The account about the burying of Moro rebels bodies with pig carcasses is true and began in the Philippines BEFORE Gen Pershing was in command, but apparently continued to be done after he took command. I read the two pages, 312 & 313 if I remember correctly, in Pershing’s auto-biography today and also footnote #12 for that chapter, in which Dr. Greenwood told about reports of using carcasses.
The story about “bullets dipped in_____” hasn’t been substantiated as fact and continues to live, because, in my opinion, it is too good of a story. And it may have derived from the use of British bullets coated in either lard or beef tallow that was one of the causes of the Sepoy Rebellion in India.
I recommend for reading this article by Daniel Greenfiled about General Pershing’s pre-WWI autobiography that was edited by Dr. Greenwood.
I have known Dr. Greenwood for two decades and will vouch for his professionalism and accuracy as a historian.
Thanks for letting me know about this. It is more confirmation.
The story about “bullets dipped in_____” hasn’t been substantiated as fact and continues to live, because, in my opinion, it is too good of a story. And it may have derived from the use of British bullets coated in either lard or beef tallow that was one of the causes of the Sepoy Rebellion in India.
That was what I was thinking. I've read about the British using this technique and I thought perhaps this is where the story about Pershing doing something similar, was derived.