John Joseph Pershing was born in Laclede, Missouri, on September 13, 1860. As a young child, he was exposed to the horrors of the Civil War. His home town of Laclede was raided by a band of Confederate Soldiers. Growing up, he never aspired to have a career in the military. He instead dreamed of one day studying law and becoming a lawyer. However, after his father experienced economic troubles in an economic depression during 1873, Pershing submitted an application to West Point Military Academy in hopes of a free education that could lead to law school later in life. Even upon accepting admittance to West Point, he did not intend to make a career out of the military, but once at the Military Academy, he quickly assimilated into the military lifestyle. He became his class president and he was the senior captain in charge of Cadets, which was the highest position attainable. He was known as a strict disciplinarian and leader among his peers (2).
Pershing graduated from West Point in 1886 and was assigned to the Sixth Calvary. In his first assignment, he was stationed in New Mexico and Arizona, leading troops in routine patrols to protect against the Apaches who had been led by Geronimo. Soon after, he was tasked with leading a campaign to eliminate threats from Lakota tribes in the Dakota Territory. An infamous conflict between the Lakota and the United States military occurred during Pershing’s time being stationed in the Dakota Territory at a site called Wounded Knee. A confrontation led to gunfire which resulted in between 200 and 300 Sioux men, women, and children being killed. Although Pershing did not lead the attack, he assisted in establishing the perimeter that kept the Lakota from fleeing. This unfortuna...
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He enjoyed traveling with his family and with their support, had high expectations for his success. While on an assignment in Texas, Pershing received news that his wife and three daughters had died in a fire. The only survivor of the family was Warren, his six-year-old son. Letters he wrote to close friends and family depict a devastated, mournful General. "His friends would later say that … Warren's survival was all that kept Pershing from going mad with grief" (p.10). Pershing only opened up to people he fully trusted, it was not publicly known the deep depression he went through after the tragedy. He left his sister to care for his son and decided to fixate on his work. He was later selected to lead a small expedition into Mexico to capture the Mexican Revolutionary General, "Pancho" Villa. "Pancho" was wanted after his lead role in an attack on New Mexico. Although, the hunt for "Pancho" was not successful, it did show promise and persistence from Pershing as a
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The Mexican-American War was the first U.S. Artillery Stonewall Jackson joined as a second lieutenant. Jackson proved his bravery and ability to recover quickly on the field while serving under General Winfield Scott. Stonewall also served in the Siege of Veracruz, and the Battles of Contreas, Chapultepec and Mexico City. He was promoted to the rank of brevet major and was considered a war hero in 1846
After graduating, he served in the Blackhawk War. He was assigned to be the post of second-lieutenant of the first infantry. He fought and led the men from 1828-1833. In the Blackhawk war of 1831, they captured Chief Blackhawk and won him over with kindness toward him. In March 1833, he was promoted to be the first lieutenant and continued serving on the battlefield, fighting against Indian tribes. He was under the leadership of Commanding Officer Zachary Taylor, the future president of the United States of America.
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