Ladybhem P.

Sialongo March 27, 2020

History 226

Philippine-American War, 1899-1902: FIL-AM WAR BREAKS OUT

by Arnaldo Dumindin

About the Author: Arnaldo Dumindin was an author of the book Philippine-American War,
1899-1902:

About the Article:

To correct the belief for over a century that the first shot of the Philippine-American
War was fired on San Juan Bridge but it was on Sociego Street in Santa Mesa district, Manila.
The Philippines' National Historical Institute (NHI) recognized this fact through Board Resolution
7 Series of 2003. On Feb. 4, 2004 the marker on the bridge was removed and transferred to a
site at the corner of Sociego and Silencio streets.

According to the story of Pvt. William W. Grayson of the First Nebraska Volunteer in a
newspaper that:

"About eight o'clock, Miller and I were cautiously pacing our district. We came to a
fence and were trying to see what the Filipinos were up to. Suddenly, near at hand, on
our left, there was a low but unmistakable Filipino outpost signal whistle. It was
immediately answered by a similar whistle about twenty-five yards to the right. Then a
red lantern flashed a signal from blockhouse number 7. We had never seen such a sign
used before.

"In a moment, something rose up slowly in front of us. It was a Filipino. I yelled 'Halt!'
and made it pretty loud, for I was accustomed to challenging the officer of the guard in
approved military style. I challenged him with another loud 'halt!' Then he shouted
'halto!' to me. Well, I thought the best thing to do was to shoot him. He dropped. If I
didn't kill him, I guess he died of fright.

"Two Filipinos sprang out of the gateway about 15 feet from us. I called 'halt!' and Miller
fired and dropped one. I saw that another was left. Well, I think I got my second Filipino
that time...."  Feb. 16, 1899, published in Manila by the US Army.

According to Grayson that they already anticipated the incident to happen and that
what they don’t know was who will do the first shot. And when the encounter happened
Filipinos were uncommand because most of their commander was not in their post.
Reaction:

Based on the story of Pvt. William Grayson hostilities between the American and Filipino
troops had already began prior to the shooting incident on the night of Feb. 4, 2020. He was
pissed of by the action of the lieutenant that morning and obviously he hold grievance against
the Filipinos. It made me realized that Grayson feel honored of the action he had taken on that
night and his company were ready for war and just waiting for the signal and that shot was the
signal.