al Review, Reports of the War Department and other publications,
selections and citations have been made and from the facts contained in
dispatches from France, particularly the very excellent reports in the
New York _Times_ and New York _Sun_, the writer has obtained valuable
information. The direct aid of United States Senator Frelinghuysen in
obtaining data from the War Department and the suggestion of United
States Senator Warren have been most helpful. Replies to questions sent
to friends and relatives of the General have assisted in verifying
certain facts and figures. Many who personally knew the great commander
in his younger days have very kindly given the writer such help as lay
within their power. He gladly recognizes his indebtedness, especially to
the following persons: Mr. Charles Spurgeon, Brookfield, Mo.; Judge O.
F. Libby, Bigger, Mo.; H. C. Lomax, Esq., Laclede, Mo.; S. E. Carothers,
Waco, Tex.; Mr. Robert S. Huse, Elizabeth, N. J., whose father was the
"splendid old Caleb" of the Highland Military Academy; Hon. E. W.
Stephens, Columbia, Mo.; Mrs. Louisa D. Warren, Meadville, Mo., and Mr.
Wesley L. Love, Brookfield, Mo. Major James E. Runcie, Librarian of the
United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., and General P. C.
Harris, acting the Adjutant General, have both been exceedingly kind in
providing and verifying certain items of information which otherwise it
would have been difficult if not impossible to obtain. The writer wishes
to thank all these good people who have helped to make even the
gathering of data an inspiration. Articles appearing in many current
magazines and newspapers have provided interesting items, but the writer
has quoted from them only after verification of certain details.

PREFACE

THE purpose of the writer of this little book is merely to tell the
story in outline of the career of the commander of the American
Expeditionary Forces in France. The modesty of General Pershing has kept
his name out of print to a greater extent than in the case of many of
our prominent men. His advancement also came rapidly in these recent
years. As a result of these two conditions many of the fellow countrymen
of the General are not familiar with the story of his early life or his
successful work in the Philippines. This they not only have a right to
know, but they ought to know.

The writer has endeavored to tell the story briefly as it has been told
him, or as it has been kept