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Post by VeeVee on Sept 30, 2008 17:38:49 GMT -5
Posting for Macky... Attached is a quotation of Dr. Isidro Antonio(UP Professor who wrote a brief biography of Gen. Geronimo in 1930's)on Dinweddie account
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 2, 2008 6:14:37 GMT -5
Posting for Macky: -------- Heres another proof on Gen. Lawtons concentrating its force on the high ground and planned tha attack on san mateo. The document was an annual military report, send in to me by richard and kevin during our exchange of information last july. Rgrd Macky
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 12, 2008 21:00:28 GMT -5
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Oct 14, 2008 7:31:37 GMT -5
Base from this two document that I collected(from kevin and Richard, and the other one is from the book that I borrowed in San Mateo Municipal Library)It appears that the secret mission of Gen. Lawton to attack San Mateo was already compromised and already betrayed to the Filipinos.
"Gen. Lawton's last expedition, the one against San Mateo was planned very quietly,(secretly) in order if possible to effect a surprise." ----Annual Report 1900---
"Before the arrival of Gen. Lawton's forces, the insurgents army under the command of Gen. Geronimo, was already deployed and well entrenched along the banks of the Marikina river and were awaiting orders."
"The Filipinos had learned that the Americans were coming to attack them on December 18th so they were on the alert, the whole day" ---Dr. Isidro Antonio---
"COMING TO ATTACK THEM ON DECEMBER 18TH SO THEY WERE ON THE ALERT, THE WHOLE DAY"
"THE WHOLE DAY"
While talking to Gen. Otis in the dining hall of the Palacio de Governador 7:00 O'Clock in the evening, Gen. Lawton is still clueless that the mission was already compromised and that the Filipinos are now waiting for him in their trenches in San Mateo.
This later on leads to the death of Gen. Lawton in the battlefield of San Mateo.
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 18, 2008 9:44:36 GMT -5
More research info sent in by Macky - collected by him, Richard, and Kevin: Soon after his death an extract from private letter was published, in which appeared following sentence: "If I am shot by a Filipino bullet, it might was well be from one of my own men." The peculiar phrase attracted considerable attention, especially in the early part of the Presidential campaign of 1900. The letter was written in Manila October 6, 1899, to John Barrett, ex-minister to Siam, then in NYC. The following extract from the letter gives the full setting of the mysterious sentence above quoted, and affords another evidence that the continuation of the insurrection was due to direct encouragement from the US. "I agree with you that mistakes have been made here, but I would to God that the whole truth of this whole Philippine situation could be known by every one in America. I wish the people could know it as I know it, and as you know it. I agree that if the real facts in connection with this story, inspiration and conditions of this insurrection and the hostile ruptures, local and eternal, such as the Katipunan revolutionary society and juntas that now encourage the enemy, as well as the actual possibilities of these Philippines and people and their relation to this great East, which you have set forth so ably, could be understood at home in America, we would hear no more political talk of unjust shooting of government into the Filipinos or of unwise threats of hauling down our flag in the Philippines. You are right. Some of us have modified our views since we first came, and it these so-called anti-imperialists of Boston would honestly ascertain the truth on the ground here, and not in distant America, the, whom I dislike to believe to be other than honest men misinformed, would be convinced of the error of their exaggerated statements and conclusions and of the cruel and unfortunate effect on their publications here. It is kind of you to caution me about exposure under fire, but if I am shot by a Filipino bullet, it might as well come from one of my own men. These are strong words, and yet I say them because I know from my own observation, confirmed by stories of captured Filipino prisoners, that the continuance of fighting is chiefly due to reports that are sent out from America and circulated among those ignorant natives by the leaders who know better." ----- During Lawton's service in the Philippines, General William R. Shafter retired which opened a promotion vacancy at the brigadier general level-regular army. Theories and rumors were plentiful as to who would get the promotion, two candidates being Lawton and General Arthur MacArthur. The press seemed to favor Lawton as did a good many of the fighting men in the Philippines. At the same time, since Otis 'seemed' to favor MacArthur with the 'big' missions, he was the odds on favorite in the eyes of many in the military. There was the matter of a 'slip' on Lawton's part as military governor of Santiago but that turned out to be nothing more than rumor mongering among a few Lawton detractors. President McKinley ordered the AG's office to process the promotion for General Lawton which was a clear vote of confidence in Lawton's service and his results in the Philippines. Sadly, as the promotion was being finalized, Lawton was killed in action at San Mateo. For posterity however, the regular army star was an affirmation of his outstanding record of service to the country. Moreover, his prominence and stature was left in no doubt in judgments later made by men such as Elihu Root when he wrote:
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Oct 19, 2008 4:03:37 GMT -5
Who betrayed Gen. Lawton? Was it Otis?(There was a political rift between Gen. Lawton and Gen. Otis in the Philippines, it is said that Pres. McKinley indirectly offered Gen. Otis position to Gen Lawton.)or was it the growing interest of American Imperialism in the Philippines? What will happen if Gen. Lawton succeeded Otis? will he continue the war with the the Filipinos or will he stop it?(it is said that Gen. Lawton has his sympathy with the Filipinos)if this is so, then what will happen to the growing interest of American Imperialism in the Philippines? The fact here is that someone(from the American rank)betrayed Gen. Lawton, betrayal that caused him his life. (I agree now with Kevin, that the death of Gen. Lawton was a great lost to the Filipino aspiration.)
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 20, 2008 5:58:36 GMT -5
But I think even if Gen. Lawton was betrayed, his death still depended on him exposing himself and a Filipino marksman hitting the target. He was a professional soldier and would have followed orders even if he sympathized with the Filipinos. Or he'd simply be relieved of his duties.
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Post by VeeVee on Dec 3, 2008 7:07:08 GMT -5
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Post by VeeVee on Dec 19, 2008 23:39:26 GMT -5
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Dec 20, 2008 1:46:16 GMT -5
Veevee,
maraming maraming salamat!
South Bank of the River----- I took the picture facing West to Barrio Silangan(On the other side of the river is the actual position of the 27th and some unit of the 29th Infantry of Gen. Lawton)
North Bank of the River----- Cavalry Charge here! by the 11th cavalry unit of Gen. Lawton(In the middle of this plain is the Merging river North of Gen. Geronimo's defences)
Pictures Below ----- The "High Grounds"(The Bluff)and the present location of Gen. Lawtons monument.
Macky
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Post by VeeVee on Dec 22, 2008 9:28:19 GMT -5
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Jan 17, 2009 8:23:42 GMT -5
G. Eddie Geronimo Ocampo the "apo" of Gen. Licerio Geronimo(4th, 5th picture from left)
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Post by 79thfoot on Jan 20, 2009 11:27:40 GMT -5
Nice! I've been fascinated by the Lawton-Geronimo story since I was in college - it's one of those amazingly ironic historical tales (Lawton captures the Apache Geronimo only to be shot by soldiers of the Pinoy Geronimo) but to think that Lawton kind of sympathized with the Filipinos even though, as a fighting soldier, he did his duty professionally adds even more irony to it.
That's one movie I wish I could see one day!
Salutes, Tom
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Post by insurrectomad on Feb 21, 2009 0:45:26 GMT -5
amen to the movie idea. My late friend Roy Millichip wanted to do a TV Doc. of the battle back in 2000-01. with a possible showing on the Hist. Ch. His Idea was that the profit could kickstart a Film/TV company into doing a 8 part series of the entire war. The DVD part profits financing a reenactment soc. in Phil. & "Cerio" museum. Roy worked on many Hollywood movies (Ryan's Daughter was one) And directed TV films in Ireland, England & Australia. Alas he got very ill & problem hit all other willing parties including Philippine Airlines at that time! If all the reenactors could come together in Phils. I've a mate in Manila TV News who cover any event. This then could a stepping stone for bigger things. As in England, backers and support comes after a reenactment group or society is in existence. The lack of interest in their history by students in Manila or elsewhere is sad. Not even the Battle for Bataan stirs any passion amongst the students in the province or in Pampanga as far as I can make out. But keep on battling, who knows. Mabuhay! David
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Feb 21, 2009 3:00:34 GMT -5
insurrectomad,
I thouht you were a Filpino and from manila, sorry for answearing in Filipino, you see i have so many things to say about the battle but Im having a hard time explaning it in English. My english is not that good and undevelop and i am asking you sorry for that. Anyway, how do you find my thread? trying to preserve my thoughts, "opinion", and analysis here about the battle of san mateo. Trying to promote it to the filipino's thru this forum and so far 1,200 readers responded he he he he
If you want to know more about this battle, email me on this add. sumaquel@yahoo.com and I will tell you everything I know about the battle.....But in Filipino! he he he
Mabuhay Po!
Macky
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Post by VeeVee on Feb 24, 2009 4:09:03 GMT -5
Posting for Macky... ------------ VANTAGE POINT! According to Gen. Geronimo THEY WERE ON THE "VANTAGE POINT" and ready when the americans came to san mateo. Where is this vantage Point? Ito ang mga posibling lugar na maaaring tinutukoy ni Gen. Geronimo na Vantage point. Picture 114 -- The church belfry of Our lady of arranzazu in san mateo Picture 075, 076, 077 -- Photo taken inside the San mateo Elem. school(Notice the elevation of the elem. compound compared to the houses across the river) Battlefield 4 --- Location of the churchbelfry and san mateo Elementary in the battlefield of san mateo. ScannedImage-10 --- Harpers weekly san mateo battle map(which is a copy of dinweiddi battle map) Note: the position of the Elem. school and the trenches of Gen. Geronimo in the Harpers battle map are on the same location.(With the merging river in the north as the point of reference)
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Feb 24, 2009 8:07:05 GMT -5
Many Thanks Victor! Many more photo's of the battlefield to come!
Mabuhay!
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Post by dimasalang on Feb 24, 2009 14:33:36 GMT -5
It would be nice to see any type of movie/documentary dealing with the Philippine American War being aired on US channels...but I just highly doubt that will ever happen. We can read all we want and uncover all kinds of great stories about this war, but what it really comes down to is the war itself. The Phil-Am War is one war America wishes never happened and would like it to be kept in the closet. The US citizens and soldiers were 100% for the Spanish American War..."Remember the MAINE!" and everyone was patriotic just like after 9/11...but once the Phil-Am War started, they were split in half on supporting this war. I know many people brush off the US soldier death rate of the Phil-Am War as merely nothing compared to other wars. But you have to compare it with another war with the same background. This is why this war parallels the Iraq War, many Americans feel we should not be there in the first place and every America soldier lost means so much...very unlike WWII where hundreds of thousands died, and we look back and hold our head up high cause they all died with honor for the great cause...but in Iraq one life lost is a d**n'd shame. As of right now ~4200 soldiers have died in Iraq, and to everyone it is EXCESSIVE...4200 is also the casualty count for the Phil-Am War, and the population was significantly less 100 years ago(300mil vs 76mil). So you can imagine the sentiments and feeling towards loss of American lives between then and now.
Another example of America keeping this war under wraps was during this past Memorial Day. They had a special on Arlington Cemetery and they posted up the number of soldiers killed for every single war...guess which war they left out completely? The US Library of Congress officially renamed the Philippine Insurrection to the "Philippine American War" in 1999...so there is no debate about an "official" war being fought. Ask any American on the street or any kid who just took an American history course...and they will be dumbfounded there was even a war with the Philippines. I remember "briefly" reading about the Philippine Insurrection in US History class...it was two paragraphs long.
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Post by VeeVee on Feb 28, 2009 15:04:54 GMT -5
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macky
History Student
Posts: 63
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Post by macky on Mar 1, 2009 9:16:08 GMT -5
1st & last photo- B. Mariano street in San Mateo Rizal.(On my back is the San Mateo Elem. School and on my right side is the battlefield)
2nd Photo From Left - The merging river north of Gen. Geronimo's Defenses.
3rd and 4th from left - The temporary bridge of San Mateo River.(20 meters from my back is the Lawton's Monument.)
1st middle photo - On the other side of the river was the actual position of the 29th Inf. USV (the small islands indicated on the Deinweiddi battle map.)
2nd middle photo - The churchbelfry as seen in the battlefield.
3rd and middle photo - The location of the merging river on the left and the position of Gen. Geronimos trenches on the right.
4th middle photo - location of the San Mateo Elem. School.
2nd to the last photo - The storngpoint of Gen. Geronimo(It is in my opinion that somewhere on this area the shot that killed Gen Lawton was fired.)
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