w e r e c o n s t a n t l y c h a n g i n g
a n d m u l t i p l y i n g . A l t e r n a t i v e a n d s p a r e p o s i t i o n s w e r e
created to dece ive the enemy, and did deceive him .
A n u m b e r o f t i m e s h e g a i l y b o m b a r d e d e m p t y A m e r -
i c a n p o s i t i o n s . D o u b t l e s s h e a l s o s i m i l a r l y d e c e i v e d
u s , f o r M r . German was an ad versary indeed : a g a i n s t
h i m n o o n e e v e r h a d i t a l l h i s o w n w a y ; n o a l l y a t a n y
t i m e h a d a " s n a p . "
T h e r e s u l t s o f t h i s g r e a t a c t i v i t y w e r e m a n i f e s t i n
o u r h e a v y d a i l y c a s u a l t i e s . " O u r l o s s e s [ D i a r y ] f o r
t h e t h r e e m o n t h s t h a t w e r e m a i n e d i n t h a t s e c t o r
w o u l d a v e r a g e f r o m a l l c a u s e s s o m e s i x t y m e n p e r d a y . "
B u t o n a c c o u n t o f t h e g r e a t e r a c t i v i t y a n d t h e e l e c -
t r i c a l s t a t e , t h e s t i m u l u s o f t h e w a r a t m o s p h e r e , o u r
men kept in humour and bore the heavy losses well .
Th e i r h u m o u r w a s g r i m e n o u g h . T h e a r r i v a l o f o u r
m u s t a r d g a s i n q u a n t i t y c a u s e d a g r e a t j u b i l e e a m o n g
o u r a r t i l l e r y m e n a n d a h i l a r i o u s b o m b a r d m e n t o f t h e
e n e m y ' s p o s i t i o n , w h i c h d o u b t l e s s c a u s e d m a n y c a s u a l -
t i e s . T h e 4 t h o f J u l y w a s l i k e w i s e m a d e t h e o c c a s i o n o f
a " National Salute" that poured tho usands o f pro-
j e c t i l e s u p o n t h e e n e m y - a r e m e m b r a n c e o f t h e A m e r -
i c a n d a y o f l i b e r t y a n d i n d e p e n d e n c e . Humou r lives
o n i n t h e m i d s t o f h a r d s h i p , w o u n d s , a n d e v e n d e a t h .
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CANTI GNY 195
T h e r o a r o f g r e a t g u n s i n b a t t l e w a s c o m i n g t o u s
s t e a d i l y f r o m t h e n o r t h t h e s e d a y s : t h e B r i t i s h w e r e
having a busy time on the oth er side of the Somme .
B u t t h e s o u n d a t t h e t i m e , a n d t h e c o m m u n i q u e s t h e
n e x t d a y , w e r e t h e o n l y t h i n g s t h a t t o l d u s t h a t w e
w e r e n e a r o u r B r i t i s h c o u s i n s . We s a w n o t h i n g a n d
t h o u g h t l i t t l e o f t h e m ; w e w e r e q u i t e f u l l y o c c u p i e d w i t h
o u r o w n a f f a i r s . I t w a s a s h o c k t o m e t o f i n d i n a f t e r
m o n t h s t h a t w e h a d b e e n l i t e r a l l y a l o n g s i d e o f t h e m
i n b a t t l e . a n d k n e w i t n o t . T h e B r i t i s h h e a d q u a r t e r s
w e r e b u t a f e w m i l e s f r o m m e . S o i t i s i n w a r . As o l d i e r c a n s e e a n d k n o w o n l y t h a t w h i c h i s i m m e d i a t e l y
b e f o r e h i m a n d t h a t n o n e t o o w e l l . This is wh y I am
n o t w r i t i n g a m i l i t a r y h i s t o r y . I r e c a l l a g a i n m y r e p l y
t o G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g w h e n h e a s k e d m y o p i n i o n a b o u t
some British movement :
" G e n e r a l , I k n o w n o t h i n g a b o u t i t , I n e v e r h e a r d o f
i t ; I h a v e n o t i m e o r c h a n c e t o k n o w o f a n y t h i n g b u t
t h a t w h i c h i s b e f o r e m e . "
S u f f i c i e n t u n t o e a c h s o l d i e r w a s t h e e v i l o f h i s i m -
m e d i a t e s i t u a t i o n .
W e w e r e b e t t e r i n g o u r s i t u a t i o n e a c h m o n t h i n t h e
M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n s e c t o r . My comma n d w i t h a l l i t s
d i f f i c u l t i e s a n d c a s u a l t i e s f o u n d i t s e l f i n a b e t t e r m i l i -
t a r y c o n d i t i o n t h a n e v e r b e f o r e . I t w a s a r r a n g e d i n
l i n e a c c o r d i n g t o o u r o w n o r g a n i z a t i o n , o u r A m e r i c a n
i d e a s a n d t r a d i t i o n s . Ou r F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r h a d
l e a r n e d t h a t w e c o u l d t a k e c a r e o f o u r s e l v e s , a n d h a d
c e a s e d t o t r y t o n u r s e a n d d i r e c t u s . Ma n y t i m e s
b e f o r e o n v i s i t s , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g h a d a s k e d : "Ho w
are you coming on? " I had never befo re dared to
r e p l y , " A l l r i g h t . " Now I could f or the first t ime
c o n f i d e n t l y a n s w e r , " W e a r e d o i n g i t r i g h t n o w . " He
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1 9 6 PERSONALITIES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
l o o k e d o v e r e v e r y t h i n g c a r e f u l l y , a g r e e d w i t h m e , a n d
s a i d , " I w i l l s e n d o t h e r o f f i c e r s o f o u r f o r c e s h e re t o s e e
i t . "
A n d n o w m o n t h s a f t e r t h e d e e d s , c a m e o u r f i r s t
A m e r i c a n d e c o r a t i o n s f o r g a l l a n t r y . In the rush o f
events and changes even the recipients had almost
f o r g o t t e n . B u t G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g i n p e r s o n c o n f e r r e d
t h e s e f i r s t d e c o r a t i o n s : t h a t c o mpe n s a t e d . A n d t h e n
w e h e a r d t h a t h e h a d s a i d , " T o t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n f i r s t " ;
t h a t c o n s o l e d u s . Yet I could not help rememb ering
the promptness with which the French had rewarded
o u r f i r s t a c t s o f g a l l a n t r y i n o u r e a r l i e s t s e r v ic e a t t h e
f r o n t u n d e r t h e m . I t w a s d o n e a l m o s t s i m u l t a n e o u s l y
w i t h t h e a c t s . Th ey wer e r e a dy . Surely the United
S t a t e s w a s i n a l l w a y s , e v e n t o t h i s , u n p r e p a r e d f o r
w a r . T h e a c t i o n o f t h e F r e n c h c a u s e d m e t o i n s t i t u t e
i n t h e d i v i s i o n c e r t a i n m e a n s f o r t h e r e c o g n i t i o n , a s
f a r a s p o s s i b l e , o f e v e r y g a l l a n t o r m e r i t o r i o u s a c t .
I t p a i d i n z e a l o u s , d a r i n g s e r v i c e .
Our li n e s i n t h i s n o r t h w e s t e r n r e g i o n h a d b e e n
c h o s e n i n r e t i r i n g b e f o r e t h e B o c h e i n h i s d r i v e o f M a r c h .
I t s h o w e d t h e r e f o r e n o s u c h i n f e r i o r i t y t o t h e e n e m y ' s
l i n e a s t h a t i n o u r s e c t o r i n e a s t e r n F r a n c e , w h e r e t h e
B o c h e h a d s e l e c t e d h i s p o s i t i o n i n r e t i r i n g b e f o r e t h e
French . T h e r e h e c h o s e , a n d t h e F r e n c h h a d t o t a k e
w h a t h e l e f t . I n o u r n e w s e c t o r t h e A l l i e s h a d h a d
t h e c h o i c e o f p o s i t i o n s , a n d n o w w e h a d t h e b e s t o f t h e
e n e m y e x c e p t a t s o m e p o i n t s , o n e o f w h i c h w a s t h e v i l -
l a g e o f C a n t i g n y . F r o m t h e r e h e t h r e a t e n e d .
"Before we came [Diary] Cantigny ha d been twice
t a k e n a n d t w i c e l o s t b y t h e F r e n c h . Now, to t ry out
t h e d i v i s i o n a n d t o r e m o v e t h i s t h r e a t , I w a s a l l o w e d
t o p l a n a n a t t a c k u p o n t h i s v i l l a g e . T h e p l a n w a s
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CANTIGNY 201
n o t be overco m e . He allowed no s ubordinat e for a
m o m e n t t o a s s u m e t h a t t h e y c o u l d o r w o u l d n o t . Al-
t h o u g h h e w a s m a r k e d l y a s o l d i e r a n d f i g h t i n g m a n , h e
w a s n o t e x c l u s i v e l y s u c h . H e h a d s e e n m u c h a n d c o u l d
t a l k e n t e r t a i n i n g l y o n m a n y s u b j e c t s .
F o r l o n g M a n g i n h a d b e e n s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e a r m y a t
t h e f r o n t b e c a u s e o f h i s a g g r e s s i v e f i g h t i n g c h a r a c t e r i s -
t i c s , I w a s t o l d , w h i c h d i d n o t p e r m i t h i m t o k e e p o u t
o f a f i g h t e v e n w h e n h i s s o l d i e r s w e r e n o t i n m o r a l e t o
make a fight . Here ag ain he w as like Foch . B o t h
o f t h e m h a d f o r s o m e m o n t h s b e e n h e l d i n b a c k a r e a s
u n d e r t h e S e c r e t a r y o f W a r , n o t u n d e r G e n e r a l P e t a i n ,
who was commanding the a ctive army in the field .
T h e i m p l i c a t i o n w a s t h a t b o t h w o u l d t r y t o f i g h t w h e n
t h e F r e n c h c o u l d n o t f i g h t . Now, as the time w as ap-
p r o a c h i n g w h e n i t w a s k n o w n t h a t t h e A l l i e s w o u l d h a v e
t o f i g h t h a r d , M a n g i n , l i k e F o c h , w a s b r o u g h t b a c k t o
t h e f i g h t i n g l i n e , t o c o m m a n d i n t h e r e g i o n w h e r e t h e
F r e n c h w e r e e x p e c t i n g t h e n e x t G e r m a n o f f e n s i v e .
I s h a l l s e e h i m a t S o i s s o n s , c o m m a n d i n g a n a r m y a n d
w i n n i n g t h e f i r s t v i c t o r y a t t h e t u r n i n g o f t h e G e r m a n
t i d e . I s h a l l s t a r t w i t h h i m t o t h e e a s t w a r d o f M e t z ,
b u t b o t h o f u s w i l l b e s t o p p e d b y t h e a r m i s t i c e .
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2 0 4 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
r a n h i m s e l f o u t o f b r e a t h , s o t o s p e a k , a n d w a s b r o u g h t
t o a h a l t o n t h e M a r n e . H e s t o p p e d t o r e t a k e b r e a t h ,
t o b r i n g h i s c o m m u n i c a t i o n s u p t o t h e p o s i t i o n g a i n e d ,
a n d t o g a t h e r h i m s e l f f o r a n e w b l o w . Th i s w a s a n
a n x i o u s t i m e f o r t h e A l l i e s . W h i l e w a i t i n g , t h e e n e m y
t o o k a n i n w a r d c r o o k o u t o f t h e w e s t e r n l e g o f h i s
s a l i e n t , f u r t h e r i n c r e a s i n g t h e A l l i e s ' a n x i e t y : h e s e e m e d
to be able to do as he liked . H i s l i n e w a s b u l g i n g
threateningly at another point on the western leg .
A F r e n c h a r m y w a s a s s e m b l e d t o f o r c e i t i n . N o s u c c e s s .
T h e w e a k F r e n c h d i v i s i o n s w e r e f u r t h e r s h a t t e r e d , w i t h
no results except discouragement . T h e F r e n c h n o
longer had Ra n ; t h e i r s o l d i e r s l o o k e d u p o n c o u n t e r
a t t a c k s a s l e a d i n g o n l y t o d e a t h . S o m e o f t h e i r d i v i s i on
commanders regarded any attack in much the same
w a y . I s a w o n e o f t h e i r s h a t t e r e d d i v i s i o n s u p o n i t s
r e t u r n t o p o s i t i o n n e x t t o m e ; I r e m e m b e r t h e d o w n -
h e a r t e d n e s s o f t h e h o u r .
Just after this third great German offen sive of
1 9 1 8 ( a s I n o w r e m e m b e r ) , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g c a m e o n
a v i s i t t o m y c o m m a n d . He h a d j u st r e t u rn e d f r om
L o n d o n a n d w a s i n h i g h s p i r i t s . He tol d me : "We a re
n o w g o i n g t o h a v e A m e r i c a n t r o o p s t r a n s p o r t e d t o
F r a n c e a t a n a s t o n i s h i n g r a t e , o n e h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d
o r m o r e p e r m o n t h . "
T h i s i s h o w i t c a m e a b o u t : W h i l e h e w a s i n L o n d o n
B r i t i s h W a r O f f i c e o f f i c i a l s h a d u r g e d h i m t o i n d u c e o u r
g o v e r n m e n t t o f u r n i s h A m e r i c a n r e c r u i t s t o t h e B r i t i s h
d i v i s i o n s i n s t e a d o f s e n d i n g o v e r o r g a n i z e d A m e r i c a n d i -
v i s i o n s , o f f e r i n g t o b r i n g o v e r t h e s e r e c r u i t s i n B r i t i s h
s h i p s . G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g r e f u s e d p o i n t - b l a n k , s a y i n g t h a t
e v e n i f h e w e r e w i l l i n g t o r e c o m m e n d i t ( w h i c h h e w a s
n o t ) t h e A m e r i c a n p e o p l e w o u l d n o t s t a n d f o r i t , w o u l d
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T HE CHA T EAU - T HIERRY SA LIENT 205
t h r o w d o w n a n y g o v e r n m e n t t h a t w o u l d d o s u c h a t h i n g
a s r e c r u i t a n y f o r e i g n a r m y f o r t h i s w a r . " B u t , " s a i d
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g , " i f y o u h a v e s h i p s t o b r i n g o v e r
r e c r u i t s t o y o u r a r m i e s y o u h a v e t h e m t o b r i n g A m e r i c a n
d i v i s i o n s t o t h e A m e r i c a n A r m y . S e n d u s t h o s e s h i p s
a n d w e w i l l b r i n g t o F r a n c e o r g a n i z e d A m e r i c a n d i v i -
s i o n s . W e h a v e t h e m , m o r e t h a n t h e s h i p s c a n b r i n g . "
[ T o a l l p r e v i o u s r e q u e s t s f o r s h i p s , t h e B r i t i s h h a d
a n s w e r e d t h a t t h e y h a d n ' t t h e m t o s p a r e . ]
General Persh ing's re ply was repor ted to Lloyd
G e o r g e , w h o , a t o n c e r e c o g n i z i n g t h a t A m e r i c a n n a -
t i o n a l p r i d e c o u l d n o t a c c e p t t h e B r i t i s h p r o p o s i t i o n ,
h i m s e l f a c c e p t e d G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s . Th e Prim e Min-
i s t e r s a i d h e w o u l d f u r n i s h e n o u g h s h i p s t o t r a n s p o r t
m o r e t h a n o n e h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d t r o o p s p e r m o n t h .
H a v i n g i n m i n d t h e a n s w e r o f t h e B r i t i s h t o p r e v i o u s
r e q u e s t s f o r s h i p s , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g s h o w e d s u r p r i s e
a n d d o u b t a s t o t h e i r a b i l i t y t o s e n d s h i p s e n o u g h t o
b r i n g o v e r t h i s g r e a t n u m b e r o f t r o o p s . Mr. L l o y d
G e o r g e a n s w e r e d t h a t h i s s h i p t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o f f i c e r ,
w h o h a d n e v e r f a i l e d h i m i n a n y a s s u r a n c e , h a d a s s u r e d
h i m t h a t t h e y c o u l d d o i t ; h e h i m s e l f w a s c o n f i d e n t .
I n t e l l i n g m e t h i s G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g s h o w e d g r e a t
s a t i s f a c t i o n , a l m o s t e l a t i o n . I n d e e d , h e h a d c a u s e , f o r
h e r e , i n s e a t r a n s p o r t , l a y t h e c r u x o f t h e w a r , n o t o n l y
f o r A m e r i c a n s , b u t f o r a l l t h e A l l i e s . T h e B r i t i s h k n e w
i t ; t h a t i s w h y M r . L l o y d G e o r g e f o u n d t h a t t h e s h i p s
c o u l d b e s p a r e d .
A n d w e w o u l d s o o n b e r e c e i v i n g a h u n d r e d t h o u s a n d
t r o o p s a m o n t h l W o n d e r f u l l B u t c o u l d t h e A l l i e s ,
I a s k e d m y s e l f , h o l d o u t l o n g e n o u g h f o r t h e m t o b e
put in ac tion P Would n ot German y be able to m ake
a n o t h e r g r e a t p u s h a n d b r e a k t h r o u g h t o P a r i s b e f o r e
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T HE CHA T EAU - T HIERRY SALIENT 2 0 7
c o m m a n d e r o f t h e o r d e r w h i c h I h a d g i v e n , t h a t w e
w o u l d f i g h t t o t h e l a s t i n t h e f i r s t l i n e , c o u l d n o t r e t i r e
t h e r e f r o m . A f t e r t h e s t e r n o r d e r t o f i g h t t o t h e l a s t
i n t h e f i r s t l i n e w e c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d , I s a i d , h o w
t h i s r e t i r e m e n t c o u l d b e m a d e ; b u t i f t h e f i r s t l i n e
w e r e l o s t w e w e r e g o i n g t o c o u n t e r a t t a c k f r o m t h e
s e c o n d ; t h a t m y o r d e r h a d a l r e a d y g o n e f o r t h , a n d t h e
f i g h t b e i n g o n t h e o r d e r c o u l d n o t b e c h a n g e d . J u s t
t h e n t h e F r e n c h a r m y c o m m a n d e r c a m e i n . H e a n d
t h e c o r p s c o m m a n d e r t a l k e d a w h i l e a b o u t t h e m a t t e r ,
b u t m a d e n o c h a n g e i n t h e l a t t e r ' s o r d e r s . T h e r e w a s
t h e n n o t h i n g t o b e g a i n e d b y c h a n g i n g . T h e y l e f t t h e
m a t t e r a s i t s t o o d .
I r e t u r n e d t o m y c o m m a n d a n d m a d e n o c h a n g e i n
m y o r d e r . W h e n t h e f i g h t i n g w a s o v e r , t h e F r e n c h
d i v i s i o n n e x t o n m y r i g h t h a d b e e n d r i v e n b a c k f r o m
i t s f i r s t l i n e o n e o r m o r e k i l o m e t e r s ; t h e e n e m y ' s a t t a c k
h a d r e a c h e d b u t h a d n o t t a k e n m y f r o n t l i n e ; w e h a d
c o u n t e r a t t a c k e d a n d d r i v e n h i m b a c k t o h i s s t a r t i n g
p o i n t . H i s a t t a c k d i d n o t e x t e n d b e y o n d m y l e f t .
T h i s i n c i d e n t s e e m e d c o m m o n p l a c e e n o u g h a t t h e
t i m e a n d s o o n d i s a p p e a r e d f r o m m y m i n d . I r e m e m b e r
s p e a k i n g o f i t t o o n l y o n e p e r s o n , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g,
t o w h o m I s h o w e d t h e c o p y , i n F r e n c h , o f o u r c o r p s
c o m m a n d e r ' s o r d e r . B u t t h e i n c i d e n t , o r s o m e o t h e r l i k e
i t , w a s a f t e r w a r d m a d e t h e s u b j e c t o f m u c h p u b l i c
e n t h u s i a s m i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , a n d a t l a s t o n e d a y ,
d u r i n g t h e b a t t l e o f t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e , a n e w s p a p e r
c l i p p i n g f r o m a n A m e r i c a n p a p e r w a s s h o w n m e i n
w h i c h t h e w h o l e t h i n g w a s m a d e m u c h o f , a n d e x -
P r e s i d e n t T a f t h a d d e c l a r e d t h a t i t h a d o c c u r r e d w i t h
m e .
" B u t i t d i d n o t , d i d i t , G e n e r a l s ? " q u e s t i o n e d m y
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T HE CHA T EAU - T HIERRY SA LIENT 2 09
o r g a n i z a t i o n s . T o s a y " M a r i n e s " d i d n o t v i o l a t e t h i s
r e g u l a t i o n : It m e n t i o n e d n o o r g a n i z a t i o n . So t h e
p r e s s r e p o r t s o f t h e 2 n d D i v i s i o n ' s f i g h t s h o u t e d , " M a -
r i n e s , " " M a r i n e s , " " M a r i n e s , " u n t i l t h e w o r d r e s o u n d e d
o v e r t h e w h o l e e a r t h a n d m a d e t h e i n h a b i t a n t s t h e r e o f ,
e x c e p t a f e w A m e r i c a n s i n t h e a r m y i n F r a n c e , b e l i e v e
t h a t t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g i n t h e 2 n d D i v i s i o n , a n d , i n d e e d ,
n o t h i n g i n f r o n t o f t h e G e r m a n s , b u t M a r i n e s . T h e
A m e r i c a n w a r c o r r e s p o n d e n t s w e r e c e r t a i n l y p r e e m p t e d
f o r t h e M a r i n e s . W h i l e t h e i r r e p o r t s w e r e r e s o u n d i n g
a t t h e h i g h e s t a n d A m e r i c a n r e a d e r s w e r e a c c l a i m i n g
the Marines as the saviours of Paris and the war,
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g c a m e o n a v i s i t t o m e .
" G e n e r a l , " I s a i d t o h i m a t d i n n e r , " I s e e t h a t t h e 2 n d
M a r i n e s , " ( e m p h a s i z i n g t h e 2 n d a s t h o u g h t h a t d i v i s i o n
w a s a l l M a r i n e s ) " h a v e w o n t h e w a r a t B e l l e a u W o o d . "
" Y e s , " h e a n s w e r e d d r y l y , " a n d I s t o p p e d i t y e s -
t e r d a y a s I p a s s e d t h e r e . "
B u t h a d h e ? H e s t o p p e d o n l y w h a t w a s y e t t o c o m e ,
n o t w h a t h a d a l r e a d y g o n e f o r t h . T h a t h e c o u l d n o t
s t o p , a n d i t w a s , I s a y , e n o u g h t o c o n v i n c e a l l g o o d
e n t h u s i a s t i c A m e r i c a n s t h a t a t B e l l e a u W o o d t h e r e w a s
nothing but Marines an d, of course, dead Germans,
t h e i r v i c t i m s a n d t h e i r s a l o n e . I tho ugh t of Pete r
Dunn's "Alone in Cuba . "
T h e n o n - r e l i e f o f m y c o m m a n d ( i n c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e
d e f l e c t i o n o f t h e 2 n d D i v i s i o n ) i n v o l v e d b u t a t e m p o r -
a r y d e l a y . A l i t t l e w a r - w o r n , e x h a u s t e d F r e n c h d i v i s i o n
s o o n c a m e i n i t s p l a c e . T h e F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r a n d
h i s o f f i c e r s w e r e b r a v e l y t r y i n g t o m a k e u p f o r t h e i r
d i v i s i o n ' s p i t i f u l w e a k n e s s i n n u m b e r s b y u n e n d i n g
personal activity and omnipresence . Ne v e r s a w I
g r e a t e r e f f o r t b y m o r e s a c r i f i c i n g , p a t r i o t i c m e n . B y
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T HE CHA T EAU - T HIERRY SALIENT 211
sad . B u t u n d e r t h e t h r e a t a n d t h e m e n a c e o f t h e h o u r ,
i n t h e d a n g e r s o f t h e s i t u a t i o n , t h e r e w a s n o t i m e f o r
l o n g , s a d p a r t i n g s . The order had come . " G o o d - b y e ,
g o o d l u c k - d o n ' t g e t k i l l e d 1 " a n d w e a l l h u r r i e d o f f t o
t h e t r y i n g d u t i e s c o n s t a n t l y r i s i n g b e f o r e u s .
B u t I k n e w t h a t I h a d l e f t t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n i n g o o d
h a n d s - Gener a l Summera l l's . Lo n g y e a r s a g o , a s
I h a v e a l r e a d y s a i d , $ i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s , i n c a m p a n d
i n b a t t l e , h e h a d w o n m y r e s p e c t a n d a d m i r a t i o n .
I n t h e p a s t s i x m o n t h s , c o m m a n d i n g t h e a r t i l l e r y o f t h e
1 s t D i v i s i o n , h e h a d f o r e v e r e s t a b l i s h e d h i m s e l f i n t h e
h e a r t s o f a l l . I had urg ed General Pershing to nam e
h i m a s m y s u c c e s s o r . T o n o o t h e r c o u l d I h a v e g i v e n
up t h e c o m m a n d w i t h e q u a l s e n s e t h a t a l l w o u l d b e
w e l l w i t h t h e m , w i t h g r e a t e r s u r e n e s s t h a t t h e d i v i s i o n
w o u l d b e l e d t o s u c c e s s a n d h o n o u r . As I sped aw ay
f r o m t h e d i v i s i o n , I s a i d i n m y t h o u g h t s , " G o o d - b y e ,
Summer alll With you I have le d firs t a reg iment
- l o n g a g o - a n d n o w a d i v i s i o n , t o t h e i r f i r s t s u c c e s s e s
i n w a r . I w i s h I c o u l d c a r r y y o u w i t h m e a l w a y s , b u t
y o u h a v e g r o w n t o o b i g t o b e c a r r i e d b y m e a n y l o n g e r .
A n d y o u , B u c k , K i n g , M a r s h a l l , P a r k e r , a n d t h e o t h e r s ,
l o y a l h e l p e r s a n d c o m r a d e s , I a m p r e c e d i n g y o u u p w a r d
just a little-no more . Sure a m I that no di vision
e v e r w i l l g i v e t o i t s c o u n t r y ' s s e r v i c e m o r e z e a l o u s , m o r e
l o y a l , o r a b l e r m e n . A n d y o u , s o l d i e r s , y o u a r e w o n -
d e r f u l : every act of yours increases the renown of
y o u r d i v i s i o n . Y o u w i l l p u t i t a m o n g t h e i m m o r t a l s . "
T h e y f u l f i l l e d a l l m y p r o p h e t i c t h o u g h t s . On Jul y 14th
I g a v e u p c o m m a n d o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n a n d s e t o f f t o
m y n e w c o r p s .
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CHAPTER XXIIISOISSONS
N O W a g a i n , d u r i n g t h e f i r s t h a l f o f J u l y , t h e e n e m y
s e e m e d d e t e r m i n e d t o b r e a k o u t o f h i s C h a t e a u -
T h i e r r y s a l i e n t t o P a r i s . A l l o f t h e a v a i l a b l e A m e r i c a n
f o r c e s , a s w e l l a s F r e n c h , w e r e b e i n g h u r r i e d i n t o t h e
n a r r o w r e g i o n b e t w e e n Pa r i s a n d Ch a t e a u - T h i e r r y .
I t w a s a t i m e a n d p l a c e o f c h a n g e , h u r r y , u n c e r t a i n t y ,
almost confusion . Co m m a n d s w e r e m o v i n g , g o i n g ,
coming everywhere . I w a s t o h a v e t h e A m e r i c a n I V t h
C o r p s , t o c o n s i s t o f t h e 1 s t a n d 2 n d D i v i s i o n s a n d o t h e r s
g a t h e r i n g i n t h i s r e g i o n . I n t h e k a l e i d o s c o p i c c h a n g e s
o f o r d e r s a n d p l a n s , t h e I V t h C o r p s n e v e r m a t e r i a l i z e d .
S o m e o f i t s d i v i s i o n s w e r e t u r n e d a s i d e t o m e e t t h e
G e r m a n s n o w o n t h e s o u t h b a n k o f t h e M a r n e t h r e a t -
ening the weak French Sixth Army bet ween it a nd
P a r i s .
I repor t e d t o G en e r a l Degou t t e, c o m m a n d i n g t h e
Sixt h Ar m y . He received me in the wi nning French
way, and spoke in great adm iration of the Amer-
i c a n c o l o n e l, McAle x a n d e r, a n d h i s r e g i m e n t ( t h e
38th U . S . I n f a n t r y , " T h e R o c k o f t h e M a r n e " ) . T h i s
r e g i m e n t h a d j u s t r e p u l s e d w i t h g r e a t d e t e r m i n a t i o n
a G e r m a n a t t a c k w h i c h h a d s u c c e e d e d i n p a s s i n g t h e
Marne and in pushing ba ck all other troops o f theF r e n c h A r m y t o t h e r i g h t o f t h e 3 8 t h a l o n g a f r o n t o f
e l e v e n k i l o m e t r e s . E x p r e s s i n g c o n f i d e n c e i n h i s a b i l i t y
t o b e a t b a c k t h e e n e m y t h a t h a d j u s t a c c o m p l i s h e d t h e
t i t
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SOISSONS 2 1 3
f e a t o f c r o s s i n g a d i f f i c u l t r i v e r i n h i s p r e s e n c e , G e n e r a l
D e g o u t t e p o i n t e d o u t t o m e t h e p o s i t i o n o f h i s a r m y.
I w a s s h o c k e d . I d i d n ' t s e e h o w i t c o u l d b e i n a w o r s e
p o s i t i o n . G e n e r a l D e g o u t t e , I t h o u g h t , n o t o n l y d i d
n o t h a v e a g h o s t o f a s h o w t o d r i v e t h e e n e m y b a c k
a c r o s s t h e M a r n e , b u t w a s h i m s e l f i n d a n g e r o f d e f e a t
a n d s c a t t e r i n g b y t h e e n e m y . T h e r e c e n t G e r m a n
a t t a c k h a d p u t G e n e r a l D e g o u t t e ' s a r m y w h e r e i t w a s .
A s t h i n g s s t o o d , w i t h a s a l i e n t c r o o k o n t h e M a r n e ' s
s o u t h b a n k a t t h e p o i n t w h e r e C o l o n e l M c A l e x a n d e r
h a d s t o o d , I t h o u g h t t h e G e r m a n s " h a d i t d e a d . "
S o m e t h i n g o u t s i d e i t s e l f m u s t s a v e t h a t a r m y i f i t w a s
t o b e s a v e d . I s a w n o t h i n g b u t r u i n f o r i t i f l e f t t o
i t s e l f . M o r e , i f i t w e r e b e a t e n , P a r i s w a s l o s t a n d t h e
w a r w a s l o s t . S o m e t h i n g , I t h o u g h t , h a d t o b e d o n e
a n d d o n e q u i c k l y . F e e l i n g v e r y b l u e i n d e e d I l e f t
t h e g e n e r a l t o a w a i t t h e a r r i v a l o f m y I V t h C o r p s
H e a d q u a r t e r s . I w a s n o t g l a d t o g o i n t o t h e S i x t h
A r m y .
T h a t n i g h t , I t h i n k i t w a s , t h e A m e r i c a n I I I r d C o r p s
H e a d q u a r t e r s , r e c e n t l y o r g a n i z e d , a r r i v e d i n t h e r e g i o n .
I w a s o r d e r e d t o t a k e i t w i t h o u t d e l a y , a n d w i t h t h e .
1 s t a n d 2 n d d i v i s i o n s r e p o r t t o t h e F r e n c h T e n t h A r m y
t h e n a s s e m b l i n g a t n i g h t i n s e c r e c y i n t h e g r e a t f o r e s t o f
V i l l e r s - C o t t e r e t s , t o t h e n o r t h , i n o r d e r t o a t t a c k a t
o n c e o n t h e w e s t e r n s i d e o f t h e C h a t e a u - T h i e r r y s a l i e n t
t o w a r d S o i s s o n s . T h i s w a s t h e " s o m e t h i n g " t o s a v e
t h e S i x t h A r m y a n d P a r i s . A n y o n e c o u l d s e e t h a t
i t w a s t h e r i g h t t h i n g . A g r e a t s u c c e s s f u l b l o w h e r e
w o u l d n o t o n l y s t o p t h e e n e m y , i t w o u l d d e f e a t a n d
r u i n h i m ; i t w o u l d m e a n t h e b e g i n n i n g o f h i s e n d .
F r o m t h e d e p t h s o f t h e d a y b e f o r e , m y s p i r i t s n o w
s o a r e d . I t w a s f i n e . I h a v e h e a r d M a r s h a l F o c h ' s
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214 PERSONA LIT IES AND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WAR
s t r a t e g y o f t e n s p o k e n o f i n t e r m s o f w o n d e r . Loo king
a t t h e r a i l r o a d , t h e c o u n t r y , a n d t h e e n e m y ' s l i n e ,
h i s s t r a t e g y w a s n o t i n t r i c a t e o r h a r d t o u n d e r s t a n d .
T h e a r t i l l e r y o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n , f o r s o m e d a y s
h e l d i n o u r l a s t s e c t o r f o r s a f e t y o f t h e l i t t l e F r e n c h
r e l i e v i n g d i v i s i o n , h a d o n l y n o w r e j o i n e d i n b a r e t i m e t o
b e t u r n e d a b o u t i n t h e I I I r d C o r p s i n i t s h u r r i e d , s e c r e t
n i g h t m a r c h t o t h e F o r e t d e V i l l e r s - C o t t e r e t s . T h e
i n f a n t r y o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n h a d h a d s o m e d a y s o f r e s t ;
n o t s o t h e a r t i l l e r y . I t w a s t i r e d . B u t t h i s w a s m i d -
J u l y a n d t h e m e n h a d n o s u c h b i t t e r c o l d t o f a c e ; n o r
w e r e t h e h o r s e s n o w a s s t a r v e d a s i n t h e i r m i d - J a n u a r y
t r i p i n i c e a n d s n o w u p t o t h e i r f i r s t s e c t o r i n f a r
L o r r a i n e . T h e h o r s e s b y s t e a d y c a r e h a d e v e n c e a s e d
t o b e o f t h e " r a w - b o n e d b r e e d " t h a t G e n e r a l S u m m e r a l l
a n d I , t h r e e m o n t h s a g o , h a d s o v e h e m e n t l y p r a i s e d t o
G e n e r a l M i c h e l e r . T h ey w e r e n o w o f a r o u n d e d - o u t,
f a t , c h u b b y b r e e d t h a t c o u l d b e t t e r s t a n d w o r k . T h e
d i v i s i o n , t o o , h a d a m p l e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d h a d l e a r n e d
t o u s e i t . A l t o g e t h e r , i t w a s i n g o o d c o n d i t i o n f o r h a r d
w o r k , s e t o u t p r o m p t l y o n i t s j o u r n e y , a n d a r r i v e d
i n g o o d o r d e r o n t i m e .
T h e o t h e r d i v i s i o n o f t h e I I I r d C o r p s , t h e 2 n d , a f t e r
h a r d s e r v i c e i n l i n e f a c i n g t h e e n e m y n e a r C h a t e a u -
T h i e r r y , f o u n d i t s e l f w e a r y , w i t h l e s s t r a n s p o r t a t i o n, a n d
l e s s a b l e t o m o v e w i t h e a s e . A l s o , i t s o r d e r s f o r t h e
m o v e m e n t b y F r e n c h m o t o r t r u c k s s e e m e d i n t h e g r e a t
h u r r y o f t h e t i m e , t o h a v e b e e n d e l a y e d o r n e v e r p e r h a p s
t o h a v e b e e n f o r m a l l y g i v e n o r c o m m u n i c a t e d . T h a t
was conceivable . T h e e n e m y w a s t h r e a t e n i n g a n d
m i g h t a t t a c k ; i t w a s t o h i s a d v a n t a g e t o a t t a ck , a t a n y ,
t h e e a r l i e s t , m o m e n t . T h e Fre n c h a n d t h e A m e r i c a n s
w e r e i n a v e r y n a r r o w r e g i o n , l i t e r a l l y b u z z i n g , s w a r m i n g
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216 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
t o b e t h o u g h t o f . I h a d j u s t s e e n t h e e n e m y ' s f e a r f u l
m e n a c e a t t h e n o s e o f t h e s a l i e n t . We were now go ing
t o a t t a c k t o r e l i e v e t h a t m e n a c e . T h i s h a d t o b e d o n e
q u i c k l y o r i t c o u l d n o t b e d o n e a t a l l . Every h ou r
o f d e l a y m e a n t i n c r e a s i n g c h a n c e s o f d i s c o v e r y b y t h e
e n e m y , w h o , a p p a r e n t l y , t h u s f a r s u s p e c t e d n o t h i n g .
I t h e r e f o r e a t o n c e d e c i d e d ( a s i t h a d b e e n l e f t t o m y
decision by the Americ an Commander- in-Chief) that
m y t w o d i v i s i o n s s h o u l d g o i n t o t h e b a t t l e a s d i v i s i o n s
i n a F r e n c h c o r p s a l r e a d y o n t h e g r o u n d , w i t h i t s o r d e r s
a n d p l a n s a l l r e a d y . T h i s w a s d o n e .
T h e t w o d i v i s i o n s w e r e p l a c e d i n G e n e r a l B e r d o u l a t ' s
c o r p s , t h e 1 s t o n t h e l e f t a n d t h e 2 n d o n t h e r i g h t , w i t h
t h e Morocca n d ivisio n be t w e e n t h e m . Just seven
m o n t h s a g o t o - d a y t h e 1 s t h a d r e l i e v e d t h e M o r o c c a n s
i n f r o n t o f t h e e n e m y i n d i s t a n t L o r r a i n e . T h e y w e r e
v e t e r a n s , w a r r io r s o f a l l t h e r a c e s o f t h e e a r t h - N e g r o e s ,
A r a b i a n s , M o r o c c a n s , C a n a d i a n s , S p a n i a r d s , A m e r i c a n s ,
C h i n e s e , S e n e g a l e s e - e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e s h a p e o f m e n ,
r e m n a n t s o f t h e L e g i o n E t r a n g e r e a n d o t h e r o r g a n i -
z a t i o n s t h a t h a d s l o w l y v a n i s h e d i n f o u r y e a r s o f w a r .
B u t w a r r i o r s a n d v e t e r a n s a s t h e y m i g h t b e , t h e y w e r e
t o - d a y , t o t h e i r m a n i f e s t j o y , t o f i n d t h e m s e l v e s s t a n d -
i n g b e t w e e n y o u n g s o l d i e r s o f A m e r i c a , w h o w e r e n e v e r
t o l a g b e h i n d t h e m , n a y , w h o w e r e o f t e n t o l e a d t h e m
o n t h e b l o o d y f i e l d o f b a t t l e w h i c h l a y b e f o r e u s .
T h e a t t a c k i n g A l l i e d f o r c e s s t r e t c h e d a w a y s o u t h w a r d
to near the Ourcq, northward to ne ar the Aisne . I
a m c o n c e r n e d o n l y w i t h t h e c e n t r e , w h i c h , a s i t p r o v e d ,
w a s t o m a k e t h e p r i n c i p a l a n d d e e p e s t d r i v e . Reac h-
i n g n o r t h f r o m t h e F o r e t d e V i l l e r s - C o t t e r e t s i t f a c e d
e a s t w a r d t o w a r d t h e r a i l r o a d a n d t h e h i g h w a y r u n n i n g
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SOISSONS 217
north and south fro m Soissons to Chateau-T hierry .
Apparently unsuspected, certainly unmolested by
the enemy, my two divisions march ed and moved all
n i g h t o f J u l y 1 7 t h - 1 8 t h , i n o r d e r t o g e t i n t o p o s i t i o n s
f o r t h e a t t a c k i n t h e e a r l y m o r n i n g . Ho w t h e 2 n d
D i v i s i o n t r o o p s e v e r r e a c h e d t h e i r p r o p e r p l a c e s i n t h a t
b l a c k f o r e s t , H e a v e n o n l y k n o w s ; b u t t h e y d i d . T h e
d iv i s i o n c o m m a n d e r, Jam e s G . H a r b o r d , u n t i l l a t e a t
night was drawing up his orders at my own head-
q u a r t e r s a t t h e l i t t l e v i l l a g e o f T a i l l e - F o n t a i n e , a s h i s
d i v i s i o n w a s a r r i v i n g . His own h e a d q u a r t e r s w e r e
y e t t o b e e s t a b l i s h e d s o m e w h e r e i n t h e d e e p f o r e s t .
" Y o u m a y n e v e r f i n d t h e s p o t , " I s a i d , " a n d i f y o u d o ,
i t i s l i k e l y t o b e o n l y a s p o t , n o t a h e a d q u a r t e r s . Sto p
h e r e a n d g i v e y o u r o r d e r s . " He d id .
G e n e r a l S u m m e r a l l h a d t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n ; w e k n o w h i m .
Comma n d i n g t h e 2 n d Div isi o n c a m e G en e r a l J . G .
Harb ord . I t w a s f a r , f a r b a c k , i n 1 9 0 3 , i n f a r J o l o
o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e s i n t h e f o u r t o s i x f e e t t a l l C o g o n
g r a s s , o n o n e o f G e n e r a l W o o d ' s e x p e d i t i o n s , t h a t I h a d
f i r s t n o t e d h i m . I w a s d r i v i n g ( f o r e f f e c t I m i g h t s a y -
l e a d i n g ) m y i n f a n t r y b a t t a l i o n u p a s t e e p h i l l a g a i n s t
h o s t i l e M o r o s i n t h e t a l l g r a s s a n d a m o n g t h e g r e a t
b o u l d e r s o n t h e s l o p e s . I t w a s d i f f i c u l t d r i v i n g ; i t
could be don e well only from h orseback, which, on
a c c o u n t o f i t s v i s i b i l i t y , p u t t h e h o r s e m a n i n m u c h
d a n g e r . I found my lon g line everywhere going up
, w e l l : a h o r s e m a n w h o d i d n o t b e l o n g t o t h e c o m m a n d
a t a l l , w h o h a d j o i n e d i t o n t h e s p o t o f h i s o w n v o l i t i o n ,
f o r t h e f u n , p e r h a p s , f o r t h e f i g h t , t o f e e l t h e t h r i l l ,
was helping me-Harbo rd .
H e r e n o w i n F r a n c e , f o r t h e b a t t l e b e f o r e S o i s s o n s ,
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2 20 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
a n d s o b e t t e r a b l e t o j u d g e o f t h e c o u r s e o f t h e a c t i o n
t h a n t h e a r m y c o m m a n d e r . T h i s , t o o , w a s t h e f i r s t
t u r n i n g o f t h e t i d e o f G e r m a n v i c t o r y , t h e t i d e t h a t
h a d l a s t e d s o l o n g t h a t a l m o s t e v e r y b o d y h a d d e s p a i r e d
o f i t s e v e r t u r n i n g . Co u l d t h e F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r
b e s u r e t h a t i t w a s t u r n i n g ? H e m u s t h a v e s e e n t h a t h e
was winning . W o u l d i t h a v e b e e n r i g h t t o p r e s u m e t o o
m u c h u p o n s u c c e s s ? A l i k e b r e a k a n d a l i k e a t t e m p t e d
u s e o f c a v a l r y b y t h e B r i t i s h A r m y u n d e r G e n e r a l
Byng had last year resulted in bad re verses and a
p r o m p t l os s o f a l l ga i n s . A g a i n , w i t h a l a r g e p a r t o f h i s
a r m y m a d e u p o f A m e r i c a n t r o o p s o f p u s h i n g a n d s t a y -
i n g q u a l i t i e s t o h i m u n k n o w n , i t w a s n a t u r a l f o r t h e
French army commander not to be too darin g . A n d ,
a n y h o w , l i k e a s n a i l t o u c h e d w h e n h a l f o u t o f h i s s h e l l ,
the enemy must now shrink inward from his salient
f o r s h e l t e r a n d s a f e t y .
I c o u l d , I s a y , s e e h o w o u r a r m y c o m m a n d e r m i g h t
h a v e r e a s o n e d t h u s , a n d a c t e d a s h e d i d , s l o w l y a n d
c a u t i o u s l y . I m y s e l f w o u l d n e v e r h a v e s o r e a s o n e d a n d
s o a c t e d . I w o u l d h a v e r i s k e d a l l u p o n a d a s h b y e v e r y
c a v a l r y m an i n m y c o m m a n d . I l o n g e d f o r o n e s i n g l e
A m e r i c a n c a v a l r y d i v i s i o n , l e d b y a n A m e r i c a n c a v a l r y -
m a n t h a t I knew : h e w o u l d h a v e g o n e t h r o u g h o r l o s t
a l l . I f o n t h e f i r s t d a y w e c o u l d h a v e b r o k e n t h r o u g h
t o t h e g r e a t h i g h w a y a n d r a i l r o a d l e a d i n g s o u t h t h r o u g h
S o i s s o n s i n t o t h e C h a t e a u - T h i e r r y s a l i e n t , I s e e n o
reason why the capture of Germans in the Battle of
S o i s s o n s s h o u l d n o t h a v e t u r n e d o u t t w o h u n d r e d t h o u -
s a n d i n s t e a d o f t h e a c t u a l t w e n t y t h o u s a n d .
B u t r e g r e t s w e r e u s e l e s s ; t h e y a r e a l w a y s u s e l e s s .
We won t h e b a t t l e ; i t w a s s a f e l y o u r s . Th a t w a s
e v i d e n t a l m o s t f r o m t h e f i r s t , c e r t a i n l y b y t h e n i g h t
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SOISSONS 2 2 1
o f J u l y 1 8 t h . A l l t h a t f o l l o w e d - a n d t h e r e w e r e t h r e e
a n d o n e h a l f d a y s m o r e o f i t - w a s b u t i n c o n f i r m a t i o n ,
w i t h s o m e g a i n o f g r o u n d b u t l i t t l e a d d i t i o n t o t h e f a c t
u n t i l t h e T e n t h A r m y w a s b r o u g h t t o a s t a n d s t i l l o n t h e
f o u r t h d a y .
T h e 2 n d D i v i s i o n h a d e n t e r e d t h e b a t t l e i n a g r e a t
h u r r y a n d u n d e r g r e a t d i f f i c u l t i e s , m o v i n g u p a t n i g h t
t h r o u g h t h e h e a v y b l a c k F o r e t d e V i l l e r s - C o t t e r e t s .
I t h a d s l e p t l i t t l e o r n o n e f o r t w o n i g h t s . I t s l i n e o f
a t t a c k w a s m u c h i n t h e f o r e s t . I n t w o d a y s i t w a s s o
r e d u c e d b y f a t i g u e , l o s s , a n d s c a t t e r i n g , o w i n g t o t h e
g r e a t d i f f i c u l t i e s o f t h e g r o u n d a n d f o r e s t t h r o u g h
w h i c h i t m o v e d , t h a t i t w a s r e l i e v e d a n d w i t h d r a w n
from the battle . T h e 1 st Div isi o n h av i n g a r r iv e d
h o u r s b e f o r e t h e b a t t l e o p e n e d , a n d a t t a c k i n g o v e r
c o m p a r a t i v e l y o p e n g r o u n d , w a s a b l e t o r e m a i n i n t h e
b a t t l e t h r e e d a y s l o n g e r , i n a l l f i v e d a y s , t w i c e a s l o n g
a s a n y o t h e r d i v i s i o n t h at t o o k p a r t i n t h e a t t a c k . A n d
w h e n i t w a s r e l i e v e d a n d w i t h d r a w n ( N o w , c r i t i c s , l e t
m e a l o n e ; t h i s h a d b e e n m y d i v i s i o n ) i t w i t h d r e w i n
m a r v e l l o u s , n o t h i n g l e s s t h a n m a r v e l l o u s o r d e r , m a r c h i n g
b y o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o d e s i g n a t e d s p o t s f o r h o t p r e p a r e d
m e a l s l A f t e r f i v e d a y s ' f i g h t i n g l I t w a s s t a f f o r g a n i -
z a t i o n t h a t c a u s e d s u c h f u n c t i o n i n g o f s t r a i n e d a n d
b r o k e n p a r t s , s t a f f o r g a n i z a t i o n t h a t , i n c o n s e q u e n c e
o f m y s t u d y a t o u r G . H . Q . i n F r a n c e , h a d b e e n c a r r i e d
f u r t h e r i n t h i s d i v i s i o n t h a n p e r h a p s i n a n y o t h e r e v e r
r a i s e d b y t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
O n e r e g i m e n t , m y o w n o l d 2 6 t h I n f a n t r y , h a d l o s t
e v e r y f i e l d o f f i c e r , s i x , a n d i t s c o l o n e l h a d b e e n k i l l e d .
I t c a m e o u t o f t h e b a t t l e , a f t e r f i v e d a y s , i n f i n e o r d e r ,
c o m m a n d e d b y a m a n o f l e s s t h a n t w o y e a r s o f t o t a l
s e r v i c e ! C a n y o u b e a t t h a t ?
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22 4 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
s t o m a c h, h a r d w o rk, an d m a ny f l i e s . . . . T h e
I I I r d C o r p s H e a d q u a r t e r s , i n t h i s p e r i o d , w a s s t a t i o n e d
a t a l a r g e c h a t e a u n e a r t h e v i l l a g e o f M o r t e F o n t a i n e .
I t w a s a p e r f e c t l y m a g n i f i c e n t p l a c e i n w h i c h t o l i v e ,
i n t h e c e n t r e o f a f i n e p a r k . "
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CHAPTER XXIV
A CROSS T HE SA LIENT
T H E I I I r d C o r p s , s t i l l c o n s i s t i n g o f t h e 1 s t a n d 2 d
D i v i s i o n s , r e m a i n e d i n r e s t n e a r M o r t e F o n t a i n e
s o m e t w o w e e k s . T h e w o r d " r e s t " m u s t h e r e b e
t a k e n i n t h e s p e c i a l s e n s e t h a t i t h a d a c q u i r e d o n l y i n
t h i s w a r . I t m e a n s a s u r c e a s e f r o m t h a t c l o s e , s t r a i n i n g
c o n t a c t a n d m a t c h i n g o f w i t s a n d s t r e n g t h w i t h t h e
e n e m y t h a t g o w i t h m e r e l y b e i n g i n t h e t r e n c h e s o r
i n t h e f r o n t l i n e s : i t w a s n o t r e s t f r o m o t h e r l a b o u r s -
d r i l l , i n s t r u c t i o n , r e f i t t i n g d i s c i p l i n e , r e e q u i p m e n t .
I t w a s , o n t h e c o n t r a r y o n l y a p r e l u d e t o t h e s e b e g i n n i n g
a g a i n a f t e r a f e w d a y s i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r a n e w s t a r t .
A f t e r t h i s " r e s t " t h e C o r p s w a s o r d e r e d t o m o v e
t o C h a r l i n e o n t h e M a r n e . W e m o v e d a t o n c e a n d
t o o k u p o u r h e a d q u a r t e r s i n t h e v i l l a g e o f M o n t S t .
P e r e o n t h e n o r t h b a n k o f t h e M a r n e a f e w r o d s f r o m
a F r e n c h - A m e r i c a n p o n t o o n b r i d g e o v e r t h e r i v e r . I
s a y a f e w r o d s : w h a n I f i r s t l o o k e d a t i t , t h e d i s t a n c e
s e e m e d v e r y m u c h g r e a t e r : i t s h r a n k t o a " f e w r o d s "
w h e n t h e e n e m y ' s a i r p l a n e s t h a t n i g h t a n d e v e r y n i g h t
f o r a w e e k d r o p p e d b o m b s t o t r y t o p u t t h a t i m p o r t a n t
b r i d g e o u t o f c o m m i s s i o n . T h i s i s n o t t h e o n l y i n s t a n c e
t h a t I n o t e d i n t h i s w a r w h e r e , w h e n i t w a s a q u e s t i o n
o f h o w f a r a w a y f r o m o n e p r o j e c t i l e s w e r e f a l l i n g , v e r y
g r e a t d i s t a n c e s s e e m e d t o s h r i n k t o n o t h i n g . N e a r t h i s
b r i d g e w e r e g r o u p e d t h r e e F r e n c h v i l l a g e s , M e z y ,
C h a r l i n e , a n d M o n t S t . P e r e . T h e y h a d b e e n b o m b e d ,
9 9 5
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22 6 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
c h a r r e d , s h a t t e r e d t o r u i n s , a n d w e r e n o w b e i n g r e d u c e d
t o m e r e h u m m o c k s b y f u r t h e r n i g h t l y b o m b i n g b y t h e
enemy's planes from beyond the Vesle . Out o f th e
C h a t e a u - T h i e r r y s a l i e n t t h e e n e m y w a s g o i n g , b u t h e
was going stubbornl y-turning ever and anon like a
w o u n d e d l i o n u p o n h i s a s s a i l a n t .
L i k e m o s t o f t h e r i v e r s i n F r a n c e , t h e M a r n e h a s h i g h
b l u f f s a n d a b r o a d e r b e d w h i c h i t h a d u s e d a s a g r e a t e r
r i v e r i n b y g o n e a g e s . Thes e blu ffs a t Mont St . P e r e
w e r e f i l l e d w i t h c a v e s , o n e o f w h i c h w a s c o n v e n i e n t l y
n e a r t o m y h e a d q u a r t e r s . Wh e n t h e e n e m y ' s r e -
v e r b e r a t i n g b o m b i n g b e g a n , I t h o u g h t I w o u l d g o l i v e
i n t h e c a v e , b u t b e f o r e I c o u l d b e g i n , I w a s r e l i e v e d
b y a h a p p y i n c i d e n t . A passing enemy plane dropped
t h e b i g g e s t a n d t h e l o u d e s t b o m b t h a t I e v e r h e a r d
e x p l o d e . I t f e l l i n t h e v i l l a g e o f M o n t S t . P e r e , a g a i n
" a f e w r o d s " f r o m w h e r e I w a s . I a l m o s t s a i d t o m y -
s e l f , l i k e o t h e r c o w a r d s t h a t I h a v e k n o w n , t h a t I w a s t h e
o n l y o n e o f t h e w h o l e h e a d q u a r t e r s t h a t w a s n o t k i l l e d .
T h e n I wen t t o l o ok, fo u n d t h a t t h e b o m b h a d e x -
p l o d e d c l o s e b e s i d e t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f f i c e s a n d n o t
a s o u l h a d b e e n h u r t l I d i d n o t t h i n k i t w o r t h w h i l e
t o g o i n t o t h e c a v e . T h i s w a s t h e f r o n t o f t h e F r e n c h
S i x t h A r m y ( G e n e r a l D e g o u t t e ) , w h o s e p r e c a r i o u s p o s i -
t i o n h a d t h r e e w e e k s b e f o r e m a d e m e f e a r f o r t h e w h o l e
A l l i e d c a u s e . T h a n k s p a r t l y t o i t s o w n s t a y i n g q u a l -
i t i e s b u t m o r e t o t h e p u n c h i n t h e e n e m y ' s s i d e s b y
t h e F r e n c h T e n t h A r m y a n d t h e A m e r i c a n I I I r d C o r p s
a t t h e B a t t l e o f S o i s s o n s , t h a t p o s i t i o n w a s n o w c h a n g e d .
The Frenc h Sixth Army an d Ame rica n Ist Corps to -
g e t h e r h a d n o w g o n e t o t h e V e s l e , d r i v i n g a n d f o l l o w -
i n g t h e w o u n d e d l i o n .
I n t h i s S i x t h A r m y , a f t e r a f e w d a y s , I w a s t o t a k e
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A CROSS T HE SALIENT 2 2 9
T h e Chateau-Th ierry s a l i e n t w a s s l o w l y b e i n g
c r u s h e d i n , t h e e n e m y p i v o t i n g o n R h e i m s a n d s w i n g i n g
h i s r i g h t f l a n k b a c k w a r d t h r o u g h S o i s s o n s . His s win g
b a c k w a r d h a d b e c o m e v e r y s l o w i n d e e d b y t h e t i m e h e
h a d r e a c h e d t h e V e s l e - o n t h e f r o n t o f t h e F r e n c h S i x t h
Army. H e w a s c o n t e s t i n g e v e r y f o o t o f g r o u n d , e v e r y
p o i n t o f c o n t a c t . At the same time, changing orders
f r o m h i g h e r c o m m a n d m a d e i t r a t h e r d i f f i c u l t f o r m e
t o k n o w e x a c t l y w h a t t o d o o r h o w t o d o i t .
T h e C o m m a n d e r o f t h e S i x t h A r m y , G e n e r a l D e g o u t t e
h a d a r e p u t a t i o n a s a f i g h t e r e v e r s i n c e t h e d a y s o f
Verdun, and he was demonstrati ng great impatience
a t n o t b e i n g a l l o w e d t o p u s h t h e e n e m y h a r d . Ru m o u r s
w e r e r e a c h i n g u s t h a t t h e F r e n c h h a d t o o m a n y a r m i e s ,
t h a t t h e y m u s t b e c o n s o l i d a t e d , i n c r e a s e d i n s i z e a n d
reduced in numb er-and that General Degoutte's was
one of those to go . Th e Sixth A r m y was a c t u a l l y
o r d e r e d t o b e r e l i e v e d , a n d I r e p o r t e d t o t h e F r e n c h
army next on its right, toward Rheims . T h e r e l i e f
w a s n o t a c c o m p l i s h e d , h o w e v e r , b e f o r e t h e o r d e r w a s
revoked . The changing of orders caused much un-
c e r t a i n t y . In t h e m e a n t i m e t h e e n e m y , w i t h l o n g -
r a n g e g u n s , w a s p o u n d i n g a w a y a t e v e r y v i l l a g e , r o a d ,
a n d p i e c e o f w o o d u p o n m y f r o n t . A t t w o o r t h r e e
p o i n t s D e g o u t t e ' s t r o o p s ( A m e r i c a n t r o o p s ) h a d c r o s s e d
t h e V e s l e a f e w y a r d s , n o t m o r e .
The General was determined to hold these little
c r o s s i n g s a s b r i d g e h e a d s , n o t a b l y t h e o n e a t t h e v i l l a g e
o f F i s m e s . I n d o i n g s o t h e f i g h t i n g w a s m a d e p r a c t i c a l l y
c o n t i n u o u s , w i t h h e a v y , s t e a d y l o s s e s o n o u r s i d e . Of
c o u r s e t h e l o s s e s w e r e n o t o n e - s i d e d , b u t w h a t l o s s e s w e
w e r e i n f l i c t i n g u p o n t h e e n e m y w e r e u n k n o w n a n d i t
s e e m e d t o o u r n e w A m e r i c a n t r o ops t h a t t h e w h o l e
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2 30 PERSONALITIES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
t h i n g w a s o n e - s i d e d , t h a t t h e y w e r e s u s t a i n i n g a l l t h e
l o s s e s . T h i s v i e w w a s o f c o u r s e d u e t o i n e x p e r i e n c e .
M o s t o f t h e t r o o p s n o w c o m p o s i n g m y c o r p s h a d b e e n
i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e e n e m y o n l y a v e r y s h o r t t i m e , a n d
o n e o f t h e d i v i s i o n s ( t h e 7 7 t h ) w a s n o w f o r t h e f i r s t
t i m e r e a l l y e n t e r i n g b a t t l e . T h i s f e e l i n g c a u s e d c o n -
s i d e r a b l e d e p r e s s i o n f o r a s h o r t t i m e .
T h e c o v e r f o r o u r t r o o p s w a s a l s o w e l l k n o w n t o t h e
e n e m y w h o h a d j u s t r e t r e a t e d o v e r t h e g r o u n d t h a t w e
w e r e n o w o c c u p y i n g . I n h i s p o s i t i o n n o r t h o f t h e V e s l e ,
h e h a d b e e n a b l e t o m a i n t a i n h i m s e l f w i t h l i t t l e l a b o u r ,
b e c a u s e t h e s e w e r e p o s i t i o n s t h a t h a d l o n g b e e n o c c u -
p i e d , h a v i n g b e e n v e r y c a r e f u l l y p r e p a r e d b y t h e F r e n c h
a g a i n s t a G e r m a n p u s h f r o m t h e d i r e c t i o n o f C h e m i n -
d e s -Dames . T h e b l u f f s w e r e h o n e y c o m b e d w i t h c a v e s ;
s o m e t i m e s i n a s i n g l e o n e a h u n d r e d m e n c o u l d l i v e
i n s h e l t e r a n d c o m f o r t . From t h e s e c av e s t h e e n e my
s a l l i e d f o r t h a t e v e r y l i t t l e e f f o r t o f o u r s t o c r o s s t h e
river, and turned his de adly machine guns upon us
a t s h o r t r a n g e . I t w a s a l l t h e e a s i e r f o r h i m , b e c a u s e
t h e w h o l e s t r e a m w a s u n d e r o b s e r v a t i o n f r o m h i s c a v e s .
H e w a s a b l e t h u s t o r e a c h w i t h h i s l o n g - r a n g e g u n s o u r
t r o o p s i n n e a r l y a l l o f t h e i r p o s i t i o n s . I w a s s u r p r i s e d ,
a f t e r a l l , a t t h e i n e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h i s l o n g - r a n g e
f i r e . In ma ny pl a c e s I saw t h a t o u r t r o ops i n t h e
s e c o n d p o s i t i o n w e r e t h i c k l y c r o w d e d u n d e r e v e r y h i l l
a n d i n a l m o s t e v e r y v a l l e y : men, horses, wagons,
s u p p l i e s , a n d a r t i l l e r y , i n e n o r m o u s m a s s e s . For the
f i r s t f e w d a y s o f t h i s c o n d i t i o n I w a s g r e a t l y w o r r i e d
a n d s p e n t m u c h o f m y t i m e d r i v i n g o f f i c e r s t o s c a t t e r
t h e s e t r o o p s . T h e n I s a w t h a t t h e s e m a s s e s w e r e n o t
b e i n g d e s t r o y e d , a n d t h a t t h e y w e r e n o t s u f f e r i n g , a n d
I l e t t h e m a l o n e . The enemy was having all he cou ld
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23 2 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
l o n g - r a n g e f i r e w a s d a n g e r o u s . I t w a s ; b u t t h e f i l t h a n d
t h e m y r i a d s o f f l i e s w e r e m u c h m o r e d a n g e r o u s . I n t h e
midst of fighting and pushing onward there was no
s u c h t h i n g a s s a v i n g o n e ' s s e l f f r o m e i t h e r f i l t h o r f l i e s ,
a n d e v e r y b o d y w a s m o r e o r l e s s i l l . I t h i n k t h a t h a d
i t b e e n i n o u r o w n c o u n t ry s u c h c o n d i t i o n s w o u l d
h a v e c r e a t e d a c a t a s t r o p h e . Here, how ever, it wa s
n o t s o , f o r w h a t r e a s o n , I h a v e n e v e r b e e n a b l e t o t e l l ;
per h aps b e c a u s e o f a d e t e r m i n a t i o n upo n t h e pa r t
o f o u r o f f i c e r s a n d m e n n o t t o g i v e w a y t o a n y s i c k n e s s ,
b u t t o f i g h t i t o u t .
A f t e r s o m e t w o w e e k s o f t h i s t e r r i b l e l i f e o f f i l t h a n d
f l i e s , d u r i n g w h i c h t i m e I w a s c o n t i n u o u s l y i l l , I h a d
t o g o a n d t a k e a p h y s i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n t o a s c e r t a i n m y
f i t n e s s t o r e m a i n o n d u t y i n F r a n c e . I w a s s o i l l a n d
r e d u c e d t h a t I w a s c o n s o l i n g m y s e l f w i t h t h e t h o u g h t
t h a t , a t a n y r a t e , I h a d n o t f a i l e d i n t h e w a r ; t h a t , i f
I c o u l d n o t o n a c c o u n t o f p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n , c o n t i n u e
i n t h e f i e l d I h a d d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t I h a d n e v e r t h e l e s s
c a r r i e d f o r w a r d m y c o m m a n d t o n e x t t o t h e h i g h e s t t h a t
c o u l d b e g i v e n . I was physicall y so run down t hat
i f t h e d o c t o r s h a d s a i d " Q u i t , " I c o u l d n o t h a v e m u r -
m u r e d . W h e n I t o o k m y e x a m i n a t i o n I w a s b r e a t h l e s s .
I e x p e c t e d o n e v e r d i c t - " U n f i t . " T h e d o c t o r s f i n i s h e d .
O n t h e i r s a y i n g n o t h i n g I a s k e d , " H o w a b o u t i t P "
" O h , y o u a r e g o o d f o r t e n y e a r s m o r e . " I w a s a l i v e
a g a i n . It rea l ly s o m u c h i n c r e a s e d my n e rv e t h a t
f r o m t h a t m i n u t e I b e g a n t o g a i n . I h a d r e a l l y b e e n
s c a r e d h a l f i n t o d i s a b i l i t y b y t h e f e a r t h a t I s h o u l d b e
f o u n d d e f i c i e n t p h y s i c a l l y .
U n d e r t h e f i r e o f a q u e e r o l d l o n g - r a n g e, l o w -
v e l o c i t y G e r m a n g u n t h a t k e p t d r o p p i n g i t s g r e a t s h e l l s
i n o u r v i c i n i t y , I h a d s o o n t o m o v e t h e c o r p s h e a d q u a r -
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A CROSS THE SA LIENT 2 3 3
t e r s o u t o f C o u l a n g e t o a b o u t a m i l e o f f t o o n e s i d e o f t h e
m a i n r o a d . T h e r e t h e w o r k o f t h e c o r p s w e n t o n
q u i e t l y , a s w e l i s t e n e d t o t h e d r o p p i n g o f t h e b i g s h e l l s
i n t h e p r a c t i c a l l y v a c a n t v i l l a g e o f C o u l a n g e . T h i s
o l d g u n o f t h e e n e m y ' s s e n t t h e n o i s e o f i t s d i s c h a r g e f a r
a h e a d o f t h e a r r i v a l o f i t s p r o j e c t i l e , a n d a c t u a l l y t h u s
c a u s e d v e r y m u c h m o r e c o m m o t i o n t h r o u g h f e a r t h a n
t h r o u g h a n y a c t u a l d a n g e r . Y o u h e a r d t h e d i s c h a r g e ,
a n d d i e d o f f e a r l o n g b e f o r e t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e p r o j e c t i l e .
B e s i d e s i t s o w n h e a v y c o r p s a r t i l l e r y w h i c h w a s n o w
a r r i v i n g , t h e I I I r d C o r p s h a d b e e n a s s i g n e d a c o n s i d e r -
a b l e q u a n t i t y o f F r e n c h a r t i l l e r y . A s I h a v e b e f o r e r e -
m a r k e d , t h e F r e n c h , a l w a y s g r e a t a r t i l l e r i s t s , h a d i n
t h e i r l o n g i n t e r v a l o f s t a b i l i z e d t r e n c h w a r f a r e l e a r n e d
m o r e t h a n e v e r t o r e l y u p o n t h e a l m o s t u n l i m i t e d u s e
o f a r t i l l e r y . N o w , w i t h t h e A m e r i c a n a n d t h e F r e n c h
c o r p s a r t i l l e r y o n h a n d , o u r o l d l o n g - r a n g e , s l o w -
a r r i v i n g , G e r m a n g u n c o u l d n o t a t a n y o n e t i m e a n n o y
u s f o r l o n g . I t w a s e v i d e n t l y t o o b i g t o b e m o v e d v e r y
o f t e n a n d , o n c e l o c a t e d , w e c o u l d " s h o o t h i m u p "
i n g o o d W e s t e r n o r F r e n c h s t y l e .
A l i t t l e w a y b e h i n d t h e f i r s t h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e c o r p s
a t C o u l a n g e w a s a l i t t l e v i l l a g e . I n p a s s i n g t h r o u g h
I n o t i c e d a l w a y s a s t r i n g o f s o l d i e r s a n d c i v i l i a n s h a l t i n g
a t a g r a v e o u t o n a f i e l d . M a n y t i m e s d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d
m y c o r p s o c c u p i e d t h i s r e g i o n I p a s s e d t h a t s a m e p l a c e ;
a n d n e v e r , w h e t h e r e a r l y o r l a t e , d i d I f a i l t o s e e a
c o n t i n u o u s s t r e a m o f m e n p a s s i n g t h a t s a m e g r a v e .
I t w a s Q u e n t i n R o o s e v e l t ' s . S o g r e a t i s t h e f a m e o f a
n a m e . E v e n i n t h e m i d s t o f w a r a n d c o n t i n u o u s d a n -
g e r , m e n d i d n o t f a i l t o p a y t h e i r r e s p e c t t o i t .
N o w , a f t e r s o m e w e e k s o f c o n t i n u o u s f i g h t i n g a n d
s m a l l o p e r a t i o n s a l o n g t h e V e s l e , w i t h o n e e f f o r t f o l l o w -
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A CROSS THE SALIENT 2 3 5
h e l d o n t o c e r t a i n s m a l l p o i n t s , n o t a b l y F i s m e s , o n
t h i s r i v e r , w h e r e f o r a f e w y a r d s A m e r i c a n t r o o p s h a d
p a s s e d t h e s t r e a m . T h e s e p o i n t s w e r e a l l c o m m a n d e d
f r o m t h e r i v e r b l u f f s a n d h i l l s j u s t t o t h e n o r t h . A d -
v a n c e a t a n y p o i n t o n m y f r o n t s e e m e d h o p e l e s s f r o m
t h e s e s o - c a l l e d b r i d g e h e a d s . Y e t t h e F r e n c h g e n e r a l
w a s c o n s t a n t l y i n s i s t i n g u p o n r a i d s f r o m t h e s e s m a l l
p o i n t s w i t h a v i e w t o e n l a r g i n g h i s " b r i d g e h e a d s . "
T h e s e s m a l l o p e r a t i o n s s e e m e d t o m e t o o f f e r n o c h a n c e
w o r t h t h e r i s k a n d t h e l o s s o f l i f e . O n m y r i g h t a n d l e f t
w e r e F r e n c h c o r p s t h a t a p p a r e n t l y t o o k q u i t e t h e s a m e
v i e w . I n F i s m e t t e , t h e p o r t i o n o f t h e v i l l a g e o f F i s m e s
o n t h e n o r t h s i d e o f t h e V e s l e , I h a d a s i n g l e c o m p a n y o f
i n f a n t r y , 1 5 0 m e n , o f t h e 2 8 t h ( P e n n s y l v a n i a ) D i v i s i o n .
O n e d a y I w a s o r d e r e d t o m a k e a r a i d w i t h t h i s c o m -
p a n y . I t w a s c a r r i e d o u t w i t h g r e a t d e t e r m i n a t i o n ,
b u t t h e b l u f f s o f t h e r i v e r t o t h e e a s t , n o r t h , a n d n o r t h -
w e s t w e r e l i n e d w i t h e n e m y m a c h i n e g u n s , a n d t h e
c o m p a n y , t h u s c o v e r e d o n t h r e e s i d e s b y t h e e n e m y ' s
f i r e , h a d n o s u c c e s s . I t w a s d r i v e n b a c k i n t o i t s c e l l a r s
i n F i s m e t t e . T h i s c o m p a n y c o u l d b e r e i n f o r c e d a n d f e d
a t n i g h t o n l y a c r o s s a b r o k e n b r i d g e , n o w n o t e v e n a f o o t
b r i d g e . T h i s c r o s s i n g w a s s w e p t f r o m t w o d i r e c t i o n s
b y e n e m y m a c h i n e - g u n f i r e , a n d m e n c r o s s e d , w h e t h e r
b y d a y o r n i g h t , o n l y a t i n t e r v a l s , a n d t h e n o n l y a m a n a t
a t i m e . I n s h o r t , m e n c o u l d n o t c o u n t o n g e t t i n g a c r o s s .
I t w a s e v i d e n t t h a t w h e n e v e r t h e e n e m y d e s i r e d
h e c o u l d w i p e o u t t h e c o m p a n y o n t h e n o r t h b a n k o f
t h e V e s l e . A f t e r i t s f a i l u r e i n t h e r a i d o r d e r e d b y
G e n e r a l D e g o u t t e , I o r d e r e d t h a t c o m p a n y w i t h d r a w n
t o t h e s o u t h b a n k o f t h e V e s l e m a n b y m a n a t n i g h t .
M y c h i e f - o f - s t a f f , w h o w a s v e r y m u c h i n f a v o u r
o f t h e F r e n c h g e n e r a l ' s i d e a o f " b r i d g e h e a d s , " k n e w
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CHAPTER XXV
THE FRENCH MORALE
FO R a y e a r a f t e r r e a c h i n g F r a n c e I w a s w i t h t h e
F r e n c h . F o r s o m e t h r e e w e e k s n o w , w h i l e t u s -
s l i n g w i t h t h e e n e m y a l o n g t h e V e s l e , I w a s n o t o n l y
f i g h t i n g b e s i d e b u t a l s o c o m m a n d i n g t h e F r e n c h .
T h i s g r e a t e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y n a t u r a l l y t u r n e d m y t h o u g h t
a n d a t t e n t i o n m o r e u p o n t h e m .
T h e I t a l i a n d e f e a t a t t h e e n d o f O c t o b e r , 1 9 1 7 , c o m i n g
c u r r e n t l y w i t h t h e R u s s i a n d e f e c t i o n a n d A m e r i c a n
s l o w n e s s o f e n t r y i n t o t h e w a r , g r e a t l y d e p r e s s e d t h e
F r e n c h . I t d i d n o t s h o w s u d d e n l y b u t s e e m e d t o c o m e
u p o n t h e m i n a s o r t o f s l o w , d o g g e d r e s i g n at i o n w h i c h
b e c a m e m o r e a n d m o r e f i x e d a s i n t h e s u c c e e d i n g w e e k s
a n d m o n t h s I t a l y n o t o n l y s h o w e d l i t t l e o r n o c o m e -
b a c k , b u t w a s c a l l i n g t o t h e A l l i e s f o r h e l p a s t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s f o r c e s i n E u r o p e i n t h e s a m e m o n t h s s h o w ed
l i t t l e w a r - e f f e c t i v e i n c r e a s e , a n d a s t h e G e r m a n s m o r e
a n d m o r e t h r e a t e n e d t h e i r g r e a t s p r i n g o f f e n s i v e . T h e
F r e n c h h a d i n t h o s e d a y s b e e n e x p e c t i n g t o o m u c h o f
o u r n a t i o n a l e f f o r t a s t h e G e r m a n s l a t e r e x p e c t e d
t o o l i t t l e .
Y e t t h e r e w a s n o s h a r p , m a n i f e s t , o p e n g l o o m . I t
w a s a s t a t e o f s o r r o w , o f d a r k e n e d h o p e , w h i c h I a t t h e
t i m e f e a r e d w o u l d p r o v e f a t a l t o F r e n c h a g g r e s s i v e n e s s
f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e w a r . F r e n c h c i v i l a n d m i l i t a r y
a u t h o r i t i e s w e r e p u t t i n g f o r t h t h e i r b e s t e f f o r t s t o h e l p
i m p r o v e m o r a l e i n t h e m s e l v e s a n d o t h e r s . " T o - d a y
2 3 9
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2 4 0 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
[ N o v e m b e r 2 5 , 1 9 1 7 ] , I h e a r d a v i g o r o u s , c h e e r f u l ,
f i g h t i n g F r e n c h g e n e r a l [ H i r s c h a u e r ] s p e a k . H i s s p i r i t
w a s c o n t a g i o u s . I t d i d m e g o o d t o h e a r h i m . I s h a l l
t r y t o i m i t a t e h i s s p i r i t a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n . " I n t h o s e
dark days I was thrown much among French troops
a n d s a w t h e i r o f f i c e r s a n d m e n . I l i v e d f o r a w e e k i n
a m e s s i n f r e e a n d c l o s e r e l a t i o n w i t h t h e o f f i c e r s o f a
F r e n c h d i v i s i o n h e a d q u a r t e r s . T h e s e m e n h a d b e e n
a t w a r f r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g . T h e i r s l e e v e s w e r e
c o v e r e d w i t h c o l u m n s o f g o l d c h e v r o n s s h o w i n g w o u n d s
a n d l o n g s e r v i c e a t t h e f r o n t i n f i e l d a n d t r e n c h . T h e
m e m o r y o f n o o n e o f t h e m c o u l d r e a c h b a c k f o r e v e n
a f e w w e e k s w i t h o u t c o m i n g u p o n c o m r a d e s , b r o t h e r s
f a l l e n a n d l o s t , g o n e a s t h e y a l s o m u s t e x p e c t t o g o .
A l l h a d l o s t a n d w e r e s t i l l l o s i n g . Y e t t h e r e w a s n o t
g l o o m a m o n g t h e m : t h e r e w a s a q u i e t p a t i e n c e t h a t
a m o u n t e d a l m o s t t o c h e e r f u l n e s s . T h e y f a c e d p r e s e n t
d a n g e r w i t h c a r e b u t u n f l i n c h i n g l y a n d s e e m e d n o t t o
w o r r y a b o u t t h e f u t u r e , b l a c k a s i t l o o k e d . T h e m e s s
l i v e d w e l l a n d f o r m a l l y . T h e r e w a s n o d e m o r a l i z a t i o n .
T h e c o n v e r s a t i o n w a s u p o n o r d i n a r y s u b j e c t s , c h e e r f u l ,
o f t e n g a y o r e v e n j o l l y . A n d t h e Fr e n c h s o l d i e r -
h e c a r r i e d t h e c a l m , s t e a d y m a n n e r o f t h e v e t e r a n ,
n o m a t t e r h o w y o u t h f u l h i s l o o k s .
T h e d e p r e s s i o n w a s t h e r e a n d n o t g o i n g a w a y .
"Decemb er 3 d . I n E n g l a n d , F r a n c e , a n d t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s t h e r e i s m u c h t a l k o f f i g h t i n g o n , b u t n o w t h e y
a r e b e g i n n i n g t o s a y ` t o t h e e n d . ' T h e e n d m a y b e
anything . Th e r e h a s r e c e n t ly be e n put i n France
a r e s i s t i n g g o v e r n m e n t . T h a t i s t h e s p i r i t , b u t e v e n
s i n c e t h e n e w g o v e r n m e n t w e n t i n t w o w e e ks a g o
I s e e s i g n s o f l o s s o f i n t e r e s t i n t h e p e o p l e . W h a t e v e r
m a y b e t h e s p i r i t o r c o m p l e x i o n o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t , F r a n c e
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THE FRENCH MORALE 241
i s n o t g o i n g t o f i g h t [ o f f e n s i v e l y , I m e a n t ] a n y m o r e i n t h i s
w a r . Th ey h ave f i n i s h e d u n l e s s f o r c e d by Ge r m a ny . "
D u r i n g t h e l a s t h a l f o f 1 9 1 7 t h e F r e n c h h a d f o u g h t
l i t t l e , t h e B r i t i s h m u c h a n d h a r d . T h e e n e m y w a s
n o t f o r c i n g t h e f i g h t i n g u p o n e i t h e r a n d t h e r e w a s
p l a i n l y f o r t h e B r i t i s h n o h o p e o f a n y r e a l s u c c e s s .
T h e y s a i d t h e y w e r e " w e a r i n g t h e e n e m y d o w n . "
W e a r i n g t h e e n e m y d o w n , i n d e e d ! A n y f o o l c o u l d s e e
t h a t t h e y w e r e w e a r i n g t h e m s e l v e s d o w n . I c o u l d n ot
u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e y p e r s i s t e d i n f i g h t i n g . S i n c e t h e n
M a r s h a l H a i g h a s t o l d u s . T h e F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r ,
G e n e r a l P e t a i n , h a d a s k e d i t i n o r d e r t o a t t r a c t t h e e n -
e m y ' s a t t e n t i o n a w a y f r o m t h e F r e n c h , w h o , i n t h e i r r e -
d u c e d m o r a l e , c o u l d n o t n o w f i g h t . T h i s e x p l a i n s t h e
a p p a r e n t s e n s e l e s s n e s s o f t h e B r i t i s h i s s u c h p e r s i s t e n t ,
h a r d , u n p r o f i t a b l e f i g h t i n g a t t h e t i m e . A n d t h a t
f i g h t i n g d i d d r a w t h e G e r m a n s t o t h e B r i t i s h f r o n t .
A n y e n e m y o r d e r - o f - b a t t l e m a p o f t h e t i m e w i l l s h o w
t h e e n e m y a b o u t t w i c e a s s t r o n g o n t h e B r i t i s h a s o n t h e
F r e n c h f r o n t .
A n d , e n p a s s a n t , w h y c o u l d t h e B r i t i s h c o n t i n u e t h e
f i g h t a n d t h e F r e n c h n o t ? T h e s t a t e o f e x h a u s t i on
s e e m e d a b o u t t h e s a m e f o r b o t h . I b e l i e v e t h e a n s w e r
l i e s i n t h e o n e w o r d , d i s c i p l i n e . F r e n c h o f f i c e r s , o u r
o f f i c e r s , a n d o t h e r s h a v e s e e m e d t o t h i n k t h a t F r e n c h
s o l d i e r s w e r e e x c e p t i o n s t o t h e g e n e r a l i t y o f s o l d i e r s ;
t h a t t h e y d i d n o t n e e d , t h a t t h e y w o u l d f i g h t w i t h o u t ,
t h e h a r d b a n d s o f d i s c i p l i n e f o u n d n e c e s s a r y i n o t h e r
p e o p l e s . T h o s e b a n d s o f . d i s c i p l i n e , a s i s w e l l k n o w n
h a d c o n s e q u e n t l y n e v e r b e e n , a n d w e r e n o t i n 1 9 1 7 ,
p u t u p o n F r e n c h s o l d i e r s a s u p o n t h e B r i t i s h . No
s e v e r e r , n o m o r e e x a c t i n g d i s c i p l i n e - a s i t s e e m e d f r o m
a l l r e p o r t s a n d i n d i c a t i o n s - w a s e v e r p l a c e d u p o n m e n
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2 4 4 PERSONA LIT IES AND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
h o u r s w o u l d n o t a d v a n c e w i t h u s ; w e c o u l d n ' t a d v a n c e "
- b u t t h e u n i f o r m i t y a n d n u m b e r o f t h e s e c l a i m s c a r -
r i e d s o m e c o n v i c t i o n o f t h e i r t r u t h .
T h e i l l f e e l i n g ( i t a m o u n t e d a l m o s t t o t h a t ) w h i c h
I f o u n d e x i s t i n g b e t w e e n F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n s i n t h e
Fren c h Sixth A r my w h e n I ent e r e d i t w a s d u e v e ry
l a r g e l y t o t h e A m e r i c a n s ' b e l i e f t h a t t h e F r e n c h w o u l d
n o t s t a n d b e s i d e t h e m i n f r o n t o f t h e e n e m y . A t t h e
e n d o f t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 1 8 , a l m o s t t o t h e e n d o f t h e
w a r , t h e F r e n c h , t h o u g h r i s i n g i n m o r a l e , w e r e f i g h t i n g
w a r i l y , w i t h l i t t l e o f f e n c e , b y n o m e a n s i t s e e m e d t o m e ,
w i t h t h e e l a n f o r w h i c h t h e y h a v e a l w a y s b e e n f a m e d .
They were weary now . T h e y f a c e d t h e e n e m y , b u t t h e y
f a c e d h i m w i t h o u t h e a r t . Th ey wer e t h e m o s t w a r -
w o r n , w a r - e x h a u s t e d p o o r f e l l o w s t h a t t h e w o r l d h a s
e v e r h e l d , I a m s u r e . T h e y h a d s e e n w a r i n a l l o f i t s
d e a d l y p h a s e s , t h e y h a d s e e n s o m a n y c o m r a d e s f a l l
a t t h e i r s i d e a n d d i s a p p e a r f o r e v e r , s o m a n y i r r e s i s t i b l e
d r i v e s o f t h e e n e m y , t h a t s t o l i d i t y w a s u p o n t h e m a n d
o f f e n c e s e e m e d d e a d w i t h i n t h e m . When req uired th ey
w e n t t h r o u g h t h e f o r m o f e x e c u t i n g a n a t t a c k , b u t t h e y
p u t n o p u s h i n t o i t .
I c o u l d n o t b l a m e t h e m . A t t h i s s t a g e o f t h e w a r i t
l o o k e d a s t h o u g h t h e e n e m y ' s l i n e s w e r e c o m p o s e d o f
o n ly m a c h i n e g u n s, t h e m o s t d e a d ly a r m t h a t t h i s
war developed. T o a t t e mpt t o d r iv e a g a i n s t t h e s e
enemy machine guns, except after a complete wreck
o f h i s l i n e i n a n o v e r w h e l m i n g a t t a c k b y f i r e m e a n t
o n l y s o r r o w . The anxiety of the commander of the
F r e n c h S i x t h A r m y t o a c q u i r e l i t t l e b r i d g e h e a d s o v e r t h e
V e s l e r e s u l t e d i n r e p e a t e d u n s u c c e s s f u l e f f o r t s t o p u s h
t h e s e t r o o p s a g a i n s t s u c h m a c h i n e - g u n f i r e . A t t a c k s
w o u l d s t a r t i n d u e f o r m , b u t t h e F r e n c h t r o o p s h a d
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THE FRENCH MORALE 2 4 5
t h e w i s d o m a l w a y s t o s t o p b e f o r e a n n i h i l a t i o n . In
this they were most skilful . Long expe rience had
t a u g h t t h e m h o w t o s a v e t h e m s e l v e s . A m e r i c a n
t r o o p s , d o i n g t h e s a m e t h i n g b e s i d e t h e m , l o s t t w i c e
a s m a ny men .
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CHAPTER XXVIB EY OND T HE VESLE
O N T H E I I I r d C o r p s ' f i r s t c o m i n g i n t o l i n e , w e h a d
h e a r d s t o r i e s o f t r a p s , b o m b s , p o i s o n s , a n d v a r i o u s
k i n d s o f e x p l o s i v e t r i c k s p r e p a r e d a n d l e f t b y t h e r e t i r i n g
e n e m y t o k i l l t h o u g h t l e s s s o l d i e r s o f o u r a r m y c o m i n g
be h i n d t h e m . A n i c e Germa n h e l me t l e f t upon t h e
g r o u n d i s p i c k e d u p , o r a d o o r t o s o m e a t t r a c t i v e a p a r t -
m e n t i s o p e n e d , c a u s i n g a f a t a l e x p l o s i o n . I h a d t a k e n
p a i n s t o w a r n o u r m e n o f t h e s e t h i n g s , a n d w e e s c a p e d
w i t h v e r y f e w a c c i d e n t s .
I t h i n k , a l s o , t h a t d o w n t o t h e l o w e s t G e r m a n s o l d i e r ,
t h e e n e my w e r e n o w r e a l i z i n g t h a t t h ey w e r e b e i n g
b e a t e n a n d t h a t f r i g h t f u l n e s s a n d c u s s e d n e s s w o u l d
n o t o n l y f a i l t o c r e a t e t h e i r i n t e n d e d e f f e c t , b u t w o u l d
b e g r e a t l y i n t h e i r d i s f a v o u r i n t h e f i n a l s e t t l e m e n t .
The c ount ry over w hich the IIIrd Corps a dvance d
h a d b e e n c o m p l e t e l y c l e a r e d o f e v e r y t h i n g o f s e r v i c e t o
t h e l i f e o f t h e s o l d i e r , a n d v i l l a g e s a n d f a r m s h a d b e e n
v e r y c o m p l e t e l y w r e c k e d b y a r t i l l e r y f i r e f r o m b o t h
s i d e s . B u t a s i n m o s t o t h e r c a s e s c o m i n g u n d e r my
o b s e r v a t i o n i n 1 9 1 8 , t h e g r e a t e r p o r t i o n o f t h e w r e c k i n g
w a s d o n e b y t h e a r t i l l e r y o f t h e A l l i e s , n o t b y t h a t o f
t h e G e r m a n s . I n t h e l a s t y e a r o f t h e w a r , a r t i l l e r y
a m m u n i t i o n s e e m e d a b u n d a n t a n d s upe r a b u n d a n t w i t h
t h e A l l i e s . Th ey simply sen t i t upon t h e e n e my's
p o s i t i o n i n s t r e a m s . The Fren ch, as I have sai d,
u s e d i t t o s a v e t h e i r i n f a n t r y . They told me that the
2 4 6
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BEYOND THE VESLE 24 7
B r i t i s h w e r e f a r m o r e p r o f u s e t h a n t h e y i n i t s u s e , a n d
t h e y ( t h e F r e n c h ) w e r e i n c l i n e d t o b e c r i t i c a l o f t h e
B r i t i s h f o r i n d i s c r i m i n a t e , r e c k l e s s w a s t e o f a m m u n i -
t i o n .
I w a s s t r u c k b y t h e s c o r c h e d , b u r n t a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e
w h o l e c o u n t r y . I t w a s c h a r r e d a n d c o v e r e d w i t h s i g n s
o f t h e u s e b y t h e e n e m y a n d o u r o w n m e n o f e v e r y
s i n g l e b i t o f c o n c e a l m e n t a n d c o v e r t h a t c o u l d b e f o u n d
o n o r u n d e r n e a t h t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e g r o u n d . Ever y
h i l l t h a t s l o p e d a w a y f r o m t h e e n e m y a n d g a v e a l i t t l e
c o v e r , e v e r y c l u m p o f w o o d o r h e d g e t h a t g a v e c o n c e a l -
m e n t , a n d e v e r y v i l l a g e o r h o u s e t h a t g a v e a n y s h e l t e r
h a d b e e n u t i l i z e d b y t h e e n e m y , o r b y u s , t o i t s l a s t f o o t .
Hills and slo pes were honeycomb ed with indi vidual
t r e n c h e s , w h e r e i n a m a n c o u l d l i e d o w n p r o t e c t e d b y
f r i e n d l y M o t h e r E a r t h a n d i n t h e h o p e t h a t h e m i g h t
a r i s e a g a i n . Everywh e r e o n t h i s c o n t i n u o u s b a t t l e
f i e l d w e r e t h e s i g n s o f c o m b a t , s c a t t e r e d e q u i p m e n t ,
a r m s , a m m u n i t i o n , c l o t h i n g , t o o l s , r i f l e s , e v e r y t h i n g
t h a t a s o l d i e r c a r r i e s . I w a s o n t h i s g r o u n d f r o m t h e
M a r n e t o t h e V e s l e f o r s i x w e e k s , a n d w h e n I l e f t ,
s a l v a g e p a r t i e s w e r e s t i l l e n g a g e d i n g a t h e r i n g u p t h e s e
t h i n g s . A l l t h e s e w e r e s i g n s o f a s u l l e n l y t h r e a t e n i n g
e n e m y . He wa s b e i n g pu s h e d b a ck wa r d, n o t d r iv e n .
W h i l e m y h e a d q u a r t e r s w e r e a t t h e v i l l a g e o f F r e s n e s ,
t h e S i x t h A r m y , w a s h e l d r a t h e r i n a c t i v e b y t h e o r d e r s i t
r e c e i v e d . ( I t w a s t i m e . W e h a d b e e n b u t t i n g o u r h e a d s
u s e l e s s l y a n d a t s o m e h u r t a g a i n s t a s t r o n g l y d e f e n d e d
G e r m a n l i n e, o n t h e b l u f f s j u s t n o r t h o f t h e V e s l e .) Our
f r o n t l i n e , o f c o u r s e , w a s s t i l l i n c l o s e c o n t a c t w i t h t h e
e n e m y b u t o u r s u c c e e d i n g e c h e l o n s w e r e l e s s a c t i v e f o r
a week or ten days . In this ti me came t he usual
i n f l u x o f A m e r i c a n a n d f o r e i g n v i s i t o r s t o s e e t h e s i g h t s .
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2 48 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
A m o n g t h e m m y o w n s o n , a n o f f i c e r o f e n g i n e e r s , w h o
h a d b e e n o r d e r e d b a c k t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s t o r a i s e
o t h e r e n g i n e e r r e g i m e n t s a n d r e t u r n t o t h e s e a t o f w a r .
L i t t l e d i d h e o r I t h i n k t h a t a l m o s t b e f o r e h e c o u l d r e a c h
h o m e t h e w a r w o u l d h av e e n d e d .
T h e r e c a m e a l s o , i n t h e f o r m o f a n o l d S p a n i s h g e n e r a l
o f C u b a n b i r t h , a p l e a s a n t r e m i n d e r o f m y l o n g - p a s t
s e r v i c e i n C u b a . G ene r a l Monte Verde w a s t r e m e n -
d o u s l y v o l u b l e , a n d w a s d e l i g h t e d t o g e t u p c l o s e e n o u g h
t o t h e f r o n t t o s e e a n e n e m y s h e l l b u r s t o n t h e s p o t
w h e r e h e h a d b e e n s t a n d i n g t w o m i n u t e s b e f o r e . A f t e r
t h a t t h e o l d m a n a p p e a r e d p r o u d e n o u g h t o c o n s i d e r
h i m s e l f a v e t e r a n o f t h e w h o l e f o u r y e a r s o f t h e w a r 1
I h a d s e e n h i m t e n y e a r s b e f o r e o n a v i s i t f r o m h i s
a d o p t e d c o u n t r y , S p a i n , t o h i s n a t i v e c o u n t r y , C u b a .
Now th i s c h a n c e m e e t i n g m a d e t h e w o r l d s e e m v e ry
m u c h s m a l l e r . " G e n e r a l , " I s a i d , " i n t h i s w a r I h a v e
m i s s e d s o m e t h i n g w h i c h I h a v e c a r r i e d e v e r y w h e r e e l s e
w i t h m e i n t h e w o r l d s i n c e I w a s t w e n t y - f o u r y e a r s o l d
b u t c o u l d n o t b r i n g t o t h i s w a r . "
" W h a t i s i t ? " h e a s k e d .
"My `Don Quixot e' ." As a Spaniard, he w as de-
l i g h t e d .
" Y o u s h a l l n o t b e w i t h o u t i t i n t h i s w a r a n y l o n g e r , "
h e s a i d . " I s h a l l b e r e t u r n i n g t o S p a i n a t o n c e , a n d
I s h a l l s e n d b a c k t o y o u a f i e l d c o p y o f ` D o n Q u i x o t e ' . "
H e k e p t h i s w o r d a n d I s o o n r e c e i v e d t h e " f i e l d c o p y "
o f t h e o l d d o n .
F a r o f f t o o u r l e f t i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f S o i s s o n s w e h e a r d
f r o m t i m e t o t i m e h e a v y c a n n o n a d i n g . T h e F r e n c h
Te n t h A r m y (Genera l Mangin) wa s s t i l l h aving a
g r e a t s t r u g g l e a n d g o i n g a l m o s t a s s l o w l y a s w e , b u t t h e
o u t e r e n d o f t h e e n e m y ' s b a c k w a r d s w i n g , p i v o t i n g o n
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BEYOND THE VESLE 2 49
R h e i m s , w a s i n f r o n t o f t h e F r e n c h T e n t h A r m y . His
s w i n g i n g w a s a f f e c t i n g u s b u t s l o w l y .
A t l a s t , h o w e v e r , w i t h m u c h p e c k i n g a n d a t h e a v y
s a c r i f i c e s , w e w e r e a t p o i n t s p a s s i n g t h e V e s l e R i v e r
a n d t h e 6 t h F r e n c h A r m y w a s a u t h o r i z e d t o p r e s s a g a i n .
T h i s c a r r i e d m y c o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s f o r w a r d a l m o s t t o
Fismes, at Montaon Farm . The corps was resuming
h a r d f i g h t i n g .
I n m y c o r p s a t t h i s t i m e w e r e a F r e n c h d i v i s i o n a n d
t h e 2 8 t h a n d 7 7 t h A m e r i c a n D i v i s i o n s . O n a c c o u n t o f
i t s r e d u c e d n u m b e r s , t h e F r e n c h d i v i s i o n c o u n t e d f o r
l i t t l e . T h e 2 8 t h D i v i s i o n w a s a t r a i n e d , c o m p a r a t i v e l y
experienced division , a part of which had met the
e n e m y i n h i s l a s t g r e a t d r i v e t o w a r d P a r i s , j u s t s o u t h
o f t h e M a r n e , a n d h a d h e l d o n t o h i m a f t e r t h a t i n h i s
r e t r e a t n o r t h w a r d t o w a r d t h e A i s n e .
T h e 7 7 t h D i v i s i o n h a d b e e n r a i s e d i n N e w Y o r k C i t y .
I t h a d a m u s i n g l y b e e n s a i d o f t h i s d i v i s i o n t h a t , u n t i l i t
c a m e t o F r a n c e , i t s s o l d i e r s h a d n e v e r s e e n a d a r k n i g h t .
I t h a d s e r v e d b e s i d e t h e B r i t i s h l i n e s a l i t t l e w h i l e , t h e n
i n a q u i e t s e c t o r o f t h e V o s g e s Mount ains , a n d f i n a l l y
h a d a p p e a r e d i n m y I I I r d C o r p s . T h e m e n w e r e o f f i n e
s p i r i t b u t o f l i t t l e e x p e r i e n c e . I n t h e i r f i r s t a p p e a r a n c e
o n o u r f r o n t l i n e o n t h e s o u t h b a n k o f t h e V e s l e , t h e y
r e c e i v e d a t r e m e n d o u s g a s s i n g f r o m e n e m y g u n s n o r t h
o f t h e r i v e r a n d s u f f e r e d s o m e t h i n g l i k e e i g h t h u n d r e d
o r o n e t h o u s a n d c a s u a l t i e s b e f o r e t h e i r o f f i c e r s c o u l d
l e a d t h e m o u t o f t h e h o l l o w s o n t o t h e k n o l l s . T h e
d i v i s i o n ' s i n e x p e r i e n c e o f c o u n t r y w a s b r o u g h t o u t b y i t s
i n a b i l i t y , a t t h e e n d o f a d a y ' s w o r k , t o l o c a t e i t s e l f .
I t c o u l d n o t t e l l w h e r e i t w a s . I c o u l d n e v e r f i n d i t
w h e r e i t r e a l l y t h o u g h t i t s e l f . I t w a s f o r w a r d o r b e h i n d
o r t o t h e r i g h t o r l e f t a l w a y s o f w h e r e i t r e p o r t e d i t s e l f .
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250 PERSONA LITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WAR
A n d - f u n n y - i t w a s t h i s d i v i s i o n t h a t a f t e r w a r d ' c o n -
tributed t o history and fam e "The Lost Battali on"
o f t h e A r g o n n e f o r e s t . A l t o g e t h e r w h e n i t c a m e t o m e
i t w a s i n t h i s m a t t e r o f l o c a t i n g i t s e l f t h e l a r g e s t c o l -
l e c t i o n o f " b a b e s i n t h e w o o d " t h a t I e v e r s a w .
N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e s p i r i t o f t h e m e n w a s e x c e l l e n t .
A n i n c i d e n t q u i t e i l l u s t r a t i v e o f t h i s , a s w e l l a s o f t h e
h a b i t o f g e t t i n g l o s t , c a m e t o l i g h t o n e d a y w h e n i n
p a s s i n g t h e d i v i s i o n I n o t i c e d t w o m e n b e s m e a r e d w i t h
mud, blackened with smoke and powder, dishevelled
b e y o n d a n y t h i n g I h a d e v e r s e e n , b u t s t i l l p r o u d , c h e e r -
f u l , a n d s m i l i n g . I n a r a i d w h i c h t h e i r d i v i s i o n h a d
e x e c u t e d a t B a z o c h e s t h e s e t w o m e n , p r e c u r s o r s a n d
t y p e o f " T h e L o s t B a t t a l i o n , " b e c a m e s e p a r a t e d f r o m
t h e r e s t o f t h e i r c o m m a n d a n d , a g a i n l i k e " T h e L o s t
B a t t a l i o n , " c u t o f f b y t h e e n e m y , p u t t h e m s e l v e s u n d e r
c o v e r a n d h e l d o n w i t h o u t f o o d f o r s o m e f o u r d a y s ,
a t t h e e n d o f w h i c h t i m e t h e y m a n a g e d t o e x t r i c a t e t h e m -
s e l v e s f r o m t h e e n e m y ' s l i n e , w i r e , a n d t r e n c h e s a n d t o
reappear, vigorous and smil ing, among their own
c o m r a d e s . Danger, thirst, and starvation h ad not
m a d e t h e m r e a d y t o g i v e t h e m s e l v e s u p t o t h e e n e m y ,
a s t h ey c o u l d h av e d o n e a ny m i n u t e i n t h o s e f o u r
d a y s . T h e y h a d t h e r i g h t s t u f f i n t h e m e v e n i f t h e y
w o u l d g e t l o s t , t h i s d i v i s i o n l
A d d e d t o i t s i n e x p e r i e n c e , t h e d i v i s i o n a l s o h a d s o m e
hard knocks while under my command . I n t h e s h o r t
s p a c e o f a m o n t h , a n d i n i t s f i r s t f i g h t i n g , i t h a d t h r e e
d i f f e r e n t c o m m a n d e r s . T h i s w a s a g r e a t h a n d i c a p , n o
m a t t e r h o w g o o d t h e c o m m a n d e r s . In consequen ce
o f t h e s e u n u s u a l l y h a r d c o n d i t i o n s , w h i l e i t w a s u n d e r
m y c o m m a n d I f e l t a g r e a t e r i n t e r e s t i n t h i s d i v i s i o n ,
I b e l i e v e , t h a n i n a n y o t h e r t h a t I k n e w i n t h e w a r .
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BEYOND THE VESLE 251
The Pennsylvania a nd the New York divisions re-
mained under my command for nearly two months upon
t h e V e s l e . T h e y l i n e d t h e s o u t h b a n k o f t h e r i v e r , m a i n l y
i n t h e o p e n u n d e r t h e e y e o f t h e m a c h i n e g u n s a n d a r t i l -
l e r y o f t h e e n e m y u p o n t h e h i l l s o f t h e n o r t h e r n b a n k . I
h a v e r a r e l y , i f e v e r , s e e n t r o o p s u n d e r m o r e t r y i n g c o n -
d i t i o n s . From his command ing position on the hill,
t h e e n e m y l i t e r a l l y d o m i n a t e d t h e m i n a p o s i t i o n i n
w h i c h t h e y , n e v e r t h e l e s s , h a d t o r e m a i n q u i e t , w i t h -
o u t a d v a n c i n g o r r e t i r i n g , b u t t h e y w e r e o n t h e s p o t a n d
t h e y s t a y e d t h e r e - h a r r i e d d a y a n d n i g h t b y t h e
e n e m y . L i t e r a l l y a b l a d e o f g r a s s o r a b u s h c o u l d n o t
s w a y w i t h o u t c a l l i n g d o w n h o s t i l e f i r e . Th e e n e my was
nervous and peppery . T h e s i t u a t i o n c a l l e d f o r n e r v e
c o u r a g e , a n d s k i l l , a n d t h e s e d i v i s i o n s w e r e d e v e l o p i n g
a n d s h o w i n g a l l t h e s e q u a l i t i e s .
T h r o u g h t h e I s t a n d I I I r d C o r p s , i n t h e f i g h t i n g b e -
t w e e n t h e M a r n e a n d t h e A i s n e , p a s s e d a l a r g e n u m b e r o f
A m e r i c a n d i v i s i o n s , m o s t o f t h e m q u i t e f r e s h a n d i n e x p e -
r i e n c e d . F a r b a c k o f o u r l i n e s a n d c a m p s m y p r o v o s t
m a r s h a l n o w b e g a n t o g a t h e r l a r g e n u m b e r s o f A m e r i c a n
s o l d i e r s t h a t h a d s t r a g g l e d f r o m t h e s e v a r i o u s d i v i s i o n s .
T h e F r e n c h v i l l a g e s w e r e f u l l o f t h e m . R e l a t i v e l y t o
t h e n u m b e r o f A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r s t h a t h a d b e e n h e r e ,
t h e s t r a g g l e r s w e r e f e w , b u t a c t u a l l y t h e i r n u m b e r s w e r e
g r e a t . Popular public impress ions to the c ontrary
notwithstanding, we had in our army dead-beats and
d e s e r t e r s , e v a d e r s o f b a t t l e a n d d a n g e r . When t o -d ay
a f t e r t h e w a r , I r e a d i n t h e i r h i s t o r i e s t h e b r a g g i n g o f
s o m e o f o u r d i v i s i o n s o f t h e f i e r c e w a r r i o r b r a v e r y a n d
h i g h s e n s e o f d u t y o f a l l t h e i r m e n , a l l , w i t h o u t a n y
exception men tioned, I cannot hel p rememberin g the
g r e a t n u m b e r s c f t h e i r d e a d - b e a t s t h a t w e h e r d e d u p .
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252 PERSONA LITIES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
T h i s w a s d o n e i n j u s t i c e t o t h o s e w h o h a d n o t d e a d -
b e a t e d . S i n c e t h e w a r , i n o u r o w n c o u n t r y , t h e r e h a s
b e e n i n C o n g r e s s a n d e l s e w h e r e a l m o s t a h y s t e r i a o v e r
a f e w c a s e s o f s e v e r i t y w h i c h o u r A m e r i c a n c o u r t s -
m a r t i a l e x e r c i s e d t o w a r d s o m e f e w o f o u r m e n . I n
f a c t , t h e c r i s i s w a s n e v e r s u f f i c i e n t l y s t r o n g t o c a u s e
o u r s e v e r i t y e v e n t o a p p r o a c h t h a t f o u n d n e c e s s a r y
i n t h e B r i t i s h a r m i e s . We execute d perhaps a doze n ;
t h e y , I w a s t o l d , s c o r e s. I d o u b t n o t t h a t h a d w e b e e n
a s l o n g i n t h e w a r a s t h e y , w e t o o w o u l d h a v e b e e n r e -
d u c e d t o a l i k e n e c e s s i t y .
I t i s w e l l f o r p o s t e r i t y t o k n o w t h a t A m e r i c a n s w e r e
n o t a l l m o d e l s o l d i e r s , n o t a l l f a i t h f u l . A t t h e e n d o f t h e
w a r P a r i s w a s f i l l e d w i t h A m e r i c a n c r i m i n a l s a n d c r i e d
o u t a b o u t i t . T h e r e w a s p u b l i c d e n i a l i n t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , a n d e v e n f r o m P a r i s , I b e l i e v e , b u t P a r i s k n o w s
t h e f a c t s . T h ey w e r e t h e r e a n d r e m a i n e d t h e r e l o n g
a f t e r o u r a r m i e s h a d l e f t F r a n c e . G en e r a l Harts a n d
"Hard- boil ed" Smith had d one muc h, but not all,
t o c l e a n u p t h e s i t u a t i o n : t h e y d e s e r v e d b e t t e r t h a n
b e f e l l t h e m .
W h e n a t l e n g t h t h e e n e m y r e t i r e d b e y o n d t h e V e s l e ,
h i s w e s t ( r i g h t ) f l a n k w a s m o v e d m o r e r a p i d l y t h a n h i s
l e f t , i n h i s s w i n g i n g m o v e m e n t u p o n R h e i m s a s a p i v o t ,
s o t h a t m y s m a l l F r e n c h d i v i s i o n t o w a r d R h e i m s w a s
s t i l l u p o n , o r t o t h e s o u t h o f , t h e V e s l e , w h i l e m y 7 7 t h
D i v i s i o n o n t h e o p p o s i t e f l a n k w a s t o t h e n o r t h o f t h a t
r i v e r . T h e p a s s a g e h a d b e e n a c c o m p a n i e d b y s u c h
t e d i o u s a n d p i e c e m e a l o p e r a t i o n s t h a t t h e y m a d e n o
i m p r e s s i o n u p o n m e a s a b a t t l e . Yet the impression
o f t h e e n t i r e s e r v i c e o f a m o n t h i n t h i s r e g i o n r e m a i n s
w i t h m e a s a c o n t i n u o u s s t r a i n o f f i g h t i n g a n d p r e s s u r e
upo n t h e e n e my .
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BEYOND THE VESLE 2 5 3
My corps head quart ers wa s at Montao n Farm, an
a n c i e n t c h a p e l l o c a t e d u p o n a h i g h h i l l . Some t hre e
w e e k s b e f o r e i t h a d b e e n o c c u p i e d a s a h e a d q u a r t e r s o f
o n e o f t h e b r i g a d e s a n d h a d h a d t o b e v a c a t e d b e c a u s e
t h e e n e m y , s o o n d i s c o v e r i n g t h i s h e a d q u a r t e r s , h a d
p r o m p t l y t u r n e d h i s h e a v y g u n s u p o n i t a n d k n o c k e d
in one end of the farmhouse . B u t n o w , i n t h e s l o w
m a r c h o f e v e n t s , t h e e n e m y h a d g o n e b a c k a l m o s t t o
t h e A i s n e w i t h h i s h e a v y g u n s a n d h a d a b a n d o n e d h i s
a t t e n t i o n s t o t h e f a r m h o u s e t o g i v e t h e m t o p l a c e s m u c h
m o r e p r e s s i n g a n d t h r e a t e n i n g , n e a r e r t o h i s f r o n t .
O n c e a c r o s s t h e V e s l e , G e n e r a l D e g o u t t e a s s e m b l e d
t h e h i g h e r F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r s a t m y h e a d -
q u a r t e r s a n d o r d e r e d a n a t t a c k f o r h i s a r m y , h i m s e l f
g i v i n g t h e d i r e c t i o n s o n t h e s p o t . T h e w o r k w a s
t o f a l l m a i n l y u p o n m y c o r p s . I do not rememb er
t h e l e n g t h o f t i m e w h i c h h e a l l o w e d f o r t h e p r e p a r a t i o n
o f t h e p l a n a n d m e a n s , a n d f o r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e
o r d e r s f o r t h e a t t a c k . I do rem embe r that I con-
s i d e r e d i t w h o l l y i n a d e q u a t e a n d s o s t a t e d . T h e
Fren c h a r t i l l e ry c o m m a n d e r d i d t h e s a m e . G e n e r a l
D e g o u t t e , h o w e v e r , w o u l d n o t b r o o k d i s c u s s i o n . He
c u t u s b o t h s h o r t a n d o r d e r e d t h e a t t a c k t o b e m a d e
w i t h w h a t e v e r m e a n s c o u l d b e a s s e m b l e d a n d w h a t e v e r
p r e p a r a t i o n m a d e i n t h e b r i e f t i m e t h a t h e a l l o w e d .
I t h a d t o b e d o n e . S o a t i t w e w e n t .
My corps c ov e r e d t h e m a i n f r o n t o f a t t a ck . Wem a d e i t w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e d a s h o n m y l e f t a n d c e n t r e ,
d r i v i n g t h e e n e m y p r a c t i c a l l y d o w n t o t h e A i s n e . B u t
u p o n m y e x t r e m e r i g h t , w h e r e w a s t h e w o r n F r e n c h d i -
v i s i o n , t h e e n e m y p r a c t i c a l l y h e l d h i s g r o u n d ; a n d i n
t h e c e n t r e , w h e r e t h e 7 7 t h D i v i s i o n h a d n o t m a i n t a i n e d
g o o d l i a i s o n b e t w e e n i t s u n i t s , i t w a s f o u n d t h a t s o m e
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254 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
o f t h e s e u n i t s h a d g o n e b e y o n d c e r t a i n o r g a n i z a t i o n s
o f t h e e n e m y w h i c h h a d r e m a i n e d i n p o s i t i o n . T h e s e
u n i t s o f t h e 7 7 t h D i v i s i o n , c a u g h t i n t h e f l a n k t h e n e x t
d a y b y m a c h i n e - g u n f i r e , w e r e u n a b l e t o h o l d t h e m o s t
advanced positions which they had gained and were
p r e s s e d b a c k . H o w e v e r , t h e y d i d n o t l o s e m u c h g r o u n d .
T h e i r l i n e w a s o n l y s t r a i g h t e n e d .
T h o u g h t h e w o r s t p r e p a r e d I e v e r s a w , t h o u g h n o t
c o o r d i n a t e d o r h e l d i n pr ope r c o h e s i o n d u r i n g t h e
a d v a n c e , t h e f i g h t h a d y e t b e e n a f a i r s u c c e s s . Fo r
its bad f eatures, the army co mmander, General De-
g o u t t e , w a s p l a i n l y r e s p o n s i b l e : h e h a d n o t a l l o w e d
s u f f i c i e n t m e a n s , t i m e , o r p r e p a r a t i o n . T h e a d v a n c e
m a d e , h o w e v e r , w a s w o r t h t h e e f f o r t , a n d t h e c o s t p a i d
w a s n o t h e a v y ; b u t I a m c o n v i n c e d t h a t h a d m o r e t i m e
b e e n t ak en t o a l l o w t h e pr epa r a t i o n o f pl a n s a n d
c o m m u n i c a t i o n o f t h e o r d e r s , t h e e n e m y a l m o s t e v e r y -
w h e r e o n t h e I I I r d C o r p s f r o n t w o u l d h a v e b e e n d r i v e n
i n t o t h e A i s n e . A s i t w a s , t h e e n d o f t h e o p e r a t i o n l e f t
t h e c o r p s e x p o s e d u p o n a n o p e n r i d g e b e t w e e n t h e V e s l e
a n d t h e A i s n e , w h e r e f o r s o m e d a y s i t s u f f e r e d c o n -
s i d e r a b l e l o s s e s f r o m t h e l o n g - r a n g e a r t i ll e r y f i r e o f t h e
e n e m y f r o m f a r b e y o n d t h e A i s n e . B u t w e s t a y e d t h e r e .
B y t h e t i m e t h e I I I r d C o r p s h a d m a d e i t s p o s i t i o n
s e c u r e u p o n t h i s r i d g e , I r e c e i v e d a n o r d e r f o r i t s r e l i e f
b y a F r e n c h c o r p s . W e w e r e t o g o o u t f o r a r e s t a f t e r
t h e l o n g , h a r d , p e c k i n g s t r u g g l e o f s o m e s i x w e e k s
between the Marne and the Aisne . Almost without
o r d e r c a m e t h e F r e n c h c o r p s t o r e l i e v e u s , a n d a l m o s t
a t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e c h a n g e o f t h e 6 t h F r e n c h A r m y
c o m m a n d e r . This arm y was, I beli eve, being co n-
s o l i d a t e d w i t h a n o t h e r , a n d o p e r a t i o n s i n t h i s r e g i o n
w e r e p l a i n l y t o s l a c k e n . I was not sad to go . T h e
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BEYOND THE VESLE 2 5 5
s e r v i c e h e r e f r o m e a r l y i n A u g u s t u n t i l t h e m i d d l e o f
S e p t e m b e r h a d b e e n a r d u o u s a n d d i f f i c u l t , i n v o l v i n g
m a ny har d bu t s m a l l a n d u n i mporta n t operat i o n s .
A l t o g e t h e r t h e s e r v i c e o f t h e I I I r d C o r p s b e t w e e n
t h e M a r n e a n d t h e A i s n e i s r e m e m b e r e d b y m e a s t h e
m o s t s a t i s f a c t o r y a n d a b o u t t h e h a r d e s t t h a t I h a d i n
F r a n c e , m a i n l y d u e t o a s o r t o f f e v e r i s h , n e r v o u s a c -
t i v i t y o f t h e a r m y c o m m a n d e r , w h o r a r e l y a l l o w e d
s u f f i c i e n t t i m e f o r t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f a n y o f t h e n u -
merous operations that w ere con ducted on my IIIrd
C o r p s f r o n t .
The Chateau-T hierry salie nt, under the action of
t h r e e a r m i e s o f F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n s , w a s n o w a t h i n g
o f t h e p a s t . I n i t t h e e n e m y h a d b e e n b u t a s h o r t t i m e ,
b u t h i s p r e p a r a t i o n s h e r e , a s w h e r e v e r e l s e h e o c c u p i e d
ground in France, indicated that he never intended
t o g i v e i t u p . O n e c o u l d n o t l o o k a t h i s p r e p a r a t i o n s
a n y w h e r e t h a t I s a w t h e m , f r o m n e a r S w i t z e r l a n d t o t h e
North Sea, without knowing that if Germany h ad won
t h i s w a r , a l l o f t h a t p a r t o f F r a n c e t h a t w a s i n h e r h a n d s
a t t h e e n d o f t h e w a r w o u l d h a v e r e m a i n e d i n h e r
hands forever . All material, whether for peace or
w a r , w a s u t i l i z e d . All f a r m m a c h i n e ry and i mple -
m e n t s h a d d i s a p p e a r e d o r w e r e e v e r y w h e r e b e i n g
g a t h e r e d u p t o b e c a r r i e d o f f . T h e Chate a u - T h i e r ry
s a l i e n t w a s f i l l e d e v e r y w h e r e , e v e n i n t h i s s h o r t e n e m y
occupation, with such immense quantities of ammu-
n i t i o n a s v e r y p l a i n l y i n d i c a t e d t h a t h e h a d v e r y h i g h
hopes, even past midsummer o f 1918, of forcing his
w a y t o P a r i s a n d o b t a i n i n g v i c t o r y o v e r t h e A l l i e s .
In his present ret reat north ward, the enemy had
c a r r i e d a w a y g r e a t q u a n t i t i e s o f t h i s a m m u n i t i o n a n d
w a r m a t e r i a l , b u t g r e a t q u a n t i t i e s o f i t c o u l d n o t b e
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256 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
removed, a n d r e m a i n e d u p o n t h e g r o u n d . In t w o
m o n t h s h e h a d c o v e r e d t h i s g r e a t s a l i e n t w i t h h i s n a r r o w -
g a u g e r a i l r o a d s . T h e s e w e r e e s p e c i a l l y n e c e s s a r y f o r
h i m b e c a u s e h e h a d n o t t h e m o t o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i n
w h i c h t h e A l l i e s w e r e s o f o r t u n a t e . H i s l a c k , h o w e v e r ,
n e v e r s e e m e d t o h a m p e r h i m . Everywhere h e promptly
p u t d o w n h i s n a r r o w - g a u g e r a i l r o a d s a n d t h i n g s s e e m e d
t o g o a s w e l l w i t h h i m a s i f h e h a d a l l o f o u r m o t o r t r a n s -
p o r t a t i o n .
An old French corps com mander, General Nevil,
m a d e s h o r t w o r k o f t h e r e l i e f o f m y c o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s .
O n e l o o k a t h i m w o u l d t e l l y o u t h a t h e w a s a n e x p e r i -
e n c e d w a r r i o r , e v e n i f y o u h a d n e v e r s e e n h i s o l d , w o r n ,
b r a s s - h e l i x e d t r e n c h c a n e , i n s c r i b e d w i t h t h e n a m e
o f a l m o s t e v e r y b a t t l e o f t h e w a r , g r e a t o r s m a l l . A s
i s a l w a y s t h e m a n w h o h a s s e e n m u c h a n d t a k e n p a r t
i n m u c h w i t h o t h e r m e n , h e w a s b r o a d m i n d e d a n d c o n -
s i d e r a t e . I s h a l l a l w a y s r e m e m b e r h i s i n d u l g e n t s m i l e
a n d t w o w o r d s t o m e o n h e a r i n g t h e e x p l a n a t i o n o f o n e
o f m y d i v i s i o n c o m m a n d e r s t h a t a n e i g h b o u r i n g F r e n c h
d i v i s i o n , h a v i n g f a i l e d t o k e e p u p w i t h h i s o w n i n t h e
f i g h t , h e c o u l d n o t a d v a n c e .
" C o m m e t o u j o u r s ! " s a i d t h e G e n e r a l .
A s a f t e r S o i s s o n s , t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t h a d c o m -
p o s e d m y c o r p s w e r e w i d e l y s c a t t e r e d i n o u r r e l i e f . I n
m a r c h i n g o u t o f t h e o l d s a l i e n t t h e r e w a s s o m e c o n -
f u s i o n a n d i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h e a c h o t h e r . N o t h i n g e l s e
w a s t o b e e x p e c t e d , b e c a u s e t h e c o r r e c t l a y i n g o u t b y
t h e s t a f f a n d t h e e x a c t e x e c u t i o n b y t h e t r o o p s o f s u c h
m o v e m e n t s a r e t h e h i g h e s t t e s t . Do them without con-
f u s i o n o r i n t e r f e r e n c e , a n d t h e r e i s n o t h i n g w h i c h y o u
c a n n o t d o . M a r c h e s , t o o , w h i c h l i k e t h i s a r e n o t i n t h e
p r e s e n c e o f t h e e n e m y , s e e m i n v a r i a b l y , t o s t i r u p a
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of danger" is taken to mean "beyond the need of
o b e d i e n c e . "
My corps headquarters were now pointed in the
d i r e c t i o n o f t h e A m e r i c a n F i r s t A r m y .
BEYOND THE VESLE 257
f e e l i n g o f i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a m o n g s t t h e t r o o p s . " O u t
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CHAPTER XXVIISOUILLY AND RAMPONT
WHILE my IIIrd Cor ps w as se rvi ng be tw ee n t he
Marne an d t h e A i s n e, from e a r ly in A u g u s t
u n t i l w e l l i n t o S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 1 8 , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ,
b r e a k i n g h i s f o r m e r h a b i t o f f r e q u e n t v i s i t s , c e a s e d
c o m i n g t o v i s i t u s . I t i s t r u e t h a t t h e t i m e s w e r e
s t r e n u o u s a n d h e w a s b u sy ; b u t t h e t i d e o f w a r h a d
t u r n e d i n t h e l a s t h a l f o f J u l y , a n d s o m e t h i n g w a s
happening especially to demand his presence and
a t t e n t i o n e l s e w h e r e . T h e e x p l a n a t i o n f i r s t d e v e l o p e d
i n h i s c r u s h i n g - i n o f t h e s a l i e n t o f S t . M i h i e l . B u t t h a t ,
t o o , h a d n o w p a s s e d , a n d h e s t i l l w a s n o t a p p e a r i n g
a m o n g u s . So m e t h i n g e l s e w a s c o m i n g . Th e w i t h -
drawal o f my Corps from the French Sixth Ar my and
t h e p l a c i n g o f i t i n t h e r e g i o n o f V e r d u n w a s t h e b e -
g i n n i n g o f t h e e x p l a n a t i o n .
On September 9th I left the Sixth Army an d wen t
t o t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e A m e r i c a n F i r s t A r m y , c o m -
manded by General Pershing h imself . I foun d t h e m
a t L i g n y - e n - B a r r o i s , n e a r w h e r e t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n w a s
p l a c e d o n f i r s t g o i n g i n t o t r a i n i n g f o r t h e w a r , m o r e
t h a n a y e a r a g o . L i g n y w a s f u l l o f t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s
and tremendously but suppressedly busy . Troops,
t r a i n s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g t h a t c o u l d a t t r a c t a t t e n t i o n o f
t h e e n e m y ' s a i r p l a n e s o r s p i e s w e r e k e p t s t u d i o u s l y o u t
o f s i g h t , a n d o f f i c e r s a n d m e n w e r e t h e d u m b e s t t h a t
I ever saw . It was evident that so mething bi gger
2 5 8
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SOU ILLY A ND RAMPONT 2 5 9
t h a n ev e r w a s b r e w i n g . I w a s a m a j o r g e n e r a l , b u t
n o b o d y t o o k a n y n o t i c e o f m e , a n d t o r e a c h t h e C o m -
m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f I h a d t o p a s s m a n y a n t e r o o m s . On e
f e l t t h a t t h i n g s w e r e s t i r r i n g . I h a d n o i n c l i n a t i o n
t o w a s t e a n y b o d y ' s t i m e : b u s i n e s s w a s i n t h e a i r .
A t L i g n y I d i d n o t l e a r n w h a t w a s r e a l l y g o i n g t o
h appen . I d i d n o t a s k . Long a go I had l ear ned t o
a w a i t o r d e r s a n d a n n o u n c e m e n t s . I k n e w o n l y t h a t m y
I I I r d C o r p s w a s t o g o t o S o u i l l y , t h e o l d h e a d q u a r t e r s o f
t h e d e f e n c e o f V e r d u n , a n d t h a t I w a s t o r e p o r t t o t h e
French genera l, Hirschaue r, whose Second Army now
f a c e d t h e e n e m y i n t h i s r e g i o n . T h i s o r d e r s o m e w h a t
u n s e t t l e d m e . I h a d b e e n s e r v i n g n o w f o r m o r e t h a n a
y e a r w i t h t h e F r e n c h , a n d w h i l e I k n e w a n d e s p e c i a l l y
a d m i r e d G e n e r a l H i r s c h a u e r a s a g o o d s o l d i e r , a p o s i -
t i v e , d e c i d e d , a n d a g g r e s s i v e l e a d e r , w i t h w h o m I h a d
been befo re this, I had begun to want to s erve now
with my own people .
T o S o u i l l y l e a d s t h e " S a c r e d R o a d , " t h e r o a d t h a t
h a d s a v e d V e r d u n i n t h e g r e a t G e r m a n a t t a c k o f 1 9 1 6
a n d i n d e e d , i n t h e e y e s o f a l l F r e n c h m e n , s a v e d F r a n c e .
P e r h a p s t h e y w e r e r i g h t . T h i s r e c a l l - , h o w F r e n c h m e n
i n t h e i r o w n m i n d s f a s t e n u p o n a s i n g l e t h i n g a s p i v o t a l .
W i t h t h e i r d r a m a t i c n a t u r e , t h e y h a n g s u c c e s s o r f a i l u r e
u p o n a c e n t r a l t h i n g , w h i c h f a i l i n g , a l l i s l o s t . Wit h
i n t e n s e a d m i r a t i o n a n d s a t i s f a c t i o n t h e y t e l l o f t h e
t h o u s a n d s o f w o r k m e n i n c o n t i n u o u s l i n e s o n b o t h s i d e s
o f t h i s r o a d d u r i n g a l l o f t h e s i e g e o f V e r d u n , k e e p i n g
t h e r o a d i n c o n d i t i o n f o r t h e p a s s a g e o f e v e r l a s t i n g
t r a i n s .
I n c o m i n g o u t o f t h e M a r n e - A i s n e r e g i o n t h e I I I r d
C o r p s p a r t e d w i t h a l l t h e d i v i s i o n s t h a t h a d s e r v e d i n
i t t h e r e . E v e n t h e c o r p s a r t i l l e r y d i s a p p e a r e d a n d I
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26 0 PERSONALIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
n e v e r s a w i t a g a i n . The corps headquarters and a
f e w c o r p s t r o o p s o n l y w e r e l e f t a n d w e n t w i t h m e t o
S o u i l l y . T h a t w a s t h e w a y w i t h c o r p s a n d a r m i e s
i n F r a n c e ; t h e y c o n s i s t e d p e r m a n e n t l y o f o n l y a f e w
o r g a n i z a t i o n s . A l l o t h e r s w e r e a d d e d t o t h e m a c c o r d -
i n g t o t h e n e e d a n d t h e m i s s i o n .
Souilly I found t o be a mighty can tonment, with
t e m p o r a r y b a r r a c k s a n d a g r e a t r a i l h e a d . Ever y-
w h e r e t o w a r d t h e f r o n t t h e c o u n t r y w a s f i l l e d w i t h o l d
c a n t o n m e n t s , a n d e v e r y w h e r e w e r e s i g n s o f t h e a w f u l
s i e g e t h a t h a d g o n e b e f o r e . F o r e s t s a n d f i e l d s w e r e c o v -
e r e d w i t h t h e m . T h e v i l l a g e h a d b e e n a b u s y c i t y d u r -
i n g t h e s i e g e o f V e r d u n a n d w a s n o w b e c o m i n g s o a g a i n .
I t s h e a d q u a r t e r s h a d o n c e i n t h e d a y s o f t h e i r g l o r y
h e l d t h e G e r m a n s a t b a y , a n d s o m e h o w t h e p l a c e n o w
h a d a s u r e , c o n f i d e n t l o o k a b o u t i t . I t s e e m e d a s t e r n ,
t r i e d , s e l f - r e l i a n t v e t e r a n t h a t k n e w h i m s e l f .
I f e l l h e i r t o t h e b i l l e t o f G e n e r a l P e t a i n . A f t e r
t h e d i s c o m f o r t s o f t h e M a r n e - A i s n e r e g i o n I w a s g l a d
t o b e i n i t , a n d a g a i n f e l t h o w m u c h b e t t e r t h e E u -
r o p e a n s y s t e m o f b i l l e t s a n d c a n t o n m e n t s w a s t h a n t h e
A m e r i c a n s y s t e m o f t e n t s . I found that t he French
S e c o n d A r m y h a d i n t h e i r l i n e f a c i n g t h e e n e m y o n e
A m e r : c a n w h i t e d i v i s i o n a n d a c o u p l e o f A m e r i c a n N e g r o
r e g i m e n t s . M y o w n w a s s o f a r t h e o n l y A m e r i c a n c o r p s
in this French army . A l m o s t w i t h o u t e x p l a n a t i o n
or understan ding I found my headquart ers made the
r e s p o n s i b l e h e a d q u a r t e r s f o r t h e s e A m e r i c a n t r o o p s a n d
f o r a l l t h e o t h e r s w h i c h s o o n b e g a n t o a r r i v e .
M y c o r p s w a s n o t d e s t i n e d l o n g t o r e m a i n a t S o u i l l y -
o n l y t h r e e d a y s . A g a i n a l m o s t w i t h o u t e xpl a n a t i o n
e x c ept t h a t Souil ly w a s w a n t e d f o r a n a r my h e a d -
q u a r t e r s w e w e r e pu s h e d o n t o Rampon t . A m e r i c a n
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SOU ILLY A ND RA MPONT 261
r a i l w a y t r a i n s i n e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g n u m b e r s w e r e b r i n g i n g
i n o u r t r o o p s a n d s u p p l i e s . A l l g l i d e d a b o u t i n t h e
m o s t u n u s u a l l y n o i s e l e s s m a n n e r f o r A m e r i c a n t r o o p s
a n d t r a i n s . S o b i t b y b i t I c o u l d s e e t h a t s o m e t h i n g
g r e a t w a s g a t h e r i n g h e r e, s o m e t h i n g o f i mpo r t a n c e
w a s g o i n g t o h a p p e n , a n d i t w a s t o h a p p e n q u i t e i n t h e
w a y o f J . J . Pershing-without announcement . Y o u
k n e w i t w h e n y o u s a w i t : n o h e r a l d w e n t b e f o r e . Ra m -
pont had long been a . F r e n c h c o r p s o r d i v i s ' o n h e a d -
q u a r t e r s i n t h e g r e a t f i g h t i n g a b o u t V e r d u n . I t w a s i n a
r a v i n e t h a t p a r a l l e l e d t h e e n e m y ' s l i n e ; a n d t h e b l u f f
h i l l o n t h e s i d e t o w a r d t h e e n e m y h a p p i l y c a u g h t t h e
g r e a t p r o j e c t i l e s t h a t h e w a s s t i l l t h r o w i n g u p o n t h e
r e g i o n ( n o w a t t r a c t e d p r o b a b l y b y t h e p a s s i n g o f t r a i n s
a t t h e r a i lr o a d s t a t i o n) . T h es e g r e a t pr o j e c t i l e s a t f i r s t
c a u s e d m u c h c o n c e r n , b u t t h e b l u f f , a s w e f o u n d , p e r -
f e c t l y d e f i ' a d e d t h e s p o t . T h e sk il f u l F re n c h h a d
l o c a t e d t h e p l a c e . I w a s s o o n c o m f o r t a b l y i n b i l l e t a t
Ra m p o n t . H o w w e l l o u r b i l l e t i n g o f f i c e r h a d l e a r n e d
t o d o h i s w o r k 1
A r r i v i n g A m e r i c a n d i v i s i o n s a n d o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s
k e p t m y c o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s v e r y b u s y p l a c i n g t h e m i n
c o n c e a l m e n t a l o n g t h e l i n e w e s t o f t h e M e u s e a t V e r d u n ,
t o w a r d t h e A r g o n n e f o r e s t . T h e w o r k o f m y G- 3
( a s s i s t a n t c h i e f - o f - s t a f f i n c h a r g e o f o p e r a t i o n s ) w a s
p i l i n g u p . I h a d b u t o n e w h e r e I s h o u l d h a v e h a d t w o
o f f i c e r s u p o n t h i s w o r k . O r g a n i z a t i o n s w e r e a r r i v i n g
s o n u m e r o u s ly t h a t t h e r e w a s b u t o n e w ay t o pl a c e
t h e m - q u i c k l y , a r b i t r a r i l y , a n d f i n a l l y . T h e r e w a s n o
t i m e f o r e x p l a n a t i o n , c h o i c e , o r d i p l o m a c y ; t r o o p s h a d
t o b e p l a c e d , a n d p l a c e d a t o n c e s o a s t o g e t o u t o f t h e
w a y o f o t h e r s a r r i v i n g . _
In a fe w days a fter my arr ival at Rampon t I was
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2 62 PERSONA LIT IES A ND REMINISCENCES OF T HE WA R
p r a c t i c a l l y i n c o m m a n d o f a n d d i r e c t i n g m o r e t h a n h a l f
a m i l l i o n m e n . F o r t h e s u c c e s s o f t h e g r e a t m o v e m e n t
t h a t w a s e v i d e n t l y t o f o l l o w , s e c r e c y a n d c o n c e a l m e n t
w e r e a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y . The enforcement of these
t w o t h i n g s w a s a h a r d d u t y . T h e f r e e d o m , t h e l a c k o f
d i s c i p l i n e , t h e l i b e r t y o f p e r s o n a l a c t i o n , w h i c h a r e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f a l l A m e r i c a n s , b e c a m e v e r y t r o u b l e -
s o m e a n d d a n g e r o u s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s h e r e a m o n g o u r n e w
t r o o p s . T h e y d i d n ' t s e e a n y e n e m y , t h e y s a w n o e s -
p e c i a l r e a s o n f o r c o n c e a l m e n t ; t h e y w e r e g o i n g o n a
m a r c h o f w h i c h t h e y k n e w n o t h i n g ; t h e y f e l t l i k e t a k i n g
t h i n g s e a s y a n d g o i n g a s t h e y p l e a s e d .
T h e g o i n g o f t h e s e t r o o p s i n t o p o s i t i o n w a s a t e s t
o f t h e i r d i s c i p l i n e a n d t r a i n i n g . They kept themselves
c o n c e a l e d a n d o b s e r v e d t h e o r d e r s o f s e c r e c y i n e x a c t
p r o p o r t o n t o t h e d i s c i p l i n e a n d t r a i n i n g o f t h e d i v i s i o n s
t o w h i c h t h e y b e l o n g e d ; a n d i t i s a c u r i o u s f a c t t h a t
t h e f i g h t i n g w h i c h f o l l o w e d i n t h e s u b s e q u e n t g r e a t
b a t t l e c o n f i r m e d i n e v e r y w a y t h e t e s t m a d e o f t h e m i n
t h i s w a y b e f o r e b a t t l e . D i v i s i o n s t h a t b e s t o b s e r v e d
t h e o r d e r s f o r s e c r e c y a n d c o n c e a l m e n t w e r e t h e d i -
v i s i o n s t h a t f o u g h t b e s t . I n t h e b a t t l e , t o o , t h e d i -
v i s i o n s t h a t I o b s e r v e d d i d w e l l i n e x a c t p r o p o r t i o n t o
t h e t h o r o u g h n e s s o f t h e i r t r a i n i n g a n d t h e a m o u n t o f
their experience in contact with the enemy . Me r e
w i l l i n g n e s s t o f i g h t d o e s n o t m a k e s o l d i e r s . I t i s
a d m i r a b l e , b u t a g a i n s t a t r a i n e d e n e m y i t i s i n e f f e c t i v e .
N o t o n l y m y o w n h e a d q u a r t e r s , b u t t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s
o f t h e A m e r i c a n F i r s t A r m y , w e r e c o n s t a n t l y o c c u p i e d
i n e n f o r c i n g t h e s e o r d e r s f o r c o n c e a l m e n t .Day a n d
n i g h t w e w e r e a t i t . I n m y a n x i e t y i t s e e m e d t h a t t h e
e n e m y ' s l o n g - r a n g e b o m b a r d m e n t h a d i n c r e a s e d , w h i c h
s e e m e d t o s i g n i f y o u r f a i l u r e . He may have disc overed
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SOUILLY AND RAMPONT 263
so m e t h i n g , he was prob a b l y not whol l y igno r a n t of
w h a t w a s p a s s i n g ; b u t n e i th e r w a s he , I l a t e r c o n c l u d e d ,
w e l l i n f o r m e d o f w h a t w e w e r e d o i n g . Had he been,
he would no doubt have been better able to resist .
W h i l e I w a s l i n i n g u p t h i s g r e a t a r m y , G e n e r a l P e t a i n
c a m e t o m y h e a d q u a r t e r s o n a f r i e n d l y v i s i t . I d o n o t
k n o w w h e t h e r t h i s m a n h a d t h i s s a m e kn a ck w i t h
o t h e r s , b u t h e h a d m a d e m e f e e l t h a t I w a s v e r y n e a r t o
h i m , a l m o s t d e a r . H i s g e n t l e d i g n i t y a n d k i n d l y s e r i o u s
m a n n e r w o n m e . I h a d s e e n h i m l a s t i n t h e b l a c k
days just after the great German drive that had
punched the Chateau-Thierry sali ent deep into the
A l l i e d l i n e . Then his person looked neglected, his
c h e e ks s u n k e n , h i s c o u n t e n a n c e b l a c k, h e a v y , a n d
d r o o p i n g , h i s e y e s b l e a r e d a n d w e a r y a s t h o u g h h e h a d
n o t s l e p t . N o w , w i t h v i c t o r y s w i n g i n g i n o u r d i r e c t i o n ,
h i s e y e w a s b r i g h t , h i s c h e e k s r o u n d e d o u t , h i s s t e p
e l a s t i c , a n d h i s m a n n e r a l m o s t l i g h t . The chang e wa s
l a u g h a b l e a n d I t o l d h i m s o . H e t o o k i t i n f i n e h u m o u r .
T h i n g s w e r e g o i n g w e l l w i t h h i m t h e s e d a y s .
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CHAPTER XXVIIITHE MEUSE-ARGONNE
BY SEPTEMBER 25th, troo ps, sup plie s, and t rai ns
a l l s e e m e d a t l a s t t o b e o n t h e g r o u n d . A l l
t h e s e , I b e l i e v e , h a d p a s s e d t h r o u g h m y h a n d s t o t h e i r
p l a c e s . T h e g r e a t d u m p s o f a m m u n i t i o n , f o o d t r a i n s ,
f o r a g e , g a s o l i n e , e n g i n e e r m a t e r i a l , a n d w h a t - n o t w e r e
t h e r e . G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s h e a d q u a r t e r s h a d a p p e a r e d
a t S o u i l l y . A c l i c k o f t h e k a l e i d o s c o p e a n d t h e u n i t s
g r o u p t h e m s e l v e s i n t o c o r p s . P i e c e m e a l f o r t w o w e e k s
the army had been coming together, and its sub-
d i v i s i o n s w e r e n o w " s e t " f o r t h e p a r t s t h e y w e r e t o
p l a y i n t h e g r e a t e s t b a t t l e e v e r f o u g h t b y A m e r i c a n
t r o o p s .
T h e s e p a r t s b e c a m e c l e a r t o t h e m a s t h e t r o o p s g r a d u -
a l l y t o o k u p t h e i r p o s i t i o n s . Thre e Amer ican co rps
r e a c h e d f r o m t h e M e u s e t o t h e A r g o n n e f o r e s t ; t h e r e
w e r e t w o s m a l l F r e n c h c o r p s t o t h e e a s t o f t h e M e u s e .
M y o w n I I I r d C o r p s ' s e c t o r l a y j u s t w e s t o f t h e M e u s e ,
a l o n g t h e F o r g e s b r o o k , r e a c h i n g f r o m t h e r i v e r t o
a p o i n t s o m e t e n k i l o m e t r e s t o t h e w e s t , s o u t h o f t h e
g r e a t e n e m y s t r o n g p o i n t , Mo n t f a u c o n . Along this
l i n e , d u r i n g t h e l o n g c o u r s e o f b a t t l e s a b o u t V e r d u n ,
h a d f a l l e n t h o u s a n d s o f F r e n c h m e n . N o t a f o o t o f i t
b u t h a d b e e n c r a t e r e d b y t h e e n e m y ' s g r e a t g u n s , i n
s o m e p l a c e s t w o o r t h r e e t i m e s o v e r . Ther e had o nce
b e e n v i l l a g e s , f a r m s , a n d w o o d s . Ma p s s h o w e d w h e r e
they had stood . They were the r e no more l ev e l l ed
9 6 4
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 6 5
a l l b y t h e h u r r i c a n e o f s h e l l s . T h e o n l y t h i n g s t h a t
h a d b e e n a b l e t o r e m a i n w e r e t h e s o l d i e r s , w h o h a d
b u r i e d t h e m s e l v e s i n t h e b o w e l s o f t h e e a r t h , a p p e a r i n g
a b o v e g r o u n d i n t h e l i g h t o f t h e b l e s s e d s u n o n l y t o m e e t
i n d e a d l y s t r u g g l e t h e e n e m y ' s o n s e t .
" I w a s w o u n d e d o u t t h e r e o n o n e o f t h o s e h i l l s , " s a i d
m y F ren c h aid e, Lieu t e n a n t Sec her e s s e . H e c o u l d
n o l o n g e r l o c a t e t h e s p o t . A s I l o o k e d a t t h e g r o u n d I
s o m e h o w f e l t t h a t w e w e r e n o t t o m e e t g r e a t s l a u g h t e r
h e r e . The onr ush of unwar-wea ried Americans wou ld
q u i c k l y c a r r y t h e s t r u g g l e b e y o n d t h i s z o n e . I t s o
p r o v ed . T h i s t i m e t h e s k i l l e d G e r m a n f i g h t e r w a s n o t
s o m u c h s e e k i n g t o d e s t r o y o t h e r s a s t o s a v e h i m s e l f.
B u t h o w s h o u l d w e p a s s t h e w i r e , o u r o w n w i r e a s
w e l l a s t h e e n e m y ' s ? I t l a y b e t w e e n u s a n d t h e e n e m y
i n e n d l e s s t a n g l e , t h e a c c u m u l a t i o n o f y e a r s o f d e f e n c e
on both sides-our o wn I say, as much of a prob lem
a s the enem y' s . Successive battles had only added
t o i t s d e n s i t y a n d c o m p l i c a t i o n . H o w t o p a s s i t w a s
a w o r r y f o r e v e r y o n e c o n c e r n e d . E v e r y b o d y t h o u g h t ,
s c h e m e d , a n d d e v i s e d ; everyb ody had a plan-wi r e
c u t t e r s , " c h i c k e n w i r e " b r i d g e s o v e r t h e t o p o f t h e
e n t a ng l e m e n t , a x e s t o c u t a n d b r e a k i t d o w n , l i f t d e t a i l s ,
b r e a k i n g d o w n d e t a i l s , t u b e s o f e x p l o s i v e s a n d s h e l l
f i r e t o m a k e l a n e s . When the time came, we went over
i t a n d n o b o d y h a s t o l d h o w . D o u b t a l w a y s a n d d i f f i -
culty almost always disappear before action . Th e
F o r g e s b r o o k, r u n n i n g t h r o u g h a m a r s h y b o t t o m
c h u r n e d i n t o d e e p m u d b y s h e l l - f i r e , p o i s o n e d b y t h o u -
s a n d s o f g a s s h e l l s , a l s o t r o u b l e d u s . I t , t o o , w a s p a s s e d
a n d n o b o d y k n e w h o w . No obsta cle stops men de-
t e r m i n e d t o g o a h e a d .
R a r e l y h a v e I s e e n a n y t h i n g m o r e c a r e f u l l y o r c o m -
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26 6 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
p l e t e l y p l a n n e d a n d p r e p a r e d f o r t h a n t h e b e g i n n i n g
of the b attle o f the Meuse-Argonne . I r e m e m b e r e d
t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e F r e n c h s t a f f o f f i c e r a y e a r b e f o r e
i n L y o n , w h e n h e s a w o n e o f o u r d e t a c h m e n t s l o s t a n d
s t r a y i n g o v e r F r a n c e - " H a v e y o u n o s t a f f ?" W e
n o w h a d a s t a f f .
On the w onderful French maps th e plans s howed
the immediate an d remote objectives of each corps .
T h e m a p s i n m a n y b r i g h t c o l o u r s r e m i n d e d m e o f t h e
c r i t i c i s m o f t h e A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r w h o a f e w m o n t h s
b e f o r e h a d r e m a r k e d t o a F r e n c h g e n e r a l t h a t t h e
F r e n c h s t a f f w e r e g o i n g i n t o o m u c h f o r m a k i n g " E a s t e r
e g g s , " r e f e r r i n g t o t h e m a n y c o l o u r e d a r e a s o f o v a l s h a p e
o n th e se m ap s . And n o w o u r o w n s t a f f w e r e m a k i n g
" E a s t e r e g g s . "
I n a l l t h e s e p r e p a r a t i o n s t h e r e w e r e s o m e f a i l u r e s .
T w o b r i g a d i e r g e n e r a l s a n d o n e m a j o r g e n e r a l w h o w e r e
s l o w a n d u n e n e r g e t i c o r c a r e l e s s , w h o w e r e n o t i m -
p r e s s e d b y t h e i r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s i n p r e p a r a t i o n , s h o r t l y
l o s t their commands upon my recommendatio n ; a n d
l a t e r , i n b a t t l e , I k n o w o f t w o o t h e r m a j o r g e n e r a l s
w h o l o s t t h e i r s i n o t h e r c o r p s n e a r m e . T h i s o f c o u r s e
i s h a r d l y b e l i e v a b l e a s w e r e a d o n l y A m e r i c a n h i s t o r i e s
o f o u r f i g h t i n g i n F r a n c e . T h e s e n e v e r r e f e r t o a n y
f a i l u r e o r l a x i t y i n b a t t l e o r d u t y b y e v e n t h e h u m b l e s t
A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r .
A s I r e a d s o m e o f t h e s e n a r r a t i v e s I k n o w w e a r e n o w
g o i n g t o t r a n s m i t t o o u r c h i l d r e n t h e s a m e e x a g g e r a t i o n
of uniform American duty, bravery, a nd prowess as
fill the popula r histories of our Revolution -such
h i s t o r i e s a s m a d e i t n e c e s s a r y f o r G e n e r a l U p t o n t o t e l l
t h e t r u t h i n h i s " Mi l i t a r y P o l i c y o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . "
T h e h a r d e s t w o r k t h a t I d i d o r s a w d o n e b y o t h e r s i n
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THE MEUSE-ARGUNNE 2 6 7
F r a n c e w a s t he h o l d i n g o f m e n t o d u t y i n s e r v i c e a n d
b a t t l e . I n t h e e a r l y d a y s s o m e o f o u r m i l i t a r y t h e o r i s t s
w h o h a d b e e n l i t t l e a t t h e f r o n t d e s i r e d t o r e d u c e t h e
m i l i t a r y p o l i c e u s e d f o r t h i s p u r p o s e . A s o u r f i g h t in g
i n c r e a s e d t h e s e m i l i ta r y p o l i c e h a d , o n t h e c o n t r a r y ,
t o b e a u g m e n t e d i n e v e r y w a y po s s i b l e . A n u n b r o k e n
l i n e o f t h e m n o w f o l l o w e d o u r a t t a c k s .
T h i s a r r a n g e m e n t o f a l l t r o o p s c o m p l e t e d , G e n e r a l
P e r s h i n g c a m e o n a v i s i t o f v e r i f i c a t i o n . H e i n q u i r e d
a b o u t t h i n g s i n a v e r y g o o d - h u m o u r e d , a g r e e a b l e ,
a l m o s t c a r e l e s s w a y ; y e t I k n e w t h a t u n d e r n e a t h h i s
e a s y m a n n e r w a s i n e x o r a b l e r u i n t o t h e c o m m a n d e r
w h o d i d n o t h a v e t h i n g s r i g h t . H e s h o w s t h e l e a s t
p e r s o n a l f e e l i n g o f a l l t h e c o m m a n d e r s t h a t I h a v e e v e r
k n o w n , a n d n e v e r s p a r e s t h e i n c o m p e t e n t .
M y c o r p s w a s t o a t t a c k n o r t h w a r d o n t h e w e s t s i d e o f
t h e M e u s e , h a v i n g i n l i n e , f r o m r i g h t t o l e f t , t h e 3 3 r d
D i v i s i o n ( G e n e r a l G e o r g e B e l l ) , t h e 8 0 t h D i v i s i o n
( G e n e r a l C r o n k h i t e ) , a n d t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n ( G e n e r a l
J . L . H i n e s ) . B e h i n d t h i s f r o n t l i n e i n t h e a t t a c k w e r e
t o b e h e l d i n r e s e r v e t w o d i v i s i o n s , m y o l d 1 s t D i v i s i o n
u n d e r G e n e r a l S u m m e r a l l , a n d a n o t h e r w h i c h I h a v e
f o r g o t t e n . T h e s e t w o r e s e r v e d i v i si o n s w e r e p l a c e d
n e a r t h e M e u s e o n a c c o u n t o f a n ti c i p at e d d a n ge r f r o m
t h e e n e m y ' s r i g h t b a n k ( o f th e M e u s e ) p o s i t i o n o n m y
r i g h t f l a n k a s w e s h o u l d a d v a n c e . T h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n
w a s t o h a v e t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t t a s k i n p a s s i n g a n e n e m y ' s
s t r o n g p o i n t a t M o n t fa u c o n , i n b e i n g u n m a s k e d a s i t
a d v a n c e d a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y ' s a r t i l l e r y f i r e f r o m e a s t o f
t h e M e u s e , a n d i n a p p r o a c h i n g t h e e n e m y ' s p o s i t i o n ,
w h i c h w a s k n o w n t o b e a v e r y s t r o n g o n e . T h e t w o
r i g h t d i v i s i o n s , t h e 3 3 r d a n d t h e 8 0 t h , a f t e r a c e r t a i n
a d v a nc e w o u l d , a c c o r d i n g t o t he p l a n , f in d t h e ms e l v e s
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2 68 PE RSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
a g a i n s t t h e M e u s e R i v e r a n d w e r e t h e n t o h a l t a n d f a c e
t h i s r i v e r , f o r m i n g a l i n e o f p r o t e c t i o n a l o n g t h e l e f t
b a n k a g a i n s t p o s s i b l e e n e m y a t t a c k f r o m t h e e a s t , w h i l e
t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n c o n t i n u e d i t s a d v a n c e .
T h e t r o o p s h a d b e e n g a t h e r i n g a n d p r e p a r i n g f o r t w o
weeks . I t w a s t h e n i g h t o f S e p t e m b e r 2 5 t h. E v e r y -
t h i n g t h a t I c o u l d d o h a d b e e n d o n e . I went to be d
w i t h o u t w o r r y .
T h e 3 3 r d w a s a n I l l i n o i s d i v i s i o n.
I h a d s e r v e d w i t h
i t s N a t i o n a l G u a r d b a s i s f o r l o n g m o n t h s u p o n t h e R i o
Grande, in 1916, and knew it as reliable . It w as,
b e s i d e s , c o m m a n d e d b y a r e g u l a r o f f i c e r , G e n e r a l
G e o r g e B e l l , k n o w n t o t h e w h o l e R e g u l a r A r m y a s p e r -
h a p s t h e m o s t e x a c t i n g i n s p e c t o r g e n e r a l t h a t w a s e v e r
i n i t . T h e d i v i s i o n h a d b e e n s e r v i n g w i t h t h e B r i t i s h
a n d I f o u n d i t i n e x c e l l e n t m o r a l e , c o n d i t i o n , a n d
e q u i p m e n t . With the soldiers who composed it, its
equipment and the general commanding it, I felt
p e r f e c t l y s u r e t h a t i t w o u l d d o w h a t w a s e x p e c t e d o f i t .
T h e 8 0 t h D i v i s i o n I d i d n o t k n o w a t a l l , b u t I w a s
t o l d t h a t i t c o n t a i n e d m a n y N o r t h C a r o l i n i a n s , w h o ,
w i t h m e a t l e a s t , a l w a y s h a v e t h e r e p u t a t i o n o f b e i n g
v e r y s t e a d f a s t , r e l i a b l e s o l d i e r s , n o t u n l i k e t h e P e n n -
s y l v a n ians whom I had just been commanding on the
V e s l e .
The 4t h Divis ion w as a Regul ar Army div isio n of
a l r e a d y e s t a b l i s h e d r e p u t a t i o n a s a f i g h t i n g m a c h i n e .
It w a s co m m a n d e d b y Ge n e r a l J o h n L . Hines, who
h a d s e r v e d u n d e r m e a s a c o l o n e l a n d a b r i g a d i e r g e n e r a l
i n t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n - a d r i v i n g , h a r d - f i g h t i n g , u n r e -
l a x i n g s o l d i e r .
E a r l y o n t h e m o r n i n g o f t h e 2 6 t h w e a t t a c k e d . Tha t
day my corps advanced almost as far as we had an-
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 6 9
t i c i p a t e d . I w a s f e e l i n g g o o d . We crossed the awful
wire entangl ements of No Man's Land and be yond ; w e
c r o s s e d t h e F o r g e s b r o o k ; t h e e n e m y ' s r e a c t i o n i n o u r
f r o n t h a d n o t b e e n v i o l e n t a n d m y c o r p s t h a t d a y
h a d s u f f e r e d n o g r e a t l o s s e s . Ye t w e h a d h a d n o
w a l k - o v e r . W e h a d j u s t m a d e a s t a r t . M o r e f i g h t i n g
a n d f u r t h e r a d v a n c e w e r e n e c e s s a r y b e f o r e w e s h o u l d
reach the final corps objective the enemy's third
p o s i t i o n .
T h e f i g h t i n g w a s r e n e w e d t h e n e x t d a y , t h e n e x t d a y ,
a n d t h e n e x t , b e f o r e w e r e a c h e d t h a t t h i r d p o s i t i o n . ,
O n o n e o f t h e s e d a y s t h e w h o l e a r m y w a s g a t h e r e d a n d
m a d e a c o n c e r t e d a t t a c k a n d a d v a n c e . T h e r e s i s t a n c e
o f t h e e n e m y w a s s t e a d i l y s t i f f e n i n g . W h e r e v e r h i s
machine guns were encountered-and they were en-
c o u n t e r e d a f t e r t h e p a s s a ge o f h i s f i r s t l i n e - t h e p r o g r e s s
w a s e x c e e d i n g l y d i f f i c u l t . I n d e e d , h i s f i r s t d e f e n c e
s e e m e d t o b e a l m o s t w h o l l y m a c h i n e g u n s . B u t n o w
a l s o , as my c orp s went forw a rd , we begn t o c atch
a h e a v y a r t i l l e r y f i r e f r o m t h e h i g h g r o u n d o n t h e r i g h t
bank of t he Meuse . I t w a s b e c o m i n g e x c e e d i n g l y a n -
n o y i n g , more so as w e ad v a nc ed . Two days of the
f i r s t f o u r o f t h e b a t t l e w e r e u s e d i n m y c o r p s f o r c l e a n -
u p s o f e n e m y m a c h i n e - g u n p o s i t i o n s t h a t w e h a d p a s s e d
o v e r i n t h e a d v a n c e . These clean- ups sh owed a cap-
t u r e o f m a n y o f t h e e n e m y , a n d o f m u c h a r m s a n d m u -
n i t i o n s a n d m a t e r i a l . T h e s e f o u r d a y s a b o u t c o m p l e t e d
t h e w o r k o f t h e . 3 3 r d D i v i s i o n o n t h e l e f t b a n k o f t h e
M e u s e a n d p a r t i a l l y c o m p l e t e d t h a t o f t h e 8 0 t h ; t h e y
b r o u g h t t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n , o n t h e l e f t o f t h e 8 0 t h , c l o s e
u p t o t h e e n e m y ' s t h i r d p o s i t i o n a n d o u r c o r p s o b j e c -
t i v e . T h e y a l s o l e f t t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n p a r t i a l l y i n a n d
p a r t i a l l y o u t o f a w o o d , t h e B o i s d e F a y . In t h i s p o s i -
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2 70 PE RSONALITIE S AND RE MINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
t i o n i t w a s g e t t i n g a d e a d l y e n e m y c r o s s f i r e f r o m b o t h
i t s f l a n k s , b e c a u s e i n i t s a d v a n c e i t h a d p a s s e d t h e d i -
v i s i o n s o n i t s l e f t a n d r i g h t a t M o n t f a u c o n a n d n e a r
B r i e u l l e s - t w o s t r o n g p o i n t s o f t h e e n e m y .
G e n e r a l H i n e s ' s a d v a n c i n g n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e e x -
p o s u r e o f b o t h o f h i s f l a n k s w a s r e m a r k a b l y f i n e . B e -
f o r e t h e a t t a c k I h a d c a l l e d t o g e t h e r m y d i v i s i o n c o m -
m a n d e r s a n d t o l d t h e m t h a t i n e v e r y f i g h t i n w h i c h I
h a d t h u s f a r t a k e n p a r t I h a d h e a r d d i v i s i o n , b r i g a d e ,
and regimental commanders excuse their failures to
continue the advance by blaming the units on their
r i g h t o r l e f t f o r f a i l i n g t o c o m e f o r w a r d w i t h t h e m .
" I s h a l l t a k e n o s u c h e x c u s e o n t h i s o c c a s i o n , " I
added . " E a c h o f y o u r d i v i s i o n s m a i n t a i n s i t s r e s e r v e
f o r t h e v e r y p u r p o s e o f p r o t e c t i n g y o u r f l a n k s . " Th a t
w a s eno u g h .
In the two we eks' fighting in whi ch I commanded
this corps in t he battle of the Meuse-Argonne t he
f l a n k s o f i t s d i v i s i o n s w e r e m a n y t i m e s e x p o s e d b y
l a c k o f c o n t i n u i t y o f a d v a n c e w i t h o t h e r u n i t s o n t h e i r
r i g h t o r l e f t , b u t I n e v e r h e a r d o n e c o m p l a i n t t h a t t h e
o t h e r f e l l o w h a d n ' t a d v a n c e d .
T h e a d v a n c e o f m y c o r p s h a v i n g r e a c h e d t h e e n e m y ' s
t h i r d p o s i t i o n , o u r c o r p s o b j e c t i v e , a n d t h e r e e n c o u n t -
e r e d s t r o n g r e s i s t a n c e , I m o v e d m y c o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s
f o r w a r d s o m e e i g h t o r t e n k i l o m e t r e s t o M o n t z e v i l l e ,
w h e n c e I c o u l d b e t t e r s u p e r v i s e o p e r a t i o n s
I n o u r h a l t i n f r o n t o f t h e e n e m y ' s t h i r d p o s i t i o n
a v e r y g r e a t d i f f i c u l t y w a s b e i n g e n c o u n t e r e d i n r e a c h i n g
t h e a d v a n c e d t r o o p s w i t h a m b u l a n c e s , f o o d , a n d a m -
m u n i t i o n . F r o m M o n t z e v i l l e a c r o s s t h e o l d N o M a n ' s
L a n d a n d u p t o t h e e n e m y ' s f r o n t l i n e , a d i s t a n c e o f
p e r h a p s s e v e n k i l o m e t r e s , a r o a d o f p r e - w a r d a y s w a s
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 7 1
s h o w n o n t h e m a p . A s w e p a s s e d o v e r t h is d i s t a nc e
i n t h e f i r s t d a y ' s a t t a c k t h e r e w a s n o s i g n o f t h i s r o a d
e x c e p t s t o n e s s c a t t e r e d i n t w o o r t h r e e y e a r s ' p l o u g h i n g
b y t h e e n e m y ' s g r e a t g u n s . I t h a d b e e n s h e l l - c r a t e r e d ,
o v e r a n d o v e r . A s o u r i n f a n t r y l i n e a d v a n c e d , i t w a s '
f o l l o w e d a l o n g t h i s o l d r o a d b y a g r e a t f o r c e o f e n g i -
n e e r s a n d p i o n e e r s w h o b y s h e e r n u m b e r s , w i t h t o o t h
a n d n ai l , s c r a t c h e d a n d l e v e l l e d a n d ma c a d a m iz e d a
r o a d o v e r w h i c h a m b u l a n c e s , f o o d , a m m u n i t i o n , a n d
a r t i l l e r y f o l l o w e d a l m o s t a s r a p i d l y a s t h e t r o o p s a d -
v a n c e d .
T h e w o r k m e n f o r m e d p r a c t i c a l l y a c o n t i n u o u s l i n e
o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e r o a d a n d s w a r m e d b a c k o f t h e s i d e '
l i n e s l i k e a n t s , g a t h e r i n g g r a v e l a n d b r o k e n s t o n e t o b e
t h r o w n u p o n t h e r o a d b e d . T h e y w o r k e d n i g h t a n d d a y
w i t h o u t c e s s a t i o n , w i t h a d e v o t i o n n o t s u r p a s s e d b y t h e
m e n w h o w e r e r i s k i n g t h e i r l i v e s i n t h e v e r y f r o n t l i n e s .
T h e y c o u l d u s e o n l y t h e l i g h t e s t i mp l e m e n t s , b e c a u s e
t h e i r t r a i n s w i t h h e a v i e r t o o l s c o u l d n o t b e b r o u g h t f o r
s o m e t i m e u p o n t h e g r o u n d . T h e m e n g a t h e r e d s t o n e s
b y h a n d a n d b r o u g h t t h e m t o t h e r o a d b e d w h e r e t h e y
s a n k i n t h e m u d o f l a t e s h e l l c r a t e r s a l m o s t a s i f
t h e y h a d b e e n d r o p p e d i n t o a b o t t o m l e s s s e a , s o s o f t w a s
t h e g r o u n d a n d s o d e s t r u c t i v e t h e p a s s a g e o f v e h i c l e s .
I t w a s a n e x h a u s t i n g , h e a r t - b r e a k i n g , d i s c o u r a g i n g , e v e r -
c o n t in u o u s o p e r a t i o n t h at l a s t e d a l l t h e t i me ( t h r e e
w e e k s ) t h a t I r e m a i n e d w i th t h e F i r s t A r m y - a n d l o n g
a f t e r , I a m t o l d . B u t t h e r o a d w o r k e d , a n d g r a d u a l l y
s o l i d i f i e d a n d h a r d e n e d .
I c o n s i d e r i t a l t o g e t h e r - i n m a k i n g , u p k e e p , a n d
o p e r a t i o n - t h e m o s t w o n d e r f u l p i e c e o f w o r k t h a t I
s a w e x e c u t e d d u r i n g t h e W o r l d W a r . T h e r o a d - w a s
m a d e a n d o p e r a t e d a t t h e s a m e t i m e - o p e r a t e d a t t h e
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27 2 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
s a c r i f i c e o f m a n y m a c h i n e s a n d v e h i c l e s , b u t o p e r a t e d
e f f e c t i v e l y f o r t h e s u p p l y o f 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e n t h a t h a d
g o n e a h e a d . I t s u p p l i e d n o t o n l y m y c o r p s , b u t i n
p a r t a l s o t h e c o r p s o n m y l e f t , w i t h a l l t h e i r s p e c i a l
t r o o p s . Th e t r a f f i c w a s m a n a g e d b y t h e " b l o ck "
s y s t e m u s e d b y t h e r a i l r o a d s o f o u r o w n c o u n t r y . At
a l l t i m e s , d a y a n d n i g h t , t h e r o a d w a s c o v e r e d b y a
c o n t i n u o u s l i n e o f t r a i n s f r o m o n e e n d t o t h e o t h e r .
Any block or breakdown was made known by te legram
f r o m o n e p o i n t t o a n o t h e r u p o n t h e r o a d a n d t h e t r a i n s
h a l t e d a t t h e b l o c k s t a t i o n s u n t i l t h e w a y w a s o p e n e d .
I t t o o k , a s n e a r l y a s I c a n n o w r e m e m b e r , a l l m y s p a r e
m i l i t a r y p o l i c e , a b a t t a l i o n o f i n f a n t r y , a n d s o m e f i f t y
o f f i c e r s t o r e g u l a t e t h e t r a f f i c a n d p r e v e n t b l o c k a d e s .
T w o o f m y p e r s o n a l a i d e s w e r e g i v e n t o h e l p i n t h i s .
I d i d n o t s e e t h e m a g a i n f o r t w o o r t h r e e d a y s a n d
w h e n I d i d a g a i n s e e t h e m I w a s h a r d l y a b l e t o r e c o g n i z e
t h e m , s o m u d d y a n d e x h a u s t e d w e r e t h e y . F o r a
v e h i c l e t o m a k e a r o u n d t r i p o v e r t h i s r o a d i t t o o k
always two and sometimes three days . Driv ers an d
c h a u f f e u r s w e r e f r e q u e n t l y f o u n d s i t t i n g b o l t u p r i g h t
s o u n d a s l e e p , t h e i r v e h i c l e s a t a s t a n d s t i l l . G r e a t
p a t i e n c e a n d s t i l l g r e a t e r f i r m n e s s a n d d r i v i n g p o w e r
w e r e r e q u i r e d t o r e g u l a t e a n d k e e p t h i s r o a d i n o p e r a -
t i o n . A l o n g i t a t t w o o r t h r e e s t a t i o n s w e r e e s t a b l i s h e d
k i t c h e n s t h a t r a n c o n t i n u o u s l y d a y a n d n i g h t , f e e d i n g
e v e r y b o d y t h a t h u n g e r e d , w i t h o u t r e g a r d t o o r g a n i -
z a t i o n o r a n y t h i n g e l s e e x c e p t t h e n e e d . I won dere d
w h a t o u r o l d - t i m e r a t i o n e x p e r t s o f t h e o l d S u b s i s t e n c e
D e p a r t m e n t w o u l d h a v e s a i d t o s u c h a p l a n .
A f t e r t h e t w o c o n c e r t e d a t t a c k s o f t h e w h o l e F i r s t
A r m y i n t h e f i r s t f o u r o r f i v e d a y s o f t h e b a t t l e t h e r e f o l -
l o w e d a n u m b e r o f l o c a l a t t a c k s c o n d u c t e d b y c o r p s a n d
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 73
d i v i s i o n s i n th e i r o w n z o n e s o f a c t i o n . E x c e p t f o r v e r y
t r i f l i n g a f f a i r s , I n e v e r l i k e d s u c h o p e r a t i o n s . All of
my pre v i o u s ex p e r i e n c e was agai n s t them , and the
r e s u l t s o r n o n - r e s u l t s o f t h e s e s e e m e d f u r t h e r t o j u s t i f y
m y d i s l i k e . E x c e p t i n a m o s t l i m i t e d w a y m y c o r p s g o t
n o r e s u l t s f r o m t h e m ; a n d i t s e e m e d t h e s a m e t h r o u g h -
o u t t h e a r m y s o f a r a s I c o u l d j u d g e f r o m t h e n e w s .
I f i n a l l y f e l t s o s t r o n g l y a b o u t i t t h a t I w e n t t o s e e
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g a n d e x p r e s s e d m y o p i n i o n , b u t I s a w
n o r e s u l t . D i r e c t i o n s o r p e r m i s s i o n h a d b e e n g i v e n t o
c o r p s a n d d i v i s i o n s t o c o n c e r t a c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e m s e l v e s
w h e r e n e c e s s a r y f o r s u c c e s s . M y l e f t d i v i s i o n , t h e 4 t h
( G e n e r a l H i n e s ) , i n t h e f i r s t d a y ' s a d v a n c e h a d g o n e
e n t i r e l y p a s t t h e r i g h t d i v i s i o n o f t h e V t h C o r p s u p o n
m y l e f t , l e a v i n g i t , t h e 7 9 t h D i v i s i o n , i n f r o n t o f M o n t -
f a u c o n . I n t h a t n e i g h b o u r h o o d t h e 7 9 t h r e m a i n e d s t r u g -
g l i n g w i t h t h e e n e m y t w o d a y s o r s o s o m e k i l o m e t r e s b e -
h i n d t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n . I h a d i n v a i n t r i e d t o i n d u c e t h e
G e n e r a l c o m m a n d i n g t h e V t h C o r p s t o t a k e c o n c e r t e d
a c t i o n w i t h m e i n o r d e r t o u n i t e o u r t w o f l a n k s . Myl e f t f l a n k r e m a i n e d f o r d a y s i n t h e a i r , c a t c h i n g a d e a d l y
f i r e f r o m o u r l e f t f r o n t . T h i s f i r e c a u s e d s t e a d y l o s s e s
a m o n g m y f r o n t - l i n e t r o o p s i n t h e B o i s d e F a y . B e-
t w e e n t h e 7 t h a n d 1 0 t h I v i s i t e d b r i g a d e a n d d i v i s i o n
h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n . T h e y w e r e f i g h t i n g
h a r d a n d u n c e r t a i n l y . T h e y s t i l l h a d t h e B o i s d e F a y ,
w h o s e sou t h e r n ed ge was bein g swep t by a terr i b l e
m a c h i n e - g u n f i r e f r o m t h e e n e m y o n b o t h t h e r i g h t a n d
t h e l e f t f l a n k . P a s s a g e o r r e i n f o r c e m e n t s t o t h e t r o o p s
i n t h e B o i s w a s i m p o s s i b l e b y da y a n d b y n i g h t
a l m o s t s o . T h e d i v i s i o n w a s a l m o s t e x h a u s t e d . The ir
f o o d w a s u s e d u p a n d t h e i r a m m u n i t i o n a l m o s t g o n e ,
b u t t h e y s t i l l h e l d o n - w e a k , s c a t t e r e d , a n d d i s o r g a n i z e d
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27 4 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
b y h e a v y l o s s e s a n d r e p e a t e d e n e m y c o u n t e r - a t t a c k s ,
b u t s t i l l i n t h e B o i s d e F a y . The divis ion commander,
G e n e r a l H i n e s , g r e a t l y c o n c e r n e d , h a l f a s k e d m e t o
a l l o w w i t h d r a w a l f r o m t h e w o o d . "No," I answ ered ;
" w e ' v e g o t t o s t a y t h e r e ; w e g i v e u p n o t h i n g . Yo u r
d i v i s i o n h a s d o n e m a g n i f i c e n t w o r k a n d s h o w n w o n d e r -
f u l c o u r a g e . "
" T h e n t e l l t h e m s o 1 " h e e x c l a i m e d , a n d I d i d s o a t
once from his German dugout headquarters at Cuisy .
I o r d e r e d a c o r p s a i r p l a n e t o f l y o v e r a n d s c a t t e r
d o w n t o t h e t r o o p s i n t h a t w o o d ( t h a t w a s t h e o n l y w a y
t h e y c o u l d b e r e a c h e d ) a c i t a t i o n f o r t h e i r b r a v e r y
a nd an encoura g e m e n t to st ick . They di d stick,
w h i l e I o r d e r e d a l l t h e a r t i l l e r y a n d a l l t h e a i r p l a n e s
that I could lay my hands on to bombard Brieul les
a n d t h e f o r t n e a r i t t h a t w a s d e c i m a t i n g t h e s e m e n
w i t h m a c h i n e - g u n f i r e , a n d t o b o m b a r d a l s o t h e e n e m y ' s
b a t t e r i e s i n t h e h i l l s e a s t o f t h e M e u s e . B r i e u l l e s a n d
i t s f o r t u p o n t h e h i l l w e r e s m a s h e d a n d d e s t r o y e d b y
a i r p l a n e s a n d h e a v y a r t i l l e r y . T h e i r d e s t r u c t i o n r e -
l i e v e d t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n . T h e t r o o p s i n t h e B o i s d e F a y
w e r e r e i n f o r c e d , f e d , a n d s a v e d . T h e i r l o s s e s a n d t h e
s t r a i n u p o n t h e m h a d b e e n v e r y g r e a t , t h e g r e a t e s t t h a t I
h a v e k n o w n . I shall reme m b e r this as o ne of the
f i n e s t i f n o t t h e f i n e s t d e e d t h a t I h a v e k n o w n . Th e y
w e r e g a s s e d , b o m b a r d e d w i t h a r t i l l e r y , a n d r i d d l e d w i t h
m a c h i n e - g u n f i r e , b u t t h e y h a d s t a y e d , a n d t h e e n e m y
w a s a t l a s t p u s h e d o u t o f t h e w o o d b y t h e i r d r i v e .
W h i l e t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n w a s s t i l l s t r u g g l i n g i n t h e
B o i s d e F a y w i t h i t s l e f t f l a n k i n t h e a i r , a p a r t o f m y
8 0 t h D i v i s i o n w a s m o v e d a c r o s s t h e r e a r o f t h e 4 t h
a n d p l a c e d o n i t s l e f t j u s t n o r t h o f M o n t f a u c o n . H e r e
i t f o u n d i t se l f i n c l o s e q u a r t e r s w i t h a v e r y s t r o n g e n e m y
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 7 5
i n t h e B o i s d e s O g o n s . T h i s w o o d w a s t r e m e n d o u s l y
e n t a n g l e d w i th b a r b e d w i r e a n d f i l l e d w i t h n e s ts o f
e n e m y m a c h i n e g u n s . I t l a y u p o n t h e l i n e w h i c h d i -
v i d e d t h e V t h C o r p s ' z o n e o f a c t i o n f r o m t h a t o f t h e
I l l r d . L i a i s o n , u n i t e d e f f o r t , t o c a p t u r e i t w a s d i f f i c u l t .
O u r l i n e s w e r e w a v e r i n g h e r e a s i n t h e B o i s d e F a y .
T h e 8 0 t h D iv i s i o n ma d e t w o s t r o n g a t t ac k s u p o n t h e i r
p o r t i o n o f t h e B o i s d e s O g o n s , e a c h t i me g e t t i n g i n t o
t h e w o o d s b u t e a c h t i m e b e i n g t h r o w n o u t b y t h e
e n e m y .
W h i l e m y c o r p s w as a t a s t a n d s t i l l s t r u g g l i n g a t
B r i e u l l e s , B o i s d e F a y , a n d B o i s d e s O g o n s , i t s e e m e d t o
m e t h a t a l s o t h e w h o l e F i r s t A r m y w a s n e a r l y a t a s t a n d -
s t i l l . D a i l y I h e a r d r e p o r t s o f a t ta c k s b y c o r p s a n d
d i v i s i o n s , b u t t h e g a i n s w e r e s m a l l a n d i r r e g u l a r a n d t h e
l o s s e s t o o g r e a t f o r t h e r e s u l t s . I n m o s t o f t h e s e a t -
t a c k s , b o t h g e n e r a l a n d l o c a l , o u r i n f a n t r y , o n a c c o u n t
o f d i f f i c u l t g r o u n d , t r e n c h e s , w i r e , a n d e n e m y m a c h i n e -
g u n n e s t s , w e r e u n a b l e t o o r d i d n o t f o l l o w c l o s e l y
o u r r o l l i n g b a r r a g e . T h e s e b a r r a g e s d i d n o t a n n i h i -
l a t e t h e e n e m y . T h a t e n e m y h a d l e a r n e d t o b u r y
h i ms e l f a n d , o u r b a r r a g e h a v i n g pa s s e d o v e r h i m, t o
r i s e f r o m h i s p i t s a n d , w i t h t h e s k i l l o f t h e t r a i n e d o l d
s o l d i e r , s t o p o r s l a u g h t e r o u r a d v a n c i n g i n f a n t r y , c o m i n g
t o o f a r b e h i n d t h e b a r r a g e . T h i s i s h o w i n a l m o s t e v e r y
i n s t a n c e o u r a d v a n c e s h a d c o m e t o a h a l t . T h e n t h e
i n fa n tr y h a d t o b e h e l p e d b y f u r t h e r a r t i l l e r y f ir e .
T h e i n f a n t r y o f t h e w h o l e a r m y , I h e a r d , w a s t h u s
c a l l i n g f o r a n u n u s u a l a m o u n t o f a r t i l l e r y f i r e f o r t h e i r
p r o t e c t i o n .T h e c o n s u m p t i o n o f a r t i l l e r y a m m u n i t i o n
w a s c o n s id e r e d t o b e e n o r m o u s . I n a l l n e w t r o o p s t h a t
h a d c o m e u n d e r m y o b s e r v a t i o n th i s ha d b e e n a d i f fi -
c u l t y . I t s p e l l e d l a c k o f t r a in i n g a n d e x p e r i e n c e .
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2 7 6 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF TH E W AR
F o r a w e e k , i t s e e m s t o m e , t h e F i r s t A r m y w a s p r a c -
t i c a l l y a t a s t a n d s t i l l . Daily commu nique s told us
o f o u r a l l i e s ' p r o g r e s s o n o t h e r f r o n t s : w e were mak in g
n o n e . O f f i c e r s i n h i g h c o m m a n d , I k n o w , w e r e w o r r i e d .
I w a s a m o n g t h e n u m b e r , b u t a t l a s t s u c c e s s a t B r i e u l l e s ,
B o i s d e F a y , a n d t h e B o i s d e s O g o n s r e l i e v e d m e . Myc o r p s w a s i n p o s i t i o n n o w t o t a k e u p a f u r t h e r a d v a n c e .
A n d o f t h e B o i s d e s O g o n s a n i n c i d e n t : T h e 8 0 t h D i -
v i s i o n h a d t w i c e i n s t r o n g a t t a c k s t a k e n t h e w o o d a n d
t w i c e h a d b e e n t h r o w n o u t w i t h s e v e r e l o s s e s . Th e
g e n e r a l c o m m a n d i n g , w h e n I v i s i t e d h i s h e a d q u a r t e r s ,
h a l f a s k e d m e t o b e a l l o w e d t o g i v e u p t h e a t t e m p t .
" G i v e i t u p a n d y o u a r e a g o n e r ; y o u ' l l l o s e y o u r c o m -
mand in twenty-four hours . Make one m ore a ttack .
T h i s t i m e y o u ' l l t a k e t h e w o o d a n d t h r o w t h e e n e m y
out ." He did . H e w a s g i v e n a c o r p s s h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d .
G e n e r a l H i n e s ( 4 t h D i v i s i o n ) a n d G e n e r a l C r o n k h i t e
( 8 0 t h D i v i s i o n ) a r e t o - d a y m a j o r g e n e r a l s i n t h e R e g u l a r
Ar m y . B o t h p a s s e d t h e i r s t r a i n i n g p o i n t s i n t h e w o o d s
beyon d Montfau con .
D u r i n g t h e w a v e r i n g a n d s t a n d s t i l l o f t h e p a s t w e e k
o r s o I h a d v i s i t e d m y f r o n t v e r y c a r e f u l l y . I f o u n d t h e
b r i g a d e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e i n f a n t r y o f t h e f r o n t l i n e
a l m o s t a l l t o o f a r b a c k . I o r d e r e d t h e m a l l f o r w a r d
w i t h , I t h i n k , a s i n g l e e x c e p t i o n . Th a t n i g h t o n
r e a c h i n g m y c o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s I f o u n d a n i r r i t a t e d
m e s s a g e , g i v e n o u t , a s I r e m e m b e r , b y G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ,
t o t h e w h o l e a r m y d e c l a r i n g , w i t h r e g a r d t o t h a t w h o l e
a r m y , w h a t I h a d j u s t f o u n d i n m y o w n c o r p s t h a t d a y .
I w a s e s p e c i a l l y p r o u d t o r e p o r t a t o n c e t h a t I h a d a l -
r e a d y f o u n d t h e f a u l t i n m y c o r p s a n d h a d r e m e d i e d i t .
No tanks had been assigne d to my corps . I h e a r d
o f t h e i r o p e r a t i o n e l s e w h e r e o n l y a f t e r t h e b a t t l e b a d
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THE MEUSE- ARGONNE 2 7 7
b e e n i n p r o g r e s s f o r a w e e k o r t e n d a y s , a n d t h i s i s w h a t
I he ard : T h a t t h e i n f a n t r y o f t h e f r o n t l i n e s , w h o m
t h e s e t a n k s h a d c o m e t o h e l p , s a w s u c h t a n k s f o r t h e
f i r s t t i m e , l o o k e d a t t h e i r o p e r a t i o n w i t h g r e a t i n t e r e s t
and admiration-but without support!
T h e w h o l e I I I r d C o r p s b e i n g g r e a t l y b e s e t b y t h e
e n e m y ' s f i r e f r o m e a s t o f t h e M e u s e , o n O c t o b e r 7 t h
t h e 3 3 r d D i v i s i o n , h a v i n g a t t a i n e d i t s o b j e c t i v e w e s t ,
w a s d e t a c h e d f r o m m e a n d o r d e r e d t o t h e e a s t b a n k o f
t h e r i v e r . I t w a s t h e r e t o j o i n a F r e n c h c o r p s w h i c h h a d
b e e n u n a b l e t o a d v a n c e s u f f i c i e n t l y t o d r i v e b a c k t h e
e n e m y ' s b a t t e r i e s e a s t o f t h e M e u s e a n d s o t o p r e v e n t
t h e i r c r o s s fi r e o n t h e r e a r o f o u r l i n e s w e s t o f th e r i v e r .
I w a s e s p e c i a l l y s o r r y t o l o s e t h e 3 3 r d . I t h a d s h o w n
u n u s u a l e f f e c t i v e n e s s a n d s e l f - r e l i a n c e i n t h e l o n g ,
d i f f i c u l tp r e p a r a t i o n f o r b a t t l e a n d i n t a k i n g i t s o b j e c t -
i v e s i n t he b a t t l e w i th e q u a l e a s e a n d c o n f i d e n c e . I t h a d
g o n e i n t o b a t t l e w i t h t h e h a n d i c a p o f h a v i n g a n a r t i l l e r y
b r i g a d e n o t i t s o w n , w h o s e h o r s e s w e r e r e p o r t e d n o t i n
g o o d c o n d i t i o n . I t s o w n a r t i l l e r y b r i g a d e w a s , i n t h e
e x i g e n c i e s o f s e r v i c e , s e r v i n g w i t h a n o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n .
F o r t h i s r e a s o n t h e 3 3 r d h a d i n m y c o r p s b e e n a s s i g n e d
t h e m o s t l i m i t e d f i e l d o f o p e r a t i o n o f an y d i v i s i o n t h e r e -
i n , b u t t h i s i t h a d t h o r o u g h l y c l e a n e d u p a n d i t w a s
n o w g o i n g e l s e w h e r e .
T h e r i g h t d i v i s i o n o f t h e V t h C o r p s o n t h e d a y o f t h e
f i r s t a t t a c k , S e p t e m b e r 2 6 t h , w a s t h e 7 9 t h , t o u c h i n g
t h e l e f t o f m y c o r p s . T h i s I u n d e r s t o o d w a s t h e f i r s t
s e r i o u s f i g h t i n w h i c h t h e d i v i s i o n h a d t a k e n p a r t . As
I l o o k e d a t t h e m a p a n d s a w t h e d o m i n a n t f e a t u r e o f
t h e w h o l e t e r r a i n , M o n t f a u c o n , a g a i n s t w h i c h t h i s n e w
d i v i s i o n w a s t o g o , I f e l t s u r e t h a t i t w o u l d h a v e a
d i f f ic u l t t i me . M o n t f a u c o n i s o n e o f t h o s e t o w n s o f t h e
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2 7 8 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
M i d d l e A g e s b u i l t b y s o m e l o c a l c h i e f a s m a n y o f t h e m
a r e , u p o n a d o m i n a n t h i l l - t o p f o r d e f e n c e a g a i n s t e v e r -
w a r r i n g n e i g h b o u r s . It stood above the whole sur-
r o u n d i n g c o u n t r y , w i t h a l o n g , c l e a n , o p e n s l o p e i n
t h e d i r e c t i o n f r o m w h i c h t h e 7 9 t h w a s t o a p p r o a c h i t .
T o m e i t l o o k e d l i k e a t e r r i b l e o b s t a c l e t o h a v e t o g o
a g a i n s t . It proved so for the 79th . That division
s t o p p e d b e f o r e i t t h e f i r s t d a y , a n d w a s r e l i e v e d s o m e
d a y s l a t e r b y t h e 3 r d D i v i s i o n . S o o n a f t e r i t h a d b e e n
t a k e n a n d a f t e r p a r t o f m y 8 0 t h D i v i s i o n h a d m o v e d
t o p o s i t i o n j u s t n o r t h , I v i s i t e d M o n t f a u c o n a n d f o u n d
t h e g e n e r a l c o m m a n d i n g i n a w o n d e r f u l h o u s e s e r v i n g
a s h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d o b s e r v a t o r y , w h i c h , I u n d e r s t o o d ,
had been formerly o ccupied by the crown prince of
G e r m a n y . M o n t f a u c o n a n d t h i s s p o t w e r e a v e r i t a b l e
a e r i e. D u r i n g t h e t i m e o f i t s o c c u p a t i o n b y t h e G e r m a n s
t h e t o w n o n t h e s o u t h s i d e h a d b e e n c o m p l e t e l y s h a t -
t e r e d b y F r e n c h p r o j e c t i l e s f r o m t h e d i r e c t i o n o f V e r d u n .
N o w i t s n o r t h s i d e w a s b e i n g c o m p l e t e l y s h a t t e r e d b y
German shells from the north . From either side it
m a d e a c o n s t a n t t a r g e t f o r g r e a t g u n s , a n d I s t a y e d
t h e r e n o l o n g e r t h a n w a s a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e
e x e c u t i o n o f m y b u s i n e s s.
I t w a s a p l a c e w h e r e e v e n
r a t s h a d t o s t a y i n t h e i r h o l e s . A b o u t t h e g e n e r a l ' s
h e a d q u a r t e r s p e o p l e w e r e d o d g i n g a b o u t l i k e a b a n d o f
t h i e v e s h i d i n g f r o m t h e p o l i c e .
N e a r m y f r o n t l i n e s - w h i l e s t i l l i n t h e B o i s d e F a y
-I witness ed a magnificent spe ctacle-four or five
s q u a d r o n s o f o u r a i r p l a n e s p a s s i n g o v e r t o h a r a s s t h e
e n e m y ' s r e a r . T h e w h i r r o f t h e i r w i n g s f i l l e d t h e a i r
w i t h a n a n g r y , t e r r i f y i n g r o a r . So g r e a t a n u m b e r -
one hundred and twenty or more-I had never befo re
s e e n . To the Germans w ho must alrea dy have been
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 7 9
f e e l i n g t h e i r i n ab i l i t y t o r e s i s t, s o g r e a t a n u m b e r a t o n e
t i m e a n d p l a c e m u s t h a v e c a r r i e d di s c o u r a g e m e n t .
T h e w h i r r o f t h e i r w i n g s i s t e r r i f y i n g e v e n t o g o o d
t r o o p s . It makes them feel tha t they are hel pless
u n d e r n e a t h , t h u s d o m i n a t e d f r o m a b o v e . O u r t r o o p s ,
e s p e c i a l l y n e w t r o o p s , h a d f e l t t h i s a n d h a d m a d e b i t t e r
complaint of being undefended against the enemy 's
p l a n e s . Yet no su ch number of enemy planes ever
a p p e a r e d w h e r e I s e r v e d.
I n e v e r s a w e n e m y p l a n e s a t
o n e t i m e a n y w h e r e e x c e e d i n g a d o z e n .
I n t h e e n e m y ' s s u r l y r e t i r e m e n t b e t w e e n t h e M a r n e
a n d t h e A i s n e h i s a c t i v e a i r p l a n e s g a v e o u r s a l l w e c o u l d
do . T h e y d e s t r o y e d m a n y o f o u r b a l l o o n s : I o n c e s a w
t w o o r t h r e e g o a s f a s t a s t h e e n e m y a v i a t o r c o u l d f l y
f r o m o n e t o t h e o t h e r . N o w i n t h e b a t t l e o f t h e M e u s e -
Argonn e I can remembe r seeing compa rativ ely few
e n e m y a i r p l a n e s ; o n l y o n e a s f a r b a c k a s m y o w n h e a d -
q u a r t e r s , a n d i t w a s t h e n b e i n g p u r s u e d b y t w o o f o u r
o w n - g o i n g f o r a l l t h e w o r l d l i k e a w i l d b i r d i n t e r r i f i e d
f l i g h t b e f o r e a h a w k . C e r t a i n l y n o w t h e e n e m y w a s
o u t n u m b e r e d b y u s i n t h e a i r . This wa s anoth er
s i g n t h a t t h i s g r e a t b a t t l e w o u l d h a v e b u t o n e e n d , t h e
d e f e a t a n d d r i v i n g o f t h e e n e m y f r o m t h e f i e l d.
B r i e u l l e s , t h e B o i s d e F a y , a n d t h e B o i s d e s O g o n s
b e i n g c l e a n e d u p o n m y f r o n t , m y c o r p s g o t i t s " s e c o n d
wind" and was ready for another jump forward . I
s e l ec ted a new c orp s head q u a r t e r s at Malanc o u r t ,
n e a r e r m y f r o n t l i n e s , b u t p e r s o n a l l y I n e v e r m o v e d
t h e r e t o . B e f o r e t h i s c o u l d b e d o n e , r e t u r n i n g o n e d a y
f r o m a l o n g h o r s e b a c k r i d e f a r o u t a m o n g m y f r o n t - l i n e
o r g a n i z a t i o n s , I w a s m e t w i t h t h e n e w s : "You h ave
been a ppointed to the command of the Second Army,
w i t h h e a d q u a r t e r s a t T o u l , a n d G e n e r a l J . L . H i n e s t a k e s
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28 0 PE RSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
t h e I I I r d C o r p s . " I h a d b e e n s o m e w h a t p r e p a r e d f o r t h e
p r o m o t i o n b u t n o t f o r t h e s e p a r a t i o n f r o m t h i s b a t t l e.
M y c o r p s s t a f f , I k n e w , h a d b e e n f u n c t i o n i n g w e l l i n t h e
b a t t l e . I n n o f i g h t b e f o r e o r a f t e r t h i s h a v e I e v e r
k n o w n s o l i t t l e s t r a g g l i n g . O n t h e f i f t e e n t h d a y o f t h e
b a t t l e I h a d j u s t p u s h e d f o r w a r d t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f
m y f r o n t - l i n e i n f a n t r y b r i g a d e s , j u s t b e f o r e G e n e r a l
P e r s h i n g ' s c r i t i c i s m w e n t f o r t h t o t h e w h o l e a r m y a b o u t
t h e s e h i g h e r h e a d q u a r t e r s b e i n g t o o f a r t o t h e r e a r.
M y c o r p s h a d f u l l y a t t a i n e d i t s o b j e c t i v e s a n d w a s
r e a d y f o r a n o t h e r p u s h . T h e n e x t d a y I w a s d e s i g n a t e d
t o th e c omm a n d of th e Sec ond Army . I w o n d e r e d i f
t h e s e t h i n g s w e r e c o n n e c t e d .
Ten days previ ously rum ours had reached me that
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g w a s f o r m i n g a g r o u p o f a r m i e s o f w h i c h ,
i t w a s s a i d , I w a s t o c o m m a n d o n e , p r o b a b l y t h e F i r s t.
A f e w d a y s l a t e r G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g h i m s e l f s a i d t o m e ,
a l m o s t w i t h o u t i n t r o d u c t i o n , a s i f h e t h o u g h t t h a t
I k n e w h i s p l a n s , " I a m g o i n g t o a p p o i n t y o u t o o n e
o f t h e s e a r m i e s . " I a s k e d h i m n o q u e s t i o n s . I w a s
too much moved to talk . I s i m p l y s h o o k h a n d s w i t h
him and left him . And now the as signm ent was to
s e p a r a t e m e f r o m t h e F i r s t A r m y i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e
b a t t l e . I m a k e n o p r e t e n s e o f l o v i n g a f i g h t , b u t I
h a t e d t o q u i t t h i s o n e . I t w a s n o t e n d e d ; I k n e w t h a t
i t w o u l d b e l o n g b e f o r e i t w o u l d b e e n d e d , b u t I k n e w
h o w i t w o u l d e n d .
I n a l l o f t h e f i g h t i n g o f t h e t w o p a s t w e e k s I h a d s e e n
t h a t t h e e n e m y , w h i l e b y n o m e a n s b e i n g c h a s e d o f f t h e
f i e l d , w a s n o t a b l e t o g i v e t h a t a t t e n t i o n t o m y s e c o n d
line and reserves w hich would indicate successful
r e s i s t a n c e . As bet ween the Marne and the Aisne , he
h a d h e r e a g a i n h a d h i s c h a n c e s a g a i n s t m a s s e s o f m e n ,
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THE MEUSE-ARGONNE 2 8 1
a n i m a l s , and wagons, and had not used them, except
f o r , a t i me f r o m t he h e i g h t s o n t h e e a s t s id e o f t h e M e u s e ,
n o w c l o s e d o u t b y o u r a d v a n c e t h e r e . N o r h a d h e b e e n
a b l e t o u s e g a s a g a i n s t u s t o a n y g r e a t e x t e n t , a t l e a s t
o n m y f r o n t . I c o u l d s e e h i s e n d h e r e : I h a t e d t o m i s s it .
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CHAPTER XXIXTH E SECOND ARMY
TH E R E i s l i t t l e p e r m a n e n t a b o u t a c o r p s . W h a t
h a d c o m e t o m e o f t h e I I I r d C o r p s j u s t b e f o r e
S o i s s o n s a n d r e m a i n e d w i t h m e u n t i l n o w i n t h e M e u s e -
A r g o n n e , w a s t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s s t a f f a n d p e r h a p s a
f e w s p e c i a l t r o o p s . M a n y d i v i s i o n s , a t l e a s t a d o z e n ,
h a d c o m e , f o u g h t w i t h m e , g r o w n d e a r , a n d g o n e . I t
w a s n o w m y t u r n t o g o . I t w a s a b a t t l e p a r t i n g , a
h e a r t f e l t g o o d w i s h w i t h o u t g o o d - b y e s e x c e p t t o a f e w a t
t h e s a f e c o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s . T h e o t h e r s w e r e g r i m l y
f a c i n g t h e e n e m y i n b a t t l e f a r t o t h e f r o n t . F o r m e
i n a f a r e w e l l o r d e r t o b e c a l l i n g t h e i r a t t e n t i o n a t s u c h
a t i m e u p o n m y s e l f - s a f e a n d f a r f r o m t h e d a n g e r s a n d
d e a t h t h r e a t e n i n g t h e m - I c o u l d n o t d o i t l
" T o u l , O c t o b e r 1 4 . C a m e b y a u t o w i t h m y t w o
a i d e s , C a p t a i n s S h i r e y a n d W i t h e r s p o o n , v i a B a r - l e - D u c
a n d L i g n y , t o t h i s p l a c e O c t o b e r 1 2 t h . I p a s s e d a t
S o u h a i m e s - l a - G r a n d e t h e s e c o n d e c h e l o n o f m y o l d
I I I r d C o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s t o t e l l t h e o f f i c e r s g o o d - b y e
a n d t o t h a n k t h e m f o r t h e i r l o y a l e f f o r t s . R e a l l y , t h e y
h a d n o t d o n e b a d l y . They began three months ago
w i t h a v e r y i m p e r f e c t o r g a n i z a t i o n t h a t f u n c t i o n e d
v e r y r o u g h l y a n d b u n g l i n g l y . T o - d a y i t f u n c t i o n s
w e l l .
" I s t o p p e d a f e w m o m e n t s a t F i r s t A r m y h e a d q u a r t e r s
a t S o u i l l y t o s e e t h e C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f . He in-
f o r m e d m e t h a t h e w o u l d g i v e u p t h e c o m m a n d o f t h e
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THE SEC OND ARMY 283
F i r s t A r m y , a n d h e i n t i m a t e d t h a t h e w o u l d f o r m a g r o u p
o f a r m i e s o f w h i c h G e n e r a l L i g g e t t w o u l d c o m m a n d t h e
F i r s t a n d I t h e S e c o n d ; t h a t h e h a d f o u n d i t n e c e s s a r y
t o q u i t t h e d i r e c t c o m m a n d o f a n a r m y , a s i t f o r c e d
h i m t o n e g l e c t g r e a t e r i n t e r e s t s . I t h a n k e d h i m f o r t h e
m a r k o f h i s c o n f i d e n c e i n n a m i n g m e t o t h i s n e w c o m -
m a n d .
" O n a r r i v i n g a t T o u l I f o u n d t h e S e c o n d A r m y a b o u t
h a l f o r g a n i z e d . I t h a s t w o c o r p s ( o n e b e i n g l a r g e l y
F r e n c h ) a n d s o m e 1 7 , 0 0 0 a r m y t r o o p s , t h e l a t t e r m a i n l y
l a b o u r a n d e n g i n e e r t r o o p s . T h e c h i e f o f s t a f f , B r i g -
a d i e r G e n e r a l S t u a r t H e i n t z e l m a n , I h a v e k n o w n f o r a
l o n g t i m e , a n d i n e v e r y w a y h e s u i t s m e . He is d i s -
c i p l i n e d a n d c o n s i d e r a t e a l t o g e t h e r .
" B u t I f o u n d n o a r m y a r t i l l e r y o r e v e n a r t i l l e r y
s t a f f . Howe v e r , I hav e st ar t e d on the s t a f f with a
g o o d c h i e f , M a j o r G e n e r a l L a s s i t e r , o n e o f t h e b e s t
a r t i l l e r i s t s t h a t I k n o w . I n a s k i n g l a s t D e c e m b e r f o r
a c omm a nd er of the 1 st Div is i o n Artil l e r y , I had
thought of h im and of General Summerall . I f i n a l l y
o b t a i n ed Su mme r a l l . I n o w f e e l e s p e c i a l l y l u c k y i n
g e t t i n g G e n e r a l L a s s i t e r , a n d h e j u s t i f i e s m y c o n f i d e n c e .
I n s o m e t h r e e w e e k s h e h a s o r g a n i z e d a n e f f e c t i v e a r m y
a r t i l l e r y s t a f f o f a b o u t o n e t h i r d t h e s t r e n g t h o f t h a t
o f t h e F i r s t A r m y . H i s s t r o n g p o i n t i s t h i s v e r y t h i n g ,
o r g a n i z a t i o n .
" A v i a t i o n a l s o r e m a i n s t o b e s t a r t e d . I have begu n
o n t h a t . T h r e e b r a n c h e s o f t h e a r m y s e e m u n d e r w a y .
Altogethe r I make a much bette r start with an army
t h a n w i t h t h e I I I r d C o r p s i n t h e m i d d l e o f l a s t J u l y .
Y e s t e r d a y a n d t o - d a y I h a v e b e e n i n s p e c t i n g t h e s t a f f
departments . Some are quite ready to work and are
working ; o t h e r s a r e n o t . I shall push them with out
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2 8 4 PE RSONALITIES AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
r e s t . T h e y h a v e g o t t o g e t r e a d y . " ( I w a s e x p e c t i n g
a n e a r l y o f f e n s i v e f o r t h e S e c o n d A r m y . )
" I f i n d t h a t m y a r m y h e a d q u a r t e r s a r e a s b i g a n d
c u m b e r s o m e a s t h e g r e a t F r e n c h a r m y ( t h e E i g h t h ) t h a t
I s a w i n A u g u s t o f l a s t y e a r , a n d t h a t a s t o n i s h e d m e
f o r i t s s i z e . I remember its map-m aking plant . NowI h a v e o n e a s l a r g e . "
" I n t r y i n g [ D i a r y , O c t o b e r 1 5 t h ] t o s u p p l y d e f i c i e n -
c i e s i n t h e S e c o n d A r m y I f i n d t h e u s u a l d e f e c t , t o w i t
t o o m u c h t a l k , a g r e a t d e a l o f e x p e c t a ti o n , a n d t o o l i t t l e
r e a l i z a t i o n . T h i s h a s b e e n t h e g r e a t A m e r i c a n f a i l i n g
i n t h e w a r . W e h a v e t a l k e d a t l o n g r a n g e . W e h a v e
f i l l e d t h e a i r w i t h l o u d w o r d s a b o u t t h i n g s w e a r e g o i n g
t o d o . I s i t a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f u s A m e r i c a n s t o m a k e
a ` b l o w ' a b o u t e v e r y t h i n g t h a t w e d o ? B e f o r e w e d i d
a n y t h i n g t o w a r d g e t t i n g i n t o t h e w a r , w e w e r e c r y i n g
o u t o v e r t h e w o r l d t h a t w e w e r e g o i n g t o h a v e m o r e a n d
bigger guns and more men and more munitions and
m o r e s h i p s a n d m o r e a n d s w i f t e r a i r p l a n e s , s u b m a r i n e s ,
a n d c h a s e r s , a n d m o r e a n d d e a d l i e r g a s , a n d m o r e a n d
b i g g e r a n d d e a d l i e r e v e r y t h i n g t h a n a n y o r a l l t h e o t h e r
b e l l i g e r e n t s . I t i s n o t m u c h o f a n e x a g g e r a t i o n t o s a y
t h a t w e m a d e g o o d o n l y o n t h e m e n : t h e g a s c a m e t o o
l a t e , a n d t h e a i r p l a n e s a n d m a n y o f t h e o t h e r t h i n g s d i d
n o t c o m e a t a l l . "
I w a s a g a i n e n c o u n t e r i n g i n t h e S e c o n d A r m y t h e d i f f i -
culties which I had encountered in t he completion
of the 1st Division the prev ious December . I wa s
h a v i n g m y r e q u e s t s a n s w e r e d i n f u t u r e s r a t h e r t h a n i n
p r e s e n t s .B u t m y r e q u e s t s n o w w e r e i n t e r m s o f t e n s
o f t h o u s a n d s w h e r e l a s t y e a r t h e y w e r e i n h u n d r e d s .
" I s e e v e r y c l e a r l y [ D i a r y ] t h a t a n a r m y i s a m u c h
l a r g e r t h i n g t h a n a c o r p s . I n d e e d , a s i n g l e s t a f f s e c t i o n
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THE SEC OND ARMY 2 8 5
i s a s l a r g e a s a c o r p s s ta f f e n ti r e . " I n i t s v e r y s t a r t t h i s
a r m y w a s s i x t i m e s a s g r e a t a s t h e d i v i s i o n w h i c h I w a s
then commanding, and yet the army was in its mere
b e g i n n i n g .
I a m n o t s u p e r s t i t i o u s , b u t m y h e a l t h , v i g o u r , a n d
g o o d f e e l i n g , s o r e d u c e d u n d e r t h e a w f u l n e u r i t i s i n
m y r i g h t a r m f r o m A p r i l u n t i l S e p t e m b e r , w a s n o w s o
r e t u r n i n g t h a t I t h o u g h t , w i t h s o m e l i t t l e m i s g i v i n g ,
o f m y s a m e g o o d f e e l i n g s o n s t a r t i n g o n a l i k e n e w
m i s s i o n s i x m o n t h s b e f o r e , t h e d a y b e f o r e t h e n e u r i t i s
l i t e r a l l y k n o c k e d m e d o w n . B u t my misg i v i n g s were
n e v e r j u s t i f i e d . My health wa s retur n i n g . It w as
f o r t u n a t e , b e c a u s e a l l m y a v a i l a b l e s t r e n g t h w a s n e e d e d
i n t h e w o r k o f t h e f o r m a t i o n a n d p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h i s
a r m y f o r a h e a v y a t t a c k w h i c h I k n e w i t w o u l d s o o n
b e c a l l e d u p o n t o m a k e .
"Soon" in tho se days really mean t what it said .
T h e A l l i e s w e r e p r e s s i n g t h e e n e m y w i t h a l l t h e i r m i g h t
t o b r i n g t h e w a r t o a c o n c l u s i o n . The Seco nd Arm y
c o u l d n o t l o n g b e l e f t t o f o r m a n d t r a i n i t s e l f a t l e i s u r e .
T h e a r m y f r o n t e x t e n d e d f r o m t h e M o s e l l e a t P o n t -
A-Mou ss o n to t he Meu se Heig h t s near V erd u n , c on-
n e c t i n g h e r e w i t h t h e F i r s t A r m y .
Since the reductio n by t he Ameri cans of t he St .
M i h i e l s a l i e n t , a b o u t a m o n t h b e f o r e , t h e A m e r i c a n
t r o o p s l e f t i n t h i s s e c t o r h a d , b e e n p r e p a r i n g f o r a n
American advance in the gen eral direction of Metz .
Ou r r a i l r o a d , roads, and other communications were
bein g bro ught a cross th e No Man's Land of th e old
s a l i e n t t o c o n n e c t w i t h t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g o l d G e r m a n
c o m m u n i c a t i o n s l e a d i n g i n t o t h e e n e m y ' s c o u n t r y .
Presumabl y we shoul d soon need them i n an advance
f r o m h e r e .
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28 6 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
T h e r o a d s a n d r a i l r o a d s o v e r a c r o s s t h e o l d f r o n t l i n e
o f t h e S t . M i h i e l s a l i e n t h a d b e e n c o m p l e t e l y d e s t r o y e d
d u r i n g t h e w a r . I t w a s a h a r d j o b t o r e p l a c e t h e m . The
c o u n t r y r o u n d a b o u t w a s w i p e d o u t . "Yeste rday and
t o - d a y [ D i a r y , O c t o b e r 1 7 t h ] I p a s s e d t h r o u g h F r e n c h
v i l l a g e s t h a t h a d b e e n f o r f o u r y e a r s i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e
G e r m a n . A few unfor t un a t e women had been left
there during the German occupation . T h e i r s t o r i e s ,
t h e i r s u f f e r i n g s w e r e s a d , u n p r o t e c t e d a s t h e y w e r e
a g a i n s t G e r m a n b r u t a l i t y a n d l u s t . . . .
" A s I p a s s e d o v e r q u i e t a r e a s o f b e a u t i f u l c o u n t r y
u t t e r l y d e s t r o y e d b y t h e e n e m y , a s I s a w g r e a t f o r e s t s
k i l l e d a s m e n a r e k i l l e d b y s h e l l a n d s h r a p n e l , a s I s a w
t h e i n f i n i t e p a i n s a n d l a b o u r t o a c c o m p l i s h a l l t h i s t o
h u r t h i s e n e m y a n d p r o t e c t h i m s e l f , I w a s t r e m e n d o u s l y
i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e G e r m a n ' s w i l l t o c o n q u e r , h i s g r e a t
d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d i n f i n i t e p a t i e n c e . I saw hundre ds
o f m i l e s o f t r e n c h e s r e v e t t e d w i t h w o o d , s t o n e , a n d
cement, thousands of dugouts made almost as great
a n d c o m p l e t e a s h o u s e s ; r o a d s , h o u s e s , r a i l r o a d s , a n d
m i l e s a n d m i l e s o f w i r e e n t a n g l e m e n t s . I t l o o k e d l i k e
t h e w o r k o f a w o r l d , a n d i t i s a l l w a s t e d i n s o f a r a s
a n y m a t e r i a l r e t u r n i s c o n c e r n e d - a d e e p l y i m p r e s s i v e
s i g h t .
" V i l l a g e s f o r m a n y m i l e s , a b o u t f o u r m i l e s o n b o t h
s i d e s o f N o M a n ' s L a n d , h a v e b e e n u t t e r l y d e s t r o y e d .
T h e c o u n t r y c a n n o t r e c o v e r f o r a h u n d r e d y e a r s . W h e n
we shall have beaten the Germans and are making
t e r m s , t h o s e w h o a r e i n c h a r g e o f i m p o s i n g o u r t e r m s
s h o u l d b e r e q u i r e d t o v i s i t a n d s e e t h e c o u n t r y w h i c h
German ambition and savagery have desolated . It
w o u l d h a r d e n t h e i r h e a r t s a n d e x a c t j u s t i c e f r o m t h e s e
b a r b a r i a n s . T h e y h a v e u t t e r l y t o r n u p a n d d e s o l a t e d
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THE SEC OND ARMY 287
a l l t h e v i l l a g e s t h a t t h e y h a v e o c c u p i e d . But to think
o f t h e l o n g t i m e t h a t t h e y h a v e h e l d F r a n c e h a r d i n
t h e i r g r i p a n d t o s e e t h e r u i n t h e y h a v e w r o u g h t m a k e s
o n e k n o w t h a t t h e y h a d F r a n c e a t t h e t h r o a t a n d w o u l d
s u r e l y h a v e c h o k e d h e r t o d e a t h b u t f o r t h e c o m i n g o f
t h e A m e r i c a n s . "
I n t h e m o n t h w h i c h h a d e l a p s e d b e t w e e n t h e b a t t l e
o f S t . M i h ie l a n d m y a r r i v a l o n t h e s p o t , l i t t l e , i t s e e m e d
to me, had been accomplished toward bridging this
b r e a k a c r o s s t h e d e v a s t a t e d r e g i o n . H o w l i t t l e , s t a r t l e d
m e ; b e c a u s e I f e l t s u r e t h a t w e s h o u l d s o o n h a v e t o
c r o s s t h i s g a p i n o u r g e n e r a l d r i v e a g a i n s t t h e G e r m a n s .
T h e r a i l r o a d s w e r e n o t t h e r e t o t a k e u s a c r o s s . F o r
a n a r m y t h e r e i s o n e g r e a t q u e s t i o n : t r a n s p o r t a t i o n .
H a v i n g a l l t h i n g s e l s e - m e n a n d m u n i t i o n s , m o n e y a n d
t r a i n i n g - b u t l a c k i n g t h i s , t h e a r m y c a n d o n o t h i n g.
M y w h o l e m i l i t a r y e x p e r i e n c e h a d i m p r e s s e d t h i s t r u t h
u p o n m e .
" T h e w o r k t h a t I l o o k e d a t t o - d a y [ D i a r y , O c t o b e r
1 7 t h ] w a s w o r k t o e n a b l e t h e a r m y t o t a k e p o s i t i o n ,
` g e t s e t ' f o r a n e w s t a r t a g a i n s t t h e B o c h e - r o a d a n d
r a i l r o a d w o r k o f t h e a r m y e n g i n e e r s t o e n a b l e t h e a r m y
t o a d v a n c e a c r o s s t h e o l d f r o n t i n t o t h e t e r r i t o r y l a t e l y
h e l d b y t h e G e r m a n s . I t s d i f f i c u l t y a n d i t s a b s o l u t e
n e c e s s i t y f o r t h e s u c c e s s o f a n y f u r t h e r o r f u t u r e o p e r -
ations against the Boche were most striking, most
e v i d e n t , a n d i m p r e s s e d m e s t r o n g l y , t h a t t h e g r e a t ,
t h e i m p o r t a n t r o l e w a s t o b e p l a y e d b y t h e e n g i n e e r s
i n f u r t h e r w a r . T h e y h a v e t h e g r e a t e s t o p p o r t u n i t y o f
o f a l l . "
T h e m o t o r a n d h o r s e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a l s o , e s p e c i a l l y
t h e l a t t e r , w e r e i n n o g o o d c o n d i t i o n . I p r o c e e d e d t o
w a k e u p e v e r y b o d y u p o n t h e s u b j e c t o f t r a n s p o r t -
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2 8 8 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
t h e e n g i n e e r o f f i c e r t o p u s h h i s r a i l r o a d , t h e m o t o r
t r a n s p o r t o f f i c e r t o p u t h i s m o t o r t r a i n s i n b e t t e r c o n -
d i t i o n , a n d a l l d i v i s i o n c o m m a n d e r s t o i m p r o v e t h e
c o n d i t i o n o f t h e i r a n i m a l s a n d w a g o n s .
I i n t e n d e d t o b e r e a d y . G r e a t o u t c r i e s o f h e l p l e s s -
n e s s a n d o f l a c k a n d d e f i c i e n c i e s w e r e s o o n h e a r d , b u t
n o e x c u s e s w e r e a c c e p t e d . V e r y q u i c k l y t h i s p r e s s u r e
b e g a n t o t e l l . It was the on ly way to sav e American
t r o o p s f r o m d e m o b i l i z i n g t h e m s e l v e s b y a l l o w i n g t h e i r
a n i m a l s t o d i e o f h a r d w o r k a n d n e g l e c t . T h e p e a c e a b l e
A m e r i c a n ' s i d e a o f t h e a m o u n t o f c a r e n e c e s s a r y t o k e e p
a n i m a l s i n s e r v i c e i n w a r w a s w h o l l y i n a d e q u a t e .
S u r e l y i t w a s c h a n g e d i n t h i s a r m y , f o r w h e n a f e w
m o n t h s l a t e r t h e S e c o n d A r m y w a s t o g o o u t o f b e i n g , i t
p r o b a b l y h a d a t t h a t t i m e t h e b e s t - c o n d i t i o n e d t r a n s -
p o r t t h a t a n Am e r i c a n a r m y e v e r h a d . C e r t a i n l y
I n e v e r s a w i t s e q u a l b e f o r e o r s i n c e .
F o r t e n d a y s o r t w o w e e k s f o l l o w i n g m y j o i n i n g t h e
S e c o n d A r m y m y d i a r y i s f i l l e d w i t h n o t e s o f v i s i t s ,
b r e a k f a s t s , d i n n e r s , a n d c o n f e r e n c e s w i t h t h e F r e n c h
a n d A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r s . T h e s e o c c a s i o n s g a v e m e a g o o d
c h a n c e t o f o r m e s t i m a t e s a n d e s t a b l i s h u n d e r s t a n d i n g
r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e m . Tw o b r a n c h e s o f t h e a r m y e s -
p e c i a l l y , e n g i n e e r s a n d a r t i l l e r y , g a v e m e c o n c e r n ;
t h e f i r s t b e c a u s e o f t h e g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e o f i t s w o r k
i n c a s e t h e a r m y s h o u l d h a v e t o t a k e t h e o f f e n s i v e , a s
I e x p e c t e d t h a t i t w o u l d s o o n d o ; t h e s e c o n d b e c a u s e i t
w a s j u s t b e i n g o r g a n i z e d . O f t h e o f f i c e r a t t h e h e a d
o f m y a r t i l l e r y m y d i a r y o f O c t o b e r 2 0 t h s a y s : "A
slender, thin man, alert mentall y and physically ;
interes ted in everyth ing that should concern him,
e s p e c i a l l y o u r p r e s e n t w o r k ; e a r n e s t l y d i s c u s s i n g t h e
ways and means of doing that work ; f i n e , k e e n , a t -
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THE SEC OND ARMY 289
t r a c t i v e m a n n e r " - o n e o f t h e b e s t a r t i l l e r i s t s t h a t I
k n o w .
Among the Fr ench gener als who m I had forme rly
k n o w n h e r e w e r e G e n e r a l B l o n d l a t , n o w c o m m a n d i n g
a c o r p s i n m y a r m y , a n d G e n e r a l P a s s a g a , c o m m a n d i n g
a c o r p s i n a n e i g h b o u r i n g F r e n c h a r m y .
Blondlat was a t y p e o f t h e F r e n c h c o l o n i a l o f f i c e r ,
m o r e d i r e c t a n d s i m p l e t h a n t h e h o m e - s e r v i n g F r e n c h
o f f i c e r b u t p e r h a p s n o t s o s c i e n t i f i c ; o f a g r e e a b l e b u t
n o t e f f u s i v e m a n n e r ; a n d m i l i t ar i l y , a s I h av e b e f o r e s a id ,
n o l o v e r o f t h e d e f e n s i v e m e t h o d s o f t r e n c h w a r f a r e .
" I d o n ' t b e l i e v e i n d i g g i n g i n . We may as well fight
i t o u t i n t h e o p e n , " I h a d h e a r d h i m e x p r e s s a s h i s
s e n t i m e n t s s o m e m o n t h s b e f o r e i n a m e e t i n g o f t h e c o r p s
c o m m a n d e r s o f h i s a r m y . B u t t h e b i g , h a n d s o m e
G e n e r a l Pa s s a g a o f t h e h o m e - s e r v i n g F r e n c h a r m y ,
h a d e v e n m o r e z e s t a n d i n t e r e s t i n h i s w o r k .
Passaga comma nded the corps in which the 1 st
D i v i s i o n f i r s t h a d g o n e i n t o l i n e a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y
n i n e m o n t h s b e f o r e . B e t t e r t h a n a n y o t h e r F r e n c h m a n
t h a t I k n o w , h e k n e w h o w t o w i n t h e A m e r i c a n h e a r t.
H i s b i g , m a n l y p e r s o n a n d h e a r t y m a n n e r a n d v o i c e d i d
i t. His nervy treatm e n t of the enemy also spoke
c o n f i d e n c e . H e w a s a g g r e s s i v e . W h y t h e F r e n c h
command kept this man a lways in a quiet s ector, I
c o u l d n e v e r u n d e r s t a n d .
The Fre nch gene r a l s s e r v i n g i n m y a r m y s h o w e d
c o m p l e t e r e a d i n e s s t o a c c e p t m y o r d e r s . T h e f a c t t h a t
a l l o f t h e m h a d b u t a f e w m o n t h s b e f o r e b e e n o f h i g h e r
r a n k a n d w e r e s t i l l o f g r e a t e r w a r e x p e r i e n c e t h a n I
m a d e n o d i f f e r e n c e .
A t t h e e n d o f o n e o f t h e s e c o n f e r e n c e s o r b r e a k f a s t s ,
o n October 23rd, my ai de handed me a newspa p e r
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2 9 0 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
c o n t a i n i n g t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t t h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t h a d
n a m e d m e t o b e a l i e u t e n a n t g e n e r a l a n d t o c o m m a n d
th e Seco nd Army . I cannot remembe r now that t his
p r o m o t i o n h a d b e f o r e t h i s t i m e b e e n e v e n a s u b j e c t o f
t h o u g h t w i t h m e , c e r t a i n l y n o t m o r e t h a n o f a p a s s i n g
thought . In tell ing me that I was to command an
a r m y , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g h a d s a i d n o t h i n g o f p r o m o t i o n ,
a n d n o d i a r y e n t r y o f m i n e a t t h e t i m e m e n t i o n s i t .
My tho u g h t s w ere on the Meu se -Argon n e . Ten da ys
late r (Novem ber 2 nd) I wrot e : " Y e s t e r d a y r e c e i v e d
o f f i c i a l n o t i f i c a t i o n o f m y a p p o i n t m e n t a s l i e u t e n a n t
g e n e r a l a n d t o o k m y o a t h o f o f f i c e a s s u c h . A l l t h a t
d o e s n o t s e e m t o m a k e a g r e a t d i f f e r e n c e i n m y l i f e
a n d f e e l i n g . " My whole waking time, day and night,
a l l m y t h o u g h t s w e r e b e i n g g i v e n t o t h e p r o b l e m o f
p r e p a r i n g a grea t army for a comin g offe n s i v e - a p -
p a r e n t l y t o b e m a d e i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d o f o n e o f t h e
e n e m y ' s g r e a t f o r t i f i c a t i o n s - M e t z .
" Work with the men that are given you," was the
a d v i c e o f a n e x p e r i e n c e d , w i s e o l d o f f i c e r o f o u r g r e a t
w a r b e t w e e n t h e s t a t e s , g i v e n m e i n t h e S p a n i s h - A m e r i c a n
W a r as I was goin g to rais e and comm a nd my firs t
r e g i m e n t. T h e a d v i c e h a d p r o v e d g o o d i n t h a t w a r i n a
s m a l l command ; i t h a d f ai l e d m e i n t h e I I I r d C o r p s a n d
w a s f a i l i n g m e a g a i n i n t h e S e c o n d A r m y . The pro blem s
i n c o r p s a n d a r m y h a d b e e n s o g r e a t t h a t I h a d b e e n
o b l i g e d i n b o t h c a s e s t o c a r r y w i t h m e o u t o f t h e 1 s t
D i v i s i o n t o t h e C o r p s , a n d o u t o f t h e C o r p s t o t h e
Army, o fficers whom I had known a nd who knew me
a n d m y w a y s . To ta ke the se m en f rom the IIIrd
C o r p s i n t h e m i d s t o f b a t t l e h a d m a d e m e f e e l l i k e a
r o b b e r , b u t t h e i mm i n e n c e o f t h e o f f e n s i v e f o r t h e S e c o n d
Army soothed my conscience . I needed them .
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CHAPTER XXXTHE 92ND DIVISION
M O N G t h e d i v i s i o n s o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y I f o u n d o n e
N e g r o d i v i s i o n , t h e 9 2 n d . I t s g e n e r a l s , c o l o n e l s ,
a n d d i v i s i o n s t a f f o f f i c e r s , a n d a c o n s i d e r a b l e n u m b e r
o f i t s fi e l d o f f ic e r s w e r e w h it e m e n , m o s t l y o f t h e R e g u l a r
Ar m y . T h i s d i v i s i o n e s p e c i a l l y i n t e r e s t e d m e b e c a u s e
in th e Spani sh-Ameri can War I had rai sed and com-
m a n d e d a v o l u n t e e r N e g r o r e g i m e n t w h o s e c o n d u c t h a d
a d d e d t o m y r e p u t a t i o n a s a s o l d i e r . Having passed
a p l e a s a n t b o y h o o d w i t h t h e Ne g r o e s a n d h a d t h i s
s a t i s f a c t o r y e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e m i n m y e a r l i e r m i l i t a r y
l i f e , I f o u n d m y s e l f w i t h m o s t k i n d l y f e e l i n g s t o w a r d
t h e m ; a n d m y i n t e r e s t w a s s t i r r e d n o w i n F r a n c e b y
finding this Negro division in m y new army . I f e l t
s o m e d o u b t , h o w e v e r , a s t o t h e s u c c e s s i n w a r o f a Negr o
command as great as a division . G e n e r a l e x p e r i e n c e
s e e m e d t o b e t o t h e c o n t r a r y . I w a s a t t h e t i m e e x c e e d -
i n g l y b u s y i n t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y f o r a n
offensive which I knew would be coming very soon,
and I could give the Negroes n o more thought than
I w a s g i v i n g t o a n y o t h e r p o r t i o n o f m y c o m m a n d .
War, hard war, was before us, an d race could make
n o d i f f e r e n c e .
A b o u t t e n d a y s a f t e r I j o i n e d t h e S e c o n d A r m y t h e
p r o p e r o f f i c e r o f t h e a r m y s t a f f m e n t i o n e d t h a t s o m e o f
t h e N e g r o o f f i c e r s o f t h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n w e r e t o b e t r i e d
f o r c o w a r d i c e . I w a s t o o b u s y w i t h m y w o r k o f o r g a n i -
2 9 1
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29 2 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF TH E W AR
z a t i o n t o g i v e t h e m a t t e r e s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n . I t t o o k
t h e u s u a l c o u r s e o f s u c h w o r k . A f e w d a y s l a t e r , i n
t h e s a m e w a y , i t w a s r e p o r t e d t o m e t h a t o n e o f t h e s e
N e g r o o f f i c e r s h a d b e e n s e n t e n c e d t o b e s h o t f o r c o w a r d -
i c e . T h e n t h e r e c a m e a r u s h b a c k u p o n m y m i n d o f a l l
m y p a s t e x p e r i e n c e w i t h N e g r o e s . I remem bered h ow
o u r g o v e r n m e n t s e e m e d t o e x p e c t t h e s a m e o f t h e m a s
o f w h i t e m e n , o r a t l e a s t p l a c e d t h e m i n p o s i t i o n s t h a t
s o i n d i c a t e d ; h o w p o l i t i c s c o n s t a n t l y f o r c e d f o r t h e m t h e
s a m e t r e a t m e n t a s w h i t e m e n , w h e n t h e y w e r e v e r y
d i f f e r e n t ; how they themselves insisted upon such
t r e a t m e n t ; h o w s u r e l y , n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g a l l t h i s , i f t h e
s a m e t r e a t m e n t w e r e g i v e n b l a c k a s w h i t e , i t w o u l d
c a u s e t r o u b l e f o r h i m w h o s h o u l d s o d e a l i t o u t ; h o w ,
f i n a l l y , t h e p o l i t i c s o f o u r c o u n t r y h a d f o r c e d t h e f o r -
m a t i o n o f t h i s N e g r o d i v i s i o n .
A l l t h i s c o n s t r u c t i v e e q u a l i t y I r e g a r d e d a s a n i n -
j u s t i c e : i t i s n o t r e a l . S o I n o w i n q u i r e d c a r e f u l l y i n t o
t h e m a t t e r a n d f o u n d t h a t i n t h e b a t t l e o f t h e M e u s e -
A r g o n n e a p a r t o f t h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n i n l i n e b e s i d e t h e
French in battle had twice run away from in front
of the enemy, causing the French, for their own
s a f e t y , t o r e q u e s t t h e r e l i e f o f t h e N e g r o d i v i s i o n f r o m
t h e f i g h t i n g l i n e . S o m e t h i r t y N e g r o o f f i c e r s w e r e i n -
v o l v e d i n t h i s r u n n i n g a w a y . F i v e , t h e c l e a r e s t c a s e s
a n d s u p p o s e d l e a d e r s o f t h e m o v e m e n t , o n l y f i v e , h a d
b e e n s e l e c t e d f o r t r i a l b y t h e l a w o f f i c e r s o f t h e S e c o n d
Ar m y . A c o u r t - m a r t i a l c o m p o s e d o f o f f i c e r s f r o m a n -
o t h e r , a w h i t e d i v i s i o n , h a d b e e n o r d e r e d f o r t h i s p u r -
p o s e .
B e f o r e t h i s c o u r t o n e N e g r o o f f i c e r h a d b e e n t r i e d ,
c o n v i c t e d , a n d s e n t e n c e d t o d e a t h . I t s t a r t l e d m e ,
f o r m u c h e x p e r i e n c e a n d o b s e r v a t i o n i n s u c h m a t t e r s
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THE 92 ND DIVISION 2 9 3
h a d t a u g h t m e t h a t w h e r e e v e n t h e m o s t e x a c t j u s t i c e
i s m e t e d o u t t o N e g r o e s , i f m e t e d o u t b y w h i t e m e n
a l o n e , i t b e c o m e s t o N e g r o e s i n j u s t i c e a n d c o n v e r t s
t h e m i n t h e e y e s o f t h e i r f e l l o w s i n t o m a r t y r s f o r t h e
r a c e . I t h e r e f o r e a t o n c e o r d e r e d t h e c o u r t t o s u s p e n d t r i a l
upon the other cases and determined personally to
i n v e s t i g a t e t h e w h o l e m a t t e r a n d s e e t h e s t a t e o f m i n d o f
t h e N e g r o e s o f t h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n b e f o r e I s h o u l d p r o c e e d
any further with the t r i a l s . It took abou t a week
f o r m e t o c o m p l e t e t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n . I t s h o w e d a l a c k
o f f e e l i n g a m o n g t h e N e g r o e s o f t h e d i v i s i o n , a g e n e r a l
l a c k o f c o n c e r n i n t h e w h o l e m a t t e r. Ma n y o f t h e m
knew nothing and almost all of them cared nothing
a b o u t i t . T h o s e w h o k n e w s e e m e d t o b e l i e v e t h a t t h e
w h i t e c o u r t - m a r t i a l w o u l d g i v e j u s t i c e a n d e s p e c i a l l y
a c o u r t - m a r t i a l c o m p o s e d o f o f f i c e r s o f a n o t h e r d i v i s i o n .
T h e s a m e i n v e s t i g a t i o n a l s o d e v e l o p e d t h e f a c t t h a t
t h e r e w e r e s o m e f i f t y o t h e r N e g r o o f f i c e r s o f t h e d i -
v i s i o n who were at that time bein g ex a m i n ed as to
f i t n e s s t o r e t a i n t h e i r c o m m i s s i o n s , a l l b e f o r e b o a r d s
o f w h i t e o f f i c e r s . I o r d e r e d a l l o f t h e s e b o a r d s t o
s u s p e n d t h e i r w o r k o f e x a m i n a t i o n . But in the end
I h a d t o a l l o w t h e c o u r t - m a r t i a l , h a v i n g o n c e b e g u n ,
t o c o n t i n u e i t s t r i a l o f t h e f o u r o r f i v e l e a d i n g c a s e s
c har g ed with c owa rd ice . All fiv e were fo und and
s e n t e n c e d a s t h e f i r s t , e x a c t l y , I f e l t s u r e , a s a n y w h it e
man would have been sentenced .
Y e t I k n e w t h a t t h e s e N e g r o e s c o u l d n o t b e h e l d a s
r e s p o n s i b l e a s w h i t e m e n , a n d I d e l i b e r a t e l y s e t a b o u t
f i n d i n g a n y p o s s i b l e f l a w t h a t w o u l d e x c u s e a n u p s e t t i n g
o f a l l o f t h e p r o c e e d i n g s . T o t h i s e n d I c a l l e d t o m y
a s s i s t a n c e G e n e r a l E . A. Kreger , Judge Advocate's
D e p a r t m e n t , r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e W a r D e p a r t m e n t i n t h e
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2 94 PE RSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
Amer ican E x p e d i t i o n a r y F o r c e s . H e i t w a s w h o
w o u l d f i n a l l y r e v i e w t h e s e c a s e s . H e c o u l d a t t h e t i m e
f i n d n o f l a w s i n t h e m , b u t l a t e r h e o r s o m e o t h e r d i d
f i n d o n e f l a w i n o n e c a s e . T h e l a s t m a n t r i e d t e s t i f i e d
i n h i s o w n b e h a l f t h a t h i s o w n c a p t a i n , w h o w a s k i l l e d i n
t h e r u n a w a y , h a d g i v e n h i m o r d e r s t o r u n ! T h e r e w a s
n o o t h e r l i v i n g w i t n e s s t o t h i s c a p t a i n ' s o r d e r ; t h e
c a p t a i n h i m s e l f w a s d e a d . So the case against the
a c c u s e d w a s c o m p l e t e l y d i s a p p r o v e d a n d h e w a s s e t f r e e
o n t h e g r o u n d o f u n c o n t r o v e r t e d e v i d e n c e o f h a v i n g
r e c e i v e d a n o r d e r t o r u n !
I f o r w a r d e d t h e s e f i v e c a s e s f o r f i n a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n
b y t h e P r e s i d e n t , w i t h t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n t h a t t h e y
a l l b e l e t o f f f r o m a l l p u n i s h m e n t . I f e l t p e r f e c t l y
s u r e t h a t i t w o u l d s o r e s u l t , a n d s o i t d i d . I n 1 9 1 9 ,
a y e a r l a t e r , t h e P r e s i d e n t o r d e r e d t h e m a l l r e l e a s e d .
A s I n o w r e m e m b e r i t , t h e o t h e r t w e n t y - f i v e o f f i c e r s
a n d t h e r e s t o f t h e b a t t a l i o n e s c a p e d e v e r y t h i n g , e v e n
r e p r o o f .
T h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n h a d a c o m p l e m e n t o f e x c e p t i o n a l l y
g o o d h i g h e r o f f i c e r s a n d g e n e r a l s t a f f , m o s t l y whit e
r e g u l a r o f f i c e r s w h o m I k n e w . But among them all,
e x c e p t t h e g e n e r a l i n c o m m a n d o f t h e d i v i s i o n , I f o u n d
when I made the investi gation of the ir charges of
cowardice, the most profou nd discouragemen t . No t
o n e o f t h e m b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n w o u l d e v e r
b e w o r t h a n y t h i n g a s s o l d i e r s . E v e r y o n e o f t h e m
w o u l d h a v e g i v e n a n y t h i n g t o b e t r a n s f e r r e d t o a n y
o t h e r d u t y . I t w a s t h e m o s t p i t i f u l c a s e o f d i s c o u r a g e -
m e n t t h a t I h a v e e v e r s e e n a m o n g s o l d i e r s .
" T h e N e g r o d i v i s i o n [ D i a r y , N o v e m b e r 1 s t ] s e e m s i n
a f a i r w a y t o b e a f a i l u r e . I t i s in a q u i e t s e c t o r , y e t
c a n h a r d l y t a k e c a r e o f i t s e l f , w h i l e t o t a k e a n y o f f e n s iv e
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THE 92 ND DIVISION 2 9 5
a c t i o n s e e m s w h o l l y b e y o n d i t s p o w e r s . I have been
h e r e n o w w i t h i t t h r e e w e e k s a n d h a v e b e e n u n a b l e t o
h a v e i t m a k e a s i n g l e r a i d u p o n t h e e n e m y. They are
r e a l l y i n f e r i o r s o l d i e r s . T h e r e i s n o d e n y i n g i t . T h e i r
N e g r o o f f i c e r s h a v e a n i n a d e q u a t e i d e a o f w h a t i s e x -
p e c t e d o f s o l d i e r s , a n d t h e i r w h i t e o f f i c e r s a r e t o o f e w
t o l e a v e n t h e l u m p . "
" S p e n t t h e d a y [ N o v e m b e r 5 t h ] g o i n g a b o u t t h e a r m y
a n d s e e i n g . I s a w e s p e c i a l l y t h e N e g r o e s , t h e 9 2 n d
D i v i s i o n , w h i c h a f t e r m o r e t h a n a m o n t h i n t h e t r e n c h e s
c a n n o t y e t m a k e a r a i d . I t f a i l e d a g a i n o n o n e t o - d a y .
Poor Negroes 1 They ar e hope lessly inferio r . I ' v e
b e e n t a l k i n g w i t h t h e m i n d i v i d u a l l y a b o u t t h e i r d i -
v i s i o n ' s s u c c e s s . T h a t s u c c e s s i s n o t t r o u b l i n g t h e m .
W i t h e v e r y o n e f e e l i n g a n d s a y i n g t h a t t h e y a r e w o r t h -
l e s s a s s o l d i e r s , t h e y a r e g o i n g o n q u i t e u n c o n c e r n e d l y .
" T h e 9 2 n d N e g r o D i v i s i o n i s n o t m a k i n g m u c h i f a n y
p r o g r e s s t o w a r d e f f i c i e n c y a n d I a m a f r a i d i t n e v e r w i l l
b e w o r t h a n y t h i n g a s a f i g h t i n g u n i t . I t s d i v i s i o n c o m -
m a n d i n g g e n e r a l i s n o t v e r y s t r o n g a s a m i l i t a r y m a n .
I ' m i n c l i n e d t o t h i n k h e w i l l h a v e t o b e ' S . O . S . e d , ' a n d
I ' l l h a v e t o h a v e t h i s d o n e . "
F r o m a b o u t t h e 2 5 t h o f O c t o b e r , t h e n , u n t i l a f e w d a y s
b e f o r e t h e a r m i s ti c e I p u t f o r t h e v e r y e f f o r t t o h a v e t h is
d i v i s i o n e x e c u t e s o m e o f f e n s i v e o p e r a t i o n , s u c h a s a r a i d ,
a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y . T h e d i v i s i o n w a s l a r g e a n d c o m -
p o s e d o f e x c e p t i o n a l l y h u s k y , v i g o r o u s - l o o k i n g s o l d i e r s ,
w e l l e q u i p p e d . The enem y tro o p s agai n s t them were
o f s e c o n d o r t h i r d c l a s s , n o t b y a n y m e a n s t h e b e s t .
I p r o v i d e d t h e m o s t s k i l l e d F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n a d -
v i s e r s a n d i n s t r u c t o r s f o r t h e m i n a n e f f o r t t o h a v e
t h e m e x e c u t e a s u c c e s s f u l r a i d . I n e v e r s u c c e e d e d e v e n
t o a s l i g h t d e g r e e . As I reme mber , in thos e thre e
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29 6 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
w e e k s t h i s d i v i s i o n o f s o m e 2 7 , 0 0 0 m e n c a p t u r e d o n e
G e r m a n I
T h e N e g r o e s w e r e a g r e a t d i s a p p o i n t m e n t . T h i s e x -
p e r i e n c e d i d n o t a g r e e w i t h t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e R e g u l a r
A r m y o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w i t h N e g r o s o l d i e r s . I c o u l d
n o t a s c r i b e t h e f a i l u r e t o p o o r q u a l i t y i n t h e i r h i g h e r
o f f i c e r s . T h e s e o f f i c e r s g e n e r a l l y , a s I h a v e s a i d , w e r e
g o o d , i n m o s t c a s e s e x c e l l e n t . T h e F r e n c h h a d h a d l i k e
e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e i r N e g r o t r o o p s i n t h e i r f r o n t - l i n e
t r e n c h e s a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y . T h e N e g r o , i t s e e m s , c a n -
n o t s t a n d b o m b a r d m e n t .
T w o o r t h r e e d a y s b e f o r e t h e a r m i s t i c e I r e s o l v e d t o
a t t a c k t h e e n e m y w i t h m y w h o l e a r m y . B e f o r e I c o u l d
p u t m y r e s o l u t i o n i n t o e f f e c t I r e c e i v e d a n o r d e r f r o m
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g t o d o j u s t w h a t I h a d d e c i d e d t o d o .
T h e o r d e r w a s g i v e n t o t h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n , a s t o t h e r e s t
o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y . T h e d i v i s i o n m a d e n o i m p r e s s i o n o f
c o n s e q u e n c e u p o n t h e e n e m y . " T h e p o o r 9 2 n d N e g r o e s
[ D i a r y , N o v e m b e r 1 1 t h ] w a s t e d t i m e a n d d a w d l e d w h e r e
t h e y d i d a t t a c k , a n d i n s o m e p l a c e s w h e r e t h e y s h o u l d
h a v e a t t a c k e d , n e v e r b u d g e d a t a l l . I t s e e m s t o b e a s
m u c h t h e f a u l t o f t h e g e n e r a l a s o f t h e N e g r o e s . " "Twod a y s a g o [ N o v e m b e r 1 2 t h ] a n d a g a i n y e s t e r d a y t h e 9 2 n d
D i v i s i o n w o u l d n o t f i g h t , c o u l d n ' t b e m a d e t o a t t a c k i n
a n y e f f e c t i v e s e n s e . The gener al who comman ds them
c a n ' t m a k e t h e m f i g h t . "
T h e g e n e r a l s e e m e d t o m e a l s o t o h a v e l o s t s i g h t o f
m i l i t a r y e f f i c i e n c y i n t h e r a c i a l " u p l i f t " p r o b l e m w h i c h
s e e m e d t o f i l l h i s m i n d . W i t h t h e p r o s p e c t , t o o , o f l i t t l e
o c c u p a t i o n f o r t h e s e v i g o r o u s b l a c k m e n i n t h e q u i e t
d a y s a f t e r t h e a r m i s t i c e , w i t h s u r e c o m p l a i n t s f r o m t h e
F r e n c h p o p u l a t i o n I
It is common l y belie ved among Americans t hat
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THE 92ND DIVISION 2 9 7
F r e n c h p e o p l e h a v e n o o b j e c t i o n t o N e g r o e s , b u t t h i s I
q u i c k l y f o u n d w a s a n e r r o r . W hil e ther e were v ery
f e w F r e n c h p e o p l e i n t h e r e g i o n o c c u p i e d b y t h i s d i v i -
s i o n , t h e y w e r e n o t h a p p y t o h a v e t h e N e g r o e s a m o n g
t h e m .
T h e N e g r o i s a m o r e s e n s u a l m a n t h a n t h e w h i t e m a n
a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e h e i s f a r m o r e o f f e n s i v e t o w h i t e
w o m e n t h a n i s a w h i t e m a n . T h e l i t t l e a c t s o f f a m il i a r -
i t y t h a t w o u l d p a s s u n n o t i c e d i n a w h i t e m a n , b e c o m e
t h e c a u s e o f c o m p l a i n t a g a i n s t t h e N e g r o . T h i s s p e c i a l
N e g r o d i v i s i o n w a s a l r e a d y c h a r g e d w i t h f i f t e e n c a s e s o f
r a p e .
F o r t h e s e r e a s o n s , i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h e a r m i s t i c e I
r e c o m m e n d e d i n e f f e c t t h a t t h i s d i v i s i o n b e s e n t h o m e
f i r s t o f a l l t h e A m e r i c a n t r o o p s , t h a t t h e y b e s e n t h o m e
i n a l l h o n o u r , b u t a b o v e a l l t h a t t h e y b e s e n t q u i c k l y .
T h e a n s w e r c a m e t h a t M a r s h a l F o c h w o u l d n o t , p e n d i n g
p e a c e , a p p r o v e t h e t r a n s f e r o f a n y d i v i s i o n b a c k t o t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s . I n a n s w e r I t o l d t h e A m e r i c a n h e a d -
q u a r t e r s t o s a y t o M a r s h a l F o c h t h a t n o m a n c o u l d b e
r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e a c t s o f t h e s e N e g r o e s t o w a r d F r e n c h -
w o m e n , a n d t h a t h e h a d b e t t e r s e n d t h i s d i v i s i o n h o m e
a t o n c e . T h i s b r o u g h t t h e o r d e r , a n d t h e 9 2 n d w a s , I
b e l i e v e , t h e v e r y f i r s t d i v i s i o n t o b e s e n t h o m e . I w a s
t o l d t h a t t h e d i v i s i o n w a s r e c e i v e d a t h o m e w i t h g r e a t
g l o r i f ic a t i o n . I w a s p e r f e c t l y w i l l i n g t h a t i t s h o u l d b e ;
the American army abroad w as relieved . My owns e n s e o f r e l i e f c a n b e u n d e r s t o o d w h e n I s a y t h a t w h i l e
a p a r t o f t h e d i v i s i o n w a s w a i t i n g fo r i t s r a i l r o a d t r a i n s
t o m o v e i t t o i t s p o r t o f e m b a r k a t i o n , a m o n g o t h e r
t h i n g s o n e p o o r F r e n c h w o m a n w a s r a v i s h e d b y f i v e 9 2 n d
D i v i s i o n s o l d i e r s .
A l t o g e t h e r m y m e m o r i e s o f t h e 9 2 n d N e g r o D i v i s i o n
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2 9 8 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
a r e a nigh t m a r e . When all my thoug h t , time, and
e f f o r t w e r e n e e d e d t o m a k e w a r a g a i n s t a p o w e r f u l e n e m y ,
t h e y h a d f o r a w e e k t o b e g i v e n o v e r e n t i r e l y t o a d a n g e r -
o u s , i r r i t a t i n g r a c e q u e s t i o n t h a t h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h
w a r - m a k i n g , t h e p a r a m o u n t m a t t e r o f t h e t i m e . I f e a r
t h a t i t w i l l a l w a y s b e s o w i t h N e g r o e s w h e r e v e r t h e y a r e
i n c o n t a c t w i t h w h i t e s . This tho ught and my experi-
e n c e l e d m e t o t h i s c o n c l u s i o n : I f y o u n e e d c o m b a t s o l -
d i e r s , a n d e s p e c i a l l y i f y o u n e e d t h e m i n a h u r r y , d o n ' t
p ut your time upon Negroes . The ta sk of maki ng
s o l d i e r s o f t h e m a n d f i g h t i n g w i t h t h e m , i f t h e r e a r e a n y
w h i t e p e o p l e n e a r , w i l l b e s w a m p e d i n t h e r a c e q u e s t i o n .
I f r a c i a l u p l i f t o r r a c i a l e q u a l i t y i s y o u r p u r p o s e , t h a t is
a n o t h e r m a t t e r .
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CHAPTER XXXITHE ATTACK OF THE SECOND ARMY
TH E w o r k o f o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d e q u i p m e n t f o r t h e f i r s t
t w o w e e k s i n t h e S e c o n d A r m y w a s h a r d a n d e x a c t -
i n g . I h a d t o p a s s s o r a p i d l y f r o m o n e t h i n g t o a n o t h e r ,
t o g i v e m y a t t e n t i o n i n q u i c k s u c c e s s i o n t o s o m a n y
t h i n g s , t h a t I c o u l d n o t a t t h e e n d o f a d a y r e c a l l i n
w h a t t h e d a y h a d b e e n o c c u p i e d . Attemptin g to wo rk
w i t h a n i n c o m p l e t e o r g a n i z a t i o n m e a n t m a n y d e t a i l s .
T o s a v e m y s e l f f r o m b e i n g s w a m p e d w i t h t h e s e , I h a d
p u s h e d o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d e q u i p m e n t w i t h a l l m y p o w e r.
I n t w o w e e k s , b y t h e e n d o f O c t o b e r , I r e a l l y h a d a n
a r m y a n d a s t a f f , a n d t h e y w e r e a t w o r k , a b l e t o o p e r a t e
i n a n o f f e n s i v e a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y . B y t h e e n d o f O c t o -
b e r t h e r e w e r e 1 7 6 , 0 0 0 A m e r i c a n t r o o p s , o f t h r e e c o r p s
( f i v e d i v i s i o n s a n d a r m y t r o o p s ) , a n d t h i s n u m b e r w a s
s t e a d i l y i n c r e a s i ng .
F r o m t h e v e r y t i m e o f m y a r r i v a l I k n e w t h a t I m u s t
soon expect to make an offensive . Marsha l Foch's
m e t h o d o f h i t t i n g f i r s t i n o n e p l a c e a n d t h e n i n a n o t h e r
m a d e t h i s s u r e . H e h a d s t r u c k i n h i s g r e a t o f f e n s i v e ,
f i r s t a t S o i s s o n s , t h e n o n t h e B r i t i s h f r o n t , t h e n a t t h e
St . Mihiel salient, then a t the Meuse-Argonne and
f a r t h e r . T h e l a s t w a s n o w a l m o s t f i n i s h e d . The n ext
American blow, it see med, would naturally be on m y
S e c o n d A r m y f r o n t . F r o m t h e f i r s t , t h e n , I h a d p r e s s e d
w o r k u p o n r a i l r o a d , h o r s e , a n d m o t o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ,
w i t h t h i s t h o u g h t : t h a t t h e n e x t p u s h w o u l d b e t o w a r d
9 9 9
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3 0 0 PERSONALITIES AND REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR
Met z . T h e F r e n c h n e a r m e e v i d e n t l y t h o u g h t l i k e w i s e ,
b e c a u s e t h e y , t o o , s o o n b e g a n w o r k u p o n a r a i l r o a d l i n e
b e a r i n g i n t h e g e n e r a l d i r e c t i o n o f M e t z . The p ro-
l o n g a t i o n o f t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e b a t t l e , a n d t h e c o n s i d -
e r a t i o n o f t h e a r m i s t i c e p r o p o s a l o f G e r m a n y l e f t t h e
q u e s t i o n o f t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y o f f e n s i v e i n
doubt . T h e A m e r i c a n F i r s t A r m y w a s a p p a r e n t l y h a v -
i n g a h a r d t i m e d r i v i n g t h e e n e m y i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e
b a t t l e , a s w a s sh o w n b y t h e r a t h e r f r e q u e n t r e l i e f o f h ig h
A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r s o f t h e i r c o m m a n d s a n d t h e f r e q u e n t
r e l i e f s o f d i v i s i o n s o f t h a t A r m y b y t r o o p s t h a t h a d
b e e n i n r e s t b e h i n d t h e f r o n t l i n e s . I n t h i s w a y a n u m -
b e r o f d i v i s i o n s h a d b e e n c a l l e d , a n d w e r e s t i l l b e i n g
c a l l e d , f r o m m y o w n a r m y t o g o t o o u r F i r s t A m e r i c a n
A r m y o r e v e n t o B r i t i s h f r o n t s w h e r e o t h e r A m e r i c a n
t r o o p s w e r e s e r v i n g.
T h e o f f e n s i v e f o r t h e S e c o n d A r m y
w a s t h u s h a n g i n g f i r e a b i t . Nev er t h e l e s s , m y Army
w a s a c t i v e a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y o n i t s f r o n t , a n d t h a t
a c t i v i t y w a s t e l l i n g . " T o - n i g h t [ D i a r y , O c t o b e r 2 8 t h ]
p r i s o n e r s b r i n g u s n e w s t h a t t h e B o c h e i n f r o n t o f t h i s
a r m y i s g e t t i n g r e a d y t o p u l l o u t . I i m a g i n e t h a t t h e r e
i s s o m e t r u t h i n i t . I s h a l l h a v e t o s e t a b o u t a s c h e m e o f
f o l l o w i n g . " W e were shor t of tran s p o r t a t i o n , bu t I
d e t e r m i n e d t h a t w e s h o u l d b e r e a d y t o p u s h t h e e n e m y
i n h i s r e t i r e m e n t .
" O c t o b e r 2 9 t h . I w e n t o v e r t h e l a r g e r p o r t i o n o f m y
a r m y s e c t o r f r o m t h e v i c i n i t y o f P o n t - a - M o u s s o n , o n
t h e M o s e l l e , t o L e s E p a r g e s , i n t h e W o e v r e r e g i o n ,
v i s i t i n g c o r p s , d i v i s i o n s , a n d s o m e b r i g a d e h e a d q u a r t e r s ,
a n d t a l k i n g w i t h o f f i c e r s a b o u t c o n d i t i o n s . . . . I
f o u n d i n m y i n s p e c t i o n s o f f i c e r s a n d m e n e n t h u s i a s t i c
o v e r c o n d i t i o n s . Th e y w e r e d a i l y m a k i n g s m a l l b u t
v e r y s u c c e s s f u l l o c a l a t t a c k s a n d t h e y w e r e d e l i g h t e d .
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THE ATTAC K OF THE SE COND ARMY 3 0 1
T h e y w e r e a l l , h o w e v e r , u n d e r g o i n g m u c h d i s c o m f o r t
a n d o f t e n g r e a t h a r d s h i p a n d d a n g e r . W e w e r e l o s i n g
m e n e v e r y d a y , f o r t h e e n e m y w a s f i g h t i n g . "
W e w e r e t h u s c o n s t a n t l y f e e l i n g t h e e n e m y , w h i l e a t
t h e s a m e t i m e r u m o u r s a n d p r o s p e c t s o f a n e a r l y o f f e n -
s i v e i n c r e a s e d . O n N o v e m b e r 7 t h c a m e t h i s l e t t e r
ADVANCE P. C .
General Headquarters
American E xpeditionary Forces
No v . 7 , 1 9 18 .
P e r s o n a l 4 C o n f i d e n t i a l .
LIE UTE NANT GE NERAL R . L . B U L L A R D , C o m m a n d i n g
Secon d Amer ican Army , Fra nce .
MY DEAR GE NERAL BULLARD
The Comm a n d er - i n - C h i e f has direc ted me to giv e
y o u , p e r s o n a l l y a n d c o n f i d e n t i a l l y , a n i n t i m a t i o n o f c e r -
t a i n p o s s i b i l i t i e s i n t h e i m m e d i a t e f u t u r e .
T h e F r e n c h a r e p r e p a r i n g a n a t t a c k i n t h e r e g i o n o f
C h a t e a u - S a l i n s . T h e y h a v e a s k e d f o r t h e a s s i s t a n c e o f
s i x o f o u r d i v i s i o n s i n t hi s a t ta c k . T h e m a t t e r i s s t i l l
u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n , a n d i t i s n o t c e r t a i n w h e t h e r o r n o t
t h e A l l i e d C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f w i l l i n s i s t u p o n o u r
f u r n i s h i n g t h e s e s i x d i v i s i o n s .
I n t h e e v e n t t h a t G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g d e c i d e s t o s e n d
s i x A m e r i c a n d i v i s i o n s t o a s s i s t i n t h e F r e n c h a t t a c k , h e
i n t e n d s t h a t t h e y s h a l l b e h a n d l e d a s a n a r m y u n d e r
y o u r i m m e d i a t e co m m a n d . You wo uld take wit h you
y o u r p r e s e n t s t a f f , e x c e p t t h a t , p e r h a p s , t h e s u p p l y p a r t
w o u l d f u n c t i o n f o r y o u f r o m T o u l .
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3 02 PERSONALITIES AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
T h e C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f l e a v e s t o - n i g h t f o r P a r i s ,
a n d w e h o p e t o g i v e y o u d e f i n i t e i n f o r m a t i o n w i t h i n
t h e n e x t 4 8 h o u r s . U n t i l s u c h i n f o r m a t i o n i s f u r n i s h e d
y o u , t h e C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f d i r e c t s m e t o a s k y o u t o
h o l d t h e c o n t e n t s o f t h i s l e t t e r s t r i c t l y c o n f i d e n t i a l
b e t w e e n y o u r s e l f a n d y o u r c h i e f - o f - s t a f f .
( S i g n e d ) F o x C ONNER,
B r i g . G e n . , G e n . S t a f f ,
A s s t . C h i e f - o f - S t a f f , G - 3 .
" E v i d e n t l y [ D i a r y ] t h e A l l i e s a r e n o t g o i n g t o r e l a x
a mome n t on war mak ing , no matt e r how many armi s -
t i c e a n d p e a c e t a l k e r s t h e G e r m a n s m a y s e n d u s . . . .
My army is h ara s s i n g the enem y and capt u r i n g men
d a i l y . I t i s g o i n g w e l l . "
A s t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y
o f f e n s i v e h a d f o r s o m e t i m e b e e n u n c e r t a i n , s o n o w t h e
d e c i s i o n a s to t h a t o f fe n s i v e w a s h e l d i n a b e y a n c e b y c o n -
d i t i o n s e l s e w h e r e t h a n o n m y a r m y f r o n t . " I i m a g i n e
[ D i a r y , N o v e m b e r 9 t h ] t h a t n o t h i n g w i l l b e h e a r d u n t i l
d e c i s i o n i s r e a c h e d o n t h e m a t t e r o f t h e a r m i s t i c e , a n d
t h e n - - 1 . . . I n c o m i n g a d d i t i o n a l d i v i s i o n s i n -
d i c a t e t h a t m y a r m y i s b e i n g b u i l t u p b y o u r g e n e r a l
h e a d q u a r t e r s i n F r a n c e . T h i n g s w i l l s u r e l y b e p o p p i n g
f r o m N o v e m b e r 1 5 t h t o D e c e m b e r 1 5 t h i f t h e G e r m a n s
d o n o t a c c e p t t h e a r m i s t i c e . I c a n s e e t h e s i g n s . "
T h u s , o n t h e 9 t h o f N o v e m b e r t h e 2 n d A r m y s t o o d e x -
p e c t i n g t o t a k e t h e o f f e n s i v e - e i t h e r s t r a i g h t t o w a r d
M e t z , p u r s u i n g a r e t i r i n g e n e m y ; o r , a s i n d i c a t e d i n
G e n e r a l P e r s h i ng ' s l e t t e r , j o i n i n g w i th t h e F r e n c h a t ta c k ,
i n t h e C h a t e a u - S a l i n s r e g i o n t o t h e s o u t h e a s t o f M e t z .
" O n t h e 9 t h [ D i a r y , N o v e m b e r 1 1 t h ] i t b e g a n t o s e e m
a s t h o u g h t h e e n e m y o n t h e f r o n t o f m y a r m y w a s g r a d -
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THE ATTAC K OF THE SEC OND ARMY 303
u a l l y w i t h d r a w i n g m a t e r i a l a n d g e t t i n g r e a d y t o r e t i r e .
I t h e r e f o r e o r d e r e d a g e n e r a l a d v a n c e f o r t h e 1 0 t h . Al-
m o s t b e f o r e t h e o r d e r c o u l d b e i s s u e d , o r , r a t h e r , c o u l d
r e a c h t h e t r o o p s , d i r e c t i o n s c a m e f r o m o u r g e n e r a l h e a d -
q u a r t e r s t o d o t h e v e r y t h i n g t h a t I h a d d e c i d e d t o d o .
A t t h e s a m e t i m e w e s e e m e d o n t h e v e r g e o f a n a r m i s -
t i c e ; b u t t h e d e s i r e o f t h e e n e m y t o h a v e a n a r m i s t i c e
h a d b e e n b r o u g h t a b o u t b y f i g h t i n g a l o n e , s o i t w a s m a n -
i f e s t l y w r o n g n o w t o d e s i s t f r o m f i g h t in g . S o o n i t w e n t .
"November 10th, a t 7 : 0 0 A . M . , m y f o u r d i v i s i o n s i n
t h e f r o n t l i n e a t t a c k e d . They foun d the enem y every-
w h e r e a n d i n v e r y g o o d s t r e n g t h a n d o r g a n i z e d u p o n
t h e s t r o n g l y d e f e n d e d H i n d e n b u r g 2 n d L i n e . W e f o u g h t
a t i t a l l d a y . The enemy see med to strengthen f rom
w e s t t o e a s t , t h e g r o u n d b e i n g t o h i m m o r e f a v o u r a b l e i n
t h e e a s t . The 33r d Division -General Georg e Bell -on
t h e w e s t, d i d w e l l ; t h e 2 8 t h D i v is i o n , n e x t , u n d e r G e n e r a l
Hay, had some but n o g r e a t s u c c e s s i n a d v a n c e ; t h e
7th Division, u nder General Wittenmey er, had hard
f i g h t i n g b u t a d v a n c e d s o m e , p e r h a p s h a l f a k i l o m e t r e ;
t h e 9 2 n d D i v i s i o n N e g r o e s , u n d e r G e n e r a l B a l l o u , g a i n e d
a g o o d d e a l o f g r o u n d b u t d i d t h e e n e m y l i t t l e h a r m .
A l t o g e t h e r , a t n i g h t t h e l i n e s e e m e d t o h a v e a d v a n c e d
a l l a l o n g f r o m o n e h a l f t o t w o k i l o m e t r e s - a s w e l l a s I
c o u l d e x p e c t . I d i d n o t e x p e c t t h e f i r s t d a y t o d o m o r e
t h a n g a i n f u l l c o n t a c t a n d f e e l t h e e n e m y ' s p o s i t i o n s
t h o r o u g h l y . This was accomplished, a nd so for the
1 1 t h o f N o v e m b e r I o r d e r e d h i s w e a k p o i n t s t o b e a t -
t a c k e d b y c o n c e n t r a t i o n s t h e r e o n a l o n g t h e w h o l e f r o n t .
" T o - d a y [ N o v e m b e r 1 1 t h ] t h e a t t a c k w a s r e n e w e d a s
o r d e r e d , b u t a b o u t 6 : 3 0 A . M . a t e l e g r a m a n n o u n c e d t h a t
a r m i s t i c e w o u l d g o i n t o e f f e c t a t 1 1 : 0 0 A . M . a n d a l l
f i g h t i n g a n d a d v a n c e m u s t t h e n s t o p . I g a v e t h e c o r -
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3 0 4 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
r e s p o n d i n g o r d e r s . S o m e o f o u r d i v i s i o n s o f t h e l i n e
h a d a l r e a d y b e e n p r e t t y t h o r o u g h l y c o m m i t t e d t o t h e
a t t a c k , o t h e r s n o t . T h e f o r m e r c o n t i n u e d , t h e l a t t e r
d e s i s t e d , t h o u g h a l l w e r e p a r t i a l l y a t l e a s t e n g a g e d .
A s o n t h e 1 0 t h , t h e b e s t w o r k w a s d o n e o n t h e w e s t b y
t h e 3 3 r d D i v i s i o n , G e n e r a l G e o r g e B e l l . The o thers
a c c o m p l i s h e d l i t t l e . B u t t h e f i g h t i n g c o n t i n u e d u n t i l
t h e l a s t m i n u t e . I w e n t e a r l y , w i t h a n a i d e , t o n e a r t h e
f r o n t l i n e t o s e e t h e l a s t o f i t , t o h e a r t h e c r a c k o f t h e
l a s t g u n s i n t h e g r e a t e s t w a r o f a l l t h e a g e s . I s t a y e d '
u n t i l 1 1 : 0 0 A. M. , w h e n , a l l b e i n g o v e r , I r e t u r n e d t o m y
h e a d q u a r t e r s , t h o u g h t f u l a n d f e e l i n g l o s t." It w a s
o v e r l
" T o - d a y ' s A m e r i c a n b u l l e t i n d o e s n o t g i v e m y a r m y
m u c h c r e d i t f o r i t s e f f o r t y e s t e r d a y . I f e l t t h a t i t w a s
- a n d s o , o n i n q u i r y , i t t u r n e d o u t t o b e - t h e f a u l t o f
our own Army's too m odest report . I w a s o u t o f p a -
t i e n c e t o s e e t h a t o n t h e i r l a s t d a y ' s f i g h t i n g m y a r m y
d i d n o t g e t c r e d i t f o r w h a t i t h a d d o n e , s o I ` b l e w u p '
t h e p e o p l e w h o h a d f a i l e d t o r e p o r t c o r r e c t l y ." Neve r-
t h e l e s s , t h e A m e r i c a n c o m m u n i q u e w a s n o t b a d f o r u s ,
a s s h o w n i n t h e f o l l o w i n g c o p y - o u r p a r t i n i t a l i c s :
" A s e r i e s o f l o c a l o p e r a t i o n s b y t h e F i r s t a n d S e c o n d
A m e r i c a n A r m i e s r e s u l t e d i n c o n s i d e r a b l e g a i n s t o - d a y .
. . . B e y o n d t h e e a s t e r n s l o p e s o f t h e h e i g h t s o f t h e
M e u s e t h e v i l l a g e s o f G i b e r c y , A b a u c o u r t , a n d G r i m a u -
c o u r t w e r e t a k e n . I n t h e W o e v r e , d e s p i t e s t u b b o r n r e -
s i s t a n c e f r o m m a c h i n e g u n s a n d h e a v y a r t i l l e r y , t r o o p s o f
t h e S e c o n d A r m y p e n e t r a t e d t h e e n e m y ' s l i ne s a n d d r o v e h i m
f r o m s e v e r a l w e l l - o r g a n i z e d a n d s t r o n g l y h e l d p o s i t i o n s .
T h e t o w n s o f M a r c h e v i l l e a n d S t . H i l a i r e w e r e t a k e n a n d
t h e B o i s D o m m a r t i n w a s c l e a r e d o f t h e e n e m y . "
A l o n g w i t h t h e o r d e r t o d e s i s t f r o m f i g h t i n g a n d a d -
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THE ATTAC K OF THE SEC OND ARMY 305
v a n c i n g a t 1 1 : 0 0 A. M . c a m e a n o r d e r t o m a r k v e r y d e f -
i n i t e l y t h e l i n e a t t h a t m o m e n t o c c u p i e d b y o u r t r o o p s ,
a n d , n o b o d y b e i n g s u r e t h a t t h e w a r w a s o v e r , t o p r e -
v e n t f r a t e r n i z a t i o n w i t h t h e e n e m y . T h e f i r s t w a s v e r y
e a s y . F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e p e r h a p s i n f o u r y e a r s , a t 1 1 : 0 0
A . M . , m e n o n b o t h s i d e s s h o w e d t h e m s e l v e s , p l a i n l y
m a r k i n g t h e l i n e o f t h e m o s t a d v a n c e d t r o o p s . S t a f f
o f f i c e r s i n n u m b e r s w e r e o n t h e g r o u n d t o m a r k t h a t
l i n e u p o n t h e m a p s . I n d e e d , i t w a s " Ground-h og Day
f o r s t a ff o f fi c e r s , " r e m a r k e d a s o l d i e r .
T h e p r e v e n t i o n o f f r a t e r n i z a t i o n w a s a l i t t l e m o r e
d i f f i c u l t . N o w t h a t t h e f i g h t i n g w a s o v e r , b o t h s i d e s
w a n t e d t o t a l k t o e a c h o t h e r ; e a c h s i d e w a s c u r i o u s
a b o u t t h e o t h e r . B e s i d e s , t h e e n e m y h a d i n h i s l i n e s a
l a r g e n u m b e r o f R u s s i a n , F r e n c h , a n d I t a l i a n p r i s o n e r s
w h o m h e w a s v e r y a n x i o u s t o g e t r i d o f t o u s . H e w a s
having to feed them-ver y much to his dislike . " I
s a w [ D i a r y ] s o m e o f t h e p r i s o n e r s t h a t c a m e f r o m t h e
Boche hands . T h e y l o o k e d s t r o n g , b u t w o u l d n a t u r a l l y
l o o k s o , a s o n l y a b l e - b o d i e d m e n c o u l d h a v e w a l k e d , a s
t h e y w a l k e d , t h e l o n g d i s t a n c e o f s i x t y k i l o m e t e r s t o
r e a c h o u r l i n e s . T h e y h a d s i m p l y b e e n t u r n e d l o o s e b y
t h e B o c h e , b u t t h e y w e r e h a p p y . "
Quickly following the armistice came the rumour
t h a t t h e S e c o n d A r m y w a s t o g o i n t o G e r m a n y . W e a t
o n c e b e g a n t o p r e p a r e o u r s e l v e s f o r t h i s , a n d t h e n a f e w
d a y s l a t e r i t w a s o f f i c i a l l y d e c i d e d t o o r g a n i z e a n d s e n d
forw ard into Ger many o ur Third Army .
"So m i n e - t h e Sec o n d Ar m y [Di a r y , No v e m b e r
14th]-and the First Army are not to go . Of course
e v e r y b o d y w a n t s t o g o . I c a r e v e r y l i t t l e o n e w a y o r
a n o t h e r . "
T h e w a r , I f e l t s u r e , w a s o v e r a n d I h a d h a d t h e l o n g
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30 8 PE RSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
1 9 1 7 . They renewe d this with great vig our immedi-
a t e l y a f t e r t h e i r g r e a t v i c t o r y o v e r t h e I t a l i a n s i n t h e
e n d o f O c t o b e r , 1 9 1 7 , a n d k e p t i t u p l o n g . I n d e e d ,
f r o m t h e d a y s o f H e n r y F o r d ' s f o o l ' s e r r a n d i n 1 9 1 7 ,
t h e r e h a d f r e q u e n t l y b e e n a s m u c h p e a c e t a l k a s I w a s
n o w h e a r i n g i n t h e f i r s t ha l f o f O c t o b e r , 1 9 1 8 . I n a l l o f
t h e s e c a s e s t h e t a l k w a s j o y f u l l y h a i l e d b y t h e u n i n -
f o r m e d , t h e g r e a t b u l k o f m e n c o n c e r n e d ; b u t i n a l l
c a s e s , t h e i r h o p e b e i n g w i t h o u t b a s i s , t h e i r e x p e c t a t i o n
a n d j o y s o o n c o l l a p s e d . The same was again to hap-
p e n .
" S t i l l [ D i a r y , O c t o b e r 1 6 t h ] p u b l i c o p i n i o n , a t f i r s t
c r y i n g t h a t p e a c e w a s a t h a n d , i s s l o w l y t u r n i n g t o t h e
v i e w t h a t t h e w a r w i l l g o o n . I n h i s s e c o n d a n s w e r
t o t h e B o c h e , P r e s i d e n t W i l s o n h a s t a l k e d a g o o d d e a l
b u t n o t s a i d m u c h . H e h a s s a i d s o m e h a r d t h i n g s t h a t
m a y h a v e s o m e e f f e c t o n t h e G e r m a n p e o p l e o r m a y b e
l a u g h e d a t b y t h e m . . . . T h e n e w s t o - n i g h t f r o m
t h e F i r s t A m e r i c a n A r m y d o e s n o t s h o w t h a t i t i s m a k i n g
a n y g r e a t a d v a n c e . A t t h e s a m e t i m e i t i n d i c a t e s t h a t
h i g h - r a n k i n g o f f i c e r s a r e l o s i n g t h e i r p l a c e s , w h i c h l a s t
m e a n s t h a t t h e s e h i g h - r a n k i n g o f f i c e r s a r e n o t b e a t i n g
t h e B o c h e , t h a t t h e y a r e u n a b l e t o w i n a n y c l e a r a d -
vantage over him . " P e a c e , l i k e t h e f r o n t l i n e s a ft e r a
h a r d f i g h t , w a s " w a b b l i n g . " A l o n g w i t h t h e i m p r e s s i o n s
a n d d i s c u s s i o n s o f t h e t i m e t h e r e w a s n o m i l i t a r y w e a k -
e n i n g v i s i b l e i n t h e e n e m y s u f f i c i e n t t o j u s t i f y i n t h e
a v e r a g e m i n d t h e b e l i e f t h a t t h a t e n e m y r e a l l y n e e d e d
o r w a s s e e k i n g t o m a k e p e a c e . H e c o n t i n u e d t o o s t r o n g
i n t h e f i g h t .
I n t h e l i g h t o f t h e s u b s e q u e n t a r m i s ti c e a n d p e a c e , t h e
u n c e r t a i n i m p r e s s i o n s o f t h i s t i m e s e e m s t r a n g e . Tha t
o n e m o n t h b e f o r e t h e a r m i s t i c e c a m e , p e a c e s h o u l d b e s o
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THE ARMISTIC E 3 0 9
u n c e r t a i n a f t e r f o u r y e a r s o f w a r a n d e x h a u s t i o n , s e e m s
v e r y s u r p r i s i n g . The enem y was then appa r e n t l y not
b e i n g h a r d - d r i v e n ; h e w a s a l m o s t s t a nd i n g t h e A l l i e s o f f .
P e a c e s e e m e d i n c r e d i b l e . Abou t t his ti me a F ren c h
l i a i s o n o f f i c e r p a s s i n g m y h e a d q u a r t e r s t o l d m e t h a t
Marshal Foch had just sent a message to General
P e r s h i n g t o t h i s e f f e c t : " P r e s s t h e a r r i v a l o f A m e r i c a n
t r o o p s i n E u r o p e a n d I t h i n k w e c a n e n d t h e w a r n e x t
y e a r . " A t a b o u t t h e s a m e t i m e , s a y s t h e I t a l i a n g e n e r a l
B a d o g l i o , M a r s h a l F o c h , r e p l y i n g t o a m e s s a g e f r o m t h e
I t a l i a n , s t a t e d t h a t t h e r e w o u l d b e f o u r m o n t h s m o r e o f
f i g h t i n g . A l l t h i s e x p l a i n s w h y f i n a l l y , o n t h e m o r n i n g
o f N o v e m b e r 1 1 t h , A m e r i c a n s a n d a l l t h e A l l i e s s t i l l
d o u b t e d p e a c e a n d w e r e s t i l l f i g h t i n g .
I n t h e s u c c e e d i n g d a y s a n d w e e k s o f O c t o b e r a n d e a r l y
N o v e m b e r t h e A l l i e s ' f i g h t i n g a n d p r e s s u r e u p o n t h e
e n e m y c ont i n u ed whil e the talk went on . "To - d a y
[ O c t o b e r 1 7 ] w e h e a r P r e s i d e n t W i l s o n ' s t h i r d r e p l y t o
the Boche peace demand . I a m a f r a i d M r . W i l s o n w i l l
e n t a n g l e h i m s e l f a n d t h e n a t i o n i n t h e t a l k . I f t h e t o n e
of British a nd French press and public men is any
i n d i c a t i o n o f w h a t t h e s e w a n t , t h e r e i s l i t t l e c h a n c e o f
any compromise for the Boche ; y e t P r e s i d e n t W i l s o n
a g r e e s t o r e c o m m e n d o r a t l e a s t p r e s e n t t o t h e A l l i e s t h e
B o c h e ' s r e q u e s t f o r a n a r m i s t i c e . The Eng lish a nd
French are shouting that the Boche must expect to
y i e l d e v e r y t h i n g , g i v e u p e v e r y t h i n g . G r e a t B r i t a i n
d e m a n d s t h e G e r m a n c o l o n i e s , F r a n c e d e m a n d s i n d e m -
n i t y a n d A l s a c e - L o r r a i n e , I t a l y d e m a n d s t e r r i t o r y o f
A u s t r i a , t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s s e e m s t o d e m a n d r e c o g n i t i o n
b y G e r m a n y a n d A u s t r i a o f t h e i n d e p e n d e n c e o f e v e r y
t r i b e a n d p e o p l e t h a t a r e f o u n d i n a l l t h e l a n d s b e -
t w e e n t h e s o u t h e r n m o s t B a l k a n s a n d t h e n o r t h e r n m o s t
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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31 0 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
B a l t i c s - a c o u n t l e s s l o t . So m e b o d y h a s g o t t o g i v e
u p s o m e c l a i m s o r w e m u s t g i v e u p a l l i d e a o f p e a c e . "
"To-day [Diary , October 25th ] we h ear t hat t he
B o c h e r e q u e s t f o r a n a r m i s t i c e i s t o b e c o n s i d e r e d .
Newspapers , Engl ish, American, French, German -the
n e w s p a p e r s , i n s h o r t o f b o t h s i d e s - a r e t a l k i n g e x t r e m e s
t h a t w o u l d m a k e o n e t h i n k o f b u t o n e t h i n g , t o w i t , c o n -
t i n u e d a n d b i t t e r w a r . I i m a g i n e , n e v e r t h e l e s s , t h a t
p e a c e w i l l r e s u l t . " " D a i l y [ O c t o b e r 3 0 t h ] t h e s i g n s
i n c r e a s e t h a t t h e e n e m y h a s m a d e u p h i s m i n d t h a t h e
m u s t h a v e p e a c e . S o m e t h r e e o r f o u r d a y s a g o A u s t r i a
s a i d s h e w a n t e d a n a r m i s t i c e a t o n c e . The pa pers are
f u l l ( b u t t h e y h a v e b e e n s o f o r f o u r y e a r s ) o f A u s t r i a ' s
d i s o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d p o l i t i c a l c o l l a p s e . Sh e m a y y e t
f o o l t h e w o r l d a n d c o m e o u t o f t h e w a r s t i l l h o l d i n g t o -
g e t h e r . S h e h a s c e r t a i n l y t h u s f a r s u r p r i s e d t h e w o r l d
b y h e r c o h e s i v e n e s s . "
"No v e m b e r 2 d . R u m o u r s r e a c h e d u s y e s t e r d a y t h a t
t h e I t a l i a n s w e r e d e c l a r i n g a n a r m i s t i c e w i t h t h e A u s -
t r i a n s . N o t c o n f i r m e d t o - d a y , b u t t h e y a r e p a r l e y i n g .
So all s eems ten ding toward pea ce . Y e t , t h e A l l i e s
s e e m i n n o h u r r y t o a n s w e r G e r m a n y ' s d e m a n d f o r a n
a r m i s t i c e . It is now a month since Germany first
m a d e t h i s d e m a n d , a n d i t h a s b e e n a w e e k s i n c e A u s -
t r i a m a d e h e r d e m a n d . B o t h Au s t r i a a n d Ge r m a n y
a r e b e i n g l i c k e d m o r e a n d m o r e e a c h d a y , a n d w e c a n
w e l l a f f o r d t o l e t t h e m b o t h c r y o u t f o r s o m e t i m e y e t
b e f o r e w e p a y t h e m a n y a t t e n t i o n . " I , a n d o t h e r h i g h -
r a n k i n g o f f i c e r s a b o u t m e , d o u b t e d t h a t t h e e n e m y w a s
i n e a r n e s t i n h i s d e m a n d f o r a n a r m i s t i c e a n d p e a c e .
H e s e e m e d s t i l l t o b e s p a r r i n g f o r a d v a n t a g e .
Y e t t h e e n e m y ' s c o n d i t i o n s w e r e c h a n g i n g . " E v e r y
d a y [ N o v e m b e r 3 d ] n e w s a r r i v e s o f a d d i t i o n a l c o l l a p s e
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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THE ARMISTICE 3 1 1
i n t h e e n e m y ' s p o l i t i c a l a n d m i l i t a r y o r g a n i z a t i o n . I t
l o o k s a s t h o u g h t h e T u r k a n d B u l g a r a n d a l l o t h e r o f h i s
a l l i e s e x c e p t t h e A u s t r o - G e r m a n a n d p e r h a p s t h e R u s -
s i a n B o l s h e v i k , a r e l o s t t o h i m . "
T h e s i g n s c o n t i n u e d t o i n c r e a s e d u r i n g t h e n e x t f e w
days . " Y e s t e r d a y [ N o v e m b e r 9 t h ] w a s f o r a l l E u r o p e a
d a y o f g r e a t e x c i t e m e n t o n a c c o u n t o f t h e a r m i s t i c e
n e g o t i a t i o n s . T h e t i m e a l l o w e d t h e B o c h e t o c o n s i d e r
is exceedingly short 72 hours-but long enough . I f
h e d o e s n o t a c c e p t n o w h e w i l l h a v e t o a c c e p t o u r t e r m s
i n t h e e n d . " T h e n e w s o f t h e f a l l i n g a w a y o f h i s a l l i e s
w a s b e i n g c o n f i r m e d . T h a t w a s h i s r u i n .
T h i s s a m e n e w s h a d a v e r y e n c o u r a g i n g e f f e c t u p o n
o u r own troo p s . "Yesterday [Novemb er 9t h] o n my
i n s p e c t i o n t r i p I f o u n d o f f i c e r s m o s t e n t h u s i a s t i c o v e r
c o n d i t i o n s . T h e y h a d e v e r y d a y f o r t h e p a s t w e e k o r
t e n d a y s b e e n m a k i n g s m a l l b u t v e r y s u c c e s s f u l l o c a l
a t t a c k s , a n d t h e y w e r e d e l i g h t e d . B u t I s e e t h e m a l l ,
o f f i c e r s a n d m e n , u n d e r g o i n g m u c h d i s c o m f o r t a n d o f t e n
m u c h h a r d s h i p a n d d a n g e r . " Y e t i t w a s p l a i n l y t i m e t o
press the enemy hard . I t h e r e f o r e o r d e r e d a g e n e r a l
a d v a n c e f o r t h e 1 0 t h , " f o r t h e e n e m y ' s w i l l i n g n e s s t o
q u i t h a d b e e n b r o u g h t a b o u t b y f i g h t i n g . This was
h o w I a n d a l l l e a d e r s u p o n m y o w n a r m y f r o n t f e l t . I t
w a s e v i d e n t l y t h e s a m e o v e r t h e w h o l e A l l i e d f r o n t f r o m
S w i t z e r l a n d t o t h e N o r t h S e a ; b e c a u s e n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g
t h e f a c t t h a t n e g o t i a t i o n s f o r a n a r m i s t i c e w e r e p r o -
g r e s s i n g f a v o u r a b l y , a n d n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e f a c t t h a t
o n the mornin g of November 11 th the armist ice had
a c t u a l l y b e e n a g r e e d u p o n , t h e E n g l i s h , F r e n c h , a n d
A m e r i c a n s w e r e a l l f o u n d p r e s s i n g t h e e n e m y a t t h e
v e r y h o u r a n d m i n u t e t h a t t h i s a r m i s t i c e t o o k e f f e c t .
H e w a s t h e s u p p l i a n t f o r p e a c e ; l e t t h e f ac t b e c a r r i e d
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3 1 2 PE RSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NC E S OF THE W AR
home to him . T h e f e e l i n g e v e r y w h e r e a m o n g t h e A l l i e s
w a s t h a t h e h a d n o t b e e n b e a t e n e n o u g h , a n d t h a t a n y
r e l a x a t i o n o f p r e s s u r e b e f o r e t h e v e r y h o u r o f t h e a r m i s -
t i c e w o u l d b u t g i v e h i m e x c u s e t o c l a i m , i n t h e p e a c e -
m a k i n g , t h a t h e h a d n o t b e e n b e a t e n , t h a t h e h a d n o t
s o u g h t p e a c e m o r e t h a n t h e y , a n d t h a t i t w a s j u s t a s o r t
o f s i l e n t a g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n b o t h s i d e s t o q u i t f i g h t i n g ,
i n w h i c h a g r e e m e n t t h e A l l i e s w e r e a s a n x i o u s a s h e . I
f e l t t h e r e f o r e t h a t w e s h o u l d p r e s s h i m u p t o t h e l a s t
minute .
A n d o u r m e n s h o w e d g r e a t z e s t i n s t r i k i n g t h e l a s t
b l o w s a g a i n s t t h e e n e m y . They too, notwiths tanding
s u b s e q u e n t c o m p l a i n t s a n d n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e l o s s e s
o f t h e d a y , w e r e a n x i o u s t o h i t t h e e n e m y a l a s t b l o w .
A l a s t a c t c a m e s o m e t w o m o n t h s l a t e r . It w as
w h o l l y u n a u t h o r i z e d , t h e a c t o f a p r i v a t e p e r s o n . The
colonel of an artill ery regimen t in my army, Luke
Lea, a f orme r U . S . S e n a t o r , o f a c t i v e m e n t a l i t y a n d
b o d y , f o u n d i t m o n o t o n o u s i n t h e d e v a s t a t e d r e g i o n s o f
F r a n c e w h i l e w a i t i n g i n a f t e r m o n t h s f o r t h e P e a c e
C o n f e r e n c e t o b r i n g p e a c e . H e , l i k e t h e w h o l e w o r l d ,
k n e w w h e r e t h e Ge r m a n K a i s e r w a s , a n d s o m e w h a t
i n i m i t a t i o n o f t h e c e l e b r a t e d c a p t u r e o f A g u i n a l d o b y
F u n s t o n o f K a n s a s t w e n t y y e a r s a g o , c o n c e i v e d t h e i d e a
o f s e i z i n g t h e K a i s e r b y a t r i c k . Colo nel Lea had a
F o r d c a r a n d a n a d v e n t u r o u s h e a r t . O b t a i n i n g a l e a v e
o f a b s e n c e , w i t h t w o o r t h r e e t r u s t e d c o m p a n i o n s h e
m a n a g ed some h o w to brin g hims e l f and them , in his
F o r d c a r , t o t h e K a i s e r ' s h o m e i n H o l l a n d . Prete nding
t o b e A m e r i c a n n e w s p a p e r m e n w h o d e s i r e d a n i n t e r v i e w
w i t h t h e K a i s e r t h e y w e r e a c t u a l l y a d m i t t e d t o t h e
g r o u n d s , b u t n o t t o t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e e x - m o n a r c h .
T h a t m o n a r c h ' s m e n t o r w a s a l i t t l e s h r e w d e r t h a n w e r e
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THE ARMISTIC E 3 1 3
A g u i n al d o ' s a i d e s . B e s i d e s , C o l o n e l L e a f o u n d t h a t
t h e K a is e r w a s w e l l p r o t e c t e d b y a n al e r t g u a r d ; a n d
t h e o n l y r e s u l t o f t h e e x p e d i t io n w a s s o m e n e w s p a p e r
n o t o r i e t y a n d C o l o n e l L e a 's c a l l t o o u r G . H . Q . a n d
r e t e n t i o n u n d e r o b s e r v a t i o n u n t i l h e c o u l d b e s e n t h o m e .
B u t I w i s h th a t t h e c o l o n e l c o u l d h a v e c a p t u r e d t h e
K a i s e r . I t w o u l d h a v e b e e n g l o r i o u s 1
A t o n c e u p o n c e s s a t i o n o f h o s t i l i t i e s e v e r y b o d y
w a n t e d t o g e t i n t o t h e f r o n t l i n e s a n d t a k e a l o o k a t t h e
e n e m y w h o n o w f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , l i k e o u r s e l v e s , b e g a n
t o s h o w h i m s e l f i n t h e o p e n . S t r i n g e n t o r d e r s h a d b e e n
g i v e n t h at n o o n e f r o m o u r s i d e s h o u l d a d v a n c e b e y o n d
t h e p o s i t i o n h e l d b y o u r f r o n t l i n e s a t t h e h o u r o f t h e
a r m i s t i c e . I t w a s e x t r e m e l y h a r d t o e x e c u t e t h e o r d e r .
O u r t r o o p s a n d t h e e n e m y ' s w e r e w i t h i n h a i l i n g d i s t a n c e
o f e a c h o t h e r a n d b o t h w an t e d t o h a i l . T h e e n e m y ,
e s p e c i a l l y , s e e m e d t o w a n t t o f r a t e r n i z e . I n d i v i d u a l l y
h e w a s n o t s o h o s t i l e t o A m e r i c a n s a s t o F r e n c h m e n , a n d
c e r t a i n l y o u r a v e r a g e A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r , f r o m l i v i n g i n
h i s o w n c o u n t r y a m o n g s o m a n y G e r m a n - A m e r i c a n s ,
w a s q u i t e r e a d y t o r e c o g n i z e a n o n - h o s t i l e r e l a t i o n s h i p
w i t h t h e G e r m a n h e r e .
B a c k o f t h e f r o n t l i n e s I c o u l d s e e t h e F r e n c h j o y f u l l y
p r e p a r i n g f o r t h e o c c u p a t i o n o f s o m e o f t h e e n e m y ' s
t e r r i t o r y . F o r s e v e r a l d a y s t h e Fr e n c h so l d i e r s e e m e d
t o b e u n a b l e t o r e a l i z e t h e t r u t h o f t h e a r m i s t i c e a n d t h e
c e s s a t i o n o f f i g h t i n g . H e s e e m e d , h o w e v e r , t o t a k e
s p i r i t f r o m t h e A m e r i c a n s a n d h i s o t h e r a l l i e s . " I s a w
t o - d a y [ D i a r y , N o v e m b e r 1 2 t h ] a l i n e o f e i g h t o r t e n
A m e r i c a n s, F r e n c h , a n d B r i t i sh s o l d i e r s , a r m s l o c k e d ,
s i ng i n g a n d w a l k i n g t o g e t h e r , i n c e l e b r a t i o n o f t h e
a r m i s t i c e a n d t h e h o p e d - f o r p e a c e . "
A t o n c e o r d e r s w e r e g i v e n f r o m o u r g e n e r a l h e a d q u a r -
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3 1 4 PE RSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF TH E W AR
t e r s t o t h e a r m i e s o n t h e l i n e t o s e n d f o r w a r d o f f ic e r s a n d
p a r t i e s t o m a k e a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h t h e e n e m y f o r t h e
r e c e i p t o f p r i s o n e r s , a r m s , a n d p r o p e r t y t h a t w e r e t o b e
t u r n e d o v e r a c c o r d i n g t o t h e t e r m s o f t h e a r m i s t i c e .
F r o m t h e s e p a r t i e s a n d f r o m t h e T h i r d A m e r i c a n A r m y
a d v a n c i n g i n t o t h e e n e m y ' s t e r r i t o r y f o l l o w i n g h i s w i t h -
d r a w a l , w e s o o n b e g a n t o l e a r n t h a t t h e e n e m y a t t h e
t i m e o f t h e a r m i s t i c e w a s i n v e r y m u c h w o r s e m i l i t a r y
s t r a i t s t h a n w e h a d s u p p o s e d . S i g n s o f d i s o r g a n i z a t i o n
a n d t a l k o f m u t i n i e s a n d t h e d e g r a d i n g o f o f f i c e r s b e g a n
t o c o m e t o o u r k n o w l e d g e .
I t w a s e v i d e n t t h e n t h a t a t t h e t i m e o f t h e a r m i s t i c e ,
when the enemy was asking peace, we had him worse
b e a t e n a n d i n g r e a t e r c o n f u s i o n t h a n w e k n e w. No t
even our highest authorities, apparently, knew it .
T h a t e n e m y , s k i l f u l t o t h e l a s t , e v e n i n h i s d e f e a t a n d
d i s o r g a n i z a t i o n , h a d k e p t t h i s k n o w l e d g e f r o m u s . To
t h e v e r y h o u r o f t h e a r m i s t i c e h e m a i n t a i n e d a b o l d ,
s t r o n g f r o n t , p l i a nt a n d y i e l d i n g, i t i s t r u e , b u t n o t a n y -
w h e r e d e e p l y p e n e t r a t e d o r s e r i o u s l y c r u s h e d o r b r o k e n .
A s t h i s k n o w l e d g e b e g a n t o r e a c h u s , t h e F r e n c h a n d t h e
I t a l i a ns e s p e c i a l l y b e g a n t o r e g r e t t h e a r m i st i c e . W h i l e
t h e y h a d t h e i r e n e m y d o w n t h e y w a n t e d t o g o u g e h i s
e y e s o u t - f i n i s h h i m c o m p l e t e l y ; a n d t h e r e w a s s o m e
l i t t l e r e s e n t f u l t a l k a g a i n s t M r . W i l s o n , w h o h a d b r o u g h t
a b o u t t h i s a r m i s t i c e . M o r e s p o r t s m a n l i k e , I t h o u g h t ,
t h e E n g l i s h a n d t h e A m e r i c a n s a c c e p t e d t h e r e s u l t ,
r a t h e r a d m i t t i n g t o t h e m s e l v e s t h a t t h e y h a d n o t b e e n
a s t u t e e n o u g h t o d i s c o v e r h o w b a d l y t h e y h a d b e a t e n
t h e e n e m y a n d h o w t h e y m i g h t h a v e r e q u i r e d m o r e o f
h i m a t t h e t i m e o f t h e a r m i s t i c e .
A l l t h e a f t e r - t a l k w h i c h w e h a v e h e a r d o f r e g r e t t h a t
w e s h o u l d n o t h a v e c o n t i n u e d t h e w a r a n d b e a t e n t h e
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THE ARMISTIC E 3 1 5
e n e m y w o r s e i s l a r g e l y b a s e d u p o n k n o w l e d g e d e r i v e d
a f t e r t h e a r m i s t i c e , n o t b e f o r e . C o l o n e l E . M . H o u s e ,
a t t h e t i m e a s o r t o f p e r s o n a l r e p r e s e n t a ti v e o f P r e s i d e n t
W i l s o n , s t a t e s t h a t w h e n t h e q u e s t i o n o f a n a r m i s t i c e
w a s b e i n g c o n s i d e r e d b y t h e p r e m i e r s o f E n g l a n d ,
F r a n c e , a n d I t a l y , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ( i n e f f e c t r e p r e s e n t -
i n g t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ) a l o n e w a s f o r c o n t i n u i n g t h e w a r .
T h e o t h e r s f e l t t h a t t h e i r o w n w a r - w e a r i e d p e o p l e s , n o w
knowing that Germany rea lly desired peace and was
a s k i ng i t, c o u l d n e v e r ( a f t e r t h e s u s p e n si o n o f h o s t il i t i e s
t h a t w o u l d b e n e c e s s a r y d u r i n g t h e d e a d o f w i n t e r )
b e i n d u c e d t o r e s u m e t h e f i g h t i n g i n t h e s p r i n g . A l s o ,
e a c h o f t h e s e p r e m i e r s , o n h e a r i n g t h a t G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g
w a s f o r c o n t i n u i n g t h e w a r , r e m a r k e d - i n t e r m s o f h i s
o w n l a n g u a g e - " G r a n d s t a n d p l a y 1 "
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CHAPTER XXXIIIAFTER THE ARMISTICE
NOBODY was sure that peace had come with the
a r m i s t i c e . T h e w o r l d h a d i n t h e l a s t f o u r y e a r s
h e a r d s o m u c h o f p e a c e o n l y t o s e e i t s h o p e s b l a s t e d ,
t h a t n o w t h a t p e a c e h a d r e a l l y c o m e , n o o n e , e s p e c i a l l y
n o f i g h t e r o f t h e A l l i e s , f e l t a t a l l s u r e o f i t . T h e
G e r m a n s h a d a l w a y s h a d s o g r e a t " a w i l l t o c o n q u e r , "
t h a t i t w a s h a r d l y b e l i e v a b l e t h a t t h e y h a d b e e n s u b -
dued enough to admit defeat . The Allie d high com-
m a n d e r s c o u l d n o t y e t f u l l y r e a l i z e t h a t p e a c e w a s s u r e .
T h e y w e r e d e t e r m i n e d t o b e r e a d y f o r a r e s u m p t i o n o f
h o s t i l i t i e s . T h e y c o u l d n o t b r i n g t h e m s e l v e s a s y e t t o
r e l a x p r e p a r e d n e s s . B u t e v e n i f h o s t i l i t i e s w e r e n o t
r e s um ed, armies could not be disbanded at once .
T h e r e w o u l d b e a p e r i o d o f w a i t i n g - t h e m o s t t r y i n g
t h i n g t h a t c a n c o m e t o s o l d i e r s . B a t t l e i s n o t w o r s e .
"To-day [Diary , Novem ber 14th ] I have been con-
t i n u a l l y o c c u p i e d i n t h o u g h t a n d a c t i o n p r e p a r i n g t o
m e e t the new . . . c o n d i t i o n s t h a t w i l l a r i s e f r o m
h o l d i n g m y a r m y i n a s t a t e o f w a i t i n g f o r t h e p e a c e .
T h e s e c o n d i t i o n s w i l l b e h a r d t o m e e t , b e c a u s e w a i t i n g
r e q u i r e s t h e h i g he s t d i s c i p l i n e . Men be come impatie nt,
t h e y c a n n o t d e v o t e t h e i r t h o u g h t s t o a n y p a r t i c u l a r
p u r p o s e , t h e y a r e h o p i ng t o ` q u i t , ' t h e y r e l a x , l e t d o w n ,
and become demorali zed . O c c u p a t i o n , t h e m o s t s t r i n -
g e n t a n d u n r e l a x i n g d i s c i p l i n e a r e r e q u i r e d t o c o u n t e r a c t
t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s ." At every hope or sign of p eace
3 1 0
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AFTE R THE ARMISTICE 3 1 7
s o l d i e r s s e t t h e i r h e a r t s s o s t r o n g l y u p o n h o m e t h a t i t i s
h a r d t o h o l d t h e m u n d e r t h e b a n d s o f d i s c i p l i n e . I h a d
s e e n t h e m b e f o r e u n d e r s u c h c o n d i t i o n s . I had s een
t h e m e x p e c t i n g t o b e m u s t e r e d o u t a n d " g o i n g h o m e . "
T h e b e s t o f t h e m h a d a l w a y s b e c o m e d e m o r a l i z e d . Th e
l i k e m u s t b e e x p e c t e d n o w , a n d i t r e s u l t e d . S o o n a f t e r
t h e s u s p e n s i o n o f h o s t i l i t i e s a n o f f i c e r i n c h a r g e o f o n e
o f o u r s c h o o l s f o r t h e i n s t r u c t i o n o f o f f i c e r s a n d n o n -
c o m m i s s i o n e d o f f i c e r s f o u n d i t n e c e s s a r y , h e a f t e r w a r d
t o l d m e , t o c o u r t - m a r t i a l s o m e t w o h u n d r e d - m o s t o f
t h e m o f f i c e r s - f o r m i s c o n d u c t a n d b r e a c h e s o f d i s c i p l i n e
i n h i s s c h o o l . W i t h m y e x p e r i e n c e o f s u c h c o n d i t i o n s , I
h a r d l y w a i t e d f o r t h e a r m i s t i c e b e f o r e t a k i n g m e a s u r e s
f o r k e e p i n g f u l l y o c c u p i e d e v e r y b o d y i n m y a r m y . I
a t o n c e s e t a l l t o w o r k a s t h o u g h w e e x p e c t e d t o r e s u m e
h o s t i l i t i e s i n t h e n e x t t e n d a y s o r t w o w e e k s . A fe w
d a y s a f t e r I h a d p u t t h e s e m e a s u r e s i n t o e f f e c t , c a m e a n
o r d e r f r o m h e a d q u a r t e r s t o d o t h i s v e r y t h i n g . Aft er
c o n g r a t u l a t i n g h i s a r m y u p o n t h e r e s u l t s o f t h e w a r ,
G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g a d d e d :
" T h e r e r e m a i n s n o w a h a r d e r t a s k w h i c h w i l l t e s t
y o u r s o l d i e r l y q u a l i t i e s t o t h e u t m o s t . S u c c e e d i n t h i s
a n d l i t t l e n o t e w i l l b e t a k e n a n d f e w p r a i s e s s u n g ; f a i l ,
a n d t h e l i g h t o f y o u r g l o r i o u s a c h i e v e m e n t s o f t h e p a s t
w i l l s a d l y b e d i m m e d . B u t y o u w i l l n o t f a i l . E v e r y
n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y m a y u r g e t o w a r d r e l a x a t i o n i n d i s c i -
p l i n e , i n c o n d u c t , i n a p p e a r a n c e , i n e v e r y t h i n g t h a t
m a r k s a s o l d i e r . Yet you will remember that each
o f f i c e r a n d e a c h s o l d i e r i s th e r e p r e s e n t a ti v e i n E u r o p e o f
h i s p e o p l e , a n d t h a t h i s b r i l l i a n t d e e d s o f y e s t e r d a y p e r -
m i t n o a c t i o n o f t o - d a y t o p a s s u n n o t i c e d b y f r i e n d o r
f o e . "
I t h e n a s s e m b l e d a n d s p o k e t o m y c o r p s c o m m a n d e r s ,
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3 18 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
made them assemble their division commanders, had
t h e d i v i s i o n c o m m a n d e r s a s s e m b l e t h e i r b r i g a d e c o m -
m a n d e r s , t h e b r i g a d e c o m m a n d e r s t h e i r s u b o r d i n a t e s ,
a n d i m p r e s s e d t h i s n e e d i n t h i s w a y u p o n a l l , d o w n t o t h e
l a s t o f f i c e r o f t he a r m y . " T h e y w i l l o c c u p y y o u i f y o u
d o n ' t o c c u p y t h e m . " T h a t w a s t h e c u e , a n d t h e y t o o k
i t . W a r w e a r i n e s s w a s f o r g o t t e n .
The spiri t of Genera l Pershing's order was met .
Everybody went to work . S t r e n u o u s t r a i n i n g i n e v e r y
b r a n c h o f w a r f a r e a n d f o r e v e r y a r m o f t h e s e r v i c e w a s
taken up and kept up for months, far in to, almost
t h r o u g h , t h e w i n t e r , a n d l o n g a f t e r i t h a d b e c o m e e v i d e n t
t o e v e r y b o d y t h a t h o s t i l i t i e s w o u l d n e v e r b e r e s u m e d .
I t w a s a c c e p t e d b y a l l , o f f i c e r s a n d m e n . I c o n s i d e r
t h i s o n e o f t h e h i g h e s t t e s t s o f d i s c i p l i n e t h a t w a s e v e r
p u t u p o n s o l d i e r s . T h e y k n e w t h a t t h e y w e r e t o f i g h t
. n o m o r e . Y e t w i t h z e a l , i n t e r e s t , a n d c o m p l e t e o b e d i -
e n c e t h e y k e p t u p t h i s t r a i n i n g f o r w a r a n d f i g h t i n g .
T h e y w e r e a n x i o u s a n d e x p e c t i n g s o o n t o r e t u r n h o m e
t o g o o u t o f s e r v i c e - y e t t h e y s t i l l t r a i n e d . Thes e men,
i t s e e m e d t o m e , w e r e t h e m e n o f w h o m h e w a s s p e a k i n g
w h o said , "F or a rep u b l ic you mu s t hav e ed u c at ed
men. " I v e r i l y b e l i e v e t h a t t h e l a s t s o l d i e r f e l t t h a t
t h i s w o r k w a s f o r h i s g o o d .
S o o n a f t e r t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f t h i s d r i l l t h e r e w a s
a d d e d t o i t , u n d e r t h e o r d e r s o f G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g , a v e r y
c o m p l e t e s c h e m e o f a t h l e t i c a n d t h e a t r i c a l a m u s e m e n t .
T h e a t r i c a l s a n d m o v i e s , b a s e b a l l a n d f o o t b a l l l e a g u e s
a nd hors e and moto r show s c ov e r ed ev er y post and
s t a t i o n o f t h e a r m y i n F r a n c e . T h e i r a i d i n t h e m a i n -
t e n a n c e o f d i s c i p l i n e , o r d e r , g o o d c o n d u c t , a n d m o r a l i t y
o f o u r m e n w a s i n c a l c u l a b l e . Someth ing was "do ing"
e v e r y d a y , e v e r y w h e r e . No army was ever befo re, or
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AFTE R THE ARMISTICE 3 1 9
p r o b a b l y w i l l a g a i n b e , s o w e l l e n t e r t a i n e d . It h ad
i n i t s r a n k s s o m e o f t h e b e s t a c t o r s a n d f i ne s t a t h l e t e s ,
a n d i t b r o u g h t f r o m h o m e f o r t h e p u r p o s e s o m e o f t h e
b e s t a c t r e s s e s i n t h e w o r l d . A n d a s t o m o r a l i t y , t h i s
s u b j e c t h a d i n d e e d b e e n p r e a c h e d a n d e n f o r c e d f r o m t h e
f i r s t w i t h s o m u c h p e r s i s t e n c e t h r o u g h o u t t h e A m e r i c a n
E x p e d i t i o n a r y F o r c e s t h a t n e v e r i n h i s t o r y h a s t h e r e
c o m e o u t o f w a r a s c l e a n a b o d y o f m e n a s t h e A m e r i c a n s
w h o s e r v e d i n t h o s e f o r c e s i n E u r o p e . T h e y h a v e s e t a
s t a n d a r d f o r a l l t i m e . " I n t r u t h [ D i a r y ] c o n s c r i p t i o n
h a s fo r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n o u r h i s t o r y g i v e n u s a c l a s s o f
m e n t r u l y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e n a t i o n . I t i s a n a t i o n a l
a r m y . "
A l i t t l e l a t e r c a m e t h e i n s ti t u t io n o f v o c a t io n a l s c h o o l s
f o r o u r s o l d i e r s , a n d i n s o u t h e r n F r a n c e a u n i v e r s i t y ,
" A r e a l u n i v e r s i t y [ D i a r y ] , w h e r e a l l p r o f e s s i o n s , s c i -
e n c e s , a n d a r t s w e r e t a u g h t , j u s t a s i n th e b e s t u n i v e r s i -
ties anywher e, to great number s of young American
s o l d i e r s , b y p r o f e s s o r s , s o m e o f w h o m w e r e t h e m s e l v e s
s o l d i e r s a n d o t h e r s c i v i l i a n s b r o u g h t f o r t h e p u r p o s e .
T h e u n i v e r s i t y b u i l d i n g s w e r e a n o l d b a s e h o s p i t a l e n -
l a r g e d a n d e q u i p p e d . T h e s t r i k i n g t h i n g s i n i t w e r e
F i r s t : T h a t s o g r e a t a n i n s t i t u t i o n c o u l d b e i m p r o v i s e d
i n a n a r m y i n s o s h o r t a t i m e ( t h r e e - a n d - a - h a l f m o n t h s )
a f t e r w a r f a r e h a d c e a s e d . Seco nd : T h e g r e a t i n t e r e s t o f
t h e s t u d e n t s . Thir d : The tremen dous enthusia sm of
t h e p r o f e s s o r s . F o u r t h : T h e r e a l e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e
i n s ti t u t i o n . " O w i ng t o i t s s y s t e m o f m i l i t a r y d i s c i p l i n e ,
i t w a s t h o r o u g h .
T h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e t i m e b o r e d i s p r o p o r t i o n a l l y
h a r d u p o n h i g h e r o f f i c e r s - t h e i r d u t i e s w e r e m o r e t r y i n g
t h a n i n a c t u a l h o s t i l i t i e s . S o m e c o u l d n o t b e i m p r e s s e d
w i t h t h e n e e d o f c a r e , i n t e r e s t , a n d c o n c e r n i n t h e m a i n -
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3 20 PE RSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
t e n a n c e o f d i s c i p l i n e . I n a s h o r t t i m e t w o m a j o r g e n -
e r a l s a n d t w o b r i g a d i e r s o f m y a r m y f a i l e d t o m e a s u r e
u p t o t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d l o s t t h e i r c o m m a n d s. The
c o n d i t i o n s w e r e m o s t s t r a i n i n g . At the end of the
w i n t e r , I w r i t e : " I a m h o r r i b l y l i s t l e s s t h e s e d a y s . I
c a n s l e e p n i n e h o u r s o u t o f t h e t w e n t y - f o u r a n d w a n t
m o r e , a n d I c a n n o t g e t u p i n t e r e s t e n o u g h t o d o a n y -
t h i ng i n a r e a l l i v e w a y . S t i l l I k e e p g o i n g a n d d o i n g . "
B u t i t w a s a l l w o r t h w h i l e , n a y , n e c e s s a r y , e s p e c i a l l y
f o r m y a r m y , w h i c h h a d b e e n l e f t l a r g e l y i n t h e d e s o l a t e d
r e g i o n s o f F r a n c e . I t e s p e c i a l l y n e e d e d o c c u p a t i o n a n d
a m u s e m e n t .
D i s c i p l i n e a n d o r d e r a n d t h e f u l l d i s c h a r g e o f d u t y i n
t h e s e d a y s w e r e m a d e a l l t h e h a r d e r b y c o n s t a n t r u -
m o u r s o f c h a n g e s a n d h o m e - g o i n g . I t i s l i t t l e e x a g g e r a -
t i o n t o s a y t h a t f r o m t h e f i r s t m a n y e x p e c t e d t o t a k e
t h e n e x t t r a i n h o m e , s o t o s p e a k ; a n d , t o t h e e n d , e v e r y -
b o d y , s t i l l h o p i n g , p r o p a g a t e d e v e r y r u m o u r , e v e r y s u g -
g e s t i o n o f a m o v e i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n . E v e n o u r G . H . Q .
s e e m e d a t f i r s t t o h a v e b e e n i n f e c t e d w i t h n o s t a l g i a a n d
t o h a v e s t a r t e d t o p l a n t o g e t a w a y a t o n c e . " A t f i r s t
[ D i a r y , N o v e m b e r 2 8 t h ] i t w a s i n d i c a t e d t h a t m y a r m y
w o u l d b e w i t h d r a w n a b i t f a r t h e r i n t o F r a n c e , t h e n
that it would go farther towa rd the French-German
b o r d e r ." Again (December 2d), "Almos t, or quite,
t w o week s ago I was told that my army wou ld mov e
forward and hel p to occupy Germany an d Luxembour g .
W e h a v e n o t y e t m o v e d . O n e t h i n g a f t e r a n o t h e r h a s
k e p t t h e o r d e r f r o m a c t u a l i s s u e , a n d I t h i n k t o t h e
s a t i s f a c t i o n o f o u r g e n e r a l h e a d q u a r t e r s . N a t u r a l l y ,
w e s h o u l d n o t w a n t t o s i t d o w n i n t h a t c o u n t r y f o r a
l o n g , i n d e f i n i t e o c c u p a t i o n ." Plain ly our G . H. Q .
h o p e d t o a v o i d c o m m i t t i n g u s t o k e e p i n g a g r e a t o c c u p y -
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AFTE R THE ARMISTICE 32 1
i n g f o r c e i n E u r o p e . A n d t h i s w i s e l y ; b e c a u s e w e h a d
n o t i n t e r e s t o r c o n c e r n e n o u g h i n t h e f i n a l a d j u s t m e n t
o f E u r o p e t o j u s t i f y u s i n k e e p i n g o n e .
T h e d e s i r e o f t h e o t h e r A l l i e s , B r i t i s h , I t a l i a n , a n d
P o r t u g u e s e , t o g e t a w a y f r o m F r a n c e w a s e q u a l l y o r
more manife st than amon g the Americans . T h e B r i t -
i s h , e s p e c i a l l y , w e r e f a l l i n g o v e r o n e a n o t h e r t o l e a v e .
P o o r F r a n c e f e l t t h a t s h e w a s a l m o s t b e i n g d e s e r t e d
b e f o r e s h e w a s y e t s u r e o f p e a c e . The Alli ed com -
m a n d e r , t h e F r e n c h m a n , M a r s h a l F o c h , w a s h o l d i n g t h e
others as har d as he could . E v e n t h e 9 2 n d Ne g r o
D i v i s i o n , w h i c h I w a s s o a n x i o u s t o s e e s t a r t e d h o m e -
w a r d , w a s f o r s o m e d a y s h e l d , b y o r d e r s o f M a r s h a l
F o c h , u n t i l h e w a s c o n v i n c e d t h a t h e h a d b e t t e r l e t
t h e m go . E v en n afte r the mov e m e n t of my own army
h a d b e g u n t o w a r d L u x e m b o u r g , a s d e s i r e d b y M a r s h a l
F o c h , I w r o t e ( D e c e m b e r 1 1 t h ) : "A hint comes dow n
t o m e f r o m o u r g e n e r a l h e a d q u a r t e r s n o t t o b e i n a n y
g r e a t h u r r y t o m o v e m y a r m y h e a d q u a r t e r s f o r w a r d
u n d e r t h e p l a n p r o p o s e d f o r i t t o ` b a c k u p ' t h e T h i r d
A m e r i c a n A r m y o n t h e R h i n e . My arm y headquarters ,
t h e r e f o r e , m a y n e v e r m o v e f o r w a r d . I f s o I s h a l l n o t b e
s o r r y . O u r w o r k i n E u r o p e i s f i n i s h e d . I w o u l d l i k e
t o s e e o u r a r m y g o h o m e t o o u r s i d e o f t h e w o r l d . I
h a v e r e c e n t l y j o k i n g l y p r o p o s e d t o F r e n c h m e n t o l e a v e
t h e A l l i e s M r . W i l s o n ' s f o u r t e e n a r t i c l e s a n d g o h o m e .
T h e j o k e a m u s e d b u t t h e i d e a w o r r i e d t h e m . I f t h o s e
f o u r t e e n a r t i c l e s o f P r e s i d e n t W i l s o n ' s a r e t o b e t h e
g u i d e i n t h e s e t t l e m e n t o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s h e r e i n
E u r o p e , I c a n s e e n o e n d t o t h e p e a c e n e g o t i a t i o n s. "
A n d a g a i n , " M y S e c o n d A r m y [ D e c e m b e r 1 5 t h ] i s s t i l l i n
a n u n d e c i d e d s t a t e . W e h a v e b e e n w a r n e d t o g o f o r w a r d
a n d y e t h e l d b a c k , o r d e r e d a n d c o u n t e r - o r d e r e d , ` b a c k -
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3 2 2 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
i n g a n d f i l l i n g . " ' P l a i n l y o u r G . H . Q . h o p e d t h a t w e ,
t h e A m e r i c a n s , m i g h t s o m e h o w e s c a p e a f u r t h e r f o r c e
o f o c c u p a t i o n i n E u r o p e .
T h e p e r i o d o f w a i t i n g b r o u g h t t o t h e m i n d s o f t h e
h i g h e s t m i l i t a r y a u t h o r i t i e s o u r p a r t i a l A m e r i c a n n e g l e c t
t o g i v e , a t t h e t i m e o f t h e d e e d s , d u e r e c o g n i t i o n f o r
e f f i c i e n c y , b r a v e r y , g a l l a n t r y , a n d s a c r i f i c e i n t h e w a r .
W i t h , o r q u i c k l y f o l l o w i n g , t h e a r m i s t i c e , h a d c o m e t h e
o r d e r f r o m o u r W a r D e p a r t m e n t t o m a k e n o m o r e p r o -
motions . L a t e r t h i s w a s m o d i f i e d b y a n o r d e r t o g i v e
p r o m o t i o n t o s u c h m e n a s h a d u p t o t h e m o m e n t o f t h e
a r m i s t i c e c l e a r l y e a r n e d i t ; a n d t o t h i s w a s a d d e d a
g e n e r a l d e s i r e a n d e f f o r t t o r e p o r t d e e d s t h a t h a d i n t h e
a c t u a l f i g h t i n g m e r i t e d d e c o r a t i o n s o r c i t a t i o n s . Thi s
h a d o f t e n b e e n n e l g e c t e d , b e c a u s e b r a v e d e e d s a n d g r e a t
d a n g e r s f a c e d i n t h e a c t u a l f i g h t i n g s e e m t o t h e m i n d s
o f o f f i c e r s a n d m e n a t t h e t i m e q u i t e n a t u r a l a n d w i t h o u t
a n y s p e c i a l m e r i t .
B e i t s a i d t o t h e i r h o n o u r t h a t t h e r e h a d t h e r e f o r e
b e e n a n d t h e r e w a s n o w n o u n s e e m l y s c r a m b l e b y o f f i c e r s
or men for promot ions and decorations . I n d e e d , i n
o u r b e t t e r b a c k s i g h t o f t o - d a y , I c a n s e e h o w m e r i t o r i o u s
d e e d s a n d s e r v i c e s h a v e b e e n p a s s e d o v e r w i t h o u t n o t e
a n d c a n n e v e r b e r e w a r d e d . T h i s w a s t o b e e x p e c t e d , b e -
c a u s e i t i s r a r e t o f i n d o l d o r t r a i n e d s o l d i e r s ( a n d t h e y
a r e g e n e r a l l y t h e c o m m a n d e r s w h o s e d u t y i t i s t o r e c o m -
m e n d ) w h o r e g a r d d e e d s o f b r a v e r y , d a r i n g , o r s a c r i f i c e ,
e i t h e r i n t h e m s e l v e s o r o t h e r s , a s a n y t h i n g e l s e t h a n
d u t y a n d t h e r e f o r e a s m e r i t i n g a n y e s p e c i a l n o t e . The y
a r e n o t i n c l i n e d t o " b l o w " o v e r t h e d e e d s o f t h e m s e l v e s
o r t h e i r m e n .
I w a s s t r u c k b y t h e l i t t l e r e s p o n s e I m e t a m o n g m y
h i g h e r c o m m a n d e r s w h e n I p r o p o s e d i n t h e i r c o m m a n d s
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AFTE R THE ARMISTICE 32 3
a n o r g a n i z a t i o n w h o s e f u n c t i o n i t s h o u l d b e t o f i n d a n d
r e w a r d m e r i t o r i o u s d e e d s a n d c o n d u c t . To-day , thr ee
y e a r s l a t e r , i t m u s t b e a s o r e p o i n t t o m a n y o f t h e s e o l d
c o m m a n d e r s t o s e e t h e g l o r i o u s a n d m o r e n u m e r o u s
d e co r a t i o n s o b t a i n e d f o r t h e i r m e n b y c o m m a n d e r s
w h o s e c o n c e p t i o n s o f m e r i t w e r e n o t s o h i g h a n d e x a c t -
i n g .
I w a s n o t m y s e l f a m o n g t h e u n r e w a r d e d . B e f o r e t h e
e nd of the wint e r I had been dec ora t ed by my ow n
g o v e r n m e n t w i t h t h e D i s t i n g u i s h e d S e r v i c e M e d a l ; b y
t h e F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t w i t h t h e F r e n c h W a r C r o s s a n d
t h e L e g i o n o f H o n o u r ( p r e s e n t e d b y M a r s h a l P e t a i n ) ;
b y t h e B e l g i a n G o v e r n m e n t w i t h t h e O r d e r o f L e o p o l d ,
a n d l a t e r b y t h e I t a l i a n G o v e r n m e n t w i t h t h e C r o s s e s
o f S t . L a z a r u s a n d S t . M a u r i c e . I , o f c o u r s e , g r e a t l y
a p p r e c i a t e d t h e s e h o n o u r s . Y e t I f o u n d m y s e l f w r i t -
i n g , " I h a v e h a l f - a - d o z e n t i m e s i n m y l i f e d o n e t h i n g s
d a r i n g e n o u g h t o b e c a l l e d b r a v e r y , b u t h a v i n g r e c e i v e d
n o r e c o g n i t i o n t h e r e f o r I h a d b e g u n o f l a t e y e a r s t o w i s h
n e v e r t o r e c e i v e s u c h a t h i n g a s a d e c o r a t i o n . Now it
has come . "
A m o n t h a f t e r t h e a r m i s t i c e t h e F r e n c h w e r e s t i l l i n
a s o r t o f p r o l o n g e d c e l e b r a t i o n o f t h e i r v i c t o r y .
" T o - d a y [ D i a r y , D e c e m b e r 8 t h ] I a c c e p t e d a n i n v i -
t a t i o n o f t h e F r e n c h M a r s h a l , P e t a i n , t o v i s i t M e t z a n d
b e p r e s e n t a t a m i l i t a r y r e v i e w a t 9 : 0 0 A . M . , a n d a f te r -
w a r d t o d i n e , o r r a t h e r b r e a k f a s t , a t h i s m e s s . I ac-
c e p t e d , a n d w e n t w i t h t w o a i d e s . T h e F r e n c h P r e s i d e n t
presented the marshal's baton to Marshal Petain-a
f i n e , i n s p i r i n g s p e c t a c l e - i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f m a n y g e n -
e r a l s a n d h i g h c i v i l o f f i c i a l s . T h e n a r e v i e w l e d b y a n
i n f a n t r y b a t t a l i o n o f m y a r m y . T h i s b a t t a l i o n w a s s u r -
p a s s e d b y n o t r o o p s i n t h e r e v i e w ; t h e y l o o k e d t r e m e n -
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3 2 4 PE RSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
d o u s l y b u s i n e s s l i k e and s o l d i e r l y . Th e r e v i e w , t h e
b a t o n p r e s e n t a t i o n , t h e g r e a t c r o w d s o f c i v i l i a n s - L o r -
r a i n e r s a n d A l s a t i a n s - m a d e a s t r i k i n g s p e c t a c l e u n u s -
ual to me . B u t o f a l l t h i n g s n o t e d b y m e , t h e m o s t
i m p r e s s i v e w a s t h a t t h i s p e o p l e o f M e t z , w h o a r e s u p -
p o s e d t o h a v e s u f f e r e d s o m u c h f r o m f o u r y e a r s o f w a r ,
a p p e a r e d t o b e s u f f e r i n g n o t h i n g a t a l l , a n d t h e r e w e r e
g r e a t s t o r e s a n d a p p a r e n t p l e n t y o f h a p p i n e s s , f o o d ,
c l o t h e s , a n d w h a t - n o t . I w a s n o t g r e a t l y s u r p r i s e d , b e -
c a u s e I h a v e l o n g r e a s o n e d t h a t t a l e s o f t h e i r s u f f e r i n g
a n d h u n g e r a n d c o l d , e t c . , w h i c h h a v e b e e n r e a c h i n g u s
f o r f o u r y e a r s , w e r e e x a g g e r a t i o n s . I imag ine fr om
w h a t I h a v e t o - d a y s e e n i n t h i s l i n e , t h a t G e r m a n y h a s
h a d n o g r e a t h a r d s h i p i n t h e w a r a n d t h a t s h e c a n a n d
should be made to pay h e a v i l y f o r a l l t h e d e s t r u c t i o n
w h i c h s h e h a s c a u s e d i n h e r f e v e r o f m e g a l o m a n i a a n d
w o r l d r u l e . S h e s h o u l d b e m a d e t o p a y .
" T h e b r e a k f a s t a f t e r t h e c e r e m o n y w a s n o t o f s p e c i a l
c o n s e q u e n c e . I m e t s o m e F r e n c h p e o p l e , w o m e n a n d
m e n , o f i m p o r t a n c e , b u t d i d n o t e n j o y t h e m e s p e c i a l l y .
L a t e r M a r s h a l P e t a i n a p p e a r e d . A t t h e b a t o n p r e s e n -
t a t i o n M a r s h a l s F o c h , J o f f r e , a n d H a i g w e r e p r e s e n t ;
a l s o o u r o w n g e n e r a l - i n - c h i e f , P e r s h i n g - a s g o o d a s
a n y o f ' e m a n d , i n f a c t , b e t t e r , b e c a u s e h e h a s h a d a
h a r d e r j o b a n d d o n e i t a s w e l l a s a n y o f t h e m . I p r e -
d i c t t h a t h e i s t o g o h i g h e r ; h e w i l l b e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s i f h e b u t c o n t i n u e t o l i v e , w h i c h h e l o o k s
s t r o n g e n o u g h t o d o . "
" C h r i s t m a s Ev el [Diary, December 24 th, 19 18 . ]
Where wa s I the last one? No great distance away-
a t G o n d r e c o u r t , w h e r e I h a d t e n d a y s b e f o r e t a k e n c o m -
m a n d o f t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n . A h , h o w t h i n g s h a v e c h a n g e d
s i n c e t h e n l T h e o u t l o o k w a s b l u e , v e r y b l u e , f o r t h e
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AFTE R THE ARMISTICE 3 2 5
A l l i e s . T o - d a y , h o w e v e r , t h e y h a v e w o n a c o m p l e t e
v i c t o r y a n d a r e n o w p r e p a r i n g a s u i t a b l e a n d h e a v y
p u n i s h m e n t f o r t h e i r e n e m i e s . T h e n I c o m m a n d e d a
s i n g l e d i v i s i o n ; n o w s e v e n . Y e t I d o n o t f e e l a n y m o r e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w e i g h i n g u p o n m e n o w t h a n t he n . T h e n ,
a s n o w , I w a s f e e l i n g i t t o t h e l i m i t o f m y p o w e r o f f e e l -
i n g i t . I f e l t t h e n t ha t i f I c o u l d c o m m a n d t h e 1 s t
D i v is i o n f o r s i x m o n th s I s h o u l d h a v e h a d r e a s o n a b l e
s u c c e s s a n d w o u l d n o t b e d i s c o n t e n t i f I l o s t t h e d i v i s i o n .
M y t h o u g h t w a s th a t my c o u n t r y , m y p e o p l e , t h e G o v -
e r n m e n t , o u r a u t h o r i t i e s , w o u l d a c t t o w a r d m e a s I
h a v e s e e n t h e m s o m e t i m e s a c t t o w a r d o t h e r c o m m a n-
d e r s w h o h a d f a i l e d t h r o u g h n o f a u l t o f t h e i r o w n , b u t
t h r o u g h t h e f a u l t , o r r a t h e r t h e l a c k , o f a m i l i t a r y s y s -
t e m . I w a s p r e p a r e d t o b e s a c r i f i c e d f o r t h e p u b l i c ' s
f a i l u r e t o h a v e a m i l i t a r y s y s t e m . B u t I w a s n o t s a c r i -
f i c e d . T h e p u b l i c d i d n o t d e m a n d i t . I d o n o t k n o w
e x a c t l y w h y . P e r h a p s i t w a s b e c a u s e t h e p u b l i c r e a l -
i z e d h o w s e r i o u s w a s t h e s i t u a t i o n , p e r h a p s b e c a u s e t h e
P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s k n e w t ha t th e r e w a s no
m i l i t a r y s y s t e m a n d s m o t h e r e d o u r f a i l u r e s . C e r t a in l y
t h e r e w e r e m a n y g r e a t f a i l u r e s , a n d c e r t a in l y t h e r e
h a v e b e e n n o d e m a n d s f o r v i c t i m s . "
F a u l t - fi n d i ng b y o u r g o v e r n m e n t a nd p e o p l e a t h o m e
o f t h e A r m y a n d i t s c o m m an d e r s i n F r a n c e h a d b e e n
l i t t l e , a l m o s t l a c k i n g . I w a s c o n g r a t u l a t i ng m y s e l f
u p o n o u r e s c a p e . I t h a d b e e n m o s t r e m a r k a b l e a n d
u n u s u a l . I t w a s n o t , h o w e v e r , t o l a s t . A l i t t l e l a t e r
t h e r u m b l i n g s o f d i s c o n t e n t a t h o m e i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
b e g a n t o r e a c h u s .
" I n t h i s w a r [ D i a r y F e b r u a r y 4 , 1 9 1 9 ] , t h e d a y o f
s a c r i f i c e a n d f i g h ti n g h as p a s se d a n d , i n t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s a t l e a s t , t h e d a y o f c h a r g e s a n d r e c r i m i n a t i o n s
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32 6 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
s e e m s at hand . E ach day brin g s news p a p e r or C on-
gressional outbursts against something or somebody
o f f i c i a l . " Some of our troops an d some officers had
b e e n s e n t h o m e , a n d m a l c o n t e n t s a m o n g t h e m a n d
a m o n g t h e i r t r o o p s s t i l l i n F r a n c e w e r e t a l k i n g o r
w r i t i n g . O f f i c e r s h e r e a n d t h e r e , w h o c o n c e i v e d t h a t
they had not received the full reward of what they
d e e m e d t h e i r o w n m e r i t i s , w e r e n o w b u s y v e n t i n g t h e i r
d i s c o n t e n t a n d c r i t i c i s m . M o s t o f t h e s e s k i l f u l l y i n -
v o l v e d t h e i r o r g a n i z a t i o n s w i t h t h e m s e l v e s . " T h e
35th Division wa s not treated right , and the 26th
D i v i s i o n w a s n o t t r e a t e d r i g h t , e t c . , e t c ." These two
d i v i s i o n s s e e m e d t o b e o b j e c t s o f s p e c i a l p u b l i c c o n c e r n
a n d t a l k . T h e y w e r e s t i l l i n F r a n c e , b u t s o m e h i g h -
r a n k i n g o f f i c e r s , w h o h a d l o s t t h e i r p l a c e s i n t h e s e t w o
divisions had returne d to the United States . Th e
i n f e r e n c e a s t o w h o w a s r a i s i n g t h e r o w i s p l a i n . The se
rumblings gr ew louder and continued as long as we
r e m a i n e d i n F r a n c e . I n d e e d s o m e o f t h e m l o n g a f t e r -
w a rd c ont i n u ed . "I am i nc li n ed t o th ink [Diary ,
F e b r u a r y 2 1 , 1 9 1 9 ] , t h a t o u r G . H . Q . i s a b i t c o n c e r n e d
a b o u t t h e t h r e a t s a n d t h e t a l k i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
a b o u t i n v e s t i g a t i n g e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h a s b e e n d o n e i n
t h i s w a r b y A m e r i c a n s i n E u r o p e a n d , I s u p p o s e , e v e r y -
w h e r e e l s e . Somet h i n g mu s t be done to sati s f y the
s c r e a m e r s , t h e h y s t e r i c a l , o v e r s u p p o s e d i n j u r i e s . "
A n d a f t e r t h e w a r , w e k n e w t h a t m u c h h a d b e e n d o n e
t o s a t i s f y t h e s c r e a m e r s ; b u t t h e r e a r e f e w " k n o w e r s "
o f t h e r e a l f a c t s w h o b e l i e v e t h a t i t w a s d o n e f o r o t h e r
r e a s o n s t h a n t o q u i e t t h e s c r e a m e r s , n o t t o d o j u s t i c e .
O n e o f t h e d i v i s i o n s , t h e 3 5 t h , t h a t c o n t a i n e d m a n y
o f t h e s e m a l c o n t e n t s , s e r v e d i n m y a r m y l o n g a f t e r
t h e a r m i s t i c e . I k n e w i t s c o m p l a i n t s . I hea rd and
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AFTE R THE ARMISTICE 3 2 7
c o n s i d e r e d a l l t h e c a u s e s o f i t s " g r o w l s " a n d d i s c o n t e n t .
A l l , o r p r a c t i c a l l y a l l , o f t h e s e c o m p l a i n t s w e r e s t i r r e d
u p b y t w o o r t h r e e i n f l u e n t i a l a n d s k i l f u l l y i n t r i g u i n g ,
o f f i c e r s , m o v e d , o n e b y d e s i r e f o r r e v e n g e f o r l o s s o f h i s
p o s i ti o n , a n d t h e o t h e r s b y t h e h o p e o f p o l i t ic a l i n -
f l u e n c e a m o n g t h e i r f e l l o w s a f t e r t h e w a r . B e f o r e t h e
d i v i s i o n h a d l e f t F r a n c e t h e y h a d s o s t i r r e d u p t h e i r
f r i e n d s a t h o m e w i t h a l l e g a t i o n s o f p o o r w o r k d o n e
b y t h e d i v i s i o n i n c o n s e q u e n c e o f a l l e g e d i l l - t r e a t m e n to f t h e s e f e w o f f i c e r s , t h a t t h e d i v i s i o n , w h i c h h a d d o n e
q u i t e r e a s o n a b l y w e l l i n t h e w a r , p r a c t i c a l l y l o s t c o m -
p l e t e l y i t s r e p u t a t i o n f o r e f f i c i e n c y . The commo n
q u e s t i o n w a s , " W h a t i s t h e m a t t e r w i t h t h e 3 5 t h
D i v i s i o n ? " I n t h e i r e f f o r t s a t r e v e n g e t h e m a l c o n t e n t s
h a d w o u n d e d t h e i r f e l l o w s - s p o i l e d t h e g o o d n a m e
a n d r e p u t a t i o n o f th e i r o w n d i v i si o n. I h a d p o i n t e d
t h i s o u t t o t h e h i g h e r o f f i c e r s o f t h e d i v i s i o n , g e n e r a l s
a n d c o l o n e l s , b e f o r e t h i s w a s a c c o m p l i s h e d , b u t t h e
d i v i s i o n c o u l d n o t b e m a d e t o h e e d .
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CHAPTER XXXIVHOME
UP TO the a rmi stice o ur Amer ican tr oop s had
served closely with the French and among the
F r e n c h p e o p l e , a n d a l w a y s o n t h e a v e r a g e , i n s o f a r
a s w a s o b s e r v a b l e , i n v e r y s m o o t h a n d a m i c a b l e r e -
l a t i o n s . In the pre sence of the common danger , the
G e r m a n , t r i f l e s o f f r i c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e m s e l v e s , i f a n y ,
w e r e o v e r l o o k e d . The constant movem ent of tr oops
a s l o n g a s a c t u a l h o s t i l i t i e s l a s t e d , c a u s e d a f r e q u e n t
c h a n g e o f p e r s o n n e l t h a t a l s o h e l p e d t o m a i n t a i n s m o o t h
r e l a t i o n s .
A f t e r t h e a r m i s t i c e t h e A l l i e s t o o k u p t h e i r " W a t c h
o n t h e R h i n e " t h e F r e n c h o n t h e u p p e r , t h e A m e r i c a n s
on the middle, and the Br itish on t he lower Rhine .
T h r e e A m e r i c a n a r m i e s c a m e t h u s t o b e e c h e l o n e d f r o m
t h e R h i n e b a c k t o s o u t h c e n t r a l F r a n c e i n t h i s o r d e r
the Third Army , th e Second Army , th e Fir st Army .
Our troops , whethe r in Germa ny , Luxemb o ur g , or
F r a n c e , w e r e c a n t o n e d a m o n g t h e p e o p l e i n v i l l a g e s a n d
c i t i e s , a n d w e r e t h u s b r o u g h t i n c l o s e a n d c o n s t a n t
c o n t a c t w i t h t h e p o p u l a t i o n e v e r y w h e r e . S u c h a l i f e ,
u n d e r t h e b e s t c o n d i t i o n s o f l i v i n g , c o u l d n o t f a i l t o b e
s t r a i n i n g t o b o t h c i t i z e n s a n d s o l d i e r s .
" L i t t l e t h i n g s [ D i a r y , D e c e m b e r 1 2 t h ] a r e b e g i n n i n g
to happen between American and French authoriti es
which makes me feel t hat it is time for Americans
t o b e g o i n g h o m e . . . . Ameri cans are a sked to
3 2 8
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ROME 3 2 9
g i v e u p b a r r a c k s a n d b i l l e t s a n d m o v e a r o u n d o u t o f
t h e F r e n c h m e n ' s w a y ( t r o o p s ' w a y , I m e a n ) a n d t o g i v e
up the site , barracks, and buildings used as army
s c h o o l s , e t c . , e t c . A m e r i c a n s c a n n o t g e t r a i l t r a n s p o r -
t a t i o n f o r m o v e m e n t o r t h e y g e t i t w i t h d i f f i c u l t y , f r o m
t h e F r e n c h . S o m e o f t h i s i s n o t o n i t s f a c e n e c e s s a r y . "
M y S e c o n d A r y w a s o c c u p y i n g a p o r t i o n o f t h e d e v a s -
t a t e d r e g i o n s f r o m w h i c h t h e F r e n c h p o p u l a t i o n h a d
d u r i n g t h e w a r l a r g e l y f l e d a n d t o w h i c h t h e y w e r e n o w
b e g i n n i n g t o r e t u r n . Th e r e t u r n w a s p r e m a t u r e a n d
might well have be en prohibite d by the French au-
t h o r i t i e s . "The Fre nch pea san ts [Diar y, Decemb er
1 7 t h ] , n o w t h a t w a r a n d i t s c r i s e s a r e n o l o n g e r o n t h e m ,
s e e m t o b e h a v i n g m o r e a n d m o r e t i m e t o c o m p l a i n
o f t r i f l e s i n t h e c o n d u c t o f o u r A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r s . "
F r o m t h i s t i m e o n u n t i l t h e e n d o f J a n u a r y , 1 9 1 9 ,
m y d i a r y c o n t a i n s f r e q u e n t r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e i r r i t a t i o n
between French and Americans . A t f i r s t I t h o u g h t t h e
f r i c t i o n l o c a l a n d s p o r a d i c , b u t a s t i m e w e n t o n i t d e -
v e l o p e d i n L u x e m b o u r g a n d c a m e t o l i g h t e v e n i n o u r
T h i r d A r m y i n t h e o c c u p i e d G e r m a n t e r r i t o r y . O n t h e i r
s i d e t h e F r e n c h s e e m e d p r e d i s p o s e d t o i r r i t a t i o n b y t h e
f e a r t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n s , i n t h e c o m i n g p e a c e c o n g r e s s ,
w e r e g o i n g t o t r y t o r e s t r a i n t h e d e m a n d s o f t h e F r e n c h
on the beaten Germans . T h i s w a s c o n s t a n t l y a p p e a r -
i n g i n t h e F r e n c h p r e s s a n d p u b l i c d i s c u s s i o n s , a n d
t h e F r e n c h w e r e r e s e n t f u l o v e r i t .
O n o u r s i d e t h e a v e r a g e A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r f e l t a n d d i d
n o t a f t e r a t i m e h e s i t a t e t o s h o w t o t h e F r e n c h m a n t h a t
h e f e l t h i ms e l f e n t it l e d t o t h e l a t te r ' s e v e r l a s ti n g g r a ti -
t u d e f o r h a v i n g c o m e o v e r i n t o t h e w a r o n t h e F r e n c h
s i d e ; a g r a t i t u d e w h i c h h e , t h e A m e r i c a n , s e e m e d t o
t h i n k o u g h t t o m a k e t h e i n d i v i d u a l F r e n c h m a n o v e r l o o k
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3 30 PE RSONALITIES AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
a l o t o f w i l d A m e r i c a n c o n d u c t , a n d a c c e p t w i t h e q u a -
n i m i t y , n o t t o s a y j o y , t h e A m e r i c a n ' s c r o w d i n g p r e s -
e n c e i n t h e F r e n c h m a n ' s h o m e a n d v i l l a g e s , a n d e v e n
r e d u c e f o r t h e A m e r i c a n t h e F r e n c h m a n ' s p r i c e o f r e d
w i n e , e g g s , e t c . T h e s e A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r e x p e c t a t i o n s
w e r e u n m e t , w h i c h d i d n o t a d d t o t h e g o o d f e e l i n g b e -
t w e e n the two . F r o m t h e t r o o p s a n d t h e p e o p l e t h e
i r r i t a t i o n g r a d u a l l y s e e m e d t o s p r e a d u p t o t h e h i g h e s t
m i l i t a r y a n d c i v i l a u t h o r i t i e s , F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n .
" I n p l a c e s o f s i z e [ D i a r y ] , s u c h a s N a n c y a n d M e t z ,
w e a r e r e q u e s t e d t o s t a y o u t . . . . C e r t a i n a r r a n g e -
m e n t s [De c e m b e r 2 7 t h , ] m a d e b y Ma r s h a l F o c h ' s
h e a d q u a r t e r s a b o u t c i r c u l a t i o n , m a i l , a n d p a s s e s , a t t h e
L u x e m b o u r g - G e r m a n f r o n t i e r h a v e a p p e a r e d t o o s t r i n -
g e n t o r t o o h a r s h t o G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g , a n d m y a r m y ( t h e
V I t h C o r p s ) , n o w i n t h e D u c h y o f L u x e m b o u r g , h a s , n o t
b e e n r e q u i r e d t o p u t t h e m i n t o e f f e c t . "
T h e i r r i t a t i o n h a d b e c o m e a m a t t e r o f c o n c e r n a l s o t o '
h i g h e r F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n a u t h o r i t i e s . " I e n j o y e d a
l o n g t a l k [ J a n u a r y 1 7 , 1 9 1 9 ] a t s u p p e r w i t h M a r s h a l
Petain, whom I had met many t imes w hen I was com-
m a n d i n g d u r i n g a c t i v e o p e r a t i o n s . He seemed espe-
c i a l l y p l e a s e d t o h e a r t h a t I h a d a l w a y s g o t a l o n g w e l l
w i t h t h e F r e n c h . I i m a g i n e t h a t h e h a s r e c e n t l y b e e n
h e a r i n g o f s o m e l i t t l e f r i c t i o n h e r e a n d t h e r e b e t w e e n
French a nd American s . In fact, he a sked me very
p a r t i c u l a r l y a b o u t m y o w n r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e d i f f e r e n t
F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r s u n d e r o r n e a r w h o m I h a d s e r v e d . "
I m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h i s c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h M a r s h a l
Petai n I had to go to Luxem bour g to sat isfy s ome
d o u b t s o f s t af f o f f i c e r s o f o u r G . H . Q . , " o n t h e s u b j e c t
[ D i a r y ] o f t h e F r e n c h , o n w h o m s o m e o f o u r G . H . Q .
s t a ff o f f ic e r s h a v e f r o m t h e f i r s t l o o k e d w i t h g r e a t s u s -
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HOME 3 3 1
p i c i o n o r d i s l i k e . I n t h i s e s p e c i a l c a s e t h e f e a r w a s
t h a t i n s o m e w a y o u r t r o o p s o r o u r c o m m a n d e r s m i g h t
b e m a d e c a t s p a w s b y t h e F r e n c h ( i n F r e n c h e f f o r t s t o
i n d u c e L u x e m b o u r g t o c o m e i n t o t h e F r e n c h R e p u b l i c ) .
W h e n I r e a c h e d L u x e m b o u r g I f o u n d t h a t n o s u c h t h i n g
h a d h a p p e n e d , a n d s o r e p o r t e d t o o u r G . H . Q . "
T h e m o s t s t r a i n i n g i n c i d e n t o f i t a l l : "Recen tly
[ D i a r y ] s o m e o f o u r t r o o p s l a c k e d f i r e w o o d [ i t w a s m i d -
w i n t e r ] a n d a n A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r ( o f p o o r j u d g m e n t ,
i t m u s t b e a d m i t t e d ) a u t h o r i z e d s o l d i e r s t o c u t d e a d
t r e e s f o r f u e l . I n s o d o i n g , t h e f a r m o r g r o u n d s b e l o n g -
i n g t o t h e P r e s i d e n t o f F r a n c e l o s t s o m e d e a d t r e e s .
A c o m p l a i n t t h e r e o f f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t f o l l o w e d , a n d
t h e l o c a l A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r s , a l i e u t e n a n t c o l o n e l a n d t h e
major general commanding the division, lost thei r
c o m m a n d s - o f co u r s e , b y Am e r i c a n o r de r ; i n f a c t ,
b y m y r e q u e s t a s t h e i n c i d e n t o c c u r r e d i n m y a r m y . "
I t h i n k t h a t t h e P r e s i d e n t a f t e r w a r d f e l t t h a t h e h a d
" m a d e a m o u n t a i n o u t o f a m o l e - h i l l " i n t h i s m a t t e r
a nd was ashamed ; a t l e a s t , a n i n d i r e c t b u t o f f i c i a l i n -
t i m a t i o n c a m e t o m e o f h i s r e g r e a t a t t h e a c t i o n t a k e n
upon his complaint . I am bo und to s ay th at I fel t
t h a t the c omp l a i n t was u nwo r t h y : t h a t I , t o o , w i t h
m a n y o t h e r A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r s , f e l t t h a t m a n y o f t h e
F r e n c h w e r e h y s t e r i c a l o v e r t r i f l e s o f a n n o y a n c e t h a t
t h e p r e s e n c e o f A m e r i c a n s w a s c a u s i n g t h e m .
T h e s e c o n d i t i o n s o f i r r i t a t i o n f r o m t h e f i r s t h a d
c a u s e d m e m u c h c o n c e r n , a n d I h a d i n s t i t u t e d m e a s u r e s
to try to impr ove French-American relations i n my
a r m y . I had ord er ed my c omm a nd er s e v e r y w h e r e to
g i v e t h e c l o s e s t a n d m o s t p r o m p t a t t e n t i o n t o p r e v e n t
o r c o r r e c t i r r i t a t i o n a n d m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g . They and
I m a d e v i s i t s o f d u t y a n d p o l i t e n e s s t o F r e n c h m i l i t a r y
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3 32 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF TH E W AR
a n d c i v i l o f f i c e r s o v e r t h e w h o l e r e g i o n o c c u p i e d b y m y
a r m y . Q u i c k l y t h e b e n e f i c i a l e f f e c t s o f t h e s e e f f o r t s
a n d v i s i t s b e c a m e m a n i f e s t , a n d b e t t e r r e l a t i o n s w e r e
s o o n d e v e l o p i n g . By the end of January Franco-
A m e r i c a n i r r i t a t i o n w h e r e I h a d s e e n i t h a d p a s s e d a w a y .
W e w e r e g o o d f r i e n d s . T h e i r r i t a t i o n h a d b e e n t e m -
p o r a r y .
A f t e r a l o n g w i n t e r o f s t i c k i n g c l o s e l y t o t h e w o r k
o f h o l d i n g o u r s o l d i e r s t o d u t y a n d d i s c i p l i n e , a n d w h i l e
t h e P e a c e C o n f e r e n c e w a s w r a n g l i n g a n d g o v e r n m e n t s
w e r e i n s c h o l a s t i c d o u b t a b o u t w h e t h e r t h e w a r w a s
o v e r , I w a s a c c i d e n t a l l y c a l l e d f o r a s h o r t t i m e e n t i r e l y
a w a y f r o m m i l i t a r y s u r r o u n d i n g s , w a r t a l k , a n d w a r
d u t i e s . Then I at onc e rea l i z ed that , whet h e r the
P e a c e C o n f e r e n c e s h o u l d t a l k o n f o r e v e r , w h e t h e r t h e
u l t i m a t e b o u n d a r y s h o u l d b e u p o n t h e R h i n e o r b e y o n d ,
w h e t h e r t h e r e w a s a l e a g u e o f n a t i o n s o r n o l e a g u e o f
n a t i o n s , w h e t h e r w e s h o u l d h a v e a p e a c e t r e a t y o r n o
p e a c e t r e a t y t h e w a r w a s o v e r .
I w a s s o i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h i s i d e a t h a t s o o n a f t e r m y
r e t u r n t o m y a r m y I w a s r e a d y t o s a y a n d d i d s a y t o
o u r G . H . Q . t h a t i t m i g h t b r e a k u p m y a r m y a s f a s t a s
i t p l e a s e d w i t h o u t h u r t i n g m y f e e l i n g s , t h a t I f e l t t h e
w a r w a s o v e r a n d t h a t I w a s r e a d y t o g o h o m e .
"Ou r G . H . Q . c a u t i o n e d m e [ D i a r y , A p r i l 7 , 1 9 1 9 ]
t o k e e p m y a r m y h e a d q u a r t e r s i n c o n d i t i o n t o f u n c t i o n
(I had for some ten days or tw o weeks been sl owly
r e d u c i n g i t ) . O n t h e 5 t h o f A p r i l , h o w e v e r , c a m e t h e
f i n a l o r d e r d i s c o n t i n u i n g t h e S e c o n d A r m y a t n o o n A p r i l
1 5 t h . . .It w a s t i m e . Th e t h i n g i s e n d e d
;
I h a v e l o n g f e l t i t . . . . T h e a f f a i r s o f t h i s w a r
a nd the sett l e m e n t of E u r o p e are no long e r of any
s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t t o m e .
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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HOME 33 3
" I y e s t e r d a y c a l l e d t o g e t h e r t h e c h i e f s o f s t a f f a n d
h e a d s o f s e r v i c e a n d c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e m t h e i r l a s t
i n s t r u c t i o n s a s t o t h e b r e a k - u p . A l l w e r e l o o k i n g f o r
t h i s a n d t h e r e r e m a i n e d b u t l i t t l e t o d o .
" T h e t h i n g t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e S e c o n d A r m y w a s
h a r m o n y , r e s u l t i n g i n l o y a l t y . There w ere no dis -
s e n s i o n s . The army , loc at ed in regi o n s dev a s t a t ed
b y t h e w a r h a s a l w a y s b e e n u n c o m f o r t a b l e a n d h a s h a d
s o m e d i f f i c u l t y i n p r e s e r v i n g g o o d r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e
F r e n c h c i t i z e n s i n t h e s e r e g i o n s , w h o h a v e b e e n r e n d e r e d
a l m o s t h y s t e r i c a l b y t h e i r l o s s e s a n d s u f f e r i n g s . Ye t
g o o d r e l a t i o n s h a v e b e e n p r e s e r v e d . O u r o w n c a r e l e s s ,
o r , r a t h e r , e x t r a v a g a n t s o l d i e r s , w h o c u t t r e e s a n d a r e
u s e d t o g o o d f i r e s , c a u s e d a g o o d d e a l o f f r e t t i n g a m o n g
t h e F r e n c h b y t h e w a y t h e y b u r n e d o l d l u m b e r a n d
c u t t r e e s . Hard pu ni s h m e n t and disc ip l i n e bro u g h t
a l l t h i s t o a n e n d a m o n g o u r t r o o p s .
" T o - d a y [ D i a r y , A p r i l 1 0 t h ] G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g c o m e s
t o i n s p e c t t h e r e m n a n t s o f m y a r m y b e f o r e t h a t a r m y
c e a s e s t o e x i s t . He has been doing the like for a ll
o r g a n i z a t i o n s r e t u r n i n g t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s. H e i s
d o i n g h i s b e s t t o h a v e t h e m q u i t w i t h a g o o d t a s t e i n
t h e i r m o u t h s . I f h e s u c c e e d s t h e r e i n , t h e l a c k - s c a n d a l
a n d l a c k - d i s c o n t e n t o f t h i s w a r a s c o m p a r e d w i t h a l l
o t h e r s w i l l m a k e h i m o n e o f t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u l A m e r -
i c a n s a n d w i l l p r o b a b l y o r w o u l d p r o b a b l y , m a k e h i m
p r e s i d e n t i f h e b u t h a d a l i t t l e m o r e m i x i n g a b i l i t y .
H e i n s p i r e s n o e n t h u s i a s m e v e r. Re s p e c t? Ye s ; b u t
r e s p e c t d o e s n o t g e n e r a l l y e l e c t a p r e s i d e n t . "
A b o u t t h i s t i m e G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g c a u s e d t o b e d o n e
o n e o f t h e w i s e s t t h i n g s t h a t w e r e d o n e i n t h e w a r.
8/3/2019 Personalities and Reminiscences of the War-WWI-US Maj Gen Robert Lee Bullard-1925-355pgs-POL
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3 3 4 PERSONALITIE S AND RE MINISCE NCE S OF THE W AR
N e w s p a p e r c o r r e s p o n d e n t s a n d w r i t e r s o f a l l c l a s s e s
were gathered up and sent, under o f f i c e r s w h o k n e w
t h e f a c t s a n d t h e r e a s o n s w h y o f e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h a d
b e e n d o n e i n F r a n c e , t o v i s i t a n d b e s h o w n a l l t h e
b a t t l e f i e l d s a n d i n d e e d t h e w h o l e t h e a t r e o f o p e r a t i o n s
o f t h e A m e r i c a n E x p e d i t i o n a r y F o r c e s i n F r a n c e a n d
o f i t s s e r v i c e a f te r t h e a r m i s t i c e . A l l o f o u r o p e r a t i o n s ,
a n d t h e c o n d i t i o n s a n d c a u s e s w h i c h p r o d u c e d t h e m ,
w e r e ex p l a i n ed and show n .T h e y l e a r n e d t h e f a c t s ,
t h e w h y s a n d w h e r e f o r e s o f e v e r y t h i n g . Proba bly no
g r e a t e r s i l e n c e r o f s c a n d a l a n d f a l s e h o o d c o u l d e v e r h a v e
been thought of . M i l l i o n s o f l i e s a n d f a l s e c r i t i c i s m s
w e r e p r o b a b l y t h e r e b y a v o i d e d .
T h e r e m a i n d e r o f m y m e m o r i e s i n F r a n c e i s n o t o f t h e
w a r , b u t o f v i s i t s t o w a r - f a m e d p l a c e s a n d p e o p l e s a n d
o f g o o d - b y e s t o o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d c o m r a d e s w i t h w h o m
I had fought and worked, not omit ting my comrades
o f t h e F r e n c h , G e n e r a l s P a s s a g a , V a n d e n b u r g , G e r a r d ,
H i r s c h a u e r , a n d M a n g i n , a l l h a p p y a n d p r o u d , a s v i c t o r s ,
k e e p i n g t h e i r " W a t c h o n t h e R h i n e " i n r e - c o n q u e r e d
A l s a c e - L o r r a i n e ; and Gener als Debe ney, Daug an, De-
g o u t t e , M o n r o e a n d o t h e r s , r e s t i n g a f t e r t h e i r l a b o u r s
a n d s t r u g g l e s , i n t h e h e a r t o f t h e i r b e l o v e d F r a n c e .
I f e l t t h e m m y c o m r a d e s a s t r u l y a s I s o f e l t a n y A m e r -
i c a n .
D u r i n g t h e w h o l e t i m e o f m y s t a y i n F r a n c e , I h e r e t o -
f o r e h a d h a d t o s t i c k s o c l o s e l y t o m y p l a c e s o f d u t y
t h a t I h a d s e e n n o t h i n g e l s e t h a n t h o s e p l a c e s . My o w n
w o r k d o n e , I w e n t n o w t o s e e a f e w o t h e r p l a c e s .
My tour ended with my arrival, May 10th , at o ur
g r e a t c amp at B res t , F ranc e . This camp had bee n
e s t a b l i s h e d h u r r i e d l y f o r t h e e v a c u a t i o n f r o m F r a n c e
t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f t he g r e a t p e r s o n n e l o f t h e A . E . F .
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HOME 3 3 5
B u t a l i t t l e w h i l e a g o i t h a d b e e n b i t t e r l y c r i t i c i z e d
b y p a s s i n g t r o o p s f o r i t s d i s c o m f o r t s a n d i n c o n v e n i -
e n c e s . T h e s e c r i t i c i s m s c a u s e d a g r e a t h u b b u b b o t h
a t h o m e a n d i n F r a n c e , _ i n w h i c h l a t t e r p l a c e t h e r e w a s
m u c h a p p a r e n t o f f i c i a l d e n i a l . F r o m my v i s i t a n d t a l k
w i th i t s p r e s e n t c o m ma n d i ng o f f ic e r , G e n e r a l H e l m i c k ,
a n o l d f r i e n d o f m in e , " I c o n c l u d e [ D i a r y ] t h a t t h e
c o n d i t i o n s w e r e o n c e b a d h e r e a n d t h a t t h e r e w a s g r o u n d
f o r c r i t i c i s m a n d c o m p l a i n t . H e l m i c k w a s c o m m a n d i n g
h e r e a t t he t i m e b u t h a d n o t b e e n l o n g s o c o m ma n d i ng .
C e r t a i n l y n o w t h e r e s e e m s n o g r o u n d f o r c o m p l a i n t
o r c r i t i c i s m . . . .
" G e n e r a l H e l m i c k i s o f t h e o p i n i o n , d e r i v e d f r o m
o b s e r v a t i o n a n d t a l k w i t h p a s s i ng A m e r i c a n t r o o p s ,
t h a t . . . U . S . t r o o p s g e n e r a l l y d i s l i k e d t h e
F r e n c h p e o p l e a n d p r e f e r r e d t h e G e r m a n s . I b e l i e v e
t h a t h i s o b s e r v a t i o n i s s u p e r f i c i a l , a n d t h a t h i s c o n -
c l u s i o n w a s g r e a t l y c o l o u r e d b y h i s p e r s o n a l d i s l i k e
o f t h e F r e n c h , w h i c h i s q u i t e m a n i f e s t a n d w h i c h s e e m s
l a r g e l y d u e t o h i s i na b i l i t y t o c o m mu n i c a t e w i th t h e m
e x c e p t b y a n i n t e r p r e t e r . C o m m u n i t y o f l a n g u a g e
i s a w o n d e r f u l s m o o t h e r o f r e l a t i o n s .
U . S . T r a n s p o r t K a i s e r i n A u g u s t a V ic t o r i a ,
o f f B r e s t , M a y 1 4 , 1 9 1 9 .
J u s t t w e n t y - t h r e e m o n t h s a go t o - d a y I s a i l e d f r o m
N e w Y o r k f o r F r a n c e : t o - d a y I s a i l f r o m F r a n c e f o r
N e w Y o r k . . . . D i n e d y e s t e r d a y w i t h M r . J u l i u s
K a h n , a n o l d a c q u a i n t a n c e a n d f r i e n d , m e m b e r o f
C o n g r e s s an d c h a i r m a n o f t h e H o u s e M i l i t a r y C o m m i t -
t e e , w h o i s v i s it i n g o u r A . E . F . t h r o u g h o u t . I w a s
s t r u c k b y h i s i m p r e s s i o n t h a t o u r o f f i c i a l r e l a t i o n s h e r e
i n F r a n c e w i t h t h e F r e n c h h a d b e c o m e b a d , s u c h n o t
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3 3 6 PERSONALITIE S AND REMINISC E NCE S OF THE W AR
b e i n g m y i m p r e s s i o n o r e x p e r i e n c e a t a l l . H e h a d
a p p a r e n t l y a r r i v e d a t t h e c o n c l u s i o n b y a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h
o u r A. E . F . s t a f f o f f i c e r s o n e o f w h o m a c c o m p a n i e d h i m .
A s I m o v e d o u t o f t h e p o r t o f B r e s t a n d s a w t h e g r e a t
G e r m a n s t e a m s h i p s t h a t w e h a d s e i z e d o r h i r e d f o r o u r
t r o o p s h i p m e n t s t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , g r e a t e r t h a n
any ot hers, French, English , or American, I could
not h e l p t h i n k i n g t h a t i f t h e G e r m a n s w e r e d o i n g '
t h i n g s o n s o l a r g e a s c a l e b e f o r e t h e i r w o r l d v i c t o r y ,
w h a t w o u l d t h e y h a v e d o n e a f t e r i t l T h e y w e r e n e a r
r u l i n g t he e a r t h ( . . .
" I a m f i n d i n g t h a t I l o v e t o l o i t e r a n d c h a t w i t h '
p e r s o n s a b o a r d . Th e y c o m e f r o m e v e r y w h e r e i n o u r ;
A . E . F . a n d c a n g i v e m e g o o d , j u s t i m p r e s s i o n s o f t h e
g e n e r a l m o r a l e a n d s t a t e o f m i n d i n t h e A . E . F . a t th e
e n d o f i ts a c t i v i t ie s . T h u s f a r m y i m p r e s s i o n i s t h a t
a l m o s t a l l o f f ic e r s a n d m e n a r e q u i t t i n g wi t h a g o o d t a s t e
i n t h e m o u t h . . . .
" F r o m h i m [ a g e n e r a l s t a f f o f f i c e r c h a r g e d w i t h s u c h
a f f a i r s ] I h e a r t h a t t h e r e s e e m s s o m e t e n d e n c y t o d i s c u s s
a n d d i s c u s s , a n d d i f f e r a n d d i f f e r , i n s i s t a n d i n s i st , e a c h
o n e f r o m h i s p o i n t o f v i e w , a m o n g t h o s e w h o a r e n o w
t r y i n g t o c r y s t a l l i z e into reg u l a t i o n s and man u a l s
o u r r e c e n t w a r l e s s o n s a n d e x p e r i e n c e s . L i t t l e w i l l
t h u s r e s u l t t o u s f r o m a l l o u r v a l u a b l e e x p e r i e n c e i f
t h i s g o e s o n . On ac c o u n t o f s e p a r a t i o n , o u r h o m e
a u t h o r i t i e s a n d o u r A . E . F . a u t h o r i t i e s c a n n o t ` g e t
t o g e t h e r , ' m a y s e r i o u s l y d i f f e r ; a n d i f s o t h e r e w i l l b e
n o p r o g r e s s , o r b u t l i t t l e . I n o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d m e t h o d s
t h e r e m a y r e s u l t g r e a t d i f f e r e n c e s o f v i e w b e t w e e n
t h o s e w h o d u r i n g t h e w a r d i r e c t e d a t h o m e a n d t h o s e
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HOME 33 7
w h o d i r e c t e d i n E u r o p e . I trust tha t the supr eme
authority w ill decide without too much discussion
( d i s c u s s i o n e m b i t t e r s ) a n d p u t s o m e t h i n g i n t o e f f e c t ,
r e m e m b e r i n g t h a t w h e r e t h e r e a r e d i f f e r e n c e s o f o p i n i o n
a s t o m e t h o d s o f o r g a n i z a t i o n t r i e d , b o t h a r e l i k e l y
t o b e r i g h t a n d p r a c t i c a b l e , n e i t h e r e x c l u s i v e l y s o .
A s a n o f f i c e r o f t h e f i e l d n o t o f t h e d e s k o r o f f i c e ,
I t h i n k I s h a l l t r y t o s e e t h e S e c r e t a r y o f W a r a n d u r g e
u p o n h i m t h e n e e d o f n o t a l l o w i n g n e e d l e s s d i s c u s s i o n
a n d i n d e c i s i o n t o d e p r i v e u s o f t h e f r u i t s o f o u r w a r
e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e m a k i n g o f o u r o f f i c i a l r e g u l a t i o n s a n d
t h e m a n u a l s f o r t h e f u t u r e g u i d a n c e a n d p r o f i t o f t h e
a r m y . B o a r d s a n d c o m m i t t e e s , o f f i c i a l o n e s , o n a c c o u n t
o f t o o m u c h p u b l i c a n d g e n e r a l c o u n s e l - t a k i n g , r a r e l y
have helped to fix our army custom and regulation ;
but some individuals, as Wagner, B ond, and Mac-
D o n o u g h , a n d m a n y o t h e r s b y w r i t i n g o u t a n d p u b l i s h -
i n g , w i t h o u t c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h o t h e r s , t h e i r o w n v i e w s
a n d m e t h o d s i n m i l i t a r y m a t t e r s , h a v e h e l p e d t o f i x
c o r r e c t l y o u r i n s t r u c t i o n a n d d i s c i p l i n e m o r e t h a n
b o a r d s a n d c o m m i t t e e s . T o o m u c h d i s c u s s i o n , t o o m u c h
c o n s u l t a t i o n , r a i s e s q u e s t i o n s o f d o u b t a n d d i f f e r e n c e s
t h a t p r e v e n t g e n e r a l a c c e p t a n c e o f a n y t h i n g e v e n w h e n
i t i s o f f i c i a l l y p r e s c r i b e d . "
The end of May, 191 9, found me at home -a littl e
s h o r t o f t w o y e a r s s i n c e I h a d l e f t it f o r t h e w a r .
THE END
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INDE X
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A b a u c o u r t , t a k e n i n t h e a t t ac k o f t h e S e c o n d
Army, 30 4
A d d a m s , M is s J a n e , h o r r i f i e d a t u s e o f l i q u o r
b y t r o o p s , 1 8 3
Airplanes, damage by bombing not as great
a s fe a r e d , 1 8 8 ; i n th e M e u s e - A r g o n n e o f f e n -
s i v e , 2 7 4 , 2 7 8
A m e r i c a , s l o w t o r e a l i z e s e r i o u s n e s s o f t h e
w a r , 7 3 , 8 2 ; " e n t e r e d t h e w a r t o o l a t e , "
8 6 , 8 7
A m e r i c a n A r m y , l a c k o f o r g a n i z at i o n a t t i m e
o f m o b i l i z a t io n o n M e x i c a n b o r d e r , 5 ; f i r s t
c o n t i n g e n t g o e s t o F r a n c e , 3 2 f f .
A m e r i c a n E x p e d i t i o n a r y F o r c e , o r g a n i z a ti o n
i n F r a nc e , 7 3 f f .
A m e r i c a n R e d C r o s s , g i v e s f u n d s t o G e n e r a l
P e t a i n t o a i d i n r e s t o r i n g m o r a l e o f F r e n c h
a r m y , 7 1
A m e r i c a n s n e v e r h a t e r s i n w a r , 1 1 7
A r m i st i c e , c o m e s d u r i n g a tt a c k o f t h e S e c o n d
Army, 30 3 ; e v e n t s l e a d i n g u p t o i t , a n d t h e
f i n al p e a c e , 3 0 7 f f .
Army regulatio ns, should be compiled from
e x p e r i e n c e s i n t h e w a r , 3 3 7
A r t i l l e r y , t h e F r e n c h h i g h r e g a r d f o r , 2 3 3 ;
a n u n u s u a l a m o u n t d e m a n d e d i n t h e
M e u s e - A r g o n n e o f f e n s i v e , 2 7 5
A u s t r i a , a f t e r I t a l i a n d e f e a t m o r e c l o s e l y
d r a w n t o Ge r m a n y , 8 9; r u m o u r s o f a r m i s -
t i c e w i t h I t a l y , 3 1 0
B a d o g l i o , G e n e r a l , a s s u r e d b y M a r s h a l F o c h
j u s t p r e v i o u s t o t h e A r m i s ti c e t h a t t h e r e
w o u l d b e f o u r m o n t h s m o r e o f f i g h ti n g , 3 0 9
B a k e r , S e c r e t a r y o f W a r , a t e m b a r k a t i o n o f
f i r s t tr o o p s a t H o b o k e n , 2 9 ; i n F r a n c e , 3 0 ;
Balloons, observation, destroyed by enemy
a i r p l a ne s , 2 7 9
B a l l o u , G e n e r a l , c o m m a n d i n g t h e 9 2 n d D i v i -
s i o n , i n t h e a t ta c k o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y , 3 0 3
B a r b e d w i r e , d i f f i c u l t i e s i n s u r m o u n t i n g , 26 5 ,
2 6 9
B e l l , G e n . G e o r g e c o m m a n d i n g 3 3 r d D i v i s i o n
i n Me u s e -Ar g o n n e o f f e n s i v e , 2 6 7 , 2 6 8 ;
in the attack on the Hindenbu rg Line,
3 0 3 , 3 0 4
B e l l e a u W o o d , v i c t o r y w o n b y 2 n d D i v i s i o n ,
n o t s o l e l y b y t h e M ar i n e s , 2 0 8
INDE X
3 4 1
B e r d o u l a t , G e n e r a l , a t t h e b a t t l e o f S c i s s o r s ,
2 1 6
Big guns, bombardment of Coulange forces
r e m o v a l o f I I I r d C o r p s h e a d q u a r t e r s , 2 3 2
B i l l e t i n g , u p o n t h e F r e n c h i n h a b i t an t s , 5 3 ,
1 0 4 , 1 0 7 ; o f g r e a t a d v a n t a g e t o E u r o p e a n
a r m i e s , 1 2 8
B l i s s, G e n . Tasker H . , A c t i n g C h i e f o f S t a f f
a t o u t b r e a k o f t h e w a r , 2 0 f f .
B l o n d l a t , G e n e r a l , F r e n c h o f f i c e r w i t h A me r i -
can Second Army, 289
B o i s d e F a y , d i f f i c u l t i e s o f t h e 4 t h D i v i s i o n
i n h o l d i n g , 2 7 3
B o i s d e s O g o n s , c a p t u r e d , a f t e r t h r e e a t t e m p t s
b y 8 0 t h D i v is i o n , 2 7 5 , 2 7 6
B o i s D o m m a r t i n , t a k e n i n t he a t t a c k o f t h e
Second Army, 3 04
Bombing, by enemy airplanes, 188 ; t h e f e a r
e n g e n d e r e d , 2 2 5 , 2 2 6
Brag and boast, hur tful to Americans at
b e g i n n in g o f t h e w a r , 8 3 , 8 5
B r e s t , t h e g r e a t e v a c u a t i o n c a m p , 3 3 4
British, Fifth Army annihilated, 171, and
A m e r i c a n 1 s t D i v i s io n d e p a r t s t o h e l p f i l l
the gap, 177 ; f i g h t i n g " w it h t h e i r b a c k s
t o t h e w a l l , " 1 7 9 , 1 8 4 ; d i s c i p l i n e e n a b l e d
t h e m t o f i gh t o n a f t e r F r a n c e h a d c e a s e d ,
2 4 1 ; i n h u r r y t o l e a v e F r a n c e , a f t e r t he
A r m i s t i c e , 3 2 1
B u l l a r d , G e n e r a l , o n t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r i n
1916, 1 ; i n t h e G e r o n i m o c a m p a i g n , 8 ;
under Gen . Leonard Woo d in the Philip-
p i n e s , 9 ; d e t a i l e d t o o f f i c e r s ' t r a i n i n g c a m p ,
8 , 1 5 ; o r d e r e d t o F r a n c e w i t h f i r s t c o n t i n -
gent of American troops, 18 ; a p p o i n t e d
m a j o r g e n e r a l a n d a s s i g n e d t o 1 s t D i v i s i o n ,
25 ; a t H o b o k e n a w a i t i n g e m b a r k a t i o n , 2 6 ;
e n v o y a g e , 3 2 ; a t S t . N a z a i r e i n c a n t o n -
m e n t , 3 8 ; a t G o n d r e c o u r t , 53 ; a t h e a d o f
a l l t r a i n i n g sc h o o l s , 6 0 , 6 6 ; a t t e n d s F r e n c h
o f f i c e r s ' L y c 6 e , 7 0 ; a t G . H . Q . a t C h a u m o n t ,
74 ; s e n t t o F r e n c h f r o n t t o o b s e r v e b a t t l e
c o n d i t i o n s , 9 3 ; given command of the 1st
D i v i si o n , 9 2 , 9 3 , 9 5 ; with the French in
L o r r a i n e , 1 1 5 ; i n a u g u r a t e s a h a t e - m a k i n g
c a m p a i g n against the Germans, 1 1 6 ;
overcomes host ility of General Debeney,
1 2 1 ; t o t h e f r o n t , 1 2 6 , i n t h e t r e n c h e s , 1 3 7 ;
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3 4 2
b e g i n s o f f e n s i v e t a c t i c s , 1 4 1 ; " j u m p s "
h o s p i t a l t o j o i n h i s c o m m an d a t t h e f r o n t ,
1 7 7 ; l i v i n g in d u g o u t s , 1 8 7 ; a t C a n t i gn y ,
1 9 2 ; o n t h e C h a t e a u - T hi e r r y s a l i e n t, 2 0 2 ;
i g n o r e s t he F r e n c h o r d e r t o f a l l b a c k , 2 0 6 ;
g i v e n c o m m a n d o f IV t h C o r p s , w h i c h
f a i l e d t o m a t e r i a l i z e , 2 1 0 ; o r d e r e d t o t a ke
command of IIIrd Corps , 213 ; a t b a t t l e o f
S o i s s o n s , 2 1 3 ; h e a l t h i m p a i r e d f r o m h a r d
c a m p a i g n , 2 2 3 , 2 3 2 ; b e y o n d t h e V e s le ,
2 4 6 ; w i t h h i s c o r p s j o i n s A m e r i c a n F i r s t
Army under Pershing, 2 58 ; a t S o u i l l y a n d
Rampant, 259 ; the Meuse-Argonne, 26 4 ;
a p p o i n t e d t o c o m m a n d o f Se co n d Ar m y ,
2 7 9 ; a p p o i n t e d l i e u t e n a n t g e n e r a l , 2 9 0 ;
o r d e r e d t o a t t a c k w i t h w h o l e a r m y , 2 9 6 ,
2 9 9 ; t h e A r m i s t i c e s t o p s t h e f i g h t i n g , 3 0 3 ;
k e e p i n g d i s c i p l i n e a f t e r t h e A r m i s t i c e , 3 1 6 ;
decorated by his own government as well
as by France, Belgi um, and Italy, 323 ;
makes tour of France, ending at Brest,
w h e r e h e s a i l s f o r h o m e , 3 3 4
Bureaus, importance of, in the estimation
o f t h e F r e n c h , 6 9
C a m o u f l a g e , a m i l i t a r y b a d h a b i t , 1 6 2
C a n t i gn y , c a p t u r e d b y t h e A m e r i c a n s , 1 9 2 f f .
C a s u a l t i e s , Am e r i c a n , i n t h e Me s h i l -St .
F i r m in s e c t o r , 1 9 4 ; a t C a n t i g n y , 1 9 7 ; a t
F i s m e t t e , 2 3 5
C a v a l r y , u s e l e s s a t b a t t l e o f S o i s s o n s , o w i n g
t o d e l a y e d s t a r t , 2 19
C a v e d w e l l i n g s a n d w i n e c e l l a r s o f F r a n c e , 1 8 7
C e l l a r s , o n l y s a f e p a r t o f v i l l a ge s u n d e r f i r e ,
1 8 7
C h a m b e r l a i n , Se n a t o r , a s s e r t s t h a t "Th e
W a r D e p a r t m e n t h a s c e a s e d t o f u n c t i o n , "
2 5 , 7 3 , 8 2
Changing of orders, a weakness of the
F r e n c h , 1 2 8 , 2 0 6 , 2 2 9
Charline , location of IIIrd Corps o n the
Marne, 22 5
C h a r l e s t o n , c r u i s e r c o n v o y i n g f i r s t tr o o p s t o
F r a n c e , 3 2
C h A t e a u - T h i e r r y , s a l i e n t d r i v e n i n b y G e r -
mans, 202
C h a u m o n t , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g ' s h e a d q u a r t e r s ,
7 4
C h e m i n de s Da m e s , t h e Ge r m a n o f f e n s i v e
o f 1 9 1 8 , 2 0 2 f f .
C h i l d r e n , m a d e m u c h o f b y A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r
i n F r a n c e . 5 6
C i t a ti o n f o r b r a v e r y , d e l i v e r e d b y a i r p l a n e
to besieged 4th Division in the Bois de
F a y , 2 7 4
C l e m e n c e a u , v i s i t s A m e r i c a n s i n t h e t r e n c h e s ,
1 5 4 ; courageous in the great German of-
f e n s iv e , 1 7 2
INDEX
Combat record of , r e n c h t r o o p s d u r i n g l a st
year of the war, from General Mangin s
b o o k , 7 2 n o t e
" C o o t i e s , " A m e r i c a n s i n c o n t a c t w i t h , 1 0 5 ;
i n t he t r e n c h e s , 1 6 2
C o u l a n g e , h e a d q u a r t e r s o f I I I r d C o r p s , 2 3 1 ,
2 3 3
C r i m i n a l s , i n t h e A m e r i c a n a r m i e s , 2 5 2
Cronkhite, General , commanding 80th Divi-
s i o n i n Me u s e -Ar g o n n e o f f e n s i v e , 2 6 7 ;
c a p t u r e s t h e B o i s d e s O g o n s i n t h e t h ir d a t -
t e m p t, 2 7 5 , 2 7 6
Daugan, General , commander of the famous
M o r o c c a n d i v i s i o n , 1 3 6
Davis, Gen . George W . , m a k e s g o o d u s e o f
P e r s h i n g i n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s , 4 4 , 4 5
De C a s t e l n a u , G e n e r a l , p l a c e s g r e a t i mp o r -
t a n c e o n t r a i n i n g a s t a f f, 6 8 ; v i s i t s A m e r i -
c a n s i n t r a i n i ng s e c t o r , 1 0 5
Dead beat s, stragglers, and d e s e r t e r s ,
2 5 1
D e b e n e y , G e n e r a l , h i s h o s t i l i ty t o A m e r i c a n s
overcome by General Bullard, 120 ; c o m -
m a n d e r o f F r e n c h a r m y t o w h i c h 1 s t D i v i -
s i o n i s a t t a c h e d , 1 2 0 , 1 2 9 ; s ta t e s g r e at
G e r m a n o f f e n s i v e h a s b e g u n , 1 7 1 ; h i s a r m y
h a l t s Ge r m a n s a f t e r E n g l i s h g i v e w a y ,
178, 182 ; in command of French army
w i t h w h i c h 1 s t D i v i s i o n w a s t o f i g h t , 1 8 2
Decorations, a warded American troop s for
g a l l a nt r y , 1 9 6 ; n o s c r a m b l e f o r , a ft e r t h e
w a r , 3 2 2
De f e a t i s m , i n t h e Am e r i c a n a r m y , 3 2 ; i n
t h e F r e n c h a r m y a n d g o v e r n m e n t , 7 9 ;
P e a c e t h e o n e g r e a t t o p i c i n Le Mati n, 8 4
Degou tte, Gener al, in command of t h e
F r e n c h Si x t h Ar m y , 2 1 2 ; i n c o m m a n d o f
the Six th Army cont ainin g American
t r o o p s , 2 29 ; orders return of American
troops to Fismette where they are wiped
out by German attack, 236 ; o r d e r s a t t a c k
b y I I I r d C o r p s , 2 5 3
De m o c r a c y a g a i n s t a u t o c r a c y , Pr e s i d e n t
W i l s o n ' s d e f i n i t io n o f t h e w a r s t r u g g l e , 1 1 9
D e s e r t e r s , s t r a gg l e r s , a n d dead b e a t s ,
2 5 1
Destruction by the Germ ans in t he St .
M i h i e l s a l i e n t , 2 8 6
D i n n e r s t o A m e r i c a n o f f i c e r s a t Fr e n c h h e a d -
q u a r t e r s a d d t o o f f ic i a l g o o d f e e l i n g , 1 3 8
D i s c i p l i n e , i n t h e t r e n c h e s , 1 6 1 ; a s tr e n g t h
t o t h e B r i t i s h , l a c k o f i t a w e a k n e s s t o t h e
F r e n c h , 2 4 1 ; necessity of maintaining,
a f t e r t h e A r m i s t i c e , 3 1 6 f f .
D u n c a n , G e n e r a l , t e l l s P e r s h i n g t h a t h e i s
s p o i l i n g a g o o d f i e l d o f f i c e r b y k e e p i n g
G e n e r a l B u l l a r d o n t h e t r a i n in g s c h o o l s , 9 3
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Eightieth Division, captures the Bois des
Og o n s o n t h e t h i r d a t t e m p t , 2 7 5 , 2 7 6 ;
i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e o f f e n s iv e , 2 6 7 , 2 6 8 ,
2 6 9 ; a t M o n t f au c o n , 2 7 8
F a u l t f i n d i n g s a n d r e c r i m i n a t i o n s a f t e r t h e
w a r , 3 2 5
F a y o l l e , G e n e r a l , c o m m a n d i ng a F r e n c h c o r p s
o n t h e M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n s e c t o r , 1 9 9
F i ft h C o r p s , i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e b a t t l e , 2 7 3
F i r e w o o d , b u r n i n g o f, c a u s e o f i r r i t a t i o n b e -
t w e e n F r e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n s , 5 5 , 3 3 1
F i r s t D i v i s i o n , c o n f u s i o n a t e m b a r k a t i o n a t
H o b o k e n , 2 6 ; t h e v o y a g e t o F r a n c e , 3 2 f f . ;
in cantonment at St . N a z a i r e , 3 8 ; moved
n e a r e r t o t h e f r o n t , 5 0 ; i n b i l l e t s a t G o n d r e -
c o u r t , 5 3 ; t h r e e m o n t hs ' s e r v ic e i n a F r e n c h
army, 76 ; r i f l e p r a c t i c e a t G o n d r e c o u r t , 1 0 2 ;
i n s t r u c t i o n i n us e o f g a s m a s k s , 1 0 3 ;
t r a i n i n g c o n t i n u e d i n w i n t e r d e s p i t e p r i v a -
t i o n , 1 0 7 ; o f f i c e r s t h e b e s t a v a il a b l e , 1 0 8 ;
t h e ir r e c o r d a t S o i ss o n s, 1 1 4 ; o r d e r e d p l a c e d
i n t h e f r o n t l i n e , 1 1 5 ; u n d e r t h e F r e n c h i n
L o r r a i n e , 1 1 5 f f . ; t h e e n d o f h i s tr a i n i n g
p e r i o d , 1 2 3 ; i n t o t h e l i n e o f b a t t l e , 1 2 6 f f . ;
l i f e i n t h e t r e n c h e s , 1 5 3 f f . ; b e s t e q u i p p e d ,
o f f i c e r e d , a n d p r e p a r e d , 1 6 4 ; yet found
l a c k i n g , 1 6 5 ; l e a v e s t h e t r e n c h e s f o r t h e
n o r t h w e s t b a tt l e f r o n t , 1 7 4 , 1 7 7 f f. ; w i t h t h e
F r e n c h a r m y u n d e r G e n e r a l M i c h e l e r , 1 7 9 ;
"digging in", 184 ; combat headq uarters
a t M e s n i l - S t . F i r m i n , 1 8 6 f f . ; a t C a n t i g n y ,
1 9 2 f f . ; h o l d s t h e l i n e a t Mo n t d i d i e r , 2 0 6 ;
l e a v e s f o r t h e C h A t e a u - T h i e r r y s a l i e n t ,
210, 213 ; General Bullard is called to
command an army corps and is su cceeded
by General Summeral l, 211 . ; a t t h e b a t t l e
o f S c i s s i o n s , 2 1 8 , 2 2 1 ; i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e
o f f e n s i v e , 2 6 7
Fiske, Major Harold B . , h i s w o r k w i t h
t r a i n i n g s c h o o l s , 6 1
F i s me t t e , l o s s o f A m e r i c a n t r o o p s a t , d u e t o
change of orders by French army comman-
d e r , 2 3 5 f f .
F l i e s , a d a n g e r o u s p e s t , 2 2 3 , 2 3 2
Flirey, held by the Germans and continu-
ously bombarded by the French, 134
Foch, Marshal, admired by his people, 72 ;
s e n d s f r o m I t a l y h i s m e s s a ge o f f i g h t , 9 0 ;
d i d n o t t r a p t h e Ge r m a n s i n C hAt e a u -
T h i e r r y s al i e n t , 2 22 ; j u s t p r e v i o u s t o t h e
A r m i s t i c e a s s u r e s I t a l i a n g e n e r a l t h a t t h e r e
w o u l d b e f o u r m o n t hs m o r e o f f i g h t in g , 3 0 9 ;
at ceremony of presentation of baton to
Marsha l P6tain , 324
F o r 6 t d e V i l l e r s - C o t t e r e t s , A m e r i c a n p o s i t io n
i n t h e b a t t l e o f S o i s s o n s , 2 1 3 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 6 ,
2 2 1
INDE X 3 4 3
Fourth Division, in the Meuse-Argonne of-
f e n s i v e , 2 6 7 , 2 6 8 , 2 6 9 , 2 7 3 ; m ag n i f i c e n t
w o r k a n d w o n d e r f u l c o u r a g e i n t a k i n g a n d
h o l d i n g t h e B o i s d e F a y , 2 7 4
F r a t e r n i z a t i o n , a f t e r t h e A r m i s t i c e , 3 0 5 , 3 1 3
F r e n c h , t h e i r d e m o r a l i z a ti o n a n d d e p r e s s i o n ,
79 ; their hope that th e American troops
w o u l d b e u s e d t o r e c r u i t t h e i r a r mi e s . 9 3 ;
c r i t i c i s m o f P e r s h i n g, 9 4 ; t h e ir d e s i r e t o
b r e a k u p a n d c o n t r o l A m e r i c a n t r o o p s , 1 6 5
F r e n c h p e o p l e , w e l c o m e Am e r i c a n s a t St .
N a za i r e , 4 7 ; a n d a t N a n t e s , 4 8 ; t h e i r i m -
p r e s s i o n s o f A m e r i c a ' s e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e
war, 48 ; s o l d i e r s a n d c i v i l i an s w e l l k e p t
a n d w e l l f e d , 5 0 ; t h r i f t y a n d h a r d w o r k i n g ,
5 1 ; w e l c o m e A m e r i c a n s b i l l e t e d u p o n t h e m ,
5 3 ; r e s e n t t o o l i b e r a l u s e o f w o o d a s f u e l
by the Americans, 55, 331 ; c o r d i a l r e l a -
t i o n s w i t h A m e r i c a n s o l d i e r s , 5 6
F r e n c h s o c i a l i s t s , m o v i n g a g ai n s t t h e F r e n c h
a r m y , 8 9
Fresnes, he adquarter s of the IIIrd Corps,
2 3 4 , 2 4 7
Friction between French and Americans,
2 2 7 , 2 4 4 ; a f t e r t h e A r m i s t ic e , 3 2 9 , 3 3 5
F r i g h t fu l n e s s , a g a i ns t f r i g h t f u l n e s s , 1 1 8 ; b e -
gins to abate with the German retreat,
2 4 6
F u e l , s c a r c i t y o f , F r e n c h p e o p l e r e s e n t t r e e
c u t t i n g b y A m e r i c a n s , 5 5 , 3 3 1
G a s , i ns t r u c t io n i n p r o t e c ti o n , 1 0 3 ; p r e c a u -
t i o n s a g a i n s t fr e q u e n t a t t a c k s , 1 5 8 ; f e a r e d
a l s o b y G e r m a n t r o o p s , 1 5 9 ; a t r e m e n d o u s
i n f l i c t i o n , 1 9 3
G e n e r a l S t a f f , i t s c o n d i t i o n a t b e g i n n i n g o f
t h e w a r , 2 6
Gerest, Fathe r Regis, a frien d of days in
C u b a , m e t a g a i n in F r a n c e , 5 6
G e r m a n p r o p a g a n d a , c a u s e o f I t a l i a n d e f e a t ,
89
G e r m a n s , i n s t i g a t i n g i n M e x i c o h o s t i l i t i e s
a g a i ns t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , 1 ; s e l e c t i o n o f
military positions in France before the
w a r , 1 3 2 ; t h e i r 1 9 1 8 p e a c e o f f e n si v e , 1 6 7 ;
recognize Americans as formidable after
C a n t i g n y , 1 9 9 ; d i s o r g a n i za t i o n o f a r m y a t
t i m e o f t h e A r m i s t i c e , 3 1 4
G e r m a n s , i n Am e r i c a n a r m y , m a n y s e g r e -
g a t e d o n s u s p i c i o n , 3 2
G i b e r c y , c a p t u r e d i n t h e a t t a c k o f t h e
Second Army, 3 04
G i a o r s , l o c a t i o n o f 1 s t D i v i s i o n p r e p a r a t o r y
t o a t t a c k , 1 7 7
G o n d r e c o u r t , t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n b i l l e t e d a t ,
5 3 ; f a s t t r a i n i ng s c h o o l e s t a b l i s h e d a t ,
63 ; r i f l e p r a c t i c e o f t h e 1 s t D i v is i o n , a t ,
1 0 2
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3 4 4 INDEX
G r e a t H e a d q u a r t e r s , e s t a b l i s h e d b y G e n e r a l
Pershing at Chaumon t, 74
Grimaucourt, taken in the attack of the
Second Army, 3 04
I l a i g , M a r s h a l , e n t r e a t e d b y P 6 t a i n to d r a w
G e r m a n s t o B r i t i s h fr o n t o n a c c o u n t o f l o w
m o r a l e o f F r e n c h t r o o p s , 7 1 ; a t c e r e m o n y o f
p r e s e n t a t i o n o f b a t o n t o M a r s h a l P 6 t a i n ,
3 2 4
H a n d g r e n a d e s , p r e f e r r e d o v e r r i f l e s b y t h e
F r e n c h , 1 0 2
H a r b o r d , Ge n . James G . , c o m m a n d e r o f 2 n d
D i v i s i o n a t b a t t l e o f S o i s s o n s , 2 1 7 ; i n t h e
P h i l i p p i n e s , 2 1 7
H a r t s , G e n e r a l , h i s w o r k w i t h t h e a r m y
d e s e r t e r s a n d c r i m i n al s , 2 5 2
H a t e - m a k i n g c a m p a i g n a g a i n s t t h e G e r m a n s ,
1 1 6 f f .
H a y , G e n e r a l , c o m m a n d i n g t h e 2 8 t h D i v i s io n ,
3 0 3
H e l m i c k , G e n e r a l , i n c h a r g e o f B r e s t e v a c u a -
t i o n c a m p , 3 3 5
Hines, Gen. J. L., commanding the 4th
D i v i s i o n i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e o f f e n s i v e ,
2 6 7 , 2 6 8 , 2 6 9 ; h o l d s t h e B o i s d e F a y u n d e r
g r e a t d i f f ic u l t i e s , 2 7 4 ; g i v e n c o m m a n d o f
I I I r d C o r p s , 2 7 9
H i r s c h a u e r , G e n e r a l , i n c o m m a n d o f F r e n c h
Second Army, near Verdun , 259
Home, preparations for the return of the
t r o o p s , 3 2 8 f f .
House, Colonel E . M. , h i s g r e a t t a l k c o m -
m i s s i o n , 8 5 ; s t a t e m e n t t ha t a t t i me o f t h e
A r m i s t i c e , G e n e r a l P e r s h i n g w a s a l o n e i n
w i s h to c o n t i n u e t h e w a r , 3 1 5
I l l f e e l i n g b e t w e e n t h e Fr e n c h a n d A m e r i c a n s
a n d i t s c a u s e , 2 2 7 , 2 4 4 , 3 2 9 , 3 3 5
In f a n t r y o r g a n i z a t i o n o f Am e r i c a n s n o t
a d a p t e d t o c o n d i t i o n s i n F r a n c e , 1 0 6
Italy, her defeat a tremendo us setback to
t h e A l l i e s , 8 6 - 9 1 ; h e r p o s i t io n i n t h e G e r -
man offensive of 1917-1918, 171 ; d e f e a t
o f O c t o b e r , 1 9 1 7 , c a u s e o f g r e a t d e p r e s si o n
i n F r a n c e , 2 3 9
Joffre, Marshal, entreats America to rush
t r o o p s t o r e s t o r e F r e n c h m o r a l e , 8 0 ; v i s i t s
Americans in training secto r, 105 ; at
c e r e m o n y o f p r e s e n t a t i o n o f b a t o n t o M a r -
s h a l P 6 t a i a , 3 2 4
Kahn, Congressman Julius, his impression
o f u n c o r d i a l r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e F r e n c h
a n d A m e r i c a n s , 3 3 5
Kitchens, operated continuously along the
road of su pply in the Meu se-Argonne
b a t t l e , 2 7 2
L a b o u r b a t t a l i o n s , f o r m e d f o r r o a d c o n s t r u c -
t i o n , 1 5 7 ; r e p a i r r o a d s d e s t r o y e d i n b a tt l e ,
2 3 1
L a b o u r t r o u b l e s , a d i s g r a c e t o t h e u n i o n s
d u r i n g t h e w a r , 1 8
L a n g r e s S t a f f C o l l e g e , e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t h e
A. E . F . , 6 2 , 6 6 , 9 0
L a s s it e r , M a j o r - G e n e r a l , A r t i l l e r y c h i e f o f
s t a ff o f S e c o n d A r m y , 2 8 3 , 2 8 8
Lea, Co l . Luk e , a t t e m p t s t o k i d n a p t h e
K a i s e r , 3 1 2
Le Matin, p e a c e t h e o n e g r e a t t o p i c , 8 4
L e s s o n s o f th e w a r , s h o u l d b e p r o f i t e d b y , 3 3 7
L i a i s o n o f f ic e r s o f g r e a t h e l p t o t h e A m e r i c a n
f o r c e s , 1 2 1 ff .
Liggett, Gen . Hunter, comma nder of Ist
A m e r i c a n C o r p s , a n d l a t e r t h e F i r s t A r m y
i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e , 1 4 3 - 1 4 5
Ligny-en -Barroi s, headquarters of General
P e r s h i n g a n d t h e A m e r i c a n F i r s t A r m y , 2 5 8
L i q u o r , i t s u s e b y t h e E n g l i s h a n d F r e n c h -
and Americans, 183
Lloyd George, agrees to furnish ships for
t r a n s p o r t o f l a r g e A m e r i c a n a r m y , 2 0 5
L o c a l a t t a c k s , a t ta i n n o d i r e c t r e s u l t , 2 7 2 ,
2 7 5
" L o s t B a tt a l i o n , " o f t h e 7 7 t h D i v i s i o n , 2 5 0
Machine guns, the most deadly arm dev el-
oped by the war, 244 ; the enemy's main
d e f e n s e i n t h e M e u s e - A r g o n n e b a t t l e , 2 6 9
Malone , Col . P a u l , i n c h a r g e o f e s t a b l i s h i n g
t r a i n i ng s c h o o l s f o r t h e A . E . F . , 6 2
Ma n g i n , Ge n e r a l , e xc e r p t f r o m h i s b o o k
showing French combat record for last
y e a r o f t h e w a r , 7 2 n o t e ; p r e p a r e s f o r t h e
l a s t g r e a t o f f e n s i v e , 1 3 6 ; a n a g g r e s s i v e
f i g ht e r , 1 9 9 f f . ; i n t h e b a t t l e o f S o i s s o n s , 2 1 5
Ma n u r e p i l e s , i n t h e F r e n c h do o r y a r d s ,
r e p u l s i v e t o A m e r i c a n s , 5 4
March, Gene ral Peyton C . , b e c o m e s C h i e f
o f S t a f f a t W a s h i n gt o n a n d e n d s t h e c o n -
ditions of promise and disappointment,
73,86
Marcheville, taken in the attack of the
Second Army, 3 04
M a r i n e s , i n f i r s t t r o o p m o v e m e n t t o F r a n c e ,
32 ; g e t t h e g l o r y d u e t h e e n t i r e 2 n d D i v i s i o n
f o r v i c t o r y o f B e l l e a u W o o d , 2 0 8
Marriages of American soldiers to French
w o m e n l a r g e l y t h e r e s u l t o f b i l l e t i n g , 5 4
M c A l e x a n d e r , C o l o n e l , i m mo r t a l i z e s h i s r e g i -
m e n t o f 3 r d D i v i s i o n a t C h s t e a u - T h i e r r y ,
210,212
McAndrew, Co l . J a m e s , h i s w o r k w i t h t r a i n -
i n g s c h o o l s , 6 1 , 6 6
M e s n i l - S t . Firmin, combat headquarters of
t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n . 1 8 6 f f .
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M a n s e - A r g o n n e , A m e r i c a n o f f e n s i v e , 2 6 4 f t .
Mexican border mobiliz ation, not a threat
against Germany, 3 ; l e s s o n s t a u g h t i n d e -
v e l o p i n g a n A m e r i c a n a r m y , 3 f f .
Mi c h e l e r , Ge n e r a l , c o m m a n d e r o f F r e n c h
a r m y w i t h w h i c h 1 s t Di v i s i o n w a s t e m -
p o r a r i l y c o n n e c t e d , 1 7 9
M i l i t a r y p o l i c e , n e c e s s a r y f o r h o l d i n g m e n
to duty, 267
M i n e n w e r f e r s , u s e b y t h e G e r m a n s , 1 6 0 , 1 6 8
Mon t St . Pare, headquarters of HIM Corps
on the Marne, 225, 231
Monte Verde, General, met fir st in Cuba,
a g a i n as a v i s i t o r t o t h e b a t t l e l i n e , 2 4 8
Montfanoo n, headquarters of the Crown
P r i n c e , c a p t u r e d b y 3 r d D i v i s io n , 2 7 8
M o n t a no , G e r m a n p o s i t io n o v e r l o o k i n g A m e r i -
ca n b a t t l e l i n e , 1 3 3
M o n t z e v i l l e G e n e r a l B u l l a r d ' s h e a d q u a r t e r s
d u r i n g t h e b a t t l e o f M e u s e - A r g o n n e , 2 7 0
M o r a l e , o f t h e , F r e n c h , a t t i m e o f A m e r i c a ' s
e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e w a r , 7 0 ; the autumn of
1 9 1 7 a p e r i o d o f g r e a t d e p r e s s i o n i n F r a n c e ,
78 ff . ; Joffre entreats America to rush
t r o o p s f o r i t s e f f e c t o n t h e F r e n c h , 8 0 ;
d e f e a t o f I t a l i a n s a s e t b a c k t o t h e A l l i e s ,
8 6 - 9 1 ; t h e F r e n c h w i t h o u t o f f e n s i v e s p i r i t ,
98 ; F r e n c h a n d E n g l i s h e n c o u r a g e d b y
American success at Cantigny, 197 ; low
spirits of Allies after the German on-
s l a u g h t a t C h e m i n d e s D a m e s , 2 0 4 ; t h e g r e a t
depression in France after the Italian
d e f e a t a n d R u s s i a n d e f e c t i o n , 2 3 9 f f .
M o r a l i t y o f A m e r i c a n t r o o p s , 3 1 9
Moroccan divisio n, one of the best of the
French fighting divisions, 136 ; at the
b a t t l e o f S o i a s o n s , 2 1 6 , 2 1 8
.Morse Fontaine, village nea r IHrd Corps
H e a d q u a r t e r s , 2 2 4
National Guar d, mobilizat ion on Mexican
b o r d e r , 1 ; g o o d b e h a v io u r o f t he t r o o p s , 3 f f.
N e g r o e s a s s o l d i e r s , t h e f a i l u r e o f t h e 9 2 d
D i v i s i o n , 2 9 1 f f . ; i n t h e l a b o u r b a t t a l i o n s ,
1 5 7 ; t w o Am e r i c a n r e g i m e n t s i n t h e
F r e n c h Se c o n d Ar m y , 2 6 0 ; th e 9 2 n d
Di v i s i o n g a i n s m uc h g r o u n d i n a t t a c k
o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y , 3 0 3
N e v i l , G e n e r a l , w i t h hi s c o r p s r e l i e v e s t h e
I I I r d C o r p s o n t h e V e s l e , 2 5 6
N i n e t y - s e c o n d D i v i s i o n , t h e N e g r o a f a i l u r e
a s a s o l d i e r , 2 9 1 f f . ; g a i n s mu c h g r o u n d i n
t h e a t ta c k o f t h e S e c o n d A r m y , 3 0 3
N i v e l l e , G e n e r a l , s u c c e e d e d b y G e n e r a l P e -
t a i n , 7 1
N o M a n ' a l a n d , p a t r o l l i n g a n d r a i d i n g , 1 4 6 f f.
O f fi c e r s , t h e i r fa i l u r e i n Fr a n c e , 9 7 ; o n l y t h e
INDEX 3 4 5
f i t s u r v i v e d t h e t r a i n i n g , 1 0 9 ; s p e c i a l l y
s e l e c t e d f o r t h e 1 s t D i v i s i o n , 1 6 4 ; p r o v i n g
f a il u r e s u n d e r b a t t l e c o n d i t i o n s, 2 6 6
O f f i c e r s ' t r a i n i n g c a m p s, i d e a o r i g i n a t e d b y
G e n . Leonard Wood, 8,14 ; s y s t e m a d o p t e d
b y W a r D e p a r t m e n t o n o u t b r e a k o f w a r , 1 5
O ' R y a n , G e n e r a l , g o o d d i s c i p l i n e o f h i s N e w
Y o r k t r o o p s o n t h e M e x i c a n b o r d e r , 4 .
P a i n l e v 6 , v i s i ts A m e r i c a n s i n t r a i n i n g , 1 0 5
Paris, threatened by the German onslaught
at Chemin des Dames, 203
Parker, Ge n. Frank, commander of American
d i v i s i o n t h a t e n t e r e d S e d a n a h e a d o f t he
F r e n c h , 1 1 4
P a s s a ga , G e n e r a l , a n a g g r e s s i v e F r e n c h o f f i c e r ,
2 8 9
P a t r o l l i n g a n d r a i d i n g i n N o M a n ' s L a n d , 1 4 6
f f . ; e x p e r i e n c e b e i n g g a in e d , 1 9 3
P e a c e o f f e ns i v e , o f 1 9 1 8 , 1 6 7
P e a c e t e r m s , e a r l y p r o p o s al s , 8 5
P e r s h i n g, G e n e r a l , a t h e a d o f p u n i t i v e e x p e d i -
tion into Mexico, 1 ; departs for Europe
w i t h h i s s t a f f , 2 5 ; a t W e s t P o i n t , 4 1 ; i n
C u b a a n d t h e P h i l i p p i n e s , 4 3 ; i n c h a r g e o f
p u n i ti v e e x p e d i t io n i n t o M e x i c o , 4 6 ; s e n d s
b a t t a l i o n o f A m e r i c a n t r o o p s t o 4 t h o f J u l y
p a r a d e i n P a r i s , 4 7 ; i n d u c e s A m e r i c a n R e d
C r o s s t o a i d i n r e 6 s t a b l i s h i n g m o r a l e o f
French army, 71 ; mistakenly thought a
p a c i f i s t , 9 1 ; c r i t i c i z e d b y t h e F r e n c h f o r
withholding his troops until prepared,
9 4 ; u r g e s o p t i m i s m, 9 ; r e f e r s t o P r e s i d e n t
Wilson as model optimist, 99 ; a d v o c a t e s
open warfare over trench fighting, 101 ;
i n s p e c t s A m e r i c a n t r o o p s i n t r a i n i ng s e c -
t o r , 1 0 5 ; c o n s u l t s w i t h G e n e r a l D e b e n e y ,
c o m m a n d e r o f F r e n c h a r m y t o w h i c h 1 s t
D i v i s i o n i s a t t a c h e d , 1 2 0 ; i n s i s t s o n r e -
taining hold of American troops greatly
d e s i r e d by the French, 140 ; i n s i s t s i n
keeping control of American troops from
the French and English, 166 ; g i v e s o v e r
t o G e n e r a l P t t a i n t e m po r a r y c o n t r o l o f a l l
American troops du ring great German
o f f e n si v e , 1 7 3 ; c o m m e n t o n b a d r e p o r t s o f
t h e 1 s t D i v i s io n , 1 7 5 ; h i s m e s sa g e t o 1 s t
D i v i s i o n o n s e n d i n g t h e m i n to b a t t l e , 1 8 1 ;
compliment s 1st Division on its work on
M e s n i l - S t . F i r mi n s e c to r , 1 9 5 ; a n d c o n f e r s
d e c o r a t i o n s, 1 9 6 ; a t c a p t u r e o f C a n t i g n y ,
1 9 7 ; r e s e n t s p a t r o n i z i n g a tt i t u d e o f E n g l i s h
a n d F r e n c h , 1 9 8 ; i n d u c e s B r i t i sh t o f u r n i s h
transport for large troop movement from
America, 20 4 ; irritated at Gene ral De-
g o u t t e ' s c o u n t e r m a n d o f G e n e r a l B u l l a r d ' s
o r d e r , t h r o u g h w h i c h A m e r i c a n s ar e l o s t a t
F i s m e t t e , 2 3 8 ; h i s he a d q u a r t e r s a t Li g n y -
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