 Gregorio del Pilar c. 1899 Gregorio del Pilar (November 14, 1875—December 2, 1899) was the youngest and the most picturesque general in the Philippine Revolutionary Forces during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ...
1875 (MDCCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...
December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ...
Combatants Filipino independence movement Spanish Empire Commanders Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines Strength 80,000 soldiers unknown Casualties unknown unknown The Philippine Revolution (1896—1898) was a conflict between the Spanish colonial regime and the Katipunan, which sought independence for the Filipinos. ...
Combatants United States Philippines Commanders William McKinley Theodore Roosevelt Emilio Aguinaldo Strength 126,000 soldiers 80,000 soldiers Casualties 4,324 U.S. soldiers dead, 3,000 wounded 2,000 killed, dead, or wounded suffered by the Philippine Constabulary 16,000 soldiers killed est. ...
He was born on November 14,1875 to Fernando H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio of San Jose del Monte|San Jose, Bulacan. He was the nephew of the great propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar and Toribio del Pilar, who was exiled to Guamfor his involvement in the 1872 Cavite Mutiny.
"Goyong", as he was fondly known, enrolled at the Ateneo de Manila University|Ateneo Municipal de Manila where he finished his Bachelor’s degree in 1896, at the age of 20. When the Philippine Revolution|revolution broke out in August under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio, Del Pilar decided to become a soldier of the revolution. Under his command, the Filipinos mounted daring attacks on Spanish garrisons in Bulacan where Del Pilar distinguished himself as a battlefield commander.
He then joined General Emilio Aguinaldo to Hong Kong after the Truce at Biak-na-Bato. Upon resuming control of the Philippine revolution, Gen. Aguinaldo appointed Del Pilar to lead the revolutionary forces in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. On June 1, Del Pilar landed in Bulacan with rifles purchased in Hong Kong, quickly laying siege on the Spanish forces in the province.
When the Spaniards surrendered to Del Pilar, the "boy general" brought his troops to Caloocan and Manila to support the other troops battling the Spaniards there. When the Philippine-American War broke-out on February 1899, he led his troops to a short victory over Major Franklin Bell in the Battle of Quingua on April 23, 1899, in which his forces repelled a cavalry charge, and killed the highly decorated Colonel Stotsenberg (Clark Air Base originally named Fort Stotsenberg).
Battle of Tirad Pass The 24 year-old "boy general" led a 60-man Filipino rearguard in the Battle of Tirad Pass against the "Texas Regiment", the 33rd Infantry Regiment of the United States Volunteers. The awesome story has been told and retold with epic grandeur, how Del Pilar stood with his valiant soldiers on the steep and solitary mountain Pass of Tirad, steadfast to repel the invader, or fight and die like honorable men. In a moving eulogy the Filipino soldiers’ "stand against overwhelming odds has been fittingly compared by American contemporary writers to that of Leonidas and his Spartans at Thermopylae, and that of the embattled Afridis at Dargai Ridge. Even now, we are thrilled with the account of their courage. But the death of Del Pilar is something more than a soldier’s death. It was the sublime protest of a patriot against the decree of adverse fate. He had yearned for death when he saw that all was lost for the Republic. He had wished for it when long before the battle of Tirad, he proposed to meet the pursuing enemy after the disaster at Caloocan. He felt its obsession when at midnight on the bank of the river at Aringay he woke up his soldiers and pointedly asked them this question: ‘Brothers, which do you prefer, to die fighting or to flee like cowards?’ Combatants United States Philippines Commanders Major P.C. March Gregorio del Pilar Strength 500 60 Casualties 2 dead and 9 wounded 52 dead and wounded The Battle of Tirad Pass, sometimes referred to as the Philippine Thermopylae was a battle in the Philippine-American War fought on December 2, 1899...
"…From morning till noon he repelled charge after charge, he tenaciously held on with his handful of men through the heat and agony of battle, till he himself fell dead among his slain soldiers. And well chosen and most fitting was the place where he offered the sacrifice of his life. It was on the mountain summit, overlooking the plains and the shores of his country, a massive and tremendous altar, built as it were for Titans, caressed by the rolling clouds of morning, lighted by the stars of dusk."
Admittedly, it was one of the darkest hours in Philippine history. President Aguinaldo was retreating to the mountains with only a few faithful followers about him. The young general could not bear to see the misfortune of his country. A man of iron who could not yield to the foe like Andrés Bonifacio and Antonio Luna, Del Pilar could accept no compromise.
The six hour battle standoff resulted in the death of Gregorio del Pilar by a shot to the neck. Moments after his death, del Pilars body was looted of his possessions by US forces. Items taken; his pistol, sword, diary and personal papers, boots and silver spurs, shoulder straps, coat and pants, a lady's handkerchief with the name "Dolores Jose", diamond rings, gold watch, and a gold locket containing a woman's hair.
The diary belonging to del Pilar had a poignant final entry, written on the night of 1 December, read:
''"The General has given me the pick of all the men that can be spared and ordered me to defend the Pass. I realize what a terrible task has been given me. And yet I feel that this is the most glorious moment of my life. What I do is done for my beloved country. No sacrifice can be too great."''
In the Philippines, del Pilar's brilliant and heroic rear-guard action is referred to as the "Filipino Thermopylae." The modern monument in Thermopylae Thermopylae (IPA pronunciation: ) (Ancient and Katharevousa Greek , Demotic ΘεÏμοπÏλες: hot gateway) is a location in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. ...
Del Pilars body rested exposed for days without a burial. While re-tracking the trail, an American officer, Lt. Dennis P. Quinlan, ordered his men to give honor to the fallen but valorous foe. General del Pilar was finally given a traditional U.S. military burial. Upon his tombstone, Lt. Quinlan inscribed, "an Officer and a Gentleman".
Trivia - He was given a medal of honor for his bravery in Tirad Pass. [citation needed]
- In 1930 his body was exhumed, he was identified by the gold tooth and braces that were installed while exiled in Hong Kong.
- In 1955, the Municipality of Concepcion in Ilocos Sur Province was renamed in honor of Gregorio del Pilar.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...
Seal of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines. ...
References - Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.
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