He had a short beard, brown and silky, dark hair, and a pair of clear blue eyes, shrewd, indeed, and penetrating, but singularly winning.

A soldier, a most modern soldier, yet with an infusion of something romantic, a touch of thoughtful or melancholy charm that recalled old France.

He was dressed in a dark blue mess coat, red breeches, and top boots, with three or four orders sparkling on his breast.

His manners were those of an old-fashioned and charming courtesy.
As is well known, like Marshal Foch and General Castelnau, General Gouraud is a Catholic.

And like General Mangin, the great Joffre himself, Gallieni, Franchet d'Esperey, d'Humbert, and other distinguished leaders of the French Army, he made his reputation in the French Colonial service.