The American-Philippines War

You Never Know What You Might Find

The New Ipswich Historical Society is organizing the papers and photos in their collection. Sometimes we find something unexpected.

I discovered a packet of photos with an attached note

New Ipswich Historical Society: I found these photos in a book that I got at the Dump/Trailer (Goodwill) Sometime ago. It appears the large one is from WWII (Italy 8/14/42) and the others are from the Philippines (Oct 1899).I’m not sure if anyone in the town may be missing these or might know who owns them, Thanks Gregg Blais

I posted the WWII photo on Flickr but I decided to spend some time learning about the American-Philippine War. This was of the many things I was not taught in school. Apparently we ended up with Philippines as a colony after winning the 1898 War with Spain.

Naturally our role as a colonial power did not go well. Fighting broke out between American forces and Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who sought independence rather than a change in colonial rulers. When it was over 4,200 Americans and 20,000 Filipino combatants were killed. Also 200,000 non-combatants died of violence, famine and disease. I think I have an idea why this history lesson was skipped. It is interesting see the photos and read a first hand account.

Bridges

We built this one

It is not exactly the Bridge on the River Kwai, but this bridge near the river at Jaro played an important part in the daily life of the photographer.

Bridge constructed during the American-Philippine War — Bridge we built of bambo to cross small river near Jaro to get to our outpost; could write lots about this; Fo me have had lots of fun (sic) crossing it in a hurry sometimes going one way and the sometimes going the other.

Burning Bridges

The Plantation

Somehow I think a number of Filipinos had no desire to be involved in this conflict. These people were working at a plantation (sugar?). I doubt they cared about which power controlled them.

Native Plantation — Picture taken from plate found in photo gallery of native plantation.

The Lookout Tower (What a View!)

I can imagine what it would be like to climb that ladder.

Churches as Headquarters

Iloilo Church

The American-Philippines War 1 — This is the church in Iloilo. Also the quarters where I am at present, in the room marked X. Oct 28, 1899. Camped in this church the first night in Iloilo Feb 11, 1899

Jaro Church

The American-Philippines War 3 — Cathredral and Tower in Jaro. Large house on left was our quarters while there

Breastworks

A breastwork is a temporary fortification, often an earthwork thrown up to breast height to provide protection to defenders firing over it from a standing position. A more permanent structure, normally in stone, would be described as a parapet or the battlement of a castle wall. – Wikipedia

Fortifications — Breastworks on Jaro River near bridge

The American-Philippines War 4 — Breast Works between Jaro and Santa Barbara where I have lay many a wet night. The native army is only 600 yards away from trenches. Where we begin to fight Monday next Oct “30”

The American-Philippines War 5 — Breastworks on bridge between Jaro and Manduro

Battle March 16, 1899

The remaining photos were taken on March 16, 1899 after a battle with the “natives” as this soldier describes it. Apparently the Sugar Plantation was destroyed in the fight.

The American-Philippines War 6 — Remains of sugar mill where natives made stand on March 16 (1899). Set a fire by artillery.

The American-Philippines War 8 — Hospital Corp. picture taken on the 16th of March, Wounded man in cart.

Meanwhile Back at Home

It is my opinion that this was not a very popular war. Perhaps that is why I never learned about it in school. Our colonial ambitions were ill conceived.

By Signature of cartoonist looks like “Wm Watkins” – Downloaded from <a rel=”nofollow” href=”http://www.korakora.org/img/Those-Pious-Yankees.gif”>http://www.korakora.org/img/Those-Pious-Yankees.gif</a>; image with context at <a rel=”nofollow” href=”http://www.korakora.org/projects/?q=node/215″>http://www.korakora.org/projects/?q=node/215</a>, Public Domain, Link

You Never Know What You Might Find

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