March across Samar

The march across Samar, or Waller's March across the island of Samar, was an attempt made in 1901 by U.S. Marine forces to traverse the Philippine island from Lanang (now named Llorente) to Basey, a distance of some 35 miles. Waller had proposed the expedition in October 1901 to Brigadier General Jacob H. Smith, U.S.A., who was in command of the military district which included the island of Samar, as a prelude to the establishment of a chain of outposts stretching across the island in order to interdict the flow of supplies to rebels in the north and to isolate rebels in the south. Smith had been receptive because he thought that the march might identify the best route for a telegraph line to connect Samar's east and west coasts. Named for the Commanding Officer of the ill-fated patrol, Major Littleton W. T. Waller, the expedition proved disastrous due to unexpected and exceedingly harsh conditions as well as a mutiny of many of the natives which had been brought along as porters. 10 Marines died during the attempt and 11 Filipinos were subsequently executed for their role in the mutiny.

For a period of some two years following the cessation of hostilities with Spain (the Spanish–American War), various local groups (including some of the native animist tribes of the Philippines, which numbered about five per cent of the total population of about seven million) challenged the occupying army of the United States. Although there had been practically no demonstrations by organized insurgents, the United States Marines in the district of Subig and Olongapo, Luzon Islands, used violence to suppress various local migrants.

The island of Samar had for some time been a source of opposition to American rule. On September 28, 1901, 36 of the soldiers of U.S. Company C, Ninth Infantry, stationed at Balangiga, were killed in a surprise attack by the insurrectos while many were in the mess hall eating breakfast. Another 8 later died of their injuries, and 22 were wounded; only 4 escaped unharmed. It was this event, known as the Balangiga massacre, that provoked General Smith to call for reinforcements, which brought the U. S. Marines into action on Samar.

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