The Filipino American War as seen by diarists in real time with some additional commentary and sourc

Afterwards the provincial Chief with other prominent citizens came to the convent to thank the Father for the concern he had shown for the town. This was the fourth time that the said first authority came to the convent. The previous authority never came to see the priest.

Took canoe to Pateros, across the fields, thro’ the bamboos –with orders. Made two trips. Orders for 5 days rations, and we go on cascoes to “Somewhere” –1000 men strong from 1st Division– Gen. Hall –290 rounds per man. I think it is Biñan.

Rode to Manila on Friday 14th. meeting Lt Miles at Las Pinas by agreement & going in together to turn over to me E. company property. Miles returned Sunday & I Monday. Was taken very ill with cramps & dysentery immediately on return & am just getting around again. Exceedingly heavy rains last Monday night & throughout Tuesday: has done immense damage to roads & bridges; the latter at Imus & Paranaque being washed out & the one at Zapote seriously damaged. Almost entire town of Bacoor converted into rushing river during storm: numerous houses falling & being washed at once out into the bay. Tuesday afternoon I was carried on a litter by chinamen to Dr Hogan’s qrs. ¾ mile from here where I could have his constant personal attention. Have become much better & was able to walk back to my own quarters yesterday.

Left Taguig on casco with sealed orders at 10 a.m. Co’s D, H and A. I and F left garrison on sick. Joined other cascoes with gunboat Oeste. Course S. Joined fleet of seven cascoes. G b’ts. Laguna de Bay, Napidon [Napidan] and the Gov. Gen. Otis launch off S end of island. Turned and started W toward large city. Landed most troops, but two Co’s went around point. Landed under fire –one man shot thro’ hand & sh’l’l’d. Waded fully ½ mile under fire, in mud & H²O, forming as we went. Swung into town from S. Ins. Art. in full retreat to W hills. Saw two wounded Filipino PATRIOTs. Gunboat aided us, but 4th Cav & 21st on N side met with quite a resistance. Lost 3 men killed & several wounded. We met a great many Spanish prisoners of war –70 or 80 in all– 2 women. They were nearly crazy with joy at being rescued. Prisoners over a year –the rest hid. We went to extreme end of street & camped for the night. City is large and many fine buildings.

Co G engaged the enemy (n)early on east road. Co’s D & H went out S road then east along ridge to flank Filipino PATRIOTs and soon had ’em going north. Connected with other Wn at noon, & came to camp. Country rich, with broad fields of sugar cane on slopes & rice in lowlands. Hundreds of Flipinos in sight along the hills, but kept out of range. When we entered city their art & inf left in good order in plain sight –and we engaged the rear guard. Gen Miguel [Malvar] is in command of ins. Gen. Hall of U.S. 4th Cav & 21st inf on outposts west and N. resp. 2000 Filipino PATRIOTs advanced on cav outposts at noon. 1st Wn –2 guns of 1st Art, Batt E Mountain Battery, on road & I troop on rt went against them, pushed them two miles to summit of ridge where they took to trenches across a gorge. Night was approaching and we dared not advance. Started to rain, and we got to camp late. Wet, hungry and miserable yet the boys whistling, “March thro’ Geo.’ [“Marching through Georgia”]. Built fires, fried potatoes & slept in wet clothes for the 2nd night.

Hot. City is under very good control now. Several ins sympathizers caught burning houses, and some were shot by sentries. A few more 21st & 4th killed today. Yet no active work. Captured some ins art ammunition, about 2.2 in gal Fe with Remington shells for primers, loaded with old scraps of iron, lead, nuts, &c.

Returned to duty today: am not well but am getting better daily.