Battle of Quingua

Battle of Quingua
Part of the Philippine-American War

Kurz & Allison print of the Battle of Quingua
DateApril 23, 1899
LocationQuingua – now Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines
Result 1st Phase: Filipino Victory
2nd Phase: American Victory
Belligerents
 United States  First Philippine Republic
Commanders and leaders
United States J. Franklin Bell
United States John M. Stotsenburg  
United States Irving Hale
First Philippine Republic Gregorio del Pilar
First Philippine Republic Pablo Tecson
Strength
800 total
4th Cavalry
1st Nebraskan Infantry
51st Iowa Infantry
Utah Artillery
1st South Dakota Infantry
700-1,300 total
Casualties and losses
7 Killed in action[1]
44 Wounded in action[1]
13 Killed in action[1]

The Battle of Quingua was fought on April 23, 1899, in Quingua[2] now Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines, during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). The engagement was a two-part battle that started general Elwell S. Otis' Bulacan and Pampanga offensive a day early.[3]:106 The first phase was a brief victory for the young Filipino general Gregorio del Pilar when he stopped the advance of the American Cavalry led by Major J. Franklin Bell. In the second phase of the battle, Bell was reinforced by the 1st Nebraskan Infantry who routed the Filipinos, but not before they repelled a cavalry charge that killed Colonel John M. Stotsenburg.

Battle

The battle began when US Major Bell with the 4th Cavalry, while on a reconnaissance mission,[4] came upon a strong Fillipino position led by Colonel Pablo Tecson, a Revolutionary officer from San Miguel, Bulacan[5] who was under command of General Gregorio del Pilar. The Filipinos laid down heavy fire which halted Bell's cavalry advance.[3]:106 After a short firefight, Bell recognized his position was badly exposed to the opposition, and as a result his force risked defeat. Bell sent for reinforcements, and the 1st Nebraskans came to his aid under Colonel John M. Stotsenburg, while Irving Hale sent companies from the 51st Iowa as well as artillery from the Utah Battery.[3]:106

Once he arrived on the field, Stotsenburg led the Nebraskan Infantry, with a dozen or so Cavalrymen in a charge on the enemy's position.[3]:106 The Filipinos held their ground and opened fire. Stotsenberg was one of the first to fall, a bullet to the heart.[3]:107 Several of the Cavalrymen's mounts were also slain. The Filipino soldiers sustained the heavy fire, forcing the Cavalrymen to retreat.

The Nebraskans, only 200 in number, continued advancing under fire by the Filipino riflemen. Despite the accuracy and intensity of the riflemen's fire, the Nebraskan line continued to advance. Inevitably, the two forces clashed in close combat, but after an exhaustive battle, the Filipinos retreated. During the fight, Hale's brigade lost 7 men and 44 men were wounded.[3]:106

Legacy

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Arlington National Cemetery Website:John M. Stotsenburg". Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  2. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jmstots.htm
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Linn, B.M., 2000, The Philippine War, 1899-1902, Lawrence: University of Kansas Press, ISBN 0700612254
  4. http://vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Battle-of-Quingua-Monument. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |work= (help);
  5. Memories of Two Wars: Cuban and Philippine Experiences, Frederick Funston. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, Publisher. 1911. p-268

External links

Further reading

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