Did you know that on June 4, 1900, the Battle of Macahambus Hill took place in Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro)? It is the only known major victory by Filipinos over the Americans in Mindanao during the Philippine-American War.
Here’s a brief narrative of the battle.
A small fort in Macahambus Hill was the gateway to the headquarters of Western Mindanao Division in Langaon that was under the command of Col. Apolinar Velez y Ramos. On the early morning of June 4, 1900, Capt. Walter B. Elliot, commanding officer of the 1st company, 40th infantry regiment of the US volunteers, led an expedition to capture Macahambus Hill. The resistance fighters strengthened their defenses around the fort. As the American troops neared the hill, a sentry in a place called Kabula, Apolinario Nacalaban, ran to notify Lt. Cruz Taal, the fort commander. He and his men had very few ammunitions. However, they made use of two small cannons that were left behind by the Spaniards. They were entrenched along the side of the hill behind the breastworks from the entrance of the Macahambus pass to the gate of the fort. As the Americans entered the pass, cannons opened fire, breaking their formation. Many fell in the precipice. Boulders were also rolled down to quell further enemy advances. The Americans were forced to retreat, leaving many of their dead and wounded behind. Among the defenders, only one died-Apolinario Nacalaban, while three others were wounded. It took tremendous effort and careful strategy for the Americans to finally capture Macahambus Hill, until the resistance fighters weakened and retreated into the forest.
American losses totaled as many as 20 dead and wounded. Filipino soldiers however, suffered only 1 killed, Apolinario Nacalaban, and only three wounded, Lucion Labitad, Gabino Lumindas, and Juan Janolo.
In his official report to the US War Department, Maj. Gen. Arthur C. MacArthur, Jr., censured Captain Millar: “The palpable mismanagement in this affair consists in not having reconnoitered the enemy’s position, but there appears to be no means of reaching a force intrenched, as was this one, in a carefully selected position, which must be approached in single file through a pathless jungle, nor any reason why it should be attacked at all, because, under the circumstances, it does not threaten our troops nor any natives under their protection, and it is sufficient to keep it under observation.”
The names of the heroes of Makahambus are engraved in the Plaza de los Heroes Monument located at Masterson Mile. Read our post in the link below.
But Captains Thomas Millar and James Mayes jointly led 155 officers and men of the 40th Infantry assaulted Macahambus a second time and shelled the guerillas’ strongholds, but found them deserted.
all old photos from http://historyboomers.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-battles-of-philippine-american-war.html
from CIO
