Battle of Tirad Pass and Gen. G. Del Pilar PDF

THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS
AND GEN. GREGORIO DEL

PILAR
FROM EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS AND KNOWN FILIPINO HISTORIANS
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM PHILIPPINE
POLITICAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY, VOL. 2 BY
GREGORIO ZAIDE
Filipinos Americans
What Battle of Tirad Pass Battle of Tirad Pass
When Dec. 2, 1899 Dec. 2, 1899
Where Tirad Pass Tirad Pass
Who G. Del Pilar and 60 picked riflemen Maj. March and 300 American troops
Januario Galut
Why To give Gen. E. Aguinaldo enough time to To pursue Gen. E. Aguinaldo
escape
Author Stood guard to fight Repulsed by the deadly fuselage
’ note Gallant defenders resisted with fury like a Baffled, retreated, and devised another method
cornered lion of attack
Mounted on a white horse, was hit by an Attacked from the front and rear
American bullet
With him died 52 other defenders
8 escaped and told Aguinaldo the news
Betrayed
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM PHILIPPINE
POLITICAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY, VOL. 2 BY
GREGORIO ZAIDE
After the Battle of Tirad Pass

Gen. Gregorio del Pilar “Leonidas of the Philippines” ”I am surrounded by fearful odds that
will overcome me and my gallant men,
but I am pleased with the thought that I
die fighting for my beloved country
Lt. Dennis P. Quinlan Buried the fallen hero with full GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR
military honor and market the grave Killed at the Battle of Tila Pass
with crude headstone December 2d, 1899
Commanding Aguinaldo’s rear-guard
An Officer and a Gentleman
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM THE
PHILIPPINES THROUGH THE CENTURIES, VOL 1 & 2
BY ANTONIO MOLINA
• Del Pilar’s Brigade with 1000 troops as the • Fleeing Groups
combat force
a) Protected by Gen. del Pilar and his men
a) 350 of the Joven Column are Pres. Aguinaldo, wife and sister,
Leyva sisters, Col and Mrs. Sytiar, Gen.
b) 400 of the Kawit Batallion Venancio Concepcion and his aide,
c) 100 of the Halberdiers Company Majors Tirona and Jaciel, the
Pangasinan Governor, Drs. Barcelona
d) 2 Vanguard companies and Villa and War Commissary Timoteo
Paez
b) Protected by Col. Montenegro and
troops are Pres. Aguinaldo’s mother and
son, Col. Leyva and his mother,
BY ANTONIO MOLINA
Escape Trail Nov. 15th
• From Manaoag, Pozzorubio on Nov. 14th. Then to • Joven Column dispersed and Col. Montenegro
Alava, Rosario, Famy and Tubaw. retreated. Kawit Batallion became demoralized.
• In Aringay, La Union, lunch was served at the • Pres. Aguinaldo proceeded from Naguilan to
church plaza by Police Counselor Anacleto Diaz Candon
(later as Associate Justice of Supreme Court)
Nov. 21st
• Proceeded to Kaba, Bawang, and Naguilan • Pres. Aguinaldo left for Salcedo to Concepcion
where they are enthusiastically welcomed by the
people. The next day, Pres. Aguinaldo had Nov. 27th
inspection of Filipino troops and informed of the
advancing enemy troops.
• On the way to Tirad Pass, Gen. del Pilar said “The
American shall never succeed in taking this place
and if they should attempt it, they could only do it
over my dead body.”
• A week of fortification was supervised by Capts.
BY ANTONIO MOLINA
American relentlessly pursued • They had complete information of the
• Gen. Young, worn out, sent Maj. Peyton movements of the Aguinaldo and his
C. March with a battalion to take over. group due to espionage system
• On Nov. 27th, Bayambang was • In Candon, Gen. Young prevented the

occupied and the formal surrendered numerous forces of Gen. Tinio from
was signed by Filipino leader, Tirona, joining the Aguinaldo group.
on board an American warship on • Pres. Aguinaldo led his men through
Dec.11. the mountains of northern Luzon,
• Americans were catching up with the crossed the Cagayan Valley bound for
retreating Filipino forces Palanan Isabela to establish his finite
refuge-headquarters
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM THE PHILIPPINES
THROUGH THE CENTURIES, VOL 1 & 2 BY ANTONIO
MOLINA
Filipinos Americans
When December 2, 1899 December 2, 1899
Who Gregorio del Pilar who was barely 24 and 60 Peyton March and 300 men were guided by an Ilocano
Filipino patriots Januario Galoot
Why Ignore the appeal of Aguinaldo, insisted to Repulsed, they followed the information from Galoot,
personally direct the defense, convinced that the diversionary troop and Company H led by Lt. Tompkin
place was unconquerable did simultaneous attack.
Author’s To shed blood for the nativeland in the most Despite the vandalic treatment, they were won over by
Note gallant of manners proving to the world the right the valor and patriotism
of the Filipino people to be free and independent
Bullet whizzed by him, he paid no attention
Serious set back suffered at Tirad Pass but
Aguinaldo continue the heroic resistance
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM THE PHILIPPINES
THROUGH THE CENTURIES, VOL 1 & 2 BY ANTONIO MOLINA
In the midst of the battle
Gen. Early morning of the battle, “I bow to the terrible fate that befalls me and my brave soldiers; but it pleases me to
Gregorio del die fighting for my beloved country”
Pilar Went from trench to trench, giving orders and urging his men to stand their ground.
Made ready to mount his white steed, an American soldier stepping out of place, climbed up to the nearby rock,
aiming at the general and fired. Upon being hit, Gen. del Pilar covered his face with his hands and toppled down
backwards. He died instantly.
Vicente Aided by a bugler, took Gen. del Pilar’s body atop the hill, but they had to leave it in the middle of the trail to hide
Enriquez themselves from the onrushing Americans
Right after the battle
Americans Stripped Gen. del Pilar of souvenirs, memoirs, letters, documents were sequestered. Took away his clothing, shoes,
buttons.
Major Retained Gen. del Pilar’s Memoirs
March
Capt. Kept the field glasses, 3 golden medallions containing an Agnus Dei, a saint image, and an artistic design
Jenkinson
Lt. Dennis Arranged a proper burial, with American rendering Gen. del Pilar full military honors
Quinlan A laconic headstone was placed upon his grave with this inscription: GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR -
Killed at the Battle of Tila Pass - December 2d, 1899 - Commanding Aguinaldo’s rear-guard - An Officer and a
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM HISTORY OF
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, 8TH ED. BY TEODORO
AGONCILLO
Filipinos Americans
When Dec. 2, 1899, 11:30 am Dec. 2, 1899, 11:30 am
Who Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, rear-guard commander, Major March and 300 strong men found a
boy-general loyal to Aguinaldo and 60 troops secret trail using it to surprise del Pilar and his
Januario Galut, Christian Igorot men
Why Suggested in order to halt the Americans, he would Capture the wily Filipino leader to end
stay behind and make a last stand to give sufficient Filipino resistance to American rule
time for Aguinaldo’s escape
THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS FROM HISTORY OF
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, 8TH ED. BY TEODORO
AGONCILLO
Filipinos Americans
Author’ • Advantageous terrain of Pasong Tirad, 4,500 ft high with good view for • Americans rushed headlong
s note miles around. The trail is narrow and for only 1 man at time could clamber and captured the soldier
up. holding the reins of Del
• 60 men built trenches upon the order of del Pilar Pilar’s horse
• Del Pilar wounded in the shoulder ordered his remaining men to escape • They looted the dead body
• He tried to escape by a narrow trail but as e mounted his white horse, a for souvenirs
Krag rifle rang out…bullet passed through his neck • Major March got the diary
• Body was left by the roadside 2 days until its odor forced some Igorots to of Del Pilar
cover it with dirt.
• “The General (Aguinaldo) has given me the pick of all the men that can be
spared and ordered me to defend the Pass. I realize what a terrible task has
been given me. And yet I feel that this is the most glorious moment of my
life. What I do is done for my beloved country . No sacrifice can be too
great.”
• Aguinaldo got the fatal news. All the members of the Aguinaldo party,
said one of the soldiers in his diary , “shed bitter tears and all wanted to
fight the Americans.”
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS AND THE
HEROIC DEATH OF GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR DECEMBER 2,
1899 BY RICHARD HENRY LITTLE (AMERICAN WAR
CORRESPONDENT)
Context • Gen. del Pilar valiantly defended the
• Dec. 1, 1899 Gen. Samuel Young, pass. He and 52 of his brave men
unable to catch Aguinaldo gave up the perished in the battle, only 8 survived
chase and let Major Peyton March, the bloody fray.
with a battalion of 300 men, continue • He did not die in vain because his
the pursuit of Aguinaldo. heroic defense of Tirad Pass delayed
• Major March and his men arrived at the American advance, enabling
the Pass. With them was war President Aguinaldo to elude the
correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, capture.
Richard Henry Little who was attached
to the battalion.
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS AND THE
HEROIC DEATH OF GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR DECEMBER 2,
1899 BY RICHARD HENRY LITTLE (AMERICAN WAR
CORRESPONDENT)
For the Filipinos
What Battle of Tirad Pass and Heroic Death of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar
When Dec. 2, 1899
Where Tirad Pass, Candon, Ilocos Sur
Who Gregorio del Pilar, 24 y.o. with 60 riflemen, the youngest and bravest of the Filipino generals
die while vainly trying to rally his men for one last effort to hold the Americans
Why To hold back the Americans until Aguinaldo had made good his escape
Author’s • The last ditch – the fight, the pick, the flower of the Filipino army had made in frantic
Note attempt to hold back the Americans
• Victory of the Americans brought no discredit to the little band of 60 Filipinos who fought
and died.
• From the diary - “The General (Aguinaldo) has given me the pick of all the men that can be
spared and ordered me to defend the Pass. I realize what a terrible task has been given me.
And yet I feel that this is the most glorious moment of my life. What I do is done for my
beloved country . No sacrifice can be too great.”
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS AND THE HEROIC
DEATH OF GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR DECEMBER 2, 1899 BY RICHARD
HENRY LITTLE (AMERICAN WAR CORRESPONDENT)
Author’s • He was cheering his men in the fight. He was heard continually urging his men to
Note greater effort, scolding them, praising them, cursing them, appealing one moment for
their love of native land and the next instant threatening to kill them himself, if they
did not stand firm.
• Not until every man around in the 2nd entrenchment was down, did he turn his white
horse and ride slowly up the winding trail.
• He in second was in full sight of the American sharpshooters. From below, it was
seen that an American squirm his way out to the top of a high flat rock and take
deliberate aim at the figure on a white horse.
• A crack from a Krag rifle was heard, then man on a horseback rolled to the ground.
And when the troops charging up the mountain side had reached him, the boy general
was dead.
For the Americans
What Battle of Tirad Pass and Heroic Death of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar
When Dec. 2
Where Tirad Pass, Candon, Ilocos Sur
Who Major March and 33rd Volunteer Infantry, the victors
Why To defeat and arrest E. Aguinaldo and his men
Author’s • It was a great fight that was fought away up on the trail of lonely Tilad Pass
Note • Company H drove the insurgent out of their position and killed Pilar. The other companies went
further up and there was no insurgents. We found 10 dead. Some had been shot several times. We
found bloody trails, that led to edge of the cliff, where wounded men had either jumped or fell.
• After passing the 2nd entrenchment, we found a solitary body lying in the road. The body was
stripped of clothing and there were no marks of rank left on the bloodsoaked coat.
• The face of the dead man had a look I never noticed on the face of other dead men in insurgent
uniforms. The features were clear cut, and forehead high and shapely.
For the Americans

Author • There had been no time to bury him. Not even a blanket or a poncho had been thrown over
’s Note him.
• A crow sat on the dead man‘s feet. Another perched on his head.
• “We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone. But we left him alone in his glory.
A Soldier “That’s old Pilar, we got the old rascal. I guess, he’s sorry he ever went up
against the Thirty-third”
A Young soldier “There ain’t no doubt about its being Pilar. We got his diary, and his letters,
and all his papers…
Private Sullivan “I got his pants. He wont need ‘em anymore.”
Snider Proud of what he did. Got his shoes but can’t wear them because they are
too small
A Sergeant in Company Got a silver spur
G
A Lieutenant Got the other spur
Somebody Swiped the cuff buttons
R. H. Little All I got was a stud button and his collar with blood on it
Major March Got the diary
A Private sitting by Exhibited a handkerchief. “It’s old Pilar. It got “Dolores Hosea” on the corner. I
a camp fire guess that was his girl. Well it’s all off with Gregorio”.
Unknown Mexican dollar and pair of shoes from private insurgent soldier
Private sitting on a Examining a golden locket containing a curl of woman’s hair. “Got the locket off
rock his neck.”
Another man Got his shoulder straps
ANOTHER EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS AND
GENERAL GREGORIO DEL PILAR’S DEATH - DECEMBER 2, 1899 BY JOHN T.
McCUTCHEON (AMERICAN WAR CORRESPONDENT)
For Filipinos
What Battle of Tirad Pass
When December 2, 1899, early morning
Where Crossing Cordilleras from Ilocos Sur to Lepanto Province, 4,500 ft. above the sea
Who Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, Aguinaldo’s bestfriend, the trusted man
60 selected bodyguards of Aguinaldo who are loyal and known for their marksmanship
Why • The last stand to hold back a battalion of Texans for nearly 5 hours.
• A show of loyalty and devotion as told by the grim record they left behind.
• Americans were hunting Aguinaldo who gone over Tila Pass to Cervantes
Author’ • The fight above the clouds of Tila
s note • It was an admirable position for defense, a place where a company could hold back an army, and so superior
that the insurgent leader felt that he at last was safe from the pursuing American cavalrymen beginning in
Tarlac lowlands.
• Filipinos were wasting no shot in combing the mountain grass below them
• Filipinos were slowly and deliberately loading and firing at the Americans. Those on the rocks exhibited no
signs of alarm.
• Despite of the advancing companies, there was not a slightest indication from Filipinos that they are to flee or
give up.
For the Americans
Major March • Ordered to renew the hunt and proceed to the mountain. No commissary supplies were to
and 300 men be taken for bull carts could not travel in the narrow path. Limited ammunition could be
carried, only 140 rounds for each. Only healthy men are to go since they will be cut loose
from all the connections with the coast.
• Reconnaissance in Santo Tomas and Salcedo where the natives were gathered in the plaza
with torches to light the soldiers in, feed the troops, seat among the shacks of the village
for the night.
• Found out that Aguinaldo had passed through the town 5 days before, travelling with all
speed for Tila Pass.
• In Concepcion, an Igorotte village with few Ilocanos, he got a unanimous report that the
insurgents were holding the pass, that it was heavily entrenched and barricaded at various
points. The trail was exceedingly narrow and so steep that one could hardly climb it.
• Suspected that in many places the trail was destroyed.
• Strength of the forces was unknown except it was part of Aguinaldo’s bodyguards,
assumption is less than 150 or 40 or low as 17
January Galoot An intelligent Ilocano guide
For the Americans
Capt. Davies with • Assigned to Lingay to the summit to Angaki which is 2,000 ft above the sea,
Company E and Capt. guided by Galoot who said it will be a 13 hours of travel with no food and water.
Cunningham with the • The first to see the 3-4 insurgents in uniforms
scouts
3 companies of the 33rd - • Proceeded to Lingay too.
G, H, M • Insurgents were above them, they lay helpless for hidden enemy would annihilate
them.
Capt. Jenkinson and Lt. • Ordered to cross the ricefields to the right of the trail to flank the enemies while
McClelland and Company E stayed in the sides. They found it hard to spot the enemies.
Company C
Major March and • Leave the horses in the protective place away from the insurgents. Skirted up the
Companies H & M hills and spotted about 8-10 men.
Company L • Protected Jenkinson and McClelland surge with their cheers to intimidate the
Filipinos
For the Americans
Sgts. Smith and Hughes To strike in the open
Privates Savage and Next to follow charging
McCriffs, Corporal
Stoley
Privates Bishop, Kane, Bethen’s clothes was on fire and Savage stopped to smother the flame
and Bethen
Privates Hill, Cranford, Fell dead with a bullet through his breast. Shot through the head and eye. Struck by a
Morris piece of flying stone
Private Jeyner Shot on the leg, “I was hit” then a bullet pierced his breast and killed him
Private Kilpatrick Next to strike in the open but was stuck 3x by the bullets from above
Lts. Tomkins, True and By 8:30am was ordered to scale the heights. They marched down the trail, avoiding
Company H the insurgents. Far down 45-50 swung up the ravine
Sharpshooters Firing across from the peak to the left while Filipinos were responding shot for shot.
For the Americans
Dr. • Under the little ledge was bandaging the wounded. Dead lay stretch with
Greenwalt handkerchief covering the faces.
Row of • Huddled with their backs to the cut at one side of the trail, waiting and wondering for
soldiers the delay.
• By 11:20am, with conviction of failure and hope was at its lowest ebb, under the heat
of the sun, there came from above sounds of firing from Krag-Jorgensens and
Mausers and cheering.
• With a wild rush, the men followed March up the winding trail while Company E
were scrambling huge barricades of the escaping insurgents targeted by the
sharpshooters across the valley, of Company H above them and men pursuing them.
• Many who were wounded threw themselves over the edge of the trail and went
crashing down through the tall reeds. Many uniforms were scattered along the trail as
a desperate attempt to hurriedly adopt the amigo grab
Author’s note • It was an exhibition of cool, deliberate nerve which was new to the Americans
• In an instant the whole scene had changed. Out of the gloom and despair and restless
inactivity had sprang hope and triumph the moment the tide seemed turned.
For the Americans

Author’ • Gen. Gregorio del Pilar was the last man to fall. He was striving to escape up the trail, had already
s Note received a wound in the shoulder. A native was holding his horse for him, and just as he was
preparing to mount a Krag-Jorgensen bullet hit in the neck coming out just below his mouth.
• The men of Company E, rushing up, caught the native who was trying to secure the papers which
the general had in his pockets, and in a moment capture the horse.
• At that time no one knew who the dead man was, but from his uniform and insignias they judged
that he was an officer of high rank.
• The souvenir fiend was at once at work, and the body was stripped of everything of value, from the
diamond ring to the boots.
• A pair of handsome field eyeglasses, with an attachment which determined the ranges for the
riflemen was turned over to Capt. Jenkinson.
For the Americans

Author’ • 3 little gold lockets which hang around his neck – one, an enamel presentation of a saint on
s Note it, another a purely ornamental one, and the last a small Agnus Dei
• He wore silver spurs, shoulder straps of gold, a new khaki suit. He carried no sword. In one
of his pockets was an American 20 dollar gold piece, which he had shown to me when he
was in Manila with a peace embassy some months before.
• The troop rested, ate their dinner until the wounded were brought forward. At 3am the
troop pushed to the summit of the pass and arrived after 2 hour’s march.
MODERN DAY UPDATE FROM HISTORIAN XIAO
CHUA
• He said Del Pilar's death is based on the accounts of two people who were present
during the battle: Vicente Enriquez and Telesforo Carrasco.
• In his book, Carrasco wrote that Del Pilar could not see the enemy "because of the
cogon grass and that he ordered a halt to the firing."
• "At that moment, I was handing [del Pilar] a carbine and warning him that the
Americans were directing their fire at him and that he should crouch down
because his life was in danger and at that moment he was hit by a bullet in the
neck that caused instant death," he wrote.
• For Chua, news of Del Pilar dying while riding his horse on the battlefield is fake
news meant to sell newspapers.
• "Del Pilar died of carelessness. The account that he died while riding a horse is fake
news. That is an embellishment of an American journalist in the time of yellow
journalism. They wanted to sell newspapers and they wanted to make 'Goyo'
OTHER REFERENCES USED IN THE MAKING
OF THE MOVIE TITLED GOYO: ANG BATANG
HENERAL
• letters of Apolinario Mabini, "An Acceptable Holocaust: Life and Death
of a Boy General" by Teodoro Kalaw;
• A Spaniard in Aguinaldo's Army: The Military Journal of Telesforo
Carrasco y Perez" by Telesforo Carrasco y Perez;
• "General Gregorio H. Del Pilar: Idol of the Revolution" by Isaac C. Cruz;
• "Sentiments: General Emilio Aguinaldo’s Response to the Accusations
of the Sublime Paralytic" by Emmanuel Calairo.
RELEVANCE
1. Source of inspiration for those who are looking for a hero to emulate
2. Appreciation of the role of the key players in history and the wisdom in their action
3. Learn the role of military training, professionalism, quality leadership in the quest for freedom and
independence
4. Imbibe the Filipino values such as loyalty, trust and confidence, good leadership, love for one’s
family, nationalism, patriotism, unity etc.
5. Understand how human drama in history causes disunity, weakness, self interest, misguided
practicality, blind ambition, and others.
6. Realize the importance of decision making or decisiveness in trying times or difficult situation
7. Learn from and realize how factionalism in the local culture affected the Filipino leadership and
history of the country
8. Recognition of the significance of understanding historical events through the lens of historical
APPLICABILITY OF VARIOUS HISTORICAL
THEORIES
1. Unintended Consequences – outcomes that are not the ones foreseen and
intended by a purposeful action.
2. Human Drama – understanding the “real world” with human dynamic affected by
guilt, betrayal, love and other forces interacting with each other. Reveals that
history is the study of the ebb and flow of social, political and economic tensions
that make society flourishes or declines
3. Colonialism – practice of domination and subjugation to expand for new market.
Mistaken to imperialism for the absence of clear-cut distinction. Latin colonus and
imperium refer to farmer and to command. Aim is “civilizing mission” that led to
unrest and discontent of the locals.
4. Weltanschauung or worldview – perception or view of life of a person or society.
Set of beliefs, mindset, outlook on life, human consciousness, ethics, morals etc. All
affect one’s thinking, knowing and doing.
APPLICABILITY OF VARIOUS HISTORICAL
5.THEORIES
Phenomenology – study of conscious experience from first person point of
view or awareness of such experience allowing him to have inner
observation of the experience.
6. Dialogue – group of people finding a common sense or understanding
about things. Moving forward together in a common direction, each
understanding their part in what is being done, and contributing to what
maybe needed in a willing and intelligent way. Affected by cultural
difference (assumptions and beliefs), hierarchical levels (power
differences).
• Ethical stance or respect, listening, assumption suspension, authenticity
7. Existentialism - emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a
free and responsible agent determining their own development through
acts of the will. Also referring to a lived experience, a quest to find one's
values, beliefs, and purpose in the world.

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THE BATTLE OF TIRAD PASS

AND GEN. GREGORIO DEL

After the Battle of Tirad Pass

• On Nov. 27th, Bayambang was • In Candon, Gen. Young prevented the

For the Americans

For the Americans

For the Americans

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