September 16, 2005
The Friday Quiz: Generals and Majors

He began adult life as a local teacher in Missouri, educating African-American children. He supported the role of African-American soldiers in the U.S. Army, but was a ruthless in his suppression of native Americans. Already decorated for actions at Macajambo and elsewhere, he was promoted to General by an Act of Congress, skipping three ranks and infuriating the Army establishment. He was known in Army circles by a racist nickname after he served as commander of the African-American 10th Cavalry. This nickname was later "softened" by the press when he became famous.

In a song published by Leo Feist ("You Can't Go Wrong with a Feist Song"), and written by Howard Johnson and George W. Meyer, a major accomplishment of his was celebrated in advance:
Looking backward through the ages
We can read on histr'ys pages
Deeds that famous men have done
We are told of great commanders
Wellingtons and Alexanders
And the battles they have won

Take our great Revolution
That began our evolution
Washington then won his fame
Today across the sea
They are making history
The Yankee spirit still remains the same

Just like Washington Crossed the Delaware
So will {BLANK}
As they followed after George
At dear old Valley Forge
Our boys will break that line
It's for your land and my land
And the sake of Auld Lang Syne
Just like Washington Crossed the Delaware
So will {BLANK}
Who is the hero commemorated in this song? Bonus: What was the deed that he was presumptively being praised for? Double bonus question: one of his most important subordinates in this effort went on to become more lastingly famous than he did. Who is he?

First correct answer posted to comments wins a genuine hop-toad. No Googling or calling in to Danny Stiles. One guess per comment, please, but comment as often as you like.
Posted by BT at September 16, 2005 10:11 AM
Comments

So it's done already. Is it Pershing?

"BlackJack" Pershing?

Posted by: boxjam on September 16, 2005 11:24 AM

I'm going to take the last part first and guess Teddy Roosevelt.

I'm guessing the main answer rhymes with Delaware, so maybe: Smellaware.

Posted by: james on September 16, 2005 11:27 AM

It's true -- actually, Boxjam, Gavin emailed me before the comments were back live, and got in his answer of "Black Jack" Pershing. I was surprised it was over so fast.

Bonuses, however, remain unsolved.

Posted by: BT on September 16, 2005 11:34 AM

Sorry for the interruption, but I learnt just now that Count Gore De Vol is about to hold a live discussion on the Post's site. Talk about breaking news...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/09/12/DI2005091200917.html

Posted by: James on September 16, 2005 12:00 PM

From the Count Gore De Vol chat James links to:

Washington, D.C.: Have you ever met Gore Vidal, and if so, what did you talk about?

Count Gore De Vol: No, I never met the man, but I understand he was not thrilled with the name similarity.

Posted by: BT on September 16, 2005 12:35 PM

I'm all out of sorts and having a hard time figuring the timeline.

Is the deed breaking the Maginot line?

Subordinate being Eisenhower.

Posted by: James on September 16, 2005 03:19 PM

no, but it does fit similarly into the rhyme scheme of the verse.

And the subordinate spent his career specializing in one of Pershing's innovations. It wasn't Eisenhower.

Posted by: BT on September 16, 2005 03:46 PM

Was it Patton in the tank?

Posted by: James on September 16, 2005 03:55 PM

Did BlackJack cross the Rhine?

Was Hemingway with him?

Posted by: boxjam on September 16, 2005 04:59 PM

Our missing line was indeed "So will Pershing cross the Rhine" -- i.e., push into Germany.

But James grabs the secondary bonus -- Pershing made the tank part of his offensive strategy, and Patton was one of his "armored cavalry" officers.

Sorry about the comment problem marring this week's outing. Clearly it's been going on for at least a week -- Art was having problems posting earlier, but I didn't realize that comments were universally blocked. I'll try to fix this, but bear with me as there may be some momentary outages while I tinker.

Posted by: BT on September 16, 2005 08:26 PM