Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops

In Short

This novel follows a group of American infantry officers as they transition from stateside training at Camp Berry to the brutal reality of the Great War in France. As part of the “Ninety-ninth” regiment, the protagonists must master the technical demands of modern trench warfare, root out internal saboteurs, and eventually cross into No Man’s Land to face the German army. Written during the conflict, the narrative serves as both a rousing adventure and a patriotic primer on the necessity of American intervention in the name of justice.

The Story

The journey begins at Camp Berry, where the men of the Ninety-ninth infantry prepare for deployment. The narrative centers on Dick Prescott, a capable and disciplined captain, and his close friend, Greg Holmes. From the outset, the officers are tasked with molding raw recruits into a cohesive fighting force. The camp environment is fraught with tension; not only must the men endure rigorous physical conditioning, but they must also confront the "bad blood" of insubordinate soldiers and the threat of German spies embedded within the civilian support staff. Dick’s leadership is defined by his ability to balance strict military discipline with a sharp, intuitive mind, often catching those who attempt to shirk their duties or actively undermine the war effort.

Once the regiment receives the order to sail for France, the tone shifts from domestic preparation to the high-stakes danger of the Atlantic crossing. The troopship, part of a larger convoy, navigates the treacherous waters prowled by German "sea wolves." The men practice emergency drills, anticipating a U-boat attack at any moment. When a destroyer finally engages a submarine near their ship, the soldiers are forced to remain below deck, turning the experience into a test of patience and composure.

Upon arriving in France, the reality of the conflict descends quickly. After a brief transit through the chaotic, supply-heavy infrastructure behind the lines, Dick and his cohort enter the trenches. The environment is a crucible of mud, bombardment, and constant vigilance. Through his sharp observation, Dick identifies a traitorous soldier who is signaling enemy artillery positions using a hidden electric light. His success in neutralizing this threat leads him into deeper, more dangerous intelligence work.

During an unauthorized, solo reconnaissance mission into the enemy lines, Dick discovers a high-ranking German officer conspiring with a French double agent. He is eventually captured and held prisoner. Despite the harsh conditions of a German prisoner-of-war train, Dick remains resolute, eventually engineering his own escape with the help of a loyal French peasant. His flight to safety is not a quiet retreat; he eventually reunites with his comrades just as he secures vital information. The story concludes with a triumphant return to the American lines, where Dick and his friend Tom Reade are personally recognized by General Pershing. Their success confirms the resolve of the American forces and sets the stage for their continued involvement in the war.

How It Unfolds

The training ground Officers at Camp Berry undergo an intense period of physical and moral preparation, where the weak are weeded out and the standard for "American arms" is set. Dick Prescott distinguishes himself not only by his tactical skill but by his ability to maintain order among his peers.

The Atlantic crossing The regiment faces the psychological weight of the voyage, marked by persistent drills and the constant, unseen threat of torpedoes. The men learn to trust their superiors and their own training while the ship moves through shadowed, dangerous waters.

Entering the furnace The arrival in France brings an immediate shift from potentiality to reality as the officers tour the front. Dick begins to understand that modern war is a game of technical precision, where a single light signal or a misstep can result in devastation.

Behind enemy lines Dick’s decision to operate on his own leads him into the heart of the German defense. His capture provides an intimate, harrowing look at the life of a prisoner, while his escape highlights the vital importance of local support from the French citizenry.

The commander’s recognition The narrative arc closes with a return to the fold, proving that the individual contribution of a single soldier can resonate up to the highest levels of command. The reunion with General Pershing symbolizes the culmination of the regiment's mission and the beginning of the broader American offensive.

The People

Dick Prescott is the moral and tactical compass of the story. He is defined by his "keen, fiery eyes" and an unwavering dedication to duty. Unlike those who view the war through a lens of personal convenience, he views it as a necessary struggle for the world's freedom. He begins as a regiment leader and ends as a recognized hero, having evolved from a camp trainer into a seasoned intelligence operative.

Greg Holmes serves as Dick’s loyal comrade and a sharp-witted foil to the incompetence or vanity of others. He is quick to address insubordination, such as his handling of the soldier Mock, who attempts to fake foot injuries to avoid marching. Greg’s development is tied to his deepening bond with Dick and his maturation under the strain of trench life.

Captain Cartwright acts as the primary antagonist among the officers. He is characterized by his lateness, his irritability, and his inability to grasp the gravity of the military mission. He represents the "dead weight" that must be managed by the more competent officers, providing a constant source of friction within the regiment’s leadership.

Papa Prim is a humble French peasant who aids Dick during his escape. Though he possesses little, his fierce hatred of the German occupiers and his sincere loyalty to the American cause make him a pivotal figure. His interaction with Dick underscores the human, civilian cost of the war and the gratitude felt by those living under the German shadow.

In Its Own Voice

"Any officer present, of any grade, who does not feel equal to the requirements I have laid down will do well to seek a transfer to some other regiment or branch of the service, or to send in his resignation as a military officer."

The colonel sets the uncompromising tone for the regiment during the initial training sessions at Camp Berry.

"Are you men, or are you dish-rags? Are your consciences so important that you would put the world in cruel bondage rather than violate your own little personal ideas of what is moral?"

Dick confronts the "conscientious objectors" within his ranks, arguing that the urgency of the war outweighs individual moral sensitivities.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book is an argument for the necessity of "professional" warfare. It posits that a volunteer army can only succeed if it discards individualistic, "lady-like" sensibilities in favor of a cold, focused commitment to duty. The story explores the tension between personal conscience and the collective survival of free nations, ultimately arguing that the "moral slacker"—the person who refuses to fight due to abstract, personal principles—is an obstacle to justice. It frames the war not as a matter of choice, but as a mandatory response to an encroaching, "beastly" tyranny.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the brisk, no-nonsense pacing of historical military fiction will find this a compelling look at the American perspective on the Great War. The book is written with an urgent, period-specific fervor that captures the mindset of 1917, making it an excellent primary-source-adjacent experience for those interested in the "doughboy" era.

The prose is precise and utilitarian, mirroring the military discipline the characters themselves struggle to master. However, the reader should be prepared for the attitudes of the time; the narrative treats the German enemy with a uniform, dehumanizing intensity that was common in the propaganda of the era, and the dialogue can be quite formal and highly didactic. While the plot moves quickly, the occasional focus on "slacker" debates and the moral scolding of soldiers may feel repetitive to modern sensibilities. Nevertheless, for those interested in the transition from a peacetime nation to a global military power, the book offers a distinct, vivid window into the pride and pressure of the American Expeditionary Force. The sense of adventure, particularly during the escape sequence, remains effective, and the book’s clear, resolute tone provides a satisfying, if idealized, look at the "Regulars" who saw the war as a test of their national character.