Memories of Two Wars: Cuban and Philippine Experiences

by Frederick Funston, Thomas Bruscino (Introduction)

Though America did not join rebellious Cuban forces against the Spanish empire until 1898, Frederick Funston (1865–1917) was so moved by a speech by Gen. Daniel Sickles in 1896 that he went to Cuba as a filibuster in the battle for Cuban independence. When the United States finally went to war against Spain, he took command of a regiment, was sent to the Philippine-American War, and received the Medal of Honor for his daring and skill in crossing a river to turn the flank of the Philippine army at the Battle of Calumpit. Two years later, in 1901, he became a national hero for capturing Philippine president and lead insurgent Emilio Aguinaldo. In such roles, Funston was integral to the successful implementation of U.S. policy.

 

Memories of Two Wars is Funston's firsthand account of his adventures in the Cuban Revolution and the Philippine-American war. Conversational yet informative, Funston’s memoir relates his experience with the vigor and joviality of a friend sharing war stories over a drink and a cigar. He describes the guerrilla-style combat necessitated by the lack of weapons, the exotic scenery and vegetation of the islands, and the myriad characters—Cuban, American, Spanish, and Philippine—with whom he worked and fought.

472 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[James BELL]

Very interesting history

If you are interested in military histories, you will enjoy this book. It's written in the archaic words and style of 1915. Once you get used to that, it's a very good book. There were several places in the book where a sentence or paragraph is repeated so I guess it's never been proof read or updated. I enjoyed it.

[Derrick Rowe]

Frederick Funston’s “Memories of Two Wars” is his memoir describing his experiences during the Cuban War for Independence and those from his experiences in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine War. This work covers a variety of his experiences including battle and his capture of Emilio Anguiano the leader of the Philippine Republic. An interesting book for those who are interested to understand the experiences within the Philippine war as well as the Cuban War for Independence.