THE PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION

After the seizure of Manila during the War with Spain by Admiral Dewey, the call was made for American ground forces to defend the Philippines. The first regiment to be sent was the 4th Cavalry. Six troops were initially sent in August 1898 to Manila, where they were immediately deployed to defend Manila from dissident elements of the Philippine army, that resented the American takeover of their island. Fighting broke out when Filipino forces fired on U.S. Forces. The Americans drove the Filipinos from the city and began a campaign to capture the insurgent capitol of Malolos. Because of a mix-up the 4th Cavalry's horses had been unloaded in Hawaii. Troops E,I and K were mounted on Filipino ponies and participated in the Malolos campaign. A dismounted squadron consisting of Troops C and L participated in the capture of Santa Cruz, led by Major General Lawton. He served as a 1st Lieutenant and Captain from 1871 to 1888 and he commanded Troop B during the Geronimo Campaign.)

By August 1899 the rest of the Regiment had arrived in the Philippines. In the Fall of 1899, the 4th Cavalry moved north, under the General Lawton, to capture the insurgent President Aguinaldo. Severe fighting took place and in the small town of San Mateo, General Lawton was killed in action.

In January 1901, the Regiment was assigned pacification duties in the southern part of Luzon. On 31 September 1901 the tour of duty in the Philippines ended for the Regiment. The 4th Cavalry had participated in 119 skirmishes and battles. The Regiment's three squadrons were reassigned to Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley, Kansas and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, the birthplace of the Regiment. In 1905, the 4th Cavalry returned once again to the Philippines and participated in the Jolo campaign on the island of Mindanao. It was about this time that John Phillip Sousa, impressed with the reputation of the 4th Cavalry, wrote an official march for the 4th Cavalry entitled "Riders for the Flag".