John J. Pershing was born on September 13, 1860, in Laclede, Missouri. He grew up to become a teacher in Laclede's school for blacks. Pershing enrolled in the Missouri State Normal School and won a competition for entrance into the Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1886 as a senior cadet captain and developed a reputation as a leader. After graduation, he asked to be posted to the Sixth Cavalry Regiment, then nearing the end of operations against the Apaches in the Southwest. With the capture of their leaders, the last independent Apaches were brought to the reservations by late 1886.

In late 1890, Pershing and the Sixth Cavalry were called to the Dakotas to help in operations against the Sioux. Arriving after the massacre of the Sioux at Wounded Knee on December 29, the Sixth remained in the Dakotas until mid-1891. From late...