First City Troop Museum Curator
This little book is a gem! A first person account by a US Army soldier who served in the horse cavalry in the Indian Wars in the old West to the trenches of World War I, Jesse Davisson’s memoir is an impressive work of history. Memoirs that span almost forty years of military service especially ones written by common soldiers and that cover so many facets of the life of a soldier in the pre-World War I Army are rare. From the plains and deserts of the frontier where Jesse corralled rustlers, and drank with the Apaches to the hellish jungle combat of the Philippine Insurrection and the intense battles of trench warfare in World War I France, Jesse Davisson saw it all. Told in frank, unvarnished prose, this book will delight and at times horrify the reader with what the author saw and endured in his years in the Regular Army. A must read for students of the Old West, and the American Army, this book will never fail to entertain.
COL Jack Thomas Tomarchio
US Army (Retired)
First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
Camp Eagle Pass, Texas 1895
Writer's Digest Book Awards
In covering a soldier's experience from 1893-1918, this journal includes his service at western forts in the U.S. while often dealing with Native American Indians, in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and finally World War 1. The diary is raw and explicit throughout, particularly in brutal descriptions of torture methods used for obtaining information. One gets a vivid picture of life at western forts, like Fort Apache, with fellow soldiers, working with Indian Scouts, partying with saloon girls, skinning mules, and avoiding snakes and tarantulas. His adventures in the following conflicts involved great danger from bolo-carrying warriors in the Philippine jungle and being gassed in the drawn-out battles on the western front in World War 1 in France. While a member of the American Expeditionary Forces.
His long tours of duty includes being discharged, reenlisting, being court-martialed, being wanted for desertion and serving time in military prison, and then reenlisting again The colorful dialogue is credible. Historical background is provided at the end of key chapters to enable readers to fit his experience into the overall picture of the U.S. Army spanning four historic wars.
J
Troop G 7th Cavalry Fort Apache
Jesse is not in photo 1894-96
Shifty eyes indeed!
third row middle face enhanced
WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHES
Jesse wrote their names at the bottom. What do you see?? L-R: Ta-kil-le, Toad-je-ke, Pa-hil-sette. Loaned to Arizona Historical Society by my family.
Jesse's ALias names
To collect a pension Jesse had to prove his true identity to the War Department.
John R. Day second alias name.
Third alias name was Jack R. Day (Mule Skinner) civilian working for the Army Signal Corps
final discharge papers
IN LINE OF DUTY - Belleau Woods fighting along side of the Marines & French Troops. While operating a French 75mm cannon.