The Hills of Sampaloc: The Opening Actions of the Philippine-American War

by Benito J. Legarda, Jr.

This book recounts the opening actions during the early hours of the Philippine American War in the Sampaloc-Santa Mesa district in the eastern part of the city of Manila. The spot where the first shot was fired is identified as a side road that is now Calle Sosiego (not, as is commonly believed, San Juan Bridge), and the events (probably accidental) leading up to it that night, as well as the calculated American attacks the following day are described in detail, based on official documents (Filipino and American), news-paper reports, eyewitness accounts and private correspondence. The narrative goes on to cover developments following the fighting, such as unsuccessful truce efforts, Aguinaldo's declaration of war, recriminations among the participants, critical comments by anti-imperialist Americans and Mabini's candid assessment of Filipino military capabilities. Numerous photographs, taken mostly from publications of that period, illustrate the text.

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jay San juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a map that the book keeps on showing again and again to remind the reader about the location of each events. However I found some of these maps highlighting locations that doesn't correspond with the map. Like on page 9 in which they mistakenly highlight Blockhouse 7 as Blockhouse 6 and the Blockhouse 7 as almost near the San Juan Bridge. On page 12 the Blockhouse 10 was highlighted too far from the map, instead near blockhouse 11 it was placed on the right side of Pasig river north of the actual location. This is a error that perhaps the author knew and hopefully it was corrected on subsequent edition since my copy was printed in 2001.

I like the part where the war started. My opinion about it is that Private Grayson made up killing of two Filipinos in his memoirs [the accepted account that every Filipino is familiar and as portrayed in the movie Heneral Luna). The Filipino first saw them, perhaps due to American patrol light being much brighter. They don't know what to do, as noted in the book "American sentinels coming closer to them [Filipinos] than usual." So when the Americans were close enough that the Filipinos "appeared five yards in front of Grayson" they shouted "Halt". The following events happened perhaps within a second that Private Grayson, while pulling his rifle from his shoulder, accidentally hit his hat with the muzzle. Private Miller answered the Filipinos with "halt" in which it was answered by "cocking their pieces." Now Grayson, in a hurry, fired his rifle and the Filipinos replying with terrible aim. Thus, as the author suggest, "Neither one mentions that anyone on either side was killed."

Looking at the internet on Private Grayson picture, I saw him holding a trapdor rifle, a one shot breech loading rifle, which is quite impossible for him to fire a consecutive shot on a close range (almost a close quarter) let alone firing without a reply from Filipinos. That's why I doubt his claim of killing two and his buddy with one. I imagine them almost tipping on their feet then running away in fear. Both side have 0 chances of reloading their rifles [assuming the Filipinos were armed with remingtons though even though with Mausers Filipinos were terrible shot].

[Emerald Fallarme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it hard to read the book because it presents facts after facts without much pause or digest. I’m more of an imaginative reader and all the unfamiliar geography prevented me from keeping up. Nevertheless, the book is a worthy read to get a deeper perspective on the Filipino-American war and appreciate its role in history.

[Paul Elessar Caceres · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very detailed account of how the Philippine-American War started. Reading it felt more like watching a documentary. The details of the war are usually glossed over in school, so this book has expanded my knowledge of Philippine history a little bit.