US Military History
The Philippine Insurrection, which took place between 1899 and 1902, was characterized by several military battles, campaigns and operations. The American army was called upon as the conflict between USA and Filipino revolutionaries escalated into war. Filipinos were seeking independence. The American forces experienced several difficulties during this war. However, they managed to win the war in 1902.
There were nine campaigns conducted by the American forces during the war. They included the Manila, Iloilo, Malolos, Laguna de Bay, San Isidro, Zapote River, Cavite, Tarlac and san Fabian. All the campaigns took place in 1899. In all these campaigns, the American soldiers were met with hostility by organized rioters and armed Filipino soldiers. The Philippines were fighting for their independence. In Manila, the soldiers suppressed an uprising where over 40000 Filipinos had assembled. They went ahead to capture several towns in the north east. These campaigns were operations conducted by US military to stop Filipino resistance.
The US military faced several major battles during the war. They were forced into exchange of fire, and several civilians lost their lives. Some American soldiers also died. In the battle of Pay in 1899, General Lawton lost his life on the battle front in Luzon. Other battles took place in Mabitac, Pulang Lupa, Makahambus Hill, Lonoy and Balangiga. In 1901 at Lonoy, 400 civilians were killed in the ambush while at Balangiga over 40 American soldiers were killed in the ambush.
The American military men faced several problems, which exposed them to attacks by Filipino revolutionists. The soldiers had inadequate supply of weapons and food, which made them conduct their operations at a slower pace than expected. The soldiers were also at times outnumbered by the revolutionists, for instance, at Balangiga 40 soldiers were killed because they were outnumbered. Finally, the revolutionists used tricky tactics such as ambushes and guerilla war fare, which made it difficult for the soldiers to fight back.
In 1902, the first Philippine republic collapsed. The USA military had won the war. Therefore, President Roosevelt declared amnesty for people who had masterminded the rebellion against USA. Generally, the army had managed to suppress most uprisings successfully, and captured most of the areas occupied by rebels in all the nine major campaigns.
Barnes, M. R. (2011). The Spanish-American War and Philippines Insurgency, 1898-1902 (illustrated, annotated ed.). New York: Taylor & Francis.
Linn, B. M. (2000). The Philippine War, 1899-1902 (illustrated ed.). Arkansas: University Press of Kansas.
