Lieutenant General Robert Lee Bullard, Class of 1885, was born in Youngsboro, Alabama on January 15, 1861, one of the eleven children of Daniel Bullard, a planter of English Scotch origin and Susan (Mizell) Bullard, who was of French Huguenot extraction. Both parents were among the pioneers of the state and had endured the vicissitudes which beset the early settlers.

At the time of Bullard’s birth, Abraham Lincoln was president elect but had not yet taken the oath of office. The nation was on the verge of civil war. John Brown had recently been executed for inciting insurrection at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. The distinguished soldier for whom Bullard was named was still a colonel of cavalry in the United States Army but soon to resign his commission in order to cast his lot with his native state, Virginia.

At nineteen, young Bullard attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Auburn, Alabama and later taught school near his home. He was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York on July 1, 1881, having won a congressional appointment through competitive examination. This future outstanding battle leader of the Class of ’85 graduated on June 13, 1885, standing 27 in a class of 39. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army and assigned to duty in the southwest, where he served with distinction in the Geronimo Campaign (1885). He continued on duty in the west and on the southwest frontier until 1896. He was promoted to the grade of First Lieutenant in the permanent establishment on April 2, 1892. He became a Captain, Commissary Subsistence on June 22, 1898, a Major Commissary Subsistence on April 1, 1901 and transferred back to the Infantry on June 28, 1902.

During the Spanish American War, he served as Colonel of the Third Alabama Infantry from August 6, 1898. Originally, a Major of Alabama Volunteers, he was appointed to the grade of Colonel in recognition of the excellent service he rendered as exemplified by the fine discipline and excellent conduct of his command.

On August 17, 1899, he became Colonel of the Thirty-ninth Infantry and commanded this regiment of United States Volunteers with great distinction until 1901 during its nine engagements in the Southern Luzon Campaign of the Philippine Insurrection. For this service, he was highly commended by the Commanding Generals (Otis, Bates, Schwan, MacArthur and others) under whom he served.

In 1902, Major Bullard (his then permanent rank) was transferred to the 28th Infantry. During 1902 and 1903, he supervised the construction of the military road from Iligan to Lake Lanao in Mindanao. The following year, the troops under his command opened the hostile Moro country in Central Mindanao, fighting seventeen separate engagements. As civil governor, he established the first government among the Moroa, for which he was officially commended five times by his military superiors, among whom were Generals Leonard Wood and G. W. Davis.

Bullard became a Lieutenant Colonel in the permanent establishment on October 31, 1906 and participated in the Cuban occupation as political aide to the Provisional Governor from 1906 and 1908, and as Secretary of Public Instruction and Fine Arts from 1908 to 1909. In 1911, Colonel Bullard, who had been promoted to that grade on March 11, 1911, was assigned to confidential duty in Mexico and later attended special tactical instruction at the School of the Line, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1912 he graduated from the Army War College, Washington, D. C.

Colonel Bullard was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General in the permanent establishment on June 16, 1917, slightly more than two months after the declaration of war against Germany. He was appointed to the temporary rank of Major General on August 5, 1917 and to the permanent rank of Major General on October 12, 1918. Four days later he was advanced to Lieutenant General.

From 1912 until June 1917, when General Bullard sailed for France in command of the Second Brigade of the First Division, he commanded successively the moblized Fourth Brigade of the Second Division (1913-1915); a regiment, district and National Guard brigade during the Mexican Border mobilization (1915-1916); and the Reserve Officers Training Camp, Camp Pike, Arkansas in May 1917.

Brigadier General Bullard had served as a commissioned officer for thirty-two years at the time he embarked for France as a brigade commander. The bulk of this service had been in command of infantry troops. He had participated in numerous engagements in the Apache fighting, the Philippine Insurrection and the Moro Campaigns. His ability to lead in combat, to train fighting units, to maintain discipline and to administer wisely was widely recognized. His outstanding contribution to the winning of World War I was but a fitting culmination to these long years of military apprenticeship he had served with the line of the Army. His record indicated clearly his flair for skillful battle leadership.

During the early training phase of the American Expeditionary Forces in France (August to December 1917) Bullard's wide experience and recognized talent were utilized to establish and command various Infantry Officers Schools. From December 4, 1917 to July 8, 1918, he commanded the First Division while in training, at maneuvers, and in combat.

The First Division relieved a French division in the sector north of Toul in the middle of January 1918. In April it took over an exceedingly active portion of the line west of Mondldler. It captured Cantigny on May 28th in a brilliant operation and held that place in the face of violent and sustained counter-attacks. Its creditable showing, both in offensive and defensive action, fully demonstrated the superb training and fighting qualities of the American soldier and greatly heartened our allies in their quest for final victory.

The day before the First Division captured Cantigny, the Germans launched the Aisne Offensive. Like a tidal wave, it overran an area of about a thousand square miles in little more than a week. In June, the First Division was in reserve north of Paris from which position it moved to help spearhead the Soissons attack which was launched on July 18.

Concurrently, General Headquarters was advancing its plans for the building of corps. On July 8th, Major General Bullard was appointed commander of the III Corps, which was to be formed by uniting the 1st and 2d Divisions in the region northeast of Paris with a view to placing this command for the present at the disposition of the French. Major General Charles P. Summerall succeeded to the command of the First Division. General Bullard proceeded with his staff to Meaux where he established his headquarters and on July 14th assumed command of the III Corps. This corps was at first attached to the French Sixth Army but was immediately shifted to the Tenth Army then preparing for the counter offensive against the western face of the Marne Salient.

Though the First and Second Divisions constituted the III Corps, these two organizations were under the tactical command of the French XX Corps for the attack at Soissons. It was considered impracticable in the short time available before the attack, for a corps staff, inexperienced in battle, to become familiar with the terrain and the situation and operate tactically in the handling of so large a unit.

General Bullard continued in command of the III Corps until October 11, 1918, on which date he was assigned to command the Second Army.

The III Corps under the command of General Bullard together with the I Corps formed the nucleus of the First American Army. These two corps took over the entire front of the French Sixth Army and by August 10th when the attack stabilized were disposed along the Vesle River from Bozoches to Courlandon on a front of eight miles.

When the I Corps moved to the St. Mihiel front, the III Corps remained on the Vesle front with three divisions assigned to it. While preparations for the St. Mihiel operation scheduled for September 12th were being made, it was decided to launch the Meuse-Argonne offensive only two weeks later. The assembly of divisions not engaged in the St. Mihiel operations was begun immediately. On the night of September 25-26, the First Army stood on its new front prepared to attack the following day.

Bullard’s III Corps was on the right. It was directed to hold the west bank of the Meuse as the movement progressed and to protect the right flank of the army. On the right of the III Corps, the 33rd Division captured Bois de Forges and wheeled toward the east along the bluffs of the Meuse. The 80th Division in the center advanced beyond Dannevoux while the 4th Division on the left pushed forward vigorously and at nightfall found its left beyond Montfaucon and about three miles in front of the division on its left flank.

In the attack of October 4th, Bullard’s Corps was to assault the Cunel Heights and the Southern Heights of Romagne. Important gains were made southeast of Cunel. The incessant attacks of the III and V Corps drove the Germans back all along the Army front and by October 11th the III Corps had broken through the Kriem-hilde-Stellung line and gained a foothold in the Bois de Foret. At that time, General Bullard was relieved from command of the III Corps and assigned to command the Second American Army, which was created on October 12th to take over that portion of the American front extending from Port-sur-Seille, east of the Moselle to Fre-mesen-Woevre, southeast of Verdun.

General Bullard commanded the Second American Army until April 15, 1919, at which time it was demobilized. At the time of the Armistice (November 11, 1918) this army was deployed and preparing to attack toward Metz and the Brier iron basin. German resistance collapsed before this attack could be launched. After the Second Army was demobilized, General Bullard visited and inspected army units in France and in England.

He returned to the United States on May 24, 1919 and was assigned to duty in Washington as President of the Infantry Classification Board. On November 1, 1919, he was assigned to the command of then Eastern Department and remained at Governors Island in command until retired from active duty for age on January 15, 1925.

General Bullard’s decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Commandeur Legion d’Hon-neur, Croix de Guerre with two palms, Belgian Order of Leopold, Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus. Among his campaign badges are those for Indian Wars, Philippine Insurrection, Cuban Pacification, Mexican Border, Mexico and World War I.

Such are the military annals of this great soldier. He died at the Governors Island Hospital on September 11, 1947.

Secretary of War Royall wrote to Mrs. Bullard, “The death of General Bullard saddened me, as I know it does his many friends throughout the nation. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. His military career, highlighted in World War I by the capture of Cantigny and participation in the Aisne-Marne and Oise-Aisne operations by troops that he led so brilliantly, has won him a place in the hearts and in the history of his country. General Bullard spent a full and fruitful life in the devoted service of his country and his faith in American ideals was an inspiration to his fellow countrymen”

No account of his distinguished career would be worthy of the name without full reference to the sterling qualities which distinguished Robert Lee Bullard, the man and the citizen. Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum, U.S. Army, Retired, Chief of Staff of the First Army in World War I and a life long friend writes:—“General Bullard had been known to me personally for over sixty years; in fact, all of my life from boyhood on had been intimately associated with his life. In early boyhood at Fort Union, New Mexico and ever since, Bullard typified to me, as well as to many others, the highest type of true Americanism, not only as a citizen but as a soldier also.

“America and its fundamental philosophy of life were dear to him and deeply implanted in his heart, spirit and the ‘marrow of his bones'. He had lived all over America, knew all of our different characteristics and our different sectional characteristics and understood how to utilize them to the best advantage. He was a sterling man and a soldier with a strong, unwavering will to succeed. He created and endeavored to grasp every opportunity for success. Such characteristics, combined with a very fertile imagination and broad vision opened the way for his progressive spirit and nature.

“He loved people and they loved him. He captivated his associates by his personal characteristics as well as by his good fellowship and facility to teach and amuse by his good, timely and humorous stories. In all these years his friendship never wavered; it was lasting and bountiful.

“From a soldier’s viewpoint, his outstanding characteristic was a constant drive to get into ‘the thick of things’— always to go ‘to the sound of the guns’ and get into the fight, no matter where the fight was taking place. Every soldier instinct in him prompted his rushing to the scene of the soldier activity and he always got there. These life principles, plus his personal traits, carried him forward from a cadet at the Military Academy to a Lieutenant General commanding an army under Pershing in France. In France, in the first World War, he rose from a Brigadier General to commanding an Army, serving as a Division Commander, Corps Commander and an Army Commander all through battle.

“Those associated with him absorbed some of his aggressive spirit and drive and thus many have succeeded through his influence which was wide and deep in our civil life as well as in the Army”.

Subsequent to his retirement from active duty, General Bullard resided in New York City. His time and efforts were devoted to patriotic activities and to the advancement of sound military policy. He was president of the National Security League and carried on the development of the League’s program most effectively for many years. He was Honorary President of the Society of the First Division, to the superb fighting spirit of which he had contributed so freely. He was in constant demand as a speaker on public occasions and as a writer on military subjects.

He became a frequent contributor to magazines and military publications and was the author of “Personalities and Reminiscences of the War” and “The American Soldier Also Fought”. Universities and colleges conferred honorary degrees on him. He served with distinction as military adviser to the Castle Heights Military Academy located at Lebanon, Tennessee.

His friends were legion. It was an honored custom for many, of them to assemble each year at dinner on the occasion of his birthday. These gatherings he loved and there he was at his best. His common sense and simplicity, the stories he told so well, his keen sense of humor, and the warmth of his friendship endeared him to all who were privileged to know him and will be long remembered and cherished.

He is survived by his widow, Ella Wall Bullard.

Of him, General C. P. Summerall wrote from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina:

“The death of Lieutenant General Robert Lee Bullard has brought the deepest sorrow to every officer and soldier who served under him in the First Division in World War I as well as to many others who were with him during the campaigns of the Philippine Insurrection. As a leader, he was not excelled in the army of his day. His loyalty to his troops was equalled only by their loyalty and devotion to him. His pleasing personality attracted all who came in contact with him. He was frank, sincere and unassuming. His high courage and military skill inspired rare confidence in his subordinates and in his superiors. In his many battles and engagements, his troops were invariably successful, due in the largest measure to his careful planning and thorough knowledge of the art of war.

“In World War I, he took command of the First Division during its last training period and moved it into its first sector at Menil laTour. He at once impressed his high character and force of will upon the entire personnel and gave to the division that ‘high morale and special pride of service never broken by hardship nor battle’. While he exacted the last measure of service and sacrifice, he assumed full responsibility for the results of every operation and never sought to make a scape-goat of his subordinates. Everyone knew that he would be sustained by the division commander as long as he acted in good faith to the limit of his ability. Thus, he may be called the father of the Immortal First Division.

"The French came to regard him with the same admiration as was felt by the American army. It was logical that he should have been selected to command the Second Army when it was organized. He carried to this expanded field the same indomitable will and experienced ability that he had revealed in all of his other commands. The brilliant performance of this army in its short existence was only an evidence of what it would have accomplished had the war not ended.

“His exercise of command after the war and his participation in important civic undertakings after his retirement showed the same devoted zeal that had marked his active career.

“As a soldier, he was an ornament to the profession of arms and as a citizen he was the noblest example of patriotism and service. The Society of the First Division has lost one of its most devoted members and it mourns with his loved ones”

General Bullard is buried at West Point in the shadow of the Academy he loved so well and close to the Corps of Cadets he did full share to honor.

—J. P.

Robert L Bullard