America at War: The Philippines, 1898-1913

Using previously unpublished diaries, letters, and photographs—plus the writings of war correspondent John T. McCutcheon—Feuer offers a vivid account of America's war in the Philippine Islands during the early part of the 20th century. This story highlights the experiences of the American soldiers, sailors, and marines who participated in the major battles. Not only did they fight a determined enemy, they also battled the weather, the jungle, and the diseases that threatened to take their lives. Their writings, including a section of poems and songs of the era, reveal the thoughts and anxieties of the American fighting man, serving his country nearly 8,000 miles from home. In 1895 Emilio Aguinaldo became the leader of Katipunan, a revolutionary society that sought complete independence from Spain. A year later, his ragtag band of soldiers defeated a Spanish regiment, a victory that incited the Filipino people to rise up against their oppressors. While the Spanish ultimately paid Aguinaldo to enter voluntary exile, in 1898, after the sinking of the ^IMaine^R, the United States would promise independence for the islands in exchange for Aguinaldo's return to lead an uprising against Spain. The U.S. State Department would later repudiate this promise, a move that would embroil United States troops in a bloody struggle to subdue the islands. This is their story.

Table of Contents:
From Hong Kong to Mirs Bay: The Memoirs of John T. McCutcheon Three Days to Manila The Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898 Joseph Montgomery's Story After the Battle: Reports from Cavite Spanish Reports: Call to Arms and Battle Accounts The Siege of Manila: Reports from the Blockade The Phillippines: Islands of Mystery The Night Battle of 31 July: John T. McCutcheon's Account The Utah Artillery at the Battle of Manila: Evaristo de Montalvo's Story The Astor Battery at the Battle of Manila The Surrender of Manila: John T. McCutcheon's Story Letters from Manila Fanning the Fires of War: Charles Mabey's Story Letters from the Front The Pasig River Campaign: Jacob Kreps' Story The Luzon Campaign: Road to Malolos The Battle of Malolos: John Brewer's Story The United States Army's Gunboat Navy Malolos to Calumpit: The Bloodiest Campaign Letter from Calumpit The Road to San Fernando: Death in the Swamps The Siege of Baler and the Adventures of Lyman P. Edwards The Paranaque Campaign: Joseph Donovan's Story The Abra Valley Campaign: The Diary of Lewis Cozzens The Capture of Emilio Aguinaldo "Stand Gentlemen--He Served on Samar!" Life and Death in Moroland The Battle of Bud Bagsak Poems from the American-Philippine War Songs from the American-Philippine War

About the Author :
A.B. FEUER is a retired newspaper and magazine journalist. He is a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.