Such was General Pershing when he set foot on foreign shore at the head
of an American army--the first time in history that our soldiers had
ever served on European soil. America was at last repaying to France
her debt of gratitude, for aid received nearly a century and a half
earlier. And it was an Alsatian by descent who could now say:
"Lafayette, we come!"
Who was this man who had been selected for so important a task? The
eyes of the whole world were upon him, when he reached France. His was
a task of tremendous difficulties, and a single slip on his part would
have brought shame upon his country, no less than upon himself. That
he was to succeed, and to win the official thanks of Congress are now
matters of history. The story of his wonderful campaign against the
best that Germany could send against him is also an oft-told story.
But the rise of the man himself to such commanding position is a tale
not so familiar, yet none the less interesting.
The great-grandfather of General Pershing was an emigrant from
Alsace--fleeing as a boy from the military service of the Teutons. He
worked his way across to Baltimore, and not long thereafter volunteered
to fight in the American Revolution. His was the spirit of freedom.
He fled to escape a service that was hateful, because it represented
tyranny; but was glad to serve in the cause of liberty.
Pages:
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228