the
Army there was keen disappointment among the students, all of whom were
his strong admirers. Certain of his cadets, who had profited greatly
under his discipline and served under his orders, got together and
decided that they wanted to wear badges of some kind. Gold medals were
suggested, but for obvious reasons were not selected. Then one of the
cadets suggested a plan as novel as it was new, and after a hearty laugh
a delegation went to Lieutenant Pershing to ask for the gift of his
riding trousers.

"Good Lord!" exclaimed the astonished instructor in tactics. "What do
you want of my trousers?"

The students then explained their plan. They were to cut the trousers
into such small bits that both the blue of the cloth and the yellow of
the border would be found in every piece. Of these little strips they
would make badges--one for every cadet.

The lieutenant promptly presented his visitors with his best pair.

One of the little band in relating the incident not long ago said, "We
made the badges, which as far as I know were the first service badges
ever used in the United States. If I could only buy, borrow, beg or
steal one of those badges I'd readily wear it in France by the side of
my ribbon of the Spanish-American war."

With duties that were not arduous Lieutenant Pershing now not only
continued his studies, particularly in strategy, but also found time to
carry out the desire and plan that more or less had been in his thoughts
since his boyhood--he took the course in law as it was given in the
University. From this course he graduated and consequently was entitled
to write another title after his name--that of Bachelor of Laws. He then
was "Professor" Lieutenant John Joseph Pershing, A.B., "Esquire."

However, he was soon to become first lieutenant in the 10th U. S.
Cavalry--a promotion which he received October 20, 1892. Joining his
troop on October 11, 1895, he was again sent into the service with the
10th Cavalry at Fort Assinniboine, Montana, where he remained until
October 16, 1896. In June and July of that year the monotony of life in
the fort was varied by service in the field, where he assisted in
deporting the Cree Indians.

A brief leave of absence followed this work on the frontier, but on
December 17, 1896, he was assigned to duties at the Headquarters of the
Army at Washington. This inside work, however, did not strongly appeal
to the active young lieutenant, and in May of the following