Battle of Bud Bagsak
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| Battle of Bud Bagsak | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Moro Rebellion |
 United States | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown | John 'Black Jack' Pershing | ||||||
The Battle of Bud Bagsak was a battle during the Moro Rebellion phase of the Philippine-American War fought between June 11 and June 15, 1913. The defending Moro resistance fighters were fortified at the top of Mount Bagsak. The attacking Americans were led by General John 'Black Jack' Pershing.
Background
In the first months of 1913, the Moro ward of Lati, with a population of between 6,000 to 10,000, fortified themselves in a cotta in Mt. Bagsak. On June 11, 1913, General John Pershing ordered the attack. General Pershing and his American military attacked the fort at Bud Bagsak.
In many other battles in the Morolands, the U.S. Army Colt 0.45 caliber pistol was tested and perfected as an effective "man stopper" against the Moro fighters, who often fought with berserker tendencies.
Battle
The four-day battle was personally led by U.S. Brigadier General John "Black Jack" J. Pershing of the 8th Infantry and Philippine Scouts against Moro resistance fighters armed mostly with kris, barongs, spears and few guns.
During the battle, Pershing came up to the front line and: "Stood so close to the trench, directing operations, that his life was endangered by flying barongs and spears which were being continually hurled from the Moro stronghold." At this point in the battle, Pershing sent American officers into the front lines to lead the attack. But, after four days, the fort at Bud Bagsak, along with every warrior fell. General Pershing in a letter to his wife, he wrote: "The fighting was the fiercest I have ever seen... They are absolutely fearless, and once committed to combat they count death as a mere incident."
Aftermath
More than 2,000 Moros died, including 196 women and 340 children.