Capture of Malolos
Capture of Malolos | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Philippine–American War | |||||||
![]() Filipino soldiers in Malolos | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
![]() |
![]() | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
10,000 to 15,000 | 5,000 (estimate) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
8 killed, 105 wounded (official report)[1] | Unknown[1] |
The Capture of Malolos (Filipino: Labanan para sa Malolos), also known as the Battle of Malolos, occurred on March 31, 1899, in Malolos, Bulacan, during the Philippine–American War. General Arthur MacArthur Jr.'s division advanced to Malolos along the Manila-Dagupan Railway.[1] By March 30, American forces were advancing toward Malolos. Meanwhile, the Aguinaldo government moved its seat from Malolos to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.[2]
Background
Despite the failure of the
Battle
After resting at
In a letter sent by the Philippine Republic to the Filipino Junta in Hong Kong (which was then led by Galicano Apacible) on April 18, 1899, it was stated that the fall of Malolos did not pose a significant impact upon the ability of the Filipino forces to wage war on the Americans.[3] It was also stated that Filipino garrisons in the north could not be pulled out for the defense of the capital because an American landing was suspected in Pangasinan and Tayabas.[3] The generals of the Republic believed that Malolos was near enough to the shore to be bombarded by American gunships, and that rather than advancing to meet them, the best strategy would be to draw the Americans into the interior of the country where they would have to disperse their forces. This would in turn serve to dilute the strength of the Americans and keep the Filipino forces out of range of the American gunships.[3]
Aftermath
The battle in Malolos itself only cost eight American lives, with another 105 Americans wounded.[1] However, the American official history noted that the whole campaign to capture the Philippine capital from March 25 to 31, resulted in 56 Americans killed and 478 wounded.[3] The hasty campaign to Malolos primarily failed in its objective to demoralize the Filipinos. This was demonstrated in the third week of April when, after MacArthur left Malolos to move to Pampanga via Calumpit, the Filipinos returned to reoccupy Malolos. MacArthur's move would subsequently result in the Battle of Calumpit.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d Dumindin, Arnaldo. "Americans Advance To Malolos, March 24–31, 1899". Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ISBN 971-8711-06-6.
- ^ ISBN 9789711707002.
- ^ Funston, Frederick (1911). Memories of Two Wars. New York. pp. 262 ff.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)