Battle of Calumpit

Battle of Calumpit
Part of the Philippine-American War
Date April 25–27, 1899 Location Calumpit, Bulacan, Philippines Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
United States	Philippine Republic
Commanders and leaders
Arthur MacArthur, Jr. Loyd Wheaton Irving Hale Frederick Funston	Antonio Luna Gregorio del Pilar
Strength
20th Kansas Volunteers Utah Volunteer Light Artillery 1st Montana Volunteers 1st Nebraska Volunteers	3,000
Casualties and losses
700 killed in action (Philippine claim) 22 dead and 127 wounded (American claim)	200 killed in action

700 killed in action (Philippine claim)

The Battle of Calumpit, alternately known as the Battles of Bagbag and Pampanga Rivers, was fought from April 25–27, 1899, in Calumpit, Bulacan, during the Philippine-American War. Taking place after the Battle of Quingua, the fighting around Calumpit saw US forces under General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. once again face General Antonio Luna's main force, with whom they had clashed during the fall of Malolos on March 31, 1899.

Beginning on March 25, the Americans began their drive to capture Malolos, the Philippine capital at the time, hoping that it would shatter the morale of the Filipino troops. This was achieved on March 31, amidst token resistance by about 5,000 Filipinos. The capital had already been transferred to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, before the debacle, and the main Filipino force, under the command of General Antonio Luna, had moved to the Calumpit–Apalit Line. MacArthur, meanwhile, rested with his troops in Malolos to prepare the drive against the Calumpit–Apalit Line. The Battle of Quingua, which occurred on April 23, signaled the beginning of a new American offensive. It was one of the flanks in the Filipino line of defense.

Calumpit, only 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) north of Malolos, was the next American objective after they had taken Quingua. Luna, however, was nowhere near Calumpit for he had embarked on a journey to Guagua to punish General Tomás Mascardo, the military commander of Pampanga, for leaving his post to inspect troops at Arayat, Pampanga. He had been supposed to strengthen the defense of the Calumpit–Apalit Line by providing reinforcements in the area when needed. Mascardo had around 21,000 men under his command at the time. Luna took most of the defending cavalry and the artillery with him and General Del Pilar was left to counter the advancing American troops lacking their support.

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