In July 1899, American forces captured the town of Calamba in Laguna Province during the Philippine-American War. Calamba was important because it was a major trading town located about 30 miles south of Manila, near Lake Laguna de Bay. The U.S. Army wanted to take the town as part of their plan to surround the forces of Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo.
On July 26, 1899, Brig. Gen. Robert H. Hall led an expedition to capture Calamba. His troops faced strong resistance from Filipino forces led by General Miguel Malvar. After two hours of fighting, the Filipinos retreated to nearby Mt. Makiling. The battle was a key moment in the U.S. campaign to control southern Luzon.
Context of the Campaign
In 1899, the U.S. Army was focused on capturing important towns in the southern part of Luzon to weaken the Filipino resistance during the Philippine-American War. Calamba, a key trading town near Lake Laguna de Bay, became a major target for the U.S. forces. Controlling Calamba would allow the U.S. to cut off supplies to the Filipino forces and further their plan to surround the army of Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo.
Previous Attempts to Capture Calamba
Before the successful attack in July 1899, the U.S. had tried to capture Calamba a few months earlier. In April 1899, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton led an expedition to take control of the town. His goal was to cut off Aguinaldo’s southern army and secure the region. However, the attempt failed because the shallow water near Calamba made it difficult for the U.S. forces to get close to the town.
Importance of Calamba in Lawton’s Strategy
Calamba was very important in Lawton’s plan to control the southern Luzon region. The town’s location along the lake made it a critical point for trade and supplies. By capturing it, the U.S. forces could block the flow of resources to Filipino troops and gain an advantage in the war. Even though Lawton’s first attempt didn’t work, the U.S. forces continued to target Calamba as part of their larger goal to weaken the Filipino resistance and secure control of key areas.
The American Expedition to Calamba (July 26, 1899)
On July 26, 1899, the U.S. Army launched an expedition to capture Calamba, led by Brig. Gen. Robert H. Hall. The goal was to seize this key town as part of the U.S. strategy to weaken Filipino forces in the southern region of Luzon.
Troop Composition
The American force was made up of:
- 450 soldiers from the 21st Infantry
- 400 soldiers from the 1st Washington Volunteers
- 150 cavalrymen from the 4th Cavalry
- 2 artillery guns for extra firepower
To transport the troops, they used cascoes, which are flat-bottomed boats. These boats were escorted by two gunboats, the Napindan and the Oeste, ensuring the soldiers’ safe arrival at Calamba.
Initial Attack
On the morning of July 26, Brig. Gen. Hall and his men launched a surprise attack on Calamba. The battle lasted for two hours, with heavy fighting on both sides. The Filipino forces, commanded by General Miguel Malvar, put up strong resistance but were eventually forced to retreat. They fled towards the nearby Mt. Makiling, trying to escape further losses.
During the fight, 4 American soldiers were killed, and 12 others were wounded. The exact number of Filipino casualties is unknown, but they suffered losses as well. Despite the fierce battle, the U.S. forces succeeded in taking control of the town, marking an important step in their campaign.
Aftermath of the First Attack
After the initial battle, the U.S. forces took control of Calamba. As they secured the town, they encountered an unexpected group—Spanish prisoners who had been held by the Filipinos.
Interaction with Spanish Prisoners
As the American cavalry moved through Calamba, they met 12 Spanish prisoners who rushed toward them, shouting “Castillanos!” (meaning “Spaniards”). These men were overjoyed to see the Americans and greeted them with hugs. They had been hoping for a chance to surrender to the Americans, as they had been held captive by the Filipinos.
There were also 50 other Spanish prisoners in Calamba. Some were former soldiers, while others were civil officials. These men had been forced to join the Filipino army but were eager to surrender. They had originally been given a choice—either serve the Filipino forces or work as servants for Filipino officers. Most chose to join the army, intending to surrender to the Americans at the first opportunity.
Notable Figures
Several notable individuals accompanied the expedition to Calamba. Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton, one of the top U.S. commanders in the Philippine-American War, was present during the battle. Also joining him was Professor Dean C. Worcester, a member of the First Philippine Commission. Worcester’s presence highlighted the growing involvement of civilian officials in overseeing the U.S. occupation of the Philippines.
Interestingly, this military expedition was not solely composed of soldiers and officials. Mrs. Lawton, the general’s wife, and their son, Manley, also accompanied the troops. They were present during the fighting, sitting in an unprotected boat close to the shore. Their involvement showed how some civilians were directly exposed to the dangers of military operations during the war.
Filipino Counterattack and Reinforcements (July 27, 1899)
The day after the Americans captured Calamba, Filipino forces regrouped and planned a counterattack. The Filipino soldiers had retreated to nearby Mt. Makiling after their defeat on July 26, but they didn’t stay there for long.
Filipino Forces’ Return
On July 27, 1899, the Filipino troops, now reinforced with additional men, mistakenly believed that the Americans had left Calamba. They thought the U.S. forces had evacuated the town, leaving it vulnerable to reoccupation. Confident in their numbers and eager to reclaim Calamba, the Filipinos descended from Mt. Makiling, preparing to take back the town.
American Response
However, the Americans had not left. As soon as the Filipino forces attempted to reenter Calamba, the U.S. troops quickly responded. The Americans launched a strong defense, pushing the Filipino soldiers back and preventing them from retaking the town. The counterattack failed, and the Filipino forces were once again forced to retreat, leaving Calamba firmly under American control.
The Final Skirmish (July 30, 1899)
After the failed counterattack on July 27, Filipino forces continued to prepare for another attempt to reclaim Calamba. General Hall, the commander of the U.S. forces, received intelligence that the Filipinos were planning a larger assault on the town. With this knowledge, he decided to act quickly to prevent another attack.
Intelligence on Filipino Preparations
General Hall learned that Filipino forces, under the command of General Miguel Malvar, were gathering reinforcements and planning a second offensive. Determined not to let the Filipinos catch his troops off guard, Hall prepared a preemptive strike. On July 30, he sent three companies of infantry, cavalry units, and artillery to confront the Filipinos before they could launch their attack.
Battle of July 30
The Filipino forces had set up defensive positions near Calamba, with around 1,000 men entrenched behind hastily built fortifications. As the American forces approached, the Filipinos waited until they were within 300 yards before opening fire. A volley of gunfire rang out, and the U.S. soldiers dropped to the ground, using the tall grass as cover.
A fierce exchange of gunfire followed, with both sides shooting at each other from their positions. The Filipino troops fought bravely, but the tide turned when a Filipino officer, who had been standing on top of the trenches directing his men, was shot and killed. His death caused confusion and panic among the Filipino soldiers.
Seeing their leader fall, the Filipino forces began to retreat from their positions. The Americans, now in control of the situation, continued to advance, forcing the remaining Filipino troops to flee.
Outcome
The skirmish ended with the Filipino forces in retreat and Calamba still under American control. The U.S. troops had successfully defended the town and foiled the Filipino plans to retake it. Although the battle saw fierce resistance from the Filipino side, the loss of their commanding officer marked the turning point, leading to their eventual defeat.
Outcome and Impact
The capture of Calamba and the battles that followed were significant moments in the U.S. campaign to control southern Luzon during the Philippine-American War. Despite fierce resistance from the Filipino forces, the Americans succeeded in holding the town, weakening Filipino defenses in the region.
American Losses
During the operations in Calamba, the U.S. forces suffered casualties. A total of 7 American soldiers were killed in the fighting, and 20 others were wounded. While these losses were notable, the Americans maintained control of the town and prevented the Filipinos from regaining it.
Filipino Casualties
On the Filipino side, the aftermath of the final battle revealed that 16 Filipino soldiers had been killed. Many others were forced to retreat, and the Filipino forces, though determined, could not hold their positions against the U.S. advance.
American Garrison in Calamba
After successfully defending the town, General Hall decided to leave a garrison of U.S. troops in Calamba to secure it. This was a key part of the American strategy to dominate southern Luzon and prevent further Filipino resistance in the area. By leaving a permanent military presence in the town, the U.S. aimed to maintain control and continue their campaign to weaken the Filipino forces and extend American influence in the region.
Conclusion
The capture of Calamba in July 1899 was a key victory for the U.S. forces during the Philippine-American War. Despite strong resistance from Filipino troops, the Americans secured the town and prevented further counterattacks. With a garrison left behind to hold Calamba, the U.S. strengthened its control over southern Luzon, weakening the Filipino resistance. This battle marked an important step in the U.S. campaign to dominate the region.