Ultimate Guide to the Filipino-American War

wounded American soldiers at Santa Mesa in 1899

The Filipino-American War is also referred to as the Philippine-American War, the Philippine War, the Philippine Insurrection, or the Tagalog Insurgency. It was an armed conflict between the United States and the First Philippine Republic. The war lasted from February 4, 1899, to July 2, 1902. For Filipino nationalists, the war is … Read more

War Escalates

US troops in action vs Filipinos 1899

War Escalates: Battles in Manila and Suburbs, Feb. 5-6, 1899 At daybreak of February 5, the reinforced Americans counterattacked and retook their original positions. Soon after, firing broke out across the 16-mile Filipino and American lines involving 15,000 Filipinos and 14,000 Americans (3,000 of whom were assigned to provost or police duty … Read more

US Ratifies Paris Treaty

President William McKinley

Feb. 6, 1899: US Senate Ratifies Treaty of Paris President William McKinley controlled all the information coming from the Philippines. On Feb. 6, 1899, after he reported to the American people that the Filipinos had attacked US troops in Manila, the U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris by one vote more … Read more

US Infantry To Manila

Presidio of San Francisco in 1898

US Infantry, Naval Reinforcements, Embark For Manila, May 25 – June 29, 1898 The US Army forces that invaded the Philippines in the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars assembled at the Presidio (ABOVE, in 1898) on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, California. The Presidio was originally a Spanish Fort built … Read more

US Infantry Arrives

1898 June 30 Arrival of 1st California Volunteer Inf Rgt

US Infantry Troops Arrive In The Philippines, June 30 – July 31, 1898 The first American infantry troops arrived in the Philippines on June 30, 1898. They were commanded by Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Anderson. [He was a son of Maj. Gen. Robert Anderson, who had commanded Fort Sumter at the beginning … Read more

Treaty of Paris

US Peace Commission in Paris hotel 1898

Dec. 10, 1898: Treaty of Paris On Oct. 1, 1898, American and Spanish delegates opened discussions in Paris to end the Spanish-American War. The American commission consisted of Judge William R. Day, Sen. Cushman K. Davis, Sen. William P. Frye, Sen. George Gray, and Whitelaw Reid. The Spanish commission included the Spanish … Read more

Trapping Aguinaldo, 1899

Campaign map to trap Aguinaldo 1899

Trapping Aguinaldo, Oct.12 – Nov. 20, 1899 In October 1899, the Americans launched a campaign intended to cut Emilio Aguinaldo’s northward retreat and trap his remaining conventional forces. The 3-pronged attack consisted of Lawton’s command (red and green lines) moving northeastward to cut off any possibility of Aguinaldo’s army heading east to take refuge in … Read more

The War Rages, 1899

Macabebe Scouts published harpers weekly dec 23 1899

The War Rages: Creation of Macabebe Scouts, September-October 1899 The US Army organized special forces officered by Americans but manned by Filipinos. The first unit of this type was experimental, one company of 100 Macabebes enlisted on Sept. 10, 1899, for a term of 3 months and led by 1Lt. Matthew Batson, … Read more

The War In The Visayas

General Martin Delgado and staff in Iloilo

The War in the Visayas, Feb. 11, 1899 – March 10, 1899 On Feb. 11, 1899, the US First Separate Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Marcus P. Miller, West Point Class 1858, invaded Iloilo City (ABOVE, in 1899) on Panay Island. The defenders were led by General Martin Delgado and Teresa “Nay … Read more

The War in 1900-1901

25th Infantry Regiment enroute to Philippines July 1 1899

The War in 1900-1901: African Americans in the Fil-Am War Companies from the segregated Black 24th and 25th infantry regiments reported to the Presidio of San Francisco in early 1899. They arrived in the Philippines on July 30 and Aug. 1, 1899. The 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments were sent to the … Read more

The Philippine Republic

Aguinaldo arrives in Malolos Jan 23 1899

Jan. 23, 1899: Inauguration of the First Philippine Republic On Jan. 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, popularly known as the Malolos Republic, was inaugurated amidst colorful ceremonies at the Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan Province. This was also the first republic in Asia. Aguinaldo took his oath of office as President of … Read more

The Philippine Army

Chapel where katipuneros were sworn in

The Philippine Army: From “Katipuneros” to “Soldiers” The Katipunan or KKK was founded by Filipino rebels in Manila on July 7, 1892 (Long name: Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or �Supreme and Venerable Society of the Children of the Nation”). The founders —all freemasons— were: Andres Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, Teodoro Plata, Deodato Arellano, … Read more