Jacob H. Smith

Jacob H. Smith

American Civil War

  • Battle of Shiloh
Indian Wars
Spanish American War
Philippine-American War

General Jacob Hurd Smith (January 29, 1840 - March 1, 1918) was a United States Army officer best known for ordering an indiscriminate retaliatory attack on a group of Filipinos during Philippine-American War after more than forty American soldiers were massacred in a surprise attack on the Island of Samar. His orders included, "kill everyone over the age of ten" and make the island "a howling wilderness." Court-martialed for the incident, he was dubbed "Hell Roaring Jake" Smith, "The Monster", and "Howling Jake" by the anti-imperialist press as a result.

Read more about Jacob H. Smith:  Civil War and Postbellum, Army Judge Advocate Position, Smith’s Future Gaffes, Legal Problems, Later Life, Battle Wounds

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    As for me, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are now only the subtlest imaginable essences, which would not stain the morning sky.
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