Background
For a period of some two years following the cessation of hostilities with Spain (the Spanish–American War), various local groups (including some of the native animist tribes of the Philippines, which numbered about five per cent of the total population of about seven million) challenged the occupying army of the United States. Although there had been practically no demonstrations by organized insurgents, the United States Marines in the district of Subig and Olongapo, Luzon Islands, used violence to suppress various local migrants.
The island of Samar had for some time been a source of opposition to American rule. On September 28, 1901, 36 of the soldiers of U.S. Company C, Ninth Infantry, stationed at Balangiga, were killed in a surprise attack by the insurrectos while many were in the mess hall eating breakfast. Another 8 later died of their injuries, and 22 were wounded; only 4 escaped unharmed. It was this event, known as the Balangiga massacre, that provoked Brigadier General Jacob H. Smith, U.S.A., who was in command of the military district which included the island of Samar, to call for reinforcements, which brought the U. S. Marines into action on Samar.
Read more about this topic: March Across Samar
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