March Across Samar

The march across Samar, or Waller's March across the island of Samar, was an attempt made in 1901 by U.S. Marine forces to traverse the Philippine island from Lanang to Basey, a distance of some 35 miles, purportedly for the purpose of finding a suitable telegraph cable route. Named for the Commanding Officer of the ill-fated patrol, Major Littleton W. T. Waller, the expedition proved disastrous due to unexpected and exceedingly harsh conditions as well as a mutiny of many of the natives which had been brought along as porters. 10 Marines died during the attempt and 11 Filipinos were subsequently executed for their role in the mutiny.