Battle of Manila (1899)

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For the Spanish-American War battle of the same name, see Battle of Manila (1898).
Battle of Manila
Part of the Philippine-American War

U.S. soldiers of the First Nebraska volunteers, company B, near Manila in 1899
Date February 4-February 5, 1899
Location Manila, Philippines
Result American victory
Belligerents
United States Philippines
Commanders
Elwell S. Otis Emilio Aguinaldo
Strength
12,000 United States Troops 15,000 Filipino Troops
Casualties and losses
50-60 killed, 225 wounded, 2 artillery pieces captured 2000 killed, wounded, or captured
v • d • e
Philippine-American War

The Battle of Manila was fought on February 4 and February 5, 1899, during the Philippine-American War, between 12,000 Americans and 15,000 Filipinos. It was the first and largest battle fought during the war.

Contents

[edit] Background

It began with Private William Grayson of B Company, 1st Nebraska Volunteers, on guard duty at Manila's San Juan del Monte bridge. Accounts of the details vary, but the memoirs of one eyewitness describe events as follows:[1]

"There were repeated war alarms, and men not on duty were restricted to barracks. The insurgents, who controlled the Manila pumping station, often shut off the city's water supply. It was an insolent challenge, and an indication of what they could do. The Filipinos also were observed constructing new entrenchments and reinforcing the old ones.

"The Santa Mesa Road was looked upon by the insurgents as the gateway to Manila. It was at the San Juan Del Monte bridge crossing that they had fought many a battle against the Spanish. In fact, one of our artillery pieces now occupied the very gun-pit used by the Spaniards.

"The Filipinos seemed anxious to provoke us into a hostile act, and strict orders were issued to prevent any action on our part. Night after night they would cluster at the east end of the bridge and shout curses at our silent outpost.

"One insurgent officer was particularly abusive. He would gather a crowd of drunken natives, and they would march down to the bridge for the purpose of harassing and scoffing at us. They were encouraged by the apparently submissive attitude of the Americans, whom they had begun to look upon as cowards.

"On the evening of 4 February, Private Willy Grayson, Nebraska Regiment, was on guard duty at the bridge. At 8:30 P.M., the obnoxious officer and his pals, shouting the usual insults, assembled on the riverbank and proceeded to cross the span. Grayson called for the Filipinos to halt, but they kept advancing. Once again Grayson shouted, 'Halt!' The demand fell on deaf ears. The unruly mob pushed forward—all the while screaming drunken tirades at the lone sentry.

"Willie nervously pointed his rifle at the inciting officer. He never heard the gun go off. The sound of the shot cracked the air like broken glass, and gunfire immediately erupted all along the line. "The sound of the first shot had barely ceased to echo across the hills, when a large group of Filipinos, screaming at the top of their lungs, began a dash across the bridge. Their onrush was met and stopped by heavy volley fire from the Nebraskans.[2]

Upon hearing the news of the attack on his troops by the Americans, Emilio Aguinaldo immediately issued a declaration of war against the United States.

"It is my duty to maintain the integrity of our national honor, and that of the army so unjustly attacked by those, who posing as our friends, attempt to dominate us in place of the Spaniards.

"Therefore, for the defense of the nation entrusted to me, I hereby order and command: Peace and friendly relations between the Philippine Republic and the American army of occupation are broken—and the latter will be treated as enemies with the limits prescribed by the laws of War."[2]

[edit] Battle

Caught off guard by the sudden outburst, the Filipinos remained in their trenches and exchanged fire with the Americans. A Filipino battalion mounted a charge against the 3rd U.S. Artillery, routed a company of American soldiers, and succeeded in capturing a few artillery pieces for a little while. During this time, nearly all of their high ranking officers were attending a dance, celebrating their victory over Spain. The soldiers were for the most part leaderless.

Even when their officers did arrive to the field, many influential leaders tried to stop the fighting. Emilio Aguinaldo sent emissaries to negotiate a peace treaty, but when they arrived, General Elwell Otis replied: "Fighting having begun, must go on to the grim end."

At day break the Filipinos were shocked when the Americans attacked. They were used to the Spanish tactics of retreating into fortified cities after a night time raid. Brigadier General Arthur MacArthur's attack in the north captured the ridge overlooking Manila. (MacArthur was later promoted to Major General and became Governor General of the Philippines.) After initial confusion, Brigadier General Thomas M. Anderson's attack in the south captured the village of Pasay and Filipino supplies stored there.

The Filipinos were counting on an uprising by the citizens of Manila to divide American forces and interrupt American supply lines. Although some fires were set inside the city, no general uprising occurred. However, some small units of Philippine soldiers who had not been part of the force that routed, skirmished with the Americans for several days on the outskirts of Manila before being driven out.

[edit] Aftermath

While both sides suffered losses, the Filipinos suffered far greater casualties. The Americans suffered 50-60 killed and more than 200 wounded. The Filipinos in turn, suffered hundreds more, around 2,000 killed, wounded, or captured. The high casualty figures are due largely in part to the Americans use of artillery and warships, along with superior marksmanship and firearms.

[edit] Order of Battle

Utah Battery in action on McCloud Hill.
Utah Battery in action on McCloud Hill.

[edit] U.S.

VIII Corps - Major General Elwell S. Otis

[edit] Filipino

Emilio Aguinaldo

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Differing alternative descriptions do exist. In 2003 the National Historical Institute of the Philippines ordered the transfer of the marker from the San Juan Bridge to the Santa Mesa section of Manila, based on studies by Dr. Benito Legarda, former NHI chair, as reported in Nancy C. Carvajal (February 4, 2008), RP-US war actually began in Manila, not San Juan, Philippine Daily Inquirer, <http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=116603>. Retrieved on 23 May 2008 
  2. ^ a b Feuer 2002, pp. 89-90

[edit] References

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