Battle of Tirad Pass - Battle

Battle

At about 6:30 in the morning of December 2, the Americans advanced up the trail but were met with a steady volley of fire, resulting in them only being able to climb around 300 feet. The Americans abandoned the idea of a frontal assault and took cover in the zigzag trail. Texan sharpshooters stationed themselves on a hill overlooking the trenches and proceeded to whittle down the Philippine rear guard with measured volleys. Nevertheless, the Filipinos continued to hold their ground, utilizing focused volley fire that repelled other advances by the Americans. Therefore, March sent elements of their force with an Igorot villager named Januario Galut to determine Filipino positions and outflank the defenders. While the search party was not yet returning, three American soldiers, wanting to have a Medal of Honor, rushed to the battlefield but found themselves receiving Filipino fire. Two were dead, being the only Americans killed in the encounter, and the third one was badly wounded.

More than five hours after the battle began, the Americans began to feel the scorching heat of the midday sun and decided to rest for a while in the rock cover. Later that day, as the search party had succeeded their task, the Americans fell upon the rear of the outnumbered defenders, killing 52 of the 60 Filipinos. Among the dead was General del Pilar, shot through the neck at the height or end of the struggle (depending upon which eye-witness account is to be believed).