uch I am touched by
the cordial telegram you sent me. I shall not fail
to make it known to the troops in question. All
the officers and men of the troops who had the
privilege of participating in the Fourth of July
ceremony in Paris will retain unforgettable
recollections of the enthusiastic reception
accorded to them. Proud of the confidence France
places in them they are heartened more than ever
to do their duty until common victory comes."

One day in France he saw two American soldiers at work on a woodpile.
One glance was sufficient to show him that the two men were working out
a form of punishment for some misdeed. As we know General Pershing is a
believer in strict and if necessary stern discipline. Soon after coming
to France he had ordered one American soldier to be hanged for a
nameless crime and several others to be disciplined severely for
drunkenness. Believing in the best and hoping and expecting the good in
every one of his men to manifest itself, nevertheless he is severe when
severity is demanded. And he was at once interested when he first saw
the two American boys at the woodpile, manifestly serving a sentence of
some kind.

Stopping his automobile, General Pershing sent his orderly to find out
what the offense was for which the two soldiers were serving their
sentence. Upon the orderly's return he reported that the two men had
taken "French leave" of their company several days before this time.
They were jealous because certain of their fellows "had been sent up
ahead to fight" while they had been left behind. And they were eager to
fight. They had enlisted and come to France for that express purpose.
And now to be left behind! The thought was more than the two Yankee boys
could endure. Fight they could and fight they would--with or without
specific orders from their officers. And fight they did, for without any
ceremony they departed for the front one night and kept on going until
they found it. According to their own story they "found war and mixed
in." And also they were found out and sentenced to serve five days at
the woodpile as a penalty for their disobedience and over-hasty zeal. It
is said General Pershing hastily departed from the spot and that he
laughed heartily at the story of Americans who were punished not because
they were not willing to fight, but were so eager that they did not wait
for such