Lesson 4: Controversies and Conflicting Views in Philippine History
Lesson 4.5: Battle of Tirad Pass
Lesson Outcomes:
State the different versions of the controversial historical event
Analyze the conflicting views presented on the historical event that shaped the history of
the Philippines
Make a critical evaluation of the issue
Introduction
The Battle of Tirad Pass, sometimes referred to as the "Philippine Thermopylae", was a
battle in the Philippine-American War fought on December 2, 1899, in northern Luzon in the
Philippines, in which a 60-man Filipino rear guard commanded by Brigadier General Gregorio
del Pilar succumbed to over 500 Americans, mostly of the 33rd Volunteer Infantry Regiment
under Major Peyton C. March, while delaying the American advance to ensure that President
Emilio Aguinaldo and his troops escaped.
Gregorio Hilario del Pilar y Sempio (November 14, 1875 – December 2, 1899) was one
of the youngest generals in the Philippine Revolutionary Forces during the Philippine Revolution
and the Philippine–American War. He is most known for his successful assault on the Spanish
barracks of Cazadores in the municipality of Paombong, his victory on the first phase Battle of
Quingua and his last stand at the Battle of Tirad Pass. during the Philippine-American war.
Because of his youth, he became known as the "Boy General".
Abstraction
Short History
Aguinaldo assigned Brigadier General Gregorio del Pilar to lead the defense of Tirad Pass. A
gifted commander, he had already scored notable victories over the Spanish and the
Americans. The 24-year-old “Boy General” directed his men to dig trenches and pile up stone
walls to enhance the natural fortifications of the pass.
Still, they knew they were doomed. In his diary the night before the battle, del Pilar wrote:
“The General 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.”
On 2 December 1899, American and Filipino forces clashed in the Battle of Tirad Pass.
Shot through the neck, del Pilar perished in the fighting. Major Peyton March moved on,
hurrying after Aguinaldo. But the sacrifices of the Boy General and his men granted the
president a sufficient head start; he escaped to fight another day.
Del Pilar and his men laid unburied in Tirad Pass for three days, until US Army Lieutenant
Dennis Quinlan and some Igorot villagers gave him a decent burial. Quinlan marked the Boy
General’s gravesite with the following inscription:
“Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, Died December 2, 1899, Commanding Aguinaldo’s Rear Guard, An Officer and a
Gentleman.”
(Gregorio del Pilar (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
Controversy
Did he die on top of the mountain or he was at the hilltop when he was shot? Did it
happen while he was rallying his troops to fight the enemies? Did the bullet of the riffle penetrate
to his heart or to his neck? Was he the last man standing defending the pass?
There were many different versions of the young general’s death, conflicting as they are,
but his love of country can never be doubted.
Vicente Enriquez Version (Survivor of the Battle of Tirad Pass)
“del Pilar was warned by our soldiers that the enemies were almost in front of us, but we
observed nothing except an unusual movement in the cogon patches. The general then
instructed his men to stop firing as the enemies halted their fire, too. Then, he stood on the
promontory and checked the enemy position. He was actually watching closely the movements
of the enemy when suddenly a gunshot hit him. He covered his face with his two hands, falling
on his back and died immediately” (Ocampo, 1990).
Telesforo Carrasco (Survivor of the Battle of Tirad Pass)
“The general could not see the enemy because of the cogon grass and he ordered to
stop firing at the enemies. At the moment I was handling him a carbine and cautioned him that
the Americans were directing their fire at him and that he should crouch down because his life
was in danger and that moment, he was hit in the neck that caused his instant death” (Ocampo,
1990).
Richard Henry Little (American War Correspondent)
“It was a battle above the clouds. I saw the most youthful and the bravest of Filipino
generals trying vainly to line-up his soldiers to stave off the advance of the American troops who
pursued him, with the purpose of covering Aguinaldo’s retreat. I saw him talking to his soldier
from trench, inspiring pride in themselves, to ponder over their valor and love of country. I saw
him mount his white horse, in the midst of bullets from our Krag rifles. Later, we saw from below
one of our soldiers turned around, climbed the top of the rock, and aimed his rifle at the general.
We held our breath, not knowing whether or not to pray to God that the soldier hot or missed his
mark. Afterwards, we heard a shot and the youthful general fell…” (Almario et.al, 1989).
Article from the Manila Freedom Newspaper
“It is reported that while Del Pilar was fighting the troops of General march, and was
surrounded by the dead and wounded who fell by his side, he valiantly inspired his troops by his
example. Although seriously wounded, he was standing on the trenches, inspiring his men when
a bullet plowed through his heart, and he fell among his comrades”.
John McCutcheon (American War Correspondent Accompanying the US Forces)
“del Pilar was the last to fall. He had been shot in the shoulders. A Filipino soldier was
subduing his horse and at the moment that he was preparing to mount it, he received a shot
from a Krag-Jergensen at the nape of his neck, the bullet passing through his mouth.
Philippine National Agency Archives
“The general encouraged his men while watching the Americans coming within range”.
Later, the enemy stopped firing. The Filipino troops stopped firing too, thus the whole valley fell
silent. However, unknown to the general and his men, a Filipino was leading a group of
American soldiers to their rear. As he heard a volley of fire coming from the back, del Pilar saw
many of the soldiers fell one by one. Standing alone, he took out his diary from his pocket and
wrote the following words: “what I am doing now is for my beloved land”. After returning his diary
to his pocket, he mounted his horse once more with saber in hand, but a single shot claimed the
life of the young, brave general”.
Teodoro Agoncillo’s Account
“In the morning of December 2, 1899, Major march and his well-armed men proceeded
against Del Pilar. The Filipino troops guarding the narrow pass hit the Americans at will and the
latter were forced to retreat. Unfortunately, an Igorot guided the Americans to the secret trail.
The Americans slowly and quietly went up the trail and surprised Del Pilar and his men. A fierce
battle ensued and Del Pilar was killed by a bullet that passed through his neck. The American
soldiers rushed to the dead body of the young general and looted it for souvenirs”.
US War Department Account
“General March, commanding a squadron of the 33 rd Infantry, U.S. Army, pursued the
rebels entrenched in Tila Pass, which is 4,441 feet above sea level, in the mountains of Tila…
Lieutenant Tompkins, who was commanding H company, ascended the slope, shielded by the
summit which is 150 feet or so at its peak. After climbing this slope, a simultaneous attack on
both the advance and rear guards (of Del Pilar’s platoon) was begun demolishing everything in
sight, killing and wounding 52 among whom was Gregorio H. Del Pilar, the commanding general
of the insurgents”.
REFERENCES:
Corpuz, Ronald M., and Tabotabo, Claudio V., (2018). Controversies in Philippine History: Jose
Rizal’s Retraction. MINDSHAPERS CO., INC., Manila.
SUGGESTED READINGS:
https://brianscottmackenzie.medium.com/the-filipino-thermopylae-at-tirad-pass-2fd4f8b04e0d
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/790/today-in-philippine-history-december-2-1899-
the-battle-of-tirad-pass-took-place
