I have found it difficult to find anything beyond military information on the inventor Guy H. Preston. His legacy however, was impactful on the military and outdoor enthusiasts of the early 20th century. During his service on the frontier he filled an officer’s role with the 9th U.S. Cavalry and participated in the action at the infamous battle of Wounded Knee. He later received a commendation for his participation. He is cited as the youngest officer serving at the battle of Wounded Knee and performing valiantly in his duties.

1864-1952

West Point Class of 1888

Twenty-six-year-old Lieutenant Guy Henry Preston was the youngest officer at Wounded Knee. He was assigned to the 9th Cavalry and was serving as a platoon leader in A Troop, U.S. Indian Scouts. He was commended by the Commanding General of the Army in General Order No. 100 in 1891 for “courage and endurance” at Wounded Knee. He rose to the the rank of Brigadier General retiring in 1928. When Preston died in 1952 at the age of eighty-eight he was the last surviving officer from the Battle of Wounded Knee. (Geni.com)

“December 29, 1890. 2d Lieutenant Guy H. Preston, 9th Cavalry: For courage and endurance in carrying, with remarkable speed, an important dispatch during the action against hostile Sioux Indians, at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, from the battle-field to the Pine Ridge Indian Agency, over a road exposed to the enemy.” (armyatwoundedknee.com)

He served in the quartermaster’s role briefly and his cavalry company transferred to Wyoming and Montana for a stint according to national military return records. Later he was busted down to 2nd Lieutenant and stayed in that rank until his war time service at Washington DC in 1898 as an adjutant with the 9th US Cavalry. In 1901 during his service in San Fernando Philippines he was increased in rank to captain.

According to West Point’s official alumni records, the following have been found in reflection of Preston’s military service:

As a provisional 2d Lieutenant fresh from the first Plattsburg training camp in the early summer of 1917, the writer joined the 19th United States Cavalry on the plains of Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. The regiment, an offshoot of a three-way split of the old 2d Cavalry, was in tents. One reported to the adjutant in the studied Moss Manual procedure of the times and then sought his bearings. Other provisional had joined and were joining. There were some real old timers in the field ranks but one dared not approach them. From all the newcomers one heard that there was just one bearing to take and that was on the Colonel—Guy Henry Preston of the United States Cavalry. “Have you seen the Colonel yet?” “Have you seen his corn cob pipe?” “Did you hear what he said to Albro?” etc. etc. Epigrammatical and pungent he was always the most quoted and the most referred to man on the three-regimental post. From the minute we had our assignment, “the Colonel” was to us a prodigious figure, very real yet at the same time almost legendary. Each day on the bulletin board in the adjutant’s tent were brief but startlingly pithy admonitions to his officers, written in his own hand and style, signed merely—”P., Col.”

We gained infrequent glimpses of him under the fly of his tent for he was not one of those peripatetic officers who spend most of their time looking over the picket line or inspecting the contents of the garbage pails. He didn’t need to. These glimpses enhanced our awe—they were of a grizzled lean, rawboned, piercing figure, forever pacing up and down and always deep in thought. Only Frederick Remington could have done him justice and one of the then current stories of him was that Remington had once painted him into one of his western pictures. Strong in his stance and mien, he conveyed to us in a strangely powerful form all the flavor, all the tradition, all the character, of the “Old Army” mixed with an almost rebelliously modern turn of mind. And this influence never faded.

The provisional officers were soon left to their own resources for the old Regulars drifted away to other assignments leaving only Major Edgar Whiting—another beloved character, half horse, half man—and The Colonel. Now he is dead, and again Assembly marks the passing of a real link with the past. But this man was more than a link. He was a force in himself—a spark, a mind, a symbol—one of the two or three most impressive figures the writer has ever met, in or out of the Army, in or out of the country. Not long ago there appeared in this magazine a colorful record of the life of Brigadier General Frederick S. Foltz—”Freddy,” as Preston called him. Preston was of that ilk and era. There have been other accounts which, as Foltz’s and Preston’s, point up the unbelievable shortness of the span of our nation’s history—from Wounded Knee to Korea. But there will not be many more.

Preston came from New England. When he left the Academy his first duty was at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, and later he commanded a detachment of Indian scouts in South Dakota. Cited for gallantry at Wounded Knee against the Sioux, he also participated in the fight with the hostiles near Drexel Mission. The “Cowboy War,” the Klondike, Puerto Rico—all added to his alert mind and spirit the vividness of rich experience of men and events that made him the entertaining and provocative character that he was. Tolerance and detestation of sham and laziness were equally prominent in his nature. Cheerful, forthright, and imaginative, eager, unconventional and inventive, he was both bold and shy. Possibly his personality was so impressive because he was such a creature of contrasts. He was an honest man but he never preached his virtues. “I always tell the truth”; he once said, “after a long period of experimentation I find I can remember it longer.”

After other varied assignments such as the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska, Myer and Riley—even a tour in Washington as an aide to Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles—Preston came to Ethan Allen and to the 2d Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Joseph T. Dickman, who was shortly to move abroad to high command. Thence from command of the 77th Field Artillery (the former 19th Cavalry) to the 160th Field Artillery Brigade at Camp Custer, Preston set sail for France with as much enthusiasm and eagerness as any of his lieutenants. Arriving too late to take part in the major engagements of 1917-1918, he was poised with his brigade along the Moselle to take part in the offensive scheduled for November 14th down the Moselle to Metz. His ambitions collapsed with the Armistice, but not his spirit. He was placed in command of Advance GHQ at Trier, finally returning to the United States to face the drastic reductions in rank that followed World War I and, after a proud interlude as Commander of the 1st Cavalry, retirement.

The Armistice came while Preston was on the Moselle at Pont-a-Mousson. We took a walk up to the old front line just forward of Bois de le Pretre of bloody fame, and after gulping down his disappointment at not having achieved command of a promised division he mused, “Well Mac, I’ll never command a division or a corps in war but” (if the writer may employ a thinly concealed euphemism) “I have my brand on every horse’s bottom in the Army and that is no small achievement.” Those who were of his time will recall he had invented the Preston brand. Incidentally, he also exerted a strong influence on the form of the mess kit used in World War II—if it cannot be said he invented it. He used to say, “I have spent most of my life eating ‘slum’ because of this damned mess kit. I intend to do something about it.” Although he was Cavalry to the core, he never had much use for the horse as a means of transportation. He railed at those who were reluctant to motorize and pounded at all the powers that disposed of such matters to develop the liaison plane and the helicopter. Aerial observation of artillery fire was his passion and he used to tear into the air people at Sazerais and Bar le Due who would not, and could not for that matter, supply observation planes for his artillery officers.

Friendliness and conviviality were mixed, as has been suggested, with a definite reticence. He was no mere extrovert. His visits in France with his old friends such as “Minnie” Menoher, “Bunker” Hahn and “Jack” Pershing, and many others, enriched both him and them. With Pershing he had a particularly close relationship, growing out of a tour of duty together in the old 10th Cavalry and as co-aides to General Miles in Washington. Pershing, it seems, relaxed more with him than with any other of his contemporaries. But so it was with others—for his colorful, wide-ranging vocabulary, his penetrating and frequently iconoclastic surges, and, above all, his ideas and his knowledge, fascinated all who were capable of his quality.

“History passed me by,” he used to say; but he was wrong. Others for various reasons—some obscure—reached the high command which fame notes, but he was quite as much a part of the vital history of the country as they. Now and then men like him, in their wide and vigorous reactions to the life and times in which they live, represent their era and influence it quite as deeply, if not more, than the publicly noted leaders.

Guy Henry Preston of the Class of 1888 had the indefinable mark of the Military Academy of his day upon him, and the Academy can take pride in the fact that in his formative years it stimulated the growth of such an imposing personality and character.

—John J. McCloy

The Mess Kit

His mess kit’s patent was applied for in 1895 and was accepted and produced starting in 1896, the same year he rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Officers of the time had to purchase their own equipment to use in the field, even cots and bedding! There were some allowances for expendable equipment but for the most part it was up to the officer to procure their own. They could always purchase the same equipment enlisted soldiers used from the quartermaster but many preferred to use this opportunity to show their personality or preferences for their unique style.

I have had the pleasure of seeing varying examples of his useful kit and there never seems to be two alike. The later examples broke away from the use of the string and quick hooks in favor of snaps. Abercrombie and Fitch began selling them in their stores at some point and had branded them with their logo but not adjusting the overall design. The corks for the various kits seem to show the greatest range in differences, some with a chain attached to the cork by means of a wire through the cork and attachment to the cap cover and a device that stays inside the canteen so the cork will not be separated from it. Others I have seen use a ring to the canteen’s neck, connected to a chain that then attaches to the metal cap of the cork. Mine may have lost its device at some point as it is just a plain cork.

I find the kit an ingenious setup but for field use I find it limiting. The cup being the greatest complaint because its bottom easily tips over, thus entrusting your coffee or other beverage to the perils of a normally un-flat ground table when outdoors. This kit would suffice for a mess setting or a limited day outing but I would not like it for an extended camp. The fry pan and plate are useable and are comparable to the Stopple/Upton 2-person mess kit where two pans can be combined to create a baking vessel but Preston’s kit was clearly patented first. The handle of the cup cleverly stows inside the vessel when it needs to be packed up and it is a larger than normal volume which I consider an advantage, especially for the contemporary camper.

My kit has a unique clip attached to the side body which has me wondering what it may have been used for. My initial guess was for clipping onto a belt, bag, or even a saddle. Many military items at the time show this useful and convenient attachment for exactly those purposes. Recently though, I wonder if it may have been a clever attachment for a traditional camping cup of the period, perhaps tinned or enamelware which was growing in popularity.

Western Carolina University is fortunate to own Horace Kephart’s collection and we are fortunate that they share it with the world on their digital collection. A letter was written by Horace to none other than Ezra Fitch of the premier outdoor sporting supplier Abercrombie and Fitch in response to Ezra giving him a Preston Mess Kit for review in 1911. Note this was before WWI which shot the Preston mess kit into popularity. What is also intriguing is Mr. Kephart designed his own kit in which I could not find a patent for, so was this never capitalized on? Below you can see the transcribed letter with a link to the University’s collection which I encourage you to visit to see everything else they have.

Bryson City, N.C.

April 5, 1911.

Mr. Ezra H. Fitch,

New York:

Dear Mr. Fitch. —

Some time ago you sent me a Preston Individual mess kit, asking my candid opinion or it.

The Preston kit Is ingenious and well made; but It Is adapted to the needs or only a small proportion or campers. Most or us take our outings’ where a canteen is superfluous. The Preston kit lacks the prime essential, which Is a kettle. Its sauce pan is no substitute, being too small and too easily tipped over. In every European army the kettle is the chief item of the soldier’s cooking kit. In our army a mess pan is substituted, because we rely upon the wagons to carry company cooking outfits; but this Is bad tactics in time or war. It Is out of the question for wilderness raring.

An individual cooking kit should include:

1. A seamless cup of about 1 1/2 pints capacity, to be carried separately, on the outside of pack, or wherever it is easily get-at-able on the march; for It is wanted many times a day.

2. A kettle for carrying water, boiling, stewing, etc.

3. A fry pan big enough for four eggs or a couple of medium trout. It may be long and narrow, without detriment.

4. Plate, knife, fork, spoon, and can-opener. The latter is usually omitted, but, In these days, Is even more essential than knife or fork.

I have given a great deal of study to this matter of an Individual cooking kit, for it comes up every day in the woods. I know that many another outer who takes pedestrian tours, or who makes side trips from camp, has bothered over the same problem. The demand for such a kit Is already considerable, and would become much greater if a really good one were put on the market.

The accompanying sketches show my idea or a combined mess kit and lunch box for one man. It comprises not only everything except the drinking cup, that a lone traveler needs in the way or cooking and eating utensils, but also has receptacles for two days’ rations of everything. These receptacles prevent the otherwise inevitable mussiness, and protect the food from moisture and vermin. Provision is even made for carrying fresh eggs without risk or breakage.

When meal time comes, the owner of such a kit merely unloads his kettle, sets its contents on the grass, fetches some water In the kettle, and builds a fire. Everything that he wants is before him* in convenient receptacles. When he Is through eating, his utensils are easy to wash, and the whole affair is repacked In a few seconds. No sooty utensil Is nested inside another. The packed kettle is strapped shut, slipped into a khaki cover, and either stowed inside the knapsack or strapped outside (the cover having a loop on Inner side, one—third way from top, for this purpose) .

The dimensions of the complete kit are 7 5/8 inches wide, 5 inches high, and 4 1/8 inches deep, over all. The weight, without food, need not exceed one and a half pounds. There are no sharp corners to abrade the carrier, no flip—floppy dangling or rattling things. And there is no mussiness: everything is in the right place. The kit comprises the following articles:

(I). Kettle, 7 1/2 by 4 by 4 1/4 inches, holding two quarts. This is seamless, or hard aluminum alloy, with galvanized steel wire bail notched in center to balance over fire. The plate serves as cover when boiling, and then is hot to eat off of.

(2). Pan, 7 5/8 by 4 1/8 by 1 inch deep, forming cover of kettle, the two ̄Fastening together by a strap running through the metal loop In which pan handle engages. This pan is of re-tinned sheet steel, which is stronger than aluminum, and has the advantage that food does not stick to it. The pan fits over outside of kettle, making the kit watertight when packed.

(3). Plate, 7 1/2 by 4 by 5/8 Inch, of aluminum alloy. This sets Inside top of kettle, forming a tray, and leaving a space 1 1/8 Inch deep under the cover when packed. In this space are snugly stowed the following five articles, with a 6 by 9 inch dish cloth folded over and under to keep them from rattling:

(4). Knife. A round pointed shoe knife with 3 1/2 inch blade. Best or camp knives, as the steel is excellent, thin, easily sharpened, and holds an edge.

(5). Fork. Steel, plated, four-tined.

(6). Dessert Spoon. Aluminum alloy. Big enough for eating soup, stews, cereal ̄

(7). Pan Handle combined with Can Opener. Steel. Has a hook at one end to fit meta1 loop on fry pan, and two folding rings In which a stick may be inserted. The other end is a can opener, bent a little to the left for cutting In a circle, and so out of the way of the stick. This handle is probably a patentable combination.

(8). Pot Hanger of galvanized steel wire, In two sections, so that pot can be hung low for rapid boiling or high for simmering. Below the plate stows, first:

(9). Folding Carton or thin fiber, with partitions for 8 eggs. Made like the common pasteboard carton for eggs, the divisions being 1 3/4 by 1 3/4 inches The partitions may be laid flat, and carton then used to hold a slab of bacon, 7 by 4 by 1 3/4 inches, or other food, in place of eggs. The fiber Is grease-proof•

Below this carton are stowed:

(10). A set of seven pressed Aluminum Cans, with tops fitting outside and locked shut by bayonet catches on opposite sides. This way of securing is far better than screw top or pry-up top, since there is no shoulder to the can, and hence it is easy to clean.

Three of these cans are 2 3/8 Inches diameter by 1 7/8 inch high, holding 1/4 pint ( 8 level tablespoonfuls) each. They are for sugar, milk powder, butter, or whatever the camper prefers other cans are 1 3/4 inch diameter by 1 7/8 inch high, holding 2 1/2 fluidounces ( 5 level tablespoons) . They are for coffee, or tea, or both. The other two cans are 1 1/4 inch diameter by 1 7/8, holding 1 7/8 fluidounces ( 15 level teaspoons), for salt and pepper. It would be convenient to have these with shaker tops, closed by a disk like the shaker-top cans for spices that we find In grocery stores, but this is not essential .

These dimensions are ample for two days’ rations of all the foods tuffs mentioned.

Of course, the owner will fill these boxes with an assortment to suit himself, or he may remove any or all of them and leave the space for other purposes .

Originally I intended to incorporate the matter and illustrations of this letter in an article for Outing; but you are in a position to manufacture the kit, and have shown yourself so much interested In my work that I prefer to turn the matter over to you unpublished. I have long been scheming and experimenting on a light outfit complete ( shelter, bedding, pack, etc.) for the man who relies mainly on the own two legs of him” . As you know, this Is the hardest of all problems in outfitting. Can we not work together along these lines?

Thanking you for your unfailing courtesy, remain,

Truly yours,

(signed) Horace Kephart.

Bibliography:

Army at Wounded Knee, Gallantry in Action, https://armyatwoundedknee.com/gallantry-in-action/

Geni.com, https://www.geni.com/people/2nd-Lt-Guy-Henry-Preston-9th-US-Cavalry/6000000029482511866

Western Carolina University, Horace Kephart to Ezra H. Fitch 1911

West Point Alumni, https://www.westpointaog.org/memorial-article?id=dbe6cb3f-461f-4ee8-966d-04c12915ea8b