But in recent years, the Senate's constitutional mandate to " advise and consent" had become one more weapon in the endless cycle of partisan trench warfare.
After the first American contingent arrived at the end of June 1917, Pershing and his officers began to implement their training plan, drilling the men behind the lines before gradually introducing them to trench warfare.
And soon to be colder. Beyond the castle walls, winter was waiting with its icy teeth. If we get that far. " This way, " he said when they came to a junction where three trenches crossed.