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Published by the Society
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April 19, 7 o 1 o

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THE SOCIETY SONS OF THE REVOLUTION CARRIES UPON ITS
MEMBERSHIP ROLL THE NAMES OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL EDWIN
BYRON ATWOOD, WHO DIED AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AUGUST 8, 1909;
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN GREEN BALLANCE, WHO DIED AT MIAMI,
FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 10, 1910; COLONEL WILLIAM ANTHONY ELDER-
KIN, WHO DIED AT MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK, JANUARY 1, 1900;
MAJOR ERASMUS CORWIN GILBREATH, WHO DIED FROM EXHAUSTION
IN PORTO RICO, AUGUST 22, 1898, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BATTLE
AT MAYAGUEZ; CAPTAIN CHARLES LEE COLLINS, WHO DIED AT CEBU,
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, SEPTEMBER 7, 1899, AND COLONEL ALFRED
CLARENCE SHARPE, NOW COMMANDING THE MILITARY POST AT
ZAMBOANGA, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
THREE OF THESE OFFICERS OF THE REGULAR ARMY OF THE
UNITED STATES ACHIEVED DISTINCTION DURING THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION, AND ALL OF THEM SERVED THROUGH MANY INDIAN
CAMPAIGNS AND THE LATE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
THE MEMBERS OF THIS SOCIETY HAVE ENJOYED A PERSONAL
ASSOCIATION WITH THEM ALL, FOR ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN STA
TIONED AT LOS ANGELES WHILE THIS CITY WAS THE HEADQUAR
TERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA, OR ORDERED HERE AT
VARIOUS TIMES FOR TEMPORARY DUTY, AND THEIR CAREERS HAVE
BEEN REGARDED BY US NOT ONLY WITH PRIDE BUT ALSO WITH
AFFECTIONATE INTEREST.
THE STORY OF THE MILITARY SERVICES OF GENERAL BALLANCE
IS TOLD IN THE RECORDS AND GENERAL ORDERS OF THE WAR
DEPARTMENT AT WASHINGTON, TO WHICH FEW PERSONS HAVE EASY
ACCESS, BUT A PATIENT AND PERSISTENT REQUEST FOR INFORMA
TION HAS ENABLED US TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THOSE MOST IMPOR
TANT, AND WE ARE ABLE TO PLACE THEM BEFORE THE MEMBERS
OF THIS SOCIETY THAT YOU MAY READ WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOM
PLISHED BY YOUR FELLOW-MEMBER DURING A LIFE DEVOTED TO
A MOST FAITHFUL SERVICE FOR HIS COUNTRY.
REPUBLICS ARE PROVERBIALLY UNGRATEFUL, AND IT WOULD
SEEM THAT THE SAYING IS TRUE IN THE CASE OF GENERAL BAL
LANCE, FOR, WITH HIS MILITARY CAREER ENDED WHILE IN MIDDLE
LIFE, HOLDING THE RANK OF ONLY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, BY
REASON OF DISABILITIES INCURRED DURING THE ARDUOUS CAM
PAIGNS OF THE PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION HE WAS PLACED UPON
THE RETIRED LIST OF THE ARMY WITH NO RECOGNITION OF HIS
BRILLIANT CAREER OTHER THAN THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRO
MOTION, AND THE TRIBUTES TO HIS GALLANTRY, FOUND IN THE
GENERAL ORDERS OF HIS SUPERIOR OFFICERS.
IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY WITH A REGULAR ARMY, SERVICES SUCH
AS SHOWN BY THIS RECORD, WOULD BE RECOMPENSED BY HIGH
RANK AND A COMMENSURATE PENSION.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
FEBRUARY 22, 1910.

MdMdav Qf>a \**lL«~.

JOHN GREEN BALLANCE.
Lieutenant-Colonel, United States Army.
Brigadier-General, United States Volunteers.

qjOHN GREEN BALLANCE was descended from John Ballance, a
" youth of nineteen years, who came from London in the ship Mer
chant's Hope, and landed in Virginia in September, 1635.
His great-grandfather, Charles Ballance, was a private in Colonel
Edward Stevens' Tenth Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army,
and he died May 13, 1777, from wounds received in battle.
His grandfather, Willis Ballance, served three years as corporal in
the Second Virginia Regiment, commanded successively by Colonels
Gregory Smith and William Brent.
His father, Charles Ballance, an eminent lawyer of Illinois, who
left Kentucky and settled in Peoria in 1831, was an officer of Illinois
troops in the Black Hawk War, and during the War of the Rebellion
he recruited and organized the Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry Regi
ment, of which he was commissioned Colonel.
His great-great-grandfather, Robert Green, was descended from
Sir Henry Green of Green's Norton, in Northamptonshire, the ancestor
of Katharine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. Robert came to
Virginia in 1712, with his uncle, Sir William Duff, and they settled
upon the James River. In 1732, with his uncle and two others, he was
granted a patent of 120,000 acres of land in the Valley of Virginia, the
first patent granted for land west of the Blue Ridge, and he became
an active factor for the settlement of that region. In 1736, he was a
member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and Captain of the Orange
County Militia.
His mother was Julia Margaret Schnebly, descended from Dr. Hein-
rich Schnebly, an immigrant from Canton Zurich, Switzerland, who set
tled in Maryland, near Hagerstown, in the early Colonial days.
John Green Ballance was born May 9, 1853, in Peoria, Illinois,
the ninth child of Charles Ballance and Julia Margaret Schnebly, his
wife. Deciding to adopt the legal profession of his father, he was pre
paring for entrance to Yale College, when being tendered an appointment

to the United States Military Academy at West Point, by General John
A. Logan, he renounced his aspirations for the law, and he was accepted
as a cadet on June i, 1871.
Graduating in June, 1875, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant
in the Sixteenth Infantry, but the same month he was transferred to
the Twenty-second Infantry, commanded by Colonel, afterwards Brig
adier-General, David S. Stanley.
He served with his regiment at Fort Wayne, near Detroit, Mich.,
1875-76; at Fort Brady, Mich., 1876-77; at Fort Mackinac, Mich.,
1877-79; at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, 1879-80; at Fort Clark,
Texas, 1880-82; was promoted to ist Lieutenant February 25, 1881.
In 1881 he traveled extensively in Old Mexico, examining the
country, and made a particular study of its army, with a view of
being well acquainted with it in case of hostilities with that country
which were threatened about that time.
He was appointed Regimental Quartermaster, 22nd Infantry, in
1882 (See Exhibits 2 and 4), and he had charge of transporting and
subsisting the regiment during its long journey from Fort Clark, Texas,
to Colorado, in the fall of 1882; was appointed Depot Quartermaster,
at Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1883 ; Acting Adjutant General of New
Mexico in 1884; Acting Regimental Adjutant in May 1884; served
at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Fort Lewis, Colorado, in 1883-1884;
took part in the expedition against the Jicarilla Apache Indians in the
fall of 1883 in Colorado and New Mexico, which resulted in the
removal of the whole tribe to the Mescalero Indian Reservation, near
Fort Stanton, New Mexico, thereby relieving the inhabitants of
Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico from the terror which
had long overshadowed them. In May 1884 he was appointed Aide-
de-camp on the staff of General D. S. Stanley and ordered to San
Antonio, Texas.
In July 1884 he was detailed Judge Advocate of the Department
of Texas. So efficiently did he discharge the duties of that office
that he was kept in it for nearly six years, which tour was two years
beyond the usual time for the detail.
During these years of detail as Judge Advocate he devoted him
self to the study of law, and he was admitted to the practice of law
by the District Court of Texas in 1886, by the Supreme Court of Texas
in 1888; by the Supreme Court of Montana in 1890; by the Supreme
Court of Illinois in 1893; by the Supreme Court of the United States
in 1895. (See Exhibits 1, iA, iB, iC and 13).

While he was Judge Advocate of the Department of Texas, he
conducted the prosecution for the Government of a number of
important cases before courts-martial and successfully contended a num
ber of times for the right of the military authorities to arrest a
deserter in the State of Texas, without a warrant, wherever found.
He examined and perfected the titles to the numerous military
reservations in Texas, and established the ownership of the United
States to valuable blocks of land in Austin and Houston, Texas, which
had formerly belonged to the Republic of Texas.
In the course of his examination of titles, he discovered that the
United States Government did not have a good title to the old Fort
Bliss Military reservation, on which it had expended hundreds of
thousands of dollars. After great contention, the position taken by
Captain Ballance, that the title was not good, was acknowledged by
the Attorney General of the United States to be correct, and he
was directed to take the necessary steps to perfect the title, to
the reservation, which he succeeded in doing, without its costing
the Government anything but notarial fees and traveling expenses,
although the heirs were scattered from Mexico to Canada.
In May 1890, Captain Ballance joined his regiment at Fort Keogh,
Montana, and very soon thereafter went into the field as Adjutant,
Quartermaster and Commissary of an expedition of Infantry and
Cavalry sent against the Northern Cheyenne Indians in Montana.
This kept him in the field all summer and fall. Shortly after his
return to Fort Keogh, in the fall of 1890, trouble arose with the Sioux
Indians in Dakota, owing to the attempt of the Indian Agent to
abolish the fanatical "Ghost Dance", which had been inaugurated by
their chief Medicine Man, "Sitting Bull." An attempt to arrest this
famous man resulted in his death and caused the Sioux Indian War
of 1890-91. In preparation for this war, in the fall of 1890, Captain Ballance
was ordered with his command to Fort Abraham Lincoln, North
Dakota. On December 16, 1890, he left Fort Lincoln with his com
pany for the Upper Cannon Ball River, in South Dakota, thence up
the Cannon Ball River to Taylor's Ranch, which he reached Decem
ber 1 8th, having marched eighty miles in three days, to keep up
with the Cavalry, for he was guarding a supply train for them.
On December 23, 1890, information was received, through some
friendly Indians, that Captain Fountain's troop of the 8th Cavalry
was surrounded by a band of 500 hostile Sioux Indians in the Cave
Hills of South Dakota. This troop had been part of the same com-

10
mand as Captain Ballance's command, and contained many of their
old friends and companions, which fact undoubtedly gave the men a
great incentive to endure the extraordinary fatigue of the march,
which was at once" undertaken to rescue their comrades.
Within an hour after hearing of this startling intelligence, Captain
Ballance broke camp and left the Cannon Ball River at 7:45 P. M.
on December 23, 1890, with his command of Infantry, for the Cave
Hills, to rescue the Cavalry troop, without a guide or anyone with
the command who had ever been before in the country. The section
of the country through which they passed was perfectly wild, practi
cally uninhabited, and without roads of any kind. The command
marched that night and all the next day, with an occasional rest, and
continued the next night until one o'clock in the morning of Decem
ber 25th, when they arrived cold, hungry, foot-sore and nearly dead
for sleep, at a little hamlet called the New England Village. Although
the necessity for haste was urgent, it was decided to be impossible
to proceed further without a few hours sleep, so the command rested
until daylight.
The anxiety of the men to rescue their comrades caused them to
make the longest march in the quickest time on record in the American
Army. (See Exhibit 36).
The command had marched sixty-three miles in twenty-nine hours
and fifteen minutes, in light marching order, with the thermometer from
ten to twenty degrees below zero, and part of the time in a driving
snowstorm. This unparalleled feat was specially mentioned in orders
from the War Department. (See Exhibit 5).
The command again started at daylight the next morning on its
march of rescue, but learning en route from a scouting party that the
Cavalry command was out of danger, it made only fifty miles in the
next two days.
The remainder of the winter of 1890-91 was spent in marching,
scouting and maneuvering in the intense cold and snows of North
and South Dakota, giving the Indians no rest, until they were glad
to cease hostilities.
In April 1891 Captain Ballance was ordered to Sioux Falls, South
Dakota, to assist the United States District Attorney in prosecuting
the Indian Ta-sun-ka-ota, "Plenty Horses", for the murder of Lieu
tenant Casey of the U. S. Army. This is one of the most celebrated
Indian trials that took place in the West, the main question being
as to whether an Indian was guilty of murder in assassinating an army
officer because he considered him an enemy of the tribe, although at

11
the time no war had been declared between the whites and the Indians.
The trial lasted two months, and created at the time much dis
cussion as to the various phases of the Indian question, and resulted
in the acquittal of "Plenty Horses", due to the instructions of the
Senior Judge to the jury, which were contrary to the views of the
Junior Judge sitting on the bench at the same time. (See Exhibit 3).
In 1 89 1 Captain Ballance (then First Lieutenant of Infantry)
was examined for promotion to a Captain of Infantry, and a letter
from his former regimental and department Commander, General D.
S. Stanley, shows his standing as an officer at the time. (See Exhibit 4).
In 1 89 1 Captain Ballance was appointed Adjutant of his Regiment,
in which position he served until 1892. The order of Colonel P. T.
Swaine, commanding his regiment, shows how efficient were his ser
vices. (See Exhibits 6, 7, 8).
In July 1892 he was sent with his Company to Wallace, Idaho,
by reason of the mining riots in the Coeur D'Alenes.
On the request of the Governor of Idaho to the President of the
United States, asking that an officer familiar with martial law be sent
him to assist in its administration, Captain Ballance was directed to
report to the Governor of Idaho for that purpose.
The administration of martial law was so conducted under Captain
Ballance's direction as to completely quiet all disturbance, without the
shedding of a drop of blood, and for his able management the County
Commissioners of Shoshone County "extended the thanks of the
PEOPLE FOR HIS ABLE, ENERGETIC AND CONSERVATIVE COURSE." (See
Exhibit 9).
The Governor of Idaho published a general order expressing "his
high appreciation of the skill, tact and acumen displayed by
Captain Ballance ... as military legal adviser and rare
order of executive ability evinced while in command. . . .
the truly great services . . . performed by captain ballance
cannot be over-estimated, and the governor wishes to thus pub
licly thank him for the wise and sagacious counsel, which has
so materially assisted in repressing a most formidable insurrec
TION." (See Exhibit 12).
The Board of Trustees of Wallace, Idaho, extended to Captain
Ballance their thanks for "his most excellent service" "during the
PERIOD OF MARTIAL LAW", "FOR HIS AID IN ESTABLISHING THE SUPREMACY
OF THE law", for "ENFORCING MILD MARTIAL law" and for "ESTABLISH
ING sanitary measures." (See Exhibit 11).
In 1894, on account of differences which had arisen with the

12
Cheyenne Indians, Captain Ballance was sent with his Company to
Lame Deer Agency to quiet the Indians, which he succeeded in doing
so well that there has not been among them any outbreak since that time.
By permission of the War Department he spent the year 1895 in
traveling in Europe, examining the armies of Great Britain, Belgium,
France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In Spain he saw many of the bodies
of recruits that were being raised and drilled for the subjugation of
Cuba, and which were afterwards members of the Spanish Army that
opposed the Americans in Cuba in 1898.
In 1897 he was ordered with his regiment to Fort Crook, near
Omaha, Nebraska, and was in the same year assigned as Professor of
Military Science and Tactics at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.
When the War with Spain broke out in 1898, Captain Ballance
was assigned the important duty of organizing, arming and equipping
the troops of the State of Kentucky. He organized four regiments
and had them equipped for the field, and that his work was appreci
ated is shown by the letters of W. O. Bradley, the Governor of
Kentucky, dated August 7, 1898, "expressing the deep obligation
THE STATE OWES YOU FOR THE VERY CAREFUL, THOUGHTFUL, EARNEST
AND ABLE MANNER IN WHICH YOU SUPERINTENDED THE MOBILIZATION
of her troops." And in the letter of August 15, 1898, in which he
stated "from the beginning to the end he has shown himself
AN OFFICER OF RARE ABILITY, PROMPTNESS, EFFICIENCY, COURAGE AND
HONOR. . . . HlS MANLY AND SOCIAL QUALITIES HAVE ENDEARED
HIM TO ALL WHO HAVE MADE HIS ACQUAINTANCE." (See Exhibits
14, 15)- On completion of the duty of mustering in the Kentucky troops,
Captain Ballance, having been appointed a Major and Inspector
General of Volunteers, was ordered to Chickamauga Park, Georgia,
as Inspector General on the staffs of General McKee and General
Randall. Major Ballance joined his regiment in December 1898 at Fort
Crook, Nebraska, and was assigned to the command of the Third
Battalion 22nd Infantry, and he proceeded with it in January 1899 t0
the Philippine Islands. This battalion was a new one, two companies
of which had just been organized, and fifty per cent of the other
companies were recruits. (See Exhibit 19).
Major Ballance commenced the task of organizing, arming, equip
ping, drilling and disciplining this new battalion, composed principally
of recruits, with the greatest energy and succeeded in making out
of it "the finest and most efficient one I have ever seen in the American

13
Army.' It became widely and favorably known in the Philippines as
"Ballance's Battalion." This quotation is from General Young's report
dated Vigan, January 6, 1900. (See Exhibit 31, 39, 43).
Major Ballance arrived with his command in the Philippine
Islands on March 4, 1899, and soon thereafter took a prominent part
in the first advance movement, to clear the Pasig River of insurgents
and to cut off the insurgents in the South from the insurgent army
in the North.
He was attached to General Wheaton's command April 23, 1899,
and he took part in the three days' fight before Calumpit, P. I., and its
capture on April 28, 1899, probably the best planned and most obstinately
contested battle of the whole war. (See Exhibit 27.)
From April to May 24, 1899, he was in the field, engaged in
the expedition under General Lawton to capture the new insurgent
Capital, San Isidro, N. E. Philippine Islands. In this expedition he
was engaged in the skirmish at Santa Elena, 2nd of May 1899 ; fight
and capture of Bustos, May 2nd; fight at and capture of San Isidro,
May 17th; fight at San Fernando, May 18th; fight and capture of
Cabiao, May 19th; capture of Arayat at seven o'clock A. M., May
21, 1899. (See Exhibits 21, 22, 52, 53, 54.)
The advance of the brigade in the capture of Bustos was given
to Major Ballance, by General Lawton as a compliment to him, by
reason of the acknowledged efficiency of his battalion, and by agree
ment of the other battalion commanders.
Major General Lawton in his report of September 26, 1899, recom
mended Captain Ballance to a "Brevet commission as Lieutenant
Colonel for distinguished conduct and public service in the presence
of the enemy," "for gallantry in the engagement at Bustos on
May 2, 1899." (See Exhibit 21.)
Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier General) Clarence R. Edwards'
letter states that General Lawton, in his final report recommended
Captain Ballance for brevet as Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army. (See
Exhibit 25.)
When this Northern expedition was broken up at Candaba on
May 30, 1899, Major General Lawton, especially selected Major
Ballance to command the district around Candaba, although he was
the junior field officer in the command, and Candaba was the most
important and advanced post at that time occupied by our troops.
When the insurgents under General Pio del Pilar, became bold
enough to move on to Candaba, and proceeded to entrench themselves
at Matamo, Major Ballance attacked them on October ist and drove

14
them out of their intrenchments, inflicting a known loss on them
of eight killed and twelve wounded. In this fight Major Ballance's
horse was shot under him. Learning that the insurgents were
entrenching at Arayat Major Ballance again attacked them on October
4th, and drove them out of Arayat, inflicting a loss on them of
TWENTY-SEVEN KILLED AND THIRTY-EIGHT WOUNDED. (See Exhibit
32, 49)- On the special application of Generals Lawton and Young, Major
Ballance and his battalion, were directed to report to them for duty
with the expedition which they were to organize at Arayat, for the
purpose of moving around the flank and getting in rear of Aguinaldo's
army, and he was given command of the Infantry.
He took part in the capture of Arayat on October 12, 1899. When
this expedition was organized, Major Ballance was assigned the advance,
and crossing the Rio Grande River on October 17, 1899, -he fought
in the morning of October 18th the Battle of Libutad (Malibutad)
with the infantry, Macabebe Indian scouts and Castner's scouts, which
resulted in the capture of the block-house and seventy prisoners,
including a Captain and two Lieutenants. (See Exhibit 31, 33, 38, 49.)
He captured Cabiao the same morning. He was engaged in a
fight at San Fernando October 18th. On Oct. 19th Major Ballance
gained a victory in the fight at Calaba, and after this fight, General
Young placed Major Ballance in command of a temporary brigade,
consisting of three toops of Cavalry, a battery of artillery of six guns,
and all the Infantry of his command. With these he engaged the
insurgents, in front of San Isidro, driving them from the city to the
Gapan River. (See Exhibit 23, 31, 33, 35, 36, 38, 49.)
General Young stated in his report dated October 22nd, 1899, on
the action before San Isidro, on October 19th, "Captain Ballance's
METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE ADVANCE WAS HIGHLY COMMENDABLE AND
HIS INFANTRY SCOUTS DID SPLENDID work." (See Exhibit 23.)
Brigadier General (later Lieut. General) Young reported on the
fight at San Fernando that one was killed and three wounded of the
22nd Infantry where they encountered the heaviest resistance Oct. 19,
1909. (See Exhibit 22.)
On October 27, 1899, having been assigned the advance, Captain
Ballance crossed the Gapan River, with his provisional brigade, and
engaged the enemy in a skirmish at Tambo Barrio, driving them
back to the Taboatin River, where they were strongly intrenched on
the opposite bank. He attacked them on the flank and front and
drove them out of their entrenchments, with severe loss, thus enabling

15
the whole command to cross, in safety. For the part he took in the
fight at Taboatin River, General Young, in his report dated November
3, 1899, stated that the "behavior of the officers and men was
EXCELLENT. CAPTAIN BaLLANCE's METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE AD
VANCE was highly commendable". (See Exhibits 24, 31, 35, 38,
49. 5i-) Major General Lawton in an endorsement of Nov. 19, 1899, in
forwarding a report of General Young, recommended that "for dis
tinguished gallantry in action" . . that Captain Ballance
. . . be brevetted in the regular army to the grade above that
now held. (See Exhibit 26).
He was engaged in the capture of Cabanatuan October 30, 1899;
fight at Matablan River November 14, 1899, capture of Rosales Novem
ber 14th; capture of Villasis November 15th; capture of Urdenata
November 16, 1899. (See Exhibits 31, 36, 48, 49.)
General Young in his report dated January 6, 1900, stated that
"The overwhelming defeat of the enemy at Libutad and San Fernando
. . . enabled me with one battalion of Infantry (Ballance's
twenty-second infantry) to surmount obstacles and achieve
greater results than I had thought possible for them to accom
plish, AND WHICH HAD HERETOFORE NOT EVEN BEEN ATTEMPTED BY
American infantry and could not have been accomplished by this
battalion, had it not been composed of the best material and
been thoroughly well trained and disciplined. . . .
Ballance was placed in command of the advance guard and
given command of a temporary brigade . . on account of his
education and experience, and his bravery, governed by a sound
judgment, he was well fitted to command a brigade in the field,
ENGAGED IN AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN. . . . He MADE THE PLANS FOR
the advance, submitted them to me, and i approved of them in
every particular, and they were carried out as planned by him.
. . . The tactical skill exhibited by Major Ballance in hand
ling HIS ADVANCE GUARD, HIS BRAVERY IN LEADING IT ON, AND THE
complete success he achieved, fully justified the confidence
i had placed in him.
For conspicuous gallantry in action, and superior tactical
ABILITY IN HANDLING TROOPS IN THE FIGHT AT CaLABA, AND CAPTURE
of San Isidro, I recommend that Major John Green Ballance
BE APPOINTED A COLONEL, BY BREVET IN THE REGULAR ARMY. . . .
I KNEW THIS BATTALION WOULD KEEP UP WITH ME WHEREVER I
LED MY CAVALRY. . . . THEY WERE PERFECTLY FEARLESS IN THE

16
PERFORMANCE OF THEIR WORK, AND RENDERED MOST EXCELLENT SER
VICE . . . WADING AND PLOWING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SUB
MERGED RICE FIELDS, LAGOONS AND THICKETS, BEING SUBJECTED TO AN
ANNOYING FIRE FROM AN ENEMY CONCEALED IN THE BAMBOO THICKETS,
DRIVING THEM BACK, AS THEY ADVANCED. . . .
THE RAPID AND BEAUTIFUL TACTICAL WORK OF BALLANCE, WHO
BRAVELY KEPT UP WITH PUS SCOUTS AND SUPPLIED EMERGENCY DEMANDS
FOR TACTICAL CHANGES, WITHOUT A MOMENT'S HESITATION. . . . WERE
NOT EXACTLY SURPRISES TO ME, FOR I KNEW THEIR ABILITY, BUT THEY
excited my admiration. . . I found . . . giving general
instructions to Ballance, no matter what forces he had in his com
mand, ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TO COMMAND 'FORWARD' TO HAVE MY COM
MANDS accomplished in the best manner. . . Whether it was
required to go on a reconnoissance, make an attack, carry an
intrenchment, swim a river, flounder through a swamp, or bridge
a stream, his battalion was always ready and WILLING AND per
formed the duty without a murmur or complaint although many
of its members were, at times, without food, shelter, blankets or
shoes and almost naked. A straggler of this command was
never seen, and their fire discipline was most excellent . . .
I consider this battalion as the finest and most efficient one
I have ever seen in the American Army.
It skirmished and fought through miles of mud and water
and jungle, ahead of my cavalry, from Arayat to Cabanatuan,
and from there on, it did most remarkable work in the face of
great difficulties.
Its march from Humingan to Rosales, when it cut loose from every
thing but its guns and ammunition, and fought its way into the very
heart of the enemy's country, where it was liable at any time to run
into a force ten times its strength, exhibited a daring and achieved
a success which must ever serve as an example to military
students of what can be accomplished by a comparatively small
MILITARY FORCE PROPERLY DISCIPLINED AND COMMANDED. . . SOME
THOUGHT THAT BALLANCE HAD GONE TO DESTRUCTION. . . I HAD NO
FEARS, FOR I KNEW HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL EVEN IF HE ENCOUNTERED
Aguinaldo's entire army. (See Exhibit 31.)
The enemy in the fight on Oct. 27 at Taboatin River "lost 13
killed and 26 wounded", and that "the splendid fire discipline
EXHIBITED BY BALLANCE'S BATTALION . . INSPIRED ME WITH FULL
CONFIDENCE IN THE BELIEF THAT WITH THE OFFICERS OF HIGH ABILITY

17
. . . i could defeat, smash, or scatter all forces aguinaldo
and his generals could concentrate at any given point.
"on the i3th i directed ballance to leave humingan . . .
Ballance encountered the insurgents at several points and
ROUTED THEM. . . . At THE MaTABLAN RIVER THE ENEMY WAS
encountered. ... a flank attack caused him to retreat to
rosales, which place was captured that evening; he captured
here a large amount of insurgent stores. . . . tlie endurance
of my men surpasses the belief of a non-participant. . . .
After leaving San Jose, all issues of rations ceased and the
men had to live on what they could find in the country 
They clung to the main purposes for which the campaign was
inaugurated and pursued the course laid out for them, with
a tenacity of purpose and a physical endurance which, i think
far exceeded the highest expectation or belief of their country
AS THEY CERTAINLY DID THAT OF THEIR GENERAL". (See Exhibit 31).
In letter to Captain Ballance of January 3, 1900, General Young
stated, "Your method of conducting the advance of my column from
Cabiao to San Isidro, and from San Isidro to Santa Rosa, fighting
every mile against a force superior in numbers to your own,
should form a chapter in our text books of military opera
tions, to be studied and followed by all our young officers.
These operations . . . for rapidity of movement, swimming
streams and flanking strong intrenchments filled with strong
forces of the enemy, constructing rafts to cross men who could
not swim, carrying five of these intrenched crossings in one day,
AND COVERING THE DISTANCE FROM SaN ISIDRO TO SaNTA ROSA IN ONE
DAY, (IO MILES) SURPASS ANY ACHIEVEMENT IN MODERN TACTICS THAT
I know of. (See Exhibit 30).
In letter from the officers of the ist Squadron 4th Cavalry dated
December 29, 1899, they state they desire to place themselves on record
"concerning the operations of the Battalion of the 22nd Infantry
WHICH YOU SO ABLY COMMANDED ON THE NORTHERN EXPEDITION."
"From Arayat to Cabanatuan your Battalion held the post of honor —
the advance of the Brigade — and was supported by the ist squadron,
4th Cavalry, which gave us every opportunity of judging the effi
ciency, DISCIPLINE AND GALLANTRY, WHICH WAS IN A MARKED DEGREE
DISPLAYED BY YOUR BATTALION, UNDER THE MOST TRYING CONDITIONS
AND WHICH UNDER YOUR ABLE DIRECTION, WON THE ADMIRATION OF
ALL OF US.
"Every duty was performed in a perfectly business like and

18
soldierly manner, without fuss or display, regular in action as
in name. The work of your battalion, in our opinion, tended
greatly to the success of the expedition." ( See Exhibit 28) .
The Chief Ordnance Officer, First Lieutenant (later Captain)
Lawson M. Fuller, First Division 8th Army Corps, stated in his
report from October 16th to Dec. 16, 1899. "Captain Ballance had
already received his order and was preparing to execute it, although
due to the work done by his command, over 90 per cent were on
sick report. He and most of his officers belonged properly in
the hospital. ... Of these 40 were able to march and the
remainder were to be hauled in bull carts until they recovered suf
ficiently to take care of themselves. Much against his will Major
Ballance was held at San Fabian, awaiting the arrival from Manila,
of shoes, blankets and clothing, of which his men were almost entirely
destitute. . . . the enemy's . . . knowledge of the country
was perfect, but they had no more conception of the indomitable
WILL OF THE MAN WHO COMMANDED THE TROOPS, THAN HE OF AN
impossibility." (See Exhibit 37).
Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier General) H. W. Wessels,
stated in a letter dated January 1, 1900, "whom I considered the
MOST EXEMPLARY OFFICER OF THOSE WITH WHOM I HAD SERVED ON
THE ISLAND, MY ANSWER WOULD BE YOURSELF. . . . AND CANNOT
SAY TOO MUCH OF THE SOLDIERLY QUALITIES OF BOTH. ... I SAW
YOU UNDER MORE TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES THAN ORDINARY BATTLE AND
YOU SHOWED THE FINEST KIND OF SPIRIT AND DISCIPLINE." (See
Exhibit 29).
Major General (later Lieutenant General) McArthur in a letter
to the Examining Board for Promotion of Officers, dated January 19,
1900, states that "his energy and good conduct entitle him to
the highest possible consideration in determining his fitness for
promotion." (See Exhibit 32.)
General H. W. Lawton in his report of an expedition to the
provinces north of Manila, dated April 5, 1900, stated that General
Young "had placed Captain Ballance in command of the advance
column which was to capture San Isidro, consisting of a temporary
brigade composed of troops from the Fourth Cavalry, the battery of
Artillery, and one troop of the thirty-seventh Infantry, U. S. V. and
the twenty-second Infantry. . . One has but to read the report
of General Young to get an insight into the superb heroism,
THE INDOMITABLE WILL AND UNSURPASSED CAPACITY OF THAT SPLENDID
officer, Captain Ballance, whose example inspired every man

19
of his command to successful effort against all odds and every
obstacle. . . .
I wish particularly to commend and to request early recog
nition of the following named officers for distinguished gal
lantry in action. . . . Captain Ballance . . . all to be
brevetted in the regular army to the grade above that now
held by them. . . . (See Exhibit 33.)
Colonel John W. French, of Captain Ballance's regiment, stated in a
letter dated April 14, 1900, that he desires "to invite attention to the
services rendered by Captain Ballance in the field, operating
against the insurgent Filipinos. . . . He has shown great
gallantry in action, for which he certainly deserves recognition
and reward. (See Exhibit 34.)
General S. B. M. Young in a letter to General E. S. Otis who
was in command of the Philippines, dated May 2, 1900, stated "I
address you directly on a matter, in which I am deeply interested and
which concerns the good of the service, viz. : the appointment as Briga
dier General of Volunteers, of Captain John Green Ballance,
22nd Infantry, for his merit and the excellent service he has
rendered in the past and that which his experience and ability will
enable him to render in the future. . . . There is no officer who is
more highly meritorious in the army and none better fitted to
successfully settle the civil questions which a general officer will be called
on to settle. I believe he is the most favorably known officer of his
rank in the Army. . . . The late lamented General Lawton, who
held Ballance in the highest esteem as a military commander,
cannot give testimony of it, which he many times said he intended
to do. . . . Captain Ballance had command of my advance
guard in every movement I made, from Oct. 15 to Nov. ist . . .
and HE DID IT with such skill and thoroughness that my con
fidence in his energy, ability and superior management, became
supreme, and i entrusted him with . . the key of safety to
my advanced position at tayug.
He SHOWED HIS ABILITY AS A MILITARY COMMANDER IN THE
FIELD AND IN COMBAT IN THE ACTIONS AT CABIAO, AND . . .
THENCE HE CONTINUED THE ADVANCE . . AGAINST A SUPERIOR,
WELL ORGANIZED AND STRONGLY INTRENCHED FORCE.
He directed and carried out successfully all the attacks and
FLANKING MOVEMENTS WITH THE GREATEST SKILL.
He then made a most successful forced march . . . endur
ing hardships and overcoming difficulties in a most remarkable

20
way, the like of which has never before been faced and overcome
by an infantry force. Later his daring and dangerous march . . .
stamp him as one of our ablest and most successful commanders.
In his march northward, he kept his whole command in an
EXCELLENT STATE OF DISCIPLINE . . NOT A SINGLE CASE OF
BREACH OF DISCIPLINE WAS SEEN. . . . FROM THE BEGINNING TO
THE END OF HIS MARCH. . . . HlS REMARKABLE MARCH WITH HIS
INFANTRY HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONVERSATION AND REMARK
THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE ARMY, AND HIS PROMOTION WOULD BE CON
SIDERED BY THE ARMY AS PURELY A REWARD FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE,
. I KNOW HE HAS EARNED THE REWARD AND FEEL CONFIDENT
THAT HE CAN AND WILL DO HONOR TO THE SERVICE." . . (See
Exhibit 35.)
Major General Otis in an endorsement dated June 20, 1900,
forwarded this letter to the Adjutant General of the Army in which
he stated . . Captain Ballance performed very arduous and
remarkable field service . . . as is fairly shown by General Young
herein. . . . he . . . has shown great talents and ex
tensive ACQUAINTANCE WITH CIVIL AFFAIRS. He IS DESERVING OF CON
SPICUOUS REWARD FOR HIS MOST efficient service." (See Exhibit 35).
General Young in a letter to the Adjutant General of the Army
dated May 11, 1900, states, "I have the honor to invite the atten
tion of the honorable Secretary of War to the merits and excel
lent record of Captain John Green Ballance, 22nd Infantry, whom
I recommend for appointment as Brigadier General of Volunteers.
No officer of the army has done more actual field service in
the Philippines than he has, and no one is better fitted to grasp
and successfully solve the problems, which are now constantly
ARISING IN THE CIVIL ADMINISTRATION OF THESE ISLANDS. . . . He
has always been noted for his excellent work in each. . . .
He made the greatest march ever made by an American infantry
FORCE (63 MILES IN 29 HOURS) . . AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY
services in the Philippines, which the late General Lawton said, was
greater than that of any other officer, are well known and
recognized throughout the army. . . . Captain Ballance com
manded MY ADVANCE . . PLANNED THE ATTACKS AND SUCCESS
FULLY CARRIED THEM OUT AS PLANNED. . . . He EXHIBITED THE
HIGHEST CAPACITY AS COMMANDER OF A COMBINED FORCE IN BATTLE.
HlS FORCED MARCH WITH HIS INFANTRY ... IS WITHOUT PAR
ALLEL IN THE HISTORY OF OUR ARMY, IN THE REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL
WAY HE MET AND OVERCAME OBSTACLES THAT THE ENEMY CONSIDERED

i 21
INSURMOUNTABLE. ... I believe THERE IS NO OFFICER OF HIS
RANK, WHO HAS RENDERED SO MUCH AND SO EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE
Philippines as he. . . . The valuable service he rendered in
my Northern march earned for him this appointment.
I BELIEVE THE APPOINTMENT OF CAPTAIN BALLANCE . . . WILL
HAVE A MORE BENEFICIAL EFFECT . . . THAN THAT OF ANY OTHER
officer, by causing it to believe its hard work is known and appre
ciated. (See Exhibit 36.)
Major General (later Lieutenant General) S. B. M. Young in a
letter to the Adjutant General of the army dated February 12, 1901,
recommended that Major Ballance "be appointed a Brevet Brig
adier General, for gallant and highly distinguished services,
. . . especially for his military skill and gallantry in the
fights at Libutad (Malibutad), Cabiao, San Fernando, Calaba,
San Isidro and Taboatin river.
"He skillfully planned these fights for his brigade, and, with my
approval, carried them out as planned, and was successful in every
particular. . . I respectfully urge this appointment . . .
as a partial recognition of his distinguished, hard, faithful
and conscientious service during a campaign, in actual fighting."
(See Exhibit 38.)
Major General (later Lieutenant General) S. B. M. Young in
a letter to the Adjutant General of the army dated February 12, 1901,
recommending that Major Ballance be appointed a Brigadier Gen
eral in the U. S. Army stated that, "Major Ballance had a
high reputation as an able and conscientious officer for many
years . . . known as 'Ballance's Battalion,' which had
the best reputation of any battalion on the Islands, as a
WELL DISCIPLINED AND EFFICIENT FIGHTING FORCE. . . . It WAS
THE BEST BATTALION I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
. . . Major General Lawton said to me at the time that Major Bal
lance WAS THE BEST COMMANDER HE HAD IN HIS ARMY. . . . No
work was too dangerous for his command to undertake; no hard
ship too great for it to endure ; no obstacle too difficult for it to
overcome. . . . Major Ballance was placed in charge of the
civil affairs of Northwestern Luzon, and has shown rare tact
and ability in the successful organization of municipal govern
ments and civil courts, and has achieved a greater success in
teaching these people the principles of self-government than any
OTHER OFFICER, AND HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ESPECIALLY WELL QUALIFIED
to perform the duties of a general officer in solving the military
and civil problems that will constantly arise. ... I recommend

22
THIS AS A JUST REWARD AND RECOGNITION OF THE PAST SERVICES OF
Major Ballance and also because he is the most suitable
OFFICER I KNOW TO PLACE IN COMMAND OF A MILITARY DEPARTMENT
in these Islands. ... As the one most entitled to receive
that reward, and the one to whom this recognition would give the
greatest satisfaction to those engaged in that campaign, I request
that Major Ballance be appointed a Brigadier General in the
United States Army." (See Exhibit 39.)
Brigadier General, (later Major General) J. F. Bell, in a letter
dated May 1, 1901, in offering General Ballance his congratulations
on his promotion stated that, "The distinction has been fully
EARNED BY THE EXCEPTIONALLY VALUABLE AND WORTHY SERVICE WHICH
has been performed by you. No one unacquainted with the con
ditions prevailing . . . can possibly appreciate the degree of
DETERMINATION, FEARLESSNESS AND ABILITY REQUISITE IN COMMANDING
OFFICERS WHO ACHIEVE SUCH SUCCESS AS YOUR BATTALION ACCOM
PLISHED, under your command, in spite of all the difficulties, with
out FOOD, CLOTHING OR SHOES, AND IN THE HEART OF THE WORST
RAINY SEASON I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THREE YEARS' SERVICE . . .
AT THESE HEADQUARTERS EVIDENCES OF ABLE AND VALUABLE SERVICE,
performed by you are found on every side, not only in systematizing
and regulating military, but also civil affairs. The regard in which
YOU ARE HELD BY THE NATIVE POPULATION IS AN ELOQUENT TESTI
MONIAL TO THE TACTFULNESS AND CONSIDERATION WITH WHICH YOU
HAVE DISCHARGED YOUR DUTY AS 'CIVIL GOVERNOR.'" (See Exhibit 40.)
Major General Loyd Wheaton stated, in a letter, to the Adjutant
General, dated November 8, 1901, that "Major Ballance has partici
pated IN ALL THE IMPORTANT OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN LUZON, SINCE
February, 1899, and has . . displayed great energy and
marked ability. His knowledge of conditions in Luzon and his
HIGH PROFESSIONAL ACQUIREMENTS, COURAGE AND ENERGETIC PERFORM
ANCE OF DUTIES RENDER HIS SERVICES OF GREAT VALUE TO THE UNITED
States in the Archipelago, and in the event of future pro
motions TO THE GRADE OF BRIGADIER GENERAL I RECOMMEND FOR THE
INTEREST OF THE ARMY THAT HE BE FAVORABLY CONSIDERED." (See
Exhibit 41.)
Major General D. S. Stanley, in a letter to the Secretary of War,
dated November 13, 1901, stated of Major Ballance, that "I desire
to add that my intimate knowledge of his ability and character, extend
ing over a dozen years of service. As a line and staff officer I have
NEVER SEEN HIM EXCELLED IN ENERGY, ENTERPRISE, SOUND JUDGMENT

23
and decision, in all phases of professional life. Further, his moral
traits are just as admirable. No better appointment could be made."
(See Exhibit 42.)
Major General (later Lieutenant General) S. B. M. Young, in
a letter dated November 15, 1901, to Major General Corbin, Adjutant
General of the Army, stated that . . . Major Ballance began his
remarkable and brilliant record in the Philippines as com
mander OF A BATTALION OF THE TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY, which
came to be known as "Ballance's Battalion." . . . Ballance's
Battalion was the best I have ever seen or commanded in the
SERVICE, IN ACTUAL FIELD WORK. . . . MAJOR GENERAL LaWTON
SAID TO ME AT THE TIME THAT MAJOR BaLLANCE WAS THE BEST COM
MANDER he had in his army. . . . His difficult, daring and success
ful march from Humingan to Rosales, with only a portion of his brigade,
against what was supposed to be the main insurgent army. . . . Its
SUCCESS WON THE ADMIRATION OF ALL. No WORK WAS TOO DANGEROUS
FOR HIS COMMAND TO UNDERTAKE; NO HARDSHIP TOO GREAT FOR IT
TO ENDURE; NO OBSTACLE TOO DIFFICULT FOR IT TO OVERCOME . . .
He skillfully planned THE ENGAGEMENTS . . . CARRIED them
OUT AS PLANNED, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY RESPECT. . . .
Major Ballance has . . . showed rare tact and ability in the
SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL
courts and achieved great success in teaching these people the
principles of self-government.
He has shown himself especially well qualified to perform
the duties of a general officer ... i recommend him as
specially fitted and deserving of promotion to the grade of
Brigadier General." (See Exhibit 43.)
Brigadier General (later Major General) F. D. Grant, in a letter
dated November 22, 1901, to the Adjutant General U. S. A., stated,
"I . . . recommend for appointment to the grade of Brigadier
General U. S. A. Major John G. Ballance. . . My recom
mendation is based on Major Ballance's services. . . In
the advance of the United States Army in Northern Luzon, Major
Ballance not only showed great skill, discretion and judgment,
but a fortitude and tenacity that would honor any man." (see
Exhibit 44.)
General William H. Bisbee in a letter to Major Ballance, dated
November 28, 1901, stated, ". . . your superior ability as a prac
tical COMMANDER IN MILITARY AFFAIRS IS SO PRONOUNCED AND HAS
EXTENDED OVER SO MANY YEARS OF SERVICE IN AMERICA and the Philip-

24
pines that I may . . claim the honor of recommending you for
AN APPOINTMENT as Brigadier General in the Army. . . . And
THIS IS BUT ONE OF THE MANY SOLDIERLY ACTS WHICH APPEAR PLAINLY
as matters of patriotic history in your behalf." (See Exhibit 45.)
General Frederick Funston in a letter dated December 15, 1901,
to the Adjutant General, United States Army, stated that he desired
to call the attention of the War Department to the . . . "excel
lent service rendered in these Islands by Major John Green
Ballance, U. S. Infantry and to recommend his appointment to
the grade of Brigadier General, a rank for which his energy,
good judgment and executive ability eminently fit him. . . .
No officer here is more confident or more deserving or whose
APPOINTMENT WOULD MEET WITH MORE GENERAL APPROBATION." . . .
(See Exhibit 46.)
Governor W. O. Bradley (later U. S. Senator) of Kentucky, in
a letter to the President of the United States, dated February 9, 1902,
stated that General Ballance . . "Organized Kentucky troops for
the Spanish War and earned for himself the respect and admira
tion of our people. As Governor of the State, I was frequently
thrown in contact with him and found him to be one of the most
superior men I ever met. . . I have no interest in this matter
but fair play, and I hope and trust this splendid soldier may not
be ignored." (See Exhibit 47.)
Major General E. S. Otis, in a letter to the Secretary of War
dated February 22, 1902, stated of Major Ballance . . . "he
has always proved himself to be a hard working, conscientious and
able officer, and . . . with superior professional attainments
¦ ¦ . HE . . . LED THE ADVANCE IN GENERAL LaWTON's OPERA
TIONS in Central Luzon during November 1899, and rendered a
SERVICE THE IMPORTANCE OF WHICH CANNOT BE OVERESTIMATED
At this time Ballance moved southward, where he encountered Aguin-
aldo's retreating forces and so masterly maneuvered his troops as
to complete the enemy's demoralization and render secure our
San Jose and Tayug line. The accomplishment of this important
service during a period of constantly prevailing rain, in a swampy
country without roads, deserves a marked place in history. . . I
sent Major Ballance to Northern Luzon to report to General Young,
relying especially on his knowledge, tact and practical efficiency
to establish civil government in that section. My confidence in
Major Ballance's ability, on which I drew largely while in
the Philippines, was never misplaced." (See Exhibit 48.)

25
General Ballance was engaged in twenty-one fights in the Philip
pines as follows :
(i) March 13, 1899, Guadeloupe near Pasig river. (See
Exhibits 16, 36.)
(2) March 13, 1899, Pasig river. (See Exhibits 16, 36.)
(3) March 18, Taghuig. (See Exhibits 16, 36.)
(4) March 19, 1899, 4 miles south of Taghuig. (See Exhibits
16. 36.) (5) March 25, 1899, Tuliahan river. (See Exhibits 17, 18,
20, 50, 61.)
(6) March 26, 1899, Malinta. See Exhibits 17, 18, 19, 20,
32, 50, 61.)
(7) March 31, 1899, Action at Malolos. (See Exhibits 17,
36, 50, 61.)
(8) April 25-28, '99, 3 days' fight with Gen. Wheaton before
Calumpit. (Exhibit 27.)
(9) May 2, 1899, Bustos. (See Exhibits 21, 52, 60.)
(10) May 17, 1899, San Isidro. (See Exhibits 36, 53, 54.)
(11) May 18, 1899, San Fernando. (See Exhibits 52, 53.)
(12) Oct. 1, 1899, Matamo. (See Exhibits 32, 49.)
(13) Oct. 4, 1899, Near Arayat. (See Exhibits 32, 49.)
(14 Oct. 18, 1899, Libutad (Malibutad). (See Exhibits 31,
33, 38, 49-)
(15) Oct. 18, 1899, San Fernando. (See Exhibits 31, 33, 38, 52.)
(16) Oct. 19, 1899, Calaba a Barrio of San Isidro. (See Exhibits
35, 36, 38, 49, 57-)
(17) Oct. 19, 1899, Fight at and capture of San Isidro. (See
Exhibits 23, 31, 33, 35, 36, 38, 49, 57.)
(18) Oct. 25, 1899, one mile from Santa Rosa. (See Exhibits
3i, 33, 35-)
(19) Oct. 27, 1899, Taboatin river. (See Exhibits 24, 31,
35, 36, 38. 49, 5i ¦)
(20) Oct. 30, 1899, Cabanatuan. (See Exhibits 31, 49.)
(21) Nov. 14, 1899, Rosales or Matablan river. (See Exhibits
31, 49, 36, 48.)
In addition to these fights he was engaged in the following
important skirmishes :
(1) March 25th, front of Caloocan. (Exhibit 17, 61.)
(2) April 22nd, San Mateo. (Exhibit 53.)
(3) May 19th, Cabiao. (Exhibit 52.)
(4) Oct. 27th, Tambo Barrio. (Exhibit 31, 35, 36, 49.)

26
besides a number of less important ones. At the fight at Malinta
on March 26th, General Ballance was shot through his hat and hair
and at the fight at Matamo, October ist, General Ballance's horse was
shot under him. (See Exhibits 19, 49.)
The exhibits show that in October and November 1899 Major
Ballance commanded all the infantry of Generals Lawton's and Young's
Northern Expedition, and that he was placed in command of a pro
visional brigade, composed of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry and Scouts,
and was engaged almost daily in fighting and skirmishing of one kind
or another. (See Exhibits 31, 35, 36, 38, 39, 43, 49.)
During this time he never saw a tent, and most of the time
had no shelter of any kind, although he was exposed almost daily to
tropical rains, skirmished and fought his way through flooded rice
fields and swamps, never with full army rations, and for days without
government rations of any kind. The country had been stripped of
almost everything to eat by the retreating insurgent army, and after
leaving Humingan his command had nothing to eat but the growing
rice, which had to be reaped and pounded out by hand before his men
could use it. It is no wonder that 80% of his men were taken down
with fever and dysentery. Nevertheless, such was the grand spirit
of his men, and their determination to carry out the object of the
expedition, that, although most of them were barefooted, hungry and
sick, every man kept up with Major Ballance, until he reached his
ultimate destination, San Fabian. (See Exhibits 56, 58, 59.)
At San Fabian, when it was announced that orders had been
received to remain there, for refitting, some of the men, being released
from the strain they had been under for six weeks, dropped in the
ranks, where they were standing, completely exhausted. Three hun
dred of the men were placed on the sick report, the first morning after
their arrival at San Fabian, and placed in such hospitals as could
be devised. The hospital ship "Relief" was sent to San Fabian and
much against his inclination, though quite sick, Captain Ballance was
ordered to go on board, as well as 100 of his faithful men. The surgeon
in charge of the "Relief" considered Major Ballance's case as very
serious, and recommended that he be sent to the United States, and
secured for him a berth on the hospital ship "Missouri," which was
under orders to go to San Francisco, but he refused to leave the Philip
pines until the insurrection was over, and left the "Relief" before he
had recovered and joined his command.
Major General Otis, the Governor General in Manilla, on the
repeated request of General Young ordered him to Vigan, while he was

27
still sick, to take charge of Civil affairs, and he was appointed Civil
Governor of Northwestern Luzon, composed of seven provinces. (See
Exhibits 39, 48.)
He organized civil government in 65 towns and established the
first thorough system of schools, outside of Manila. (See Exhibit 36.)
In addition to these civil duties, he was appointed Chief of Staff,
by General Young, and in his absence at various times, was specifically
authorized to command in his name, the troops in the various places
of Northwestern Luzon, and carry on field operations against the insur
gents, which he did.
When General Young was relieved of his command and ordered
to the United States in February, 1901, the command was temporarily
assumed by the Major General, commanding in Manila, 300 miles dis
tant, but as the communications were at that time very bad and broken
for considerable intervals of time, and as there were about 4000 troops
in the district engaged in active field service, Major Ballance, was
given the authority and responsibility of directing operations of the
troops and of civil affairs ; but because he was the junior in rank to
several officers of the command, he was instructed to issue his orders
in the name of the General in command at Manila.
Later, Brigadier General Bell was assigned to the command of
Northwestern Luzon, but he was detained on business for some time
in Manila and again on account of the difficulties of transportation, he
sent the same instructions to Major Ballance and authorized him
to issue such orders, move such troops and direct such military opera
tions, as he deemed advisable without referring matters to him. These
conditions lasted about two months.
In April, 1901, he was appointed a Brigadier General of Volunteers
and was officially assigned to command the same district. The num
ber of troops in the district was increased to about 5,000 men.
He was Recommended for Brevet Seven Times.
(1) By his regimental commander, Major (later Lieut. Col.)
Leopold O. Parker, for brevet Major in his report of April 6, 1899,
for "The judgment and gallantry he displayed in leading his
command under a very heavy fire at Malinta, March 26, 1899. (See
Exhibit 18.)
(2) By his brigade commander Brigadier (later Major General)
Loyd Wheaton for brevet Major "for gallant conduct in the
battle of Tuliahan river, March 25th, 1899." (See Exhibit, 20.)
(3) By his brigade commander, Brigadier (later Major General)
Loyd Wheaton, for brevet Lieutenant Colonel for "distinguished

28
gallantry at the Battle of Malinta, P. I., March 26, 1899." (See
Exhibit 20.)
(4) By his division commander, Major General H. W. Lawton
in his report of September 26, 1899, for brevet Lieutenant Colonel,
for "distinguished conduct and public service in the presence
of the enemy" at Bustos May 2, 1899. (See Exhibit 21.)
(5) By his Division Commander Major H. W. Lawton, in an
endorsement dated November 19, 1899, in forwarding a report to Gen.
Young, dated Nov. 17, 1899, recommended that Captain Ballance for
"distinguished gallantry in action be brevetted to the grade above
that now held," in his second expedition in October and November,
1899. (See Exhibit 26.)
(6) By his brigade commander, Brigadier (later Lieutenant
General) S. B. M. Young, in his report, dated January 6, 1900, recom
mended that Major Ballance "be appointed a Colonel by brevet
in the Regular Army, for conspicuous gallantry in action and
superior tactical ability in handling troops in the fight at
Calaba and capture of San Isidro." (See Exhibit 31.)
(7) By his brigade commander Major General (later Lieutenant
General) S. B. M. Young, in a letter to the Adjutant General, U. S.
Army, dated Feb. 12, 1901, recommended that Major Ballance "be
APPOINTED A BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL FOR GALLANT AND HIGHLY
DISTINGUISHED SERVICES," ESPECIALLY FOR HIS MILITARY SKILL AND
GALLANTRY IN THE FIGHTS AT LlBUTAD, CaBIAO, SaN FERNANDO,
Calaba, San Isidro, and Taboatin river in October and November,
1899. (See Exhibit 38.)
On June 20, 1901, he was mustered out of the Volunteer service
as Brigadier General and having been detailed in the Adjutant General's
Department, was assigned to duty as Adjutant General of the Depart
ment of Northern Luzon, containing about 25,000 troops, under com
mand of Major General Wheaton.
The duties of this position were most exacting upon his time and
strength by reason of the accumulation of reports, requisitions, etc.,
many of which, coming from officers lately appointed to the army, were
in improper form, and needed careful supervision. This arduous office
labor imposed upon him when still suffering from his service in the field,
brought on a complete nervous prostration, and although ordered in
January, 1902, to report to the Adjutant General at Washington, he was
never able to assume the duties assigned to him at that station.
After three years' service on the Philippine Islands, in December,
1901, he returned to the United States, physically prostrated by neural

29
thenia, from which he did not recover. Granted sick leave, he sought
in vain for health from medical institutions and specialists, in California,
Colorado, Michigan, Arkansas and Florida. On August 18, 1903, he
was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twenty-ninth Infantry Regi
ment, and on November 5, 1904, he was placed upon the Retired List of
the Army, a Medical Board of examination having reported that he
would never again be able to resume the duties of an officer.
In the winter of 1910, having sought the milder climate of Florida,
on February 10, he died at Miami, and his remains were taken to Peoria
for their final resting place.
The literary and scientific aspirations of General Ballance did not
terminate with his graduation from West Point. Throughout his long
and varied army career, the latest publications on philology and the
sciences were his constant companions. He acquired the French and
Spanish languages, which he spoke and wrote with grace and readiness.
and he devoted much of such leisure as he had during peaceful times to
Geology, Astronomy, and particularly to the Ethnology of the American
Indians, Mexico and the Philippine Islands. In this latter pursuit he
made large and valuable collections, which, from time to time, were
transmitted to the city of his nativity for preservation, and where they
now rest, subject to such disposition as shall be made of them by his
executors, under the following provision of his last will and testament:
"I bequeath to some society interested in the subject, all my Mex
ican, Indian and Philippine relics, to be kept and cared for by said
society for the enlightenment of future generations, such society to be
selected by my executors, hereinafter named."
On January 8, 1901, he was elected to membership in this Society,
having been received as a member in the California Society of Colonial
Wars on December 24, 1900.
Upon his return from the Philippine Islands he passed several
months in Los Angeles, and during that period he attended all the
meetings of this Society, manifesting an enthusiastic appreciation of its
principles, and interest in its work. We have a most profound realization
that this interest was not ephemeral but a lasting one, as we read from
his last will and testament:
"I bequeath my Army Registers from the year 1861 to date, and
copies of my military orders, to the California Society of the Sons of
the Revolution." At the last annual meeting of this Society, held on February 22,
1910, in the City of Los Angeles, this bequest was unanimously accepted,

30
and these valuable records will be added to our Library, and designated
as the "Bequest of General John Green Ballance, U. S. A."
The President of this Society served as a Captain of the Forty-third
Infantry Regiment, United States Volunteers, in the Philippine Islands,
during a portion of the time of the command held by General Ballance,
and in his memoir, presented at our last annual meeting, he most feel
ingly said:
"From the Active Roll of this Society must be dropped this distin
guished name. The traditions of the Society and the spirit of its
existence are invoked by a history such as the foregoing brief outline
of the activities of a member, who has followed out so faithfully the
example of those ancestors in whose honor he united with us as a
member. The membership has been greatly honored by such an associa
tion. The purposes of this organization have been much promoted by
the personality of the gentleman whom this Memoir endeavors to
eulogize. "His own record is his proper epitaph and no oral embellishments
can properly add thereto.
"He has left a complete record of the United States Army orders
and registrations from the time of his graduation from West Point to
his death, in which collection there is mentioned no more patriotic or
efficient or gallant services than those of the deceased member, who
remembered us so kindly in the distribution of his effects."

APPENDIX.

33
EXHIBITS CITED IN THE TEXT.
Exhibit i.
License to Practice Law in Texas, Jan. 27, 1886.
The State of Texas,
County of Bexar.
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Know ye, that John G. Ballance hath this day applied to the Hon.
Geo. H. Noonan, Judge of the 37th Judicial District of the State of
Texas, for a license to practice as an Attorney and Counselor At Law,
and having produced a certificate from Hon. Charles L. Wurzbach,
County Judge of Bexar County, Texas, that he is twenty-one years of age
and of good moral character and honorable deportment, and having been
examined touching his knowledge of the law, in open court, by
A COMMITTEE OF ATTORNEYS OF GOOD STANDING, AND SAID COMMITTEE
AND THE COURT BEING SATISFIED WITH LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS OF THE
APPLICANT. These are therefore to license, Authorize and Empower him,
the said John G. Ballance, of the County and State aforesaid, to
PRACTICE AS AN ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW IN THE SEVERAL
DISTRICT AND INFERIOR COURTS OF THIS STATE.
Witness: Geo. H. Noonan, Judge of the District Court of the
thirty-seventh Judicial District of the State of Texas, and the seal of
the said Court at San Antonio, the twenty-seventh day of January,
A.D. 1886. (Signed) Geo. H. Noonan,
Judge of the 37th Judicial
District of Texas
Exhibit iA.
License to Practice Law Before the Supreme Court of Texas.
October 16, 1888.
Supreme Court, State of Texas. Austin, Texas, October 16, 1888.
J. G. Ballance, Esq., having filed his application for admission to
practice as an Attorney and Counselor of the Supreme Court, and
furnishing satisfactory evidence that he is a practicing attorney in
good standing in the District Courts of this State, and filed the oath
required by law of Attorneys of the Supreme Court;
These are therefore to certify, that the said J. G. Ballance, Esq.,
has been enrolled as an attorney and counselor of this court
of this State, and for so doing this shall be sufficient authority.

34
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of
said Court, the day and year above written.
(Signed) Chas S. Morse, Clerk.
Exhibit iB.
License to Practice Law Before the Supreme Court of Montana.
February 23, 1892.
In the Supreme Court of the
State of Montana.
At a term of the Supreme Court begun and held in the City of
Helena, State of Montana, the first day of December, eighteen hundred
and ninety-one.
Present: The Hon. Henry N. Blake, Chief Justice; Hon. W. H.
Dewitt, Associate Justice; Hon. E. N. Harwood, Associate Justice; the
following proceedings were had on the twenty-fifth judicial day of
said term.
Now on this day comes John Green Ballance, and having furnished
evidence satisfactory to the Court that he is a citizen of the United
States and of this State ; of good moral character ; over the age of
twenty-one years, and possessed of the requisite learning and ability,
and having taken the usual oath of office, It is ordered, on motion
of Hon. Geo. R. Milburn, an Attorney of this court, that the
said John Green Ballance be admitted to practice as an Attorney
and Counselor in all the courts of the State of Montana.
In witness whereof, I. W. J. Kennedy, Clerk of the said Court,
have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at the
City of Helena, this twenty-third day of February in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two.
(Signed) W. J. Kennedy,
Clerk of the Supreme Court,
State of Montana.
Exhibit iC.
License to Practice Law Before the Supreme Court of Illinois
March 26, 1895.
State of Illinois. Seal. Supreme Court.
John Green Ballance of Peoria County, Illinois, having exhibited
to the undersigned, the Justices of the Supreme Court of said State
satisfactory evidence of his good moral character and of his quali
fications to practice as an Attorney and Counselor at Law in the courts
of this State; we do hereby authorize and license the said John
Green Ballance to practice as such Attorney and Counselor

35
according to the laws and customs of State for and during his
good behavior in said practice.
Witness our hands this 26th of March, A. D. 1895.
J. W. Wilkin, Chief Justice
A. M. Craig,* Justice Benj. D. Magruder, Justice
 , Justice David J. Baker, Justice
Jesse J. Phillips, Justice Joseph N. Carter, Justice
State of Illinois, Supreme Court, Northern Grand Division
I, Alfred H. Taylor, Clerk of said Supreme Court, do hereby
certify that John Green Ballance has been regularly licensed and
admitted to practice as an Attorney and Counselor at Law within this
State and that he has duly taken the oath to support the Constitution
of the United States and of this State, and also the oath of office pre
scribed by law and that I have duly enrolled his name on the roll of
Attorneys and Counselors in my office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court at Ottawa this 26th day of March, A. D. 1895.
(Signed) A. H. Taylor,
Clerk of the Supreme Court.
Exhibit 2.
General D. S. Stanley's Recommendation of Captain Ballance
For Major and Judge Advocate, August, 30, 1888.
Headquarters, Department of Tex.
San Antonio, Tex., Aug. 30, 1888.
Adjutant General U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.
Sir : — I desire to especially recommend for the appointment of
Major and Judge Advocate in the United States Army, when the first
vacancy may occur, Captain John G. Ballance, Acting Judge Advocate
of this Department.
The following will illustrate the scope of duties Captain Ballance
has performed, viz. :
1. Subaltern and Commander of a Post and Company.
2. Post- Adjutant, Quartermaster, Commissary and Ordnance
officer. 3. Regimental Quartermaster and Acting Regimental Adjutant.
4. Aide-de-Camp to General Stanley; Acting Adjutant General,
District of New Mexico and Department of Texas.
5. Acting Chief CommissSry and Depot Quartermaster, District
of New Mexico.

36
6. Acting Inspector General, Department of Texas.
7. Acting Judge Advocate Department of Texas since 1884.
Captain Ballance is a hard worker ; is studious and ambitious
to excel; is admitted to the bar of the Texas and United States
courts, and during four years has performed the duties of judge
Advocate of this department, not solely in reviewing and prose
cuting COURT-MARTIAL CASES, BUT IN ADJUSTING NUMEROUS LAND
CASES AFFECTING THE TITLES OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE MANY
RESERVATIONS WITHIN THIS DEPARTMENT. ALL THESE HAVE BEEN CON
DUCTED WITH MARKED ABILITY AND SUCCESS.
With a liberal education and unexceptional manners, I
can confidently say captain ballance would do credit to the
Judge Advocate's Department. Your obedient servant,
(Signed) D. S. Stanley,
Brigadier General
Commanding Department of Texas.
Exhibit 3
W. B. Sterling, U. S. Dist. Atty. for South Dakota, gives State
ment of Legal Aid Rendered By Capt J. G. Ballance in Trial
of Indian "Plenty Horses." April 30, 1 89 1.
Huron, So. Dak., April 30, 1891.
General T. H. Ruger,
Comd. Dept. of Dakota,
St. Paul, Minn.
Sir: — I desire, at this time to ackowledge the very efficient services
rendered by Capt. J. G. Ballance in the trial of the case of the Indian
"Plenty Horses" for the murder of Lieut. Edward Casey, which has
just closed. Captain Ballance has participated actively with me in the
trial of this case and while we have been unable to obtain the result
desired we feel that it was no fault of ours. After a trial lasting
several days the jury stood 8 for conviction of murder and 4 for man
slaughter, and they were unable to agree, of which offense the
defendant was guilty.
The principal issue in the case was whether or not a state of war
existed on the reservation at the time that Lieut. Casey was killed, and
whether or not the defendant was excusable for the act on account of
this state of war, and Captain Ballance's knowledge of military law,

37
ADDED TO HIS KNOWLEDGE OF CIVIL LAW, HAS BEEN OF GREAT BENEFIT
AND AID IN THE TRIAL OF THIS CASE.
Again thanking you for his services, I am,
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) Wm. B. Stirling,
U. S. Attorney.
Exhibit 4
Gen. D. S. Stanley's Letter to Board for Examination of Officers
for Promotion
May 1, 1891.
Headquarters Department of Texas,
San Antonio, Texas, May 1, 1891.
To the Army Board for Examination
of Officers for Promotion,
Fort Keogh, Mont.
Gentlemen : — I have the honor to submit to your board, that I
have known First Lieutenant John Green Ballance, since September,
1875, when he joined the 22nd Infantry as Second Lieutenant. He
served faithfully with his company until September 1882, when he was
appointed regimental Quartermaster, 22nd Infantry, in which capacity
he served until April, 1884, when he was appointed Aide-de-Camp on
my staff, and continued in that capacity until August of that year, when
he was appointed Captain and Acting Judge Advocate of the Depart
ment of Texas, which he filled until last year.
I CANNOT SPEAK TOO HIGHLY OF CAPTAIN BALLANCE'S SERVICE IN
each of these capacities; as regimental Quartermaster, he performed
arduous service in moving the regiment to a distant station, whilst
sorely afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism; as an Aid-de-Camp he
was industrious, and constantly useful; to his record as Judge
Advocate, he can proudly point to the files of his work in Wash
ington, and his recent detail to assist the United States Attorney does
attest to his good standing in the War Department.
As TO GOOD CHARACTER AND HIGH STANDING OF CAPTAIN BALLANCE
I NEED NOT ALLUDE, AS THEY ARE EVERYWHERE ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE
ARMY AND COMMUNITY. Very respectfully,
(Signed) D. S. Stanley,
Brigadier General, U. S. Army.

38
Exhibit 5.
Headquarters of the Army
General Orders) Adjutant General's Office,
No. 100 ) Washington, December 17, 1891.
The Major General Commanding takes pleasure in publishing to
the Army the names of the following officers and enlisted men who,
during the year 1890 and in the recent campaign in South Dakota,
distinguished themselves by "specially meritorious acts or conduct in
service;" those omitted from General Orders, No. 41, April 20, 1891,
from this office, are also included :
December 23 to 25, 1890. ist Lieutenant John G. Ballance,
22nd Infantry, commanding Company D; . . . and the enlisted
men of Company D, 22nd Infantry; for energy and fortitude
in a forced march of il6 miles, of which 63 miles were
made in 29 hours and 1 5 minutes, from the cannon ball
River to New England City, North Dakota, part of the
time during a heavy snow storm, to relieve a troop of cavalry
reported surrounded by hostile sloux indians in cave hllls,
North Dakota.
By command of Major General Schofield.
(Signed) J. C. Kelton,
Adjutant General.
Exhibit 6.
Headquarters 22nd Infantry, Complimentary Order on Being
Relieved as Adjutant of the Regiment. January 16, 1892.
Headquarters 22nd Infantry
Orders Fort Keogh, Montana, Jan. 16, 1892.
No. 4.
1. The promotion of First Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant
John Green Ballance, 22nd Infantry to Captain of Infantry is announced
to the regiment.
The reputation of Captain Ballance for ability and effi
ciency as a staff officer, gained in the two regimental positions, and
as Aide-de-Camp and Acting Judge Advocate of a department is of
long standing, and the colonel commanding who is under obli
gations to him for much valuable assistance, takes pleasure in
expressing his high appreciation of his merits.

39
2. First Lieutenant Frank B. Jones, 22nd Infantry is hereby
appointed Regimental Adjutant.
P. T. Swaine,
Colonel 22nd Infantry
Commanding
Exhibit 7
Colonel P. T. Swaine, Endorsement, Recommending Captain
Ballance for Judge Advocate. February 23, 1892.
Fort Keogh, Montana, Feb. 23, 1892.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General, strongly recommended.
Very few, if any officers of the Army, have been called on
to perform military duty, in as many different capacities, as
Captain Ballance. He is known throughout the Army for his
correct performance of each.
Besides his military duties he has studied law assiduously for some
years, and has frequently been employed in important legal trials in the
military and civil courts. His pre-eminent knowledge and ability
as a lawyer are conceded by all.
His capabilities as an executive officer, is of the highest.
His unparalleled march in the Sioux campaign of 1890, for which he
was commanded in General Orders, is an example of it. I know of no
line officer that is so well fitted for the position of Judge Advocate.
His appointment would be of great benefit to the service, and
would be very pleasing to myself and the army.
(Signed) P. T. Swaine,
Colonel 22nd Infantry
Commanding.
Exhibit 8.
Officers of the 22nd Infantry Recommend Captain Ballance
for Position of Judge Advocate, March 16, 1892.
Fort Keogh, Montana, March 16, 1892
Captain John Green Ballance,
22nd U. S. Infantry.
Sir: — The undersigned officers of the 22nd U. S. Infantry, take
great pleasure in bearing testimony to your many excellent qualities
as an officer and a gentleman. We have all known you and been
intimately associated with you, both socially and officially, (some of
us since your first entry into the service,) and we know you to be
a perfect gentleman, thoroughly conscientious and capable in
the performance of all duties; we know further that you have
made a special study of law, both military and civil, and that you have

40
been admitted to practice in the civil courts in different parts of the
country, and that you have had extensive experience before military
courts, both as prosecutor and defender. The record of your five
YEARS AND A HALF SERVICE AS JUDGE ADVOCATE OF THE DEPARTMENT
of Texas, is already well known at the War Department.
From your character, qualifications and experience with both civil and
military courts, we believe you eminently qualified for appointment to
the Corps of Judge Advocates of the Army.
P. T. Swaine, Colonel, 22nd Infantry.
John H. Page, Lieutenant Colonel, 22nd Infantry.
Wm. H. Powell, Major, 22nd Infantry.
Platte M. Thorne, Captain, 22nd Infantry.
H. H. Ketchum, Captain, 22nd Infantry.
William Conway, Captain, 22nd Infantry.
Jno. McA. Webster, Captain, 22nd Infantry.
Robert N. Getty, 1st Lieutenant, R. Q. M., 22nd Infantry.
F. B. Jones, ist Lieutenant, Adjutant, 22nd Infantry.
E. O. C. Ord, ist Lieutenant, 22nd Infantry.
J. F. Kreps, ist Lieutenant, 22nd Infantry.
Thomas M. Moody, 2nd Lieutenant, 22nd Infantry.
Wm. A. Phillips, 2nd Lieutenant, 22nd Infantry.
H. E. Ely, 2nd Lieutenant, 22nd Infantry.
A. C. Dalton, 2nd Lieutenant, 22nd Infantry.
Exhibit 9.
Proceedings County Commissioners
Shoshone County, State of Idaho
July Term A. D. 1892, Twenty-first Day. Commendatory of the action of
Captain J. G. Ballance
Murray, Idaho, August 23, A. D. 1892.
On motion of Commissioner Livers seconded by Commissioner Kraus,
the following Resolution was unanimously carried and adopted,
to-wit :
Whereas Captain John Green Ballance, United States Army,
Assistant Judge Advocate General, as Military Counsel to the
State authorities exercising martial law has, by his wise and
able counsel, enabled the authorities to so direct their course
of action, that they have been able to bring order out of chaos
and restore law and order in this county, without the shedding
of a drop of blood, and served to relieve martial law of all its
harshness, and given the highest satisfaction to our people.

41
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COM
MISSIONERS of Shoshone County, Idaho, that the thanks of the
people of this County are due to Captain Ballance for his able,
energetic and conservative course. Approved,
Attest: C. Kraus, Chairman.
Barry N. Hillard, Clerk. Exhibit 10.
Colonel (later Brigadier General) W. P. Carlin's Letter to
Secretary of War Recommending Captain Ballance as Judge
Advocate. Headquarters, U. S. Troops in the Field,
Wardner, Idaho, Aug. 30, 1892.
To the Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C. :
I have the honor to invite your attention to the great merits of
Captain John G Ballance, 22nd Infantry, who has for a month and
a half been on duty in this region, during the riots of the miners in
July, and since the suppression of such riots, has been on duty with
the Governor of Idaho, as legal adviser to the Governor's representative
in this County, who has been charged with the administration of Martial
Law. The advice and assistance of Captain Ballance has been
EMINENTLY USEFUL TO THE STATE AND OFFICERS AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
His past services as Judge Advocate of a Department were of
the most distinguished and meritorious character.
His services with his company in the line have always been highly
creditable. By character, acquirements and experience he is specially
qualified to fill with honor to himself and benefit to the
Government, the office of Judge Advocate in the Army. And
I most respectfully but urgently recommend him for an appoint
ment as Major in the Judge Advocate General's Bureau.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) William P. Carlin,
Colonel 4th Infantry, Commanding.
Exhibit ii.
Board of Trustees of Wallace, Idaho, Resolutions Commending
the action of Captain Ballance During Mining Riots
Wallace, Idaho, Sept. 6, 1892.
At a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of

42
Wallace the following resolution was presented, and upon motion of
Henry E. Howes, seconded by Thomas A. Helm, was unanimously
adopted :
Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the Town of Wallace,
Idaho, in appreciation of the most excellent service of Captain
John Green Ballance, United States Army, acting in the
capacity of Assistant Judge Advocate General and Military
Counsel to the State authorities during the period of martial
law in Shoshone County, hereby tender him their sincere
thanks: First. — For his aid in establishing the supremacy of the law
in our midst.
Second. — For his conservative course in enforcing mild
martial law, with no unnecessary harshness nor unpleasantness.
Third. — For enforcing sanitary measures in our city which
have resulted in beautifying it, in removing all manner of
obstructions from public highways, and in destruction of every
thing which tends to breed disease.
A true and correct copy of the record.
(Signed) J. L. Dunn,
(Signed) Jay Lawyer, Chairman Board Town Trustees
Seal Secretary. Exhibit 12.
Governor N. B. Willey of Idaho, Order Commendatory of Captain
Ballance for His Action During Mining Riots, Dec. 12, 1892.
Headquarters, Idaho National Guard.
General Orders Boise City, Idaho, Dec 12, 1892.
1. Captain John Green Ballance, 22nd Infantry, U. S. A., having
reported for duty to the Governor in compliance with telegraphic
instructions from the War Department and having completed the
service to which he was assigned is hereby relieved.
2. Captain Ballance reported to the Governor in compliance with
orders from his military superiors, and was at once assigned to the
duties of Judge Advocate General and Military Legal Adviser
of the State authorities, administering military law in Sho
shone County, Idaho, promulgated and declared by reason of the
destruction of life and property in said County by members of the
Miners' Union.
Afterwards Captain Ballance was placed in command and
HAD ENTIRE CHARGE OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF AFFAIRS IN SHOSHONE
County under martial law.

43
In relieving Captain Ballance of the responsible duties which have
been devolved upon him, the Governor, as Commander in Chief of
the National Guard of Idaho, desires to express his high appre
ciation of the skill, tact and acumen displayed by Captain
Ballance during the last four months as Military Legal Adviser,
and rare order of executive ability evinced while in command.
The truly great services performed by Captain Ballance to
the people of the state of idaho, cannot be overestimated and
the Governor wishes to thus publicly thank him for the wise
and sagacious counsel which has so materially assisted in
repressing a most formidable insurrection without the shedding
of a drop of blood by the military authorities and rendering
life and property in shoshone county secure from violence,
amply protected by the reign of law and peace.
(Signed) Norman B. Willey,
Governor and Commander-in-chief.
Exhibit 13.
Supreme Court of the United States of America. License to
Practice Law.
January 17, 1895.
John Green Ballance, Esquire, of San Antonio, State of Texas,
was, on motion first made to the Court in this behalf by Mr.
T. J. Henderson, duly admitted and qualified as an Attorney
and Counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States
on the i7th day of january in the year of our lord one thousand
eight hundred and ninety five and of the Independence of the
United States of America the one hundred and nineteenth.
In testimony whereof, I, James H. McKenney, Clerk of said
Court, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court,
at the City of Washington, this 17th day of January in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five.
(Signed) James H. McKenney,
Clerk of the Supreme Court of the
United States.

44
Exhibit 14.
Governor W. O. Bradley of Kentucky Letter Expressing the
Deep Obligation the State Owes Captain Ballance. August
7, 1898.
State of Kentucky,
Executive Department,
Frankfort.
William O. Bradley, August 7, 1898.
Governor.
Major John Green Ballance, U. S. A.,
My dear Major:- — It distresses me to know that you will shortly
leave the State of Kentucky. The soldier's life is so replete with vicis
situde that we may never see you again in Kentucky.
Allow me to take this method of expressing the deep obligation
the State owes you for the very careful, thoughtful, earnest and able
manner in which you superintended the mobilization of her troops.
You have proven yourself to be a thorough and splendid officer and
above all, in every sense of the word, a gentleman.
Personally and officially I entertain for you the profoundest friend
ship and shall follow your future with the keenest interest.
Again expressing sincere regret, that you have been ordered South
and with a friendly good-bye, I remain, Your friend,
(Signed) W. O. Bradley.
Exhibit 15.
Governor W. O. Bradley of Kentucky. Letter Commending
Captain Ballance for His Promptness, Efficiency, Courage
and Honor. August 15, 1898.
State of Kentucky,
Executive Department,
Frankfort.
Wm. O. Bradley, August 15, 1898.
Governor.
Major John Greene Ballance, U. S. A, having completed his
duties at Lexington, Ky., as mustering officer of the Kentucky troops,
and having been ordered to Chickamauga, I take his method of speaking
a few words in his commendation.
From the beginning to the end he has shown himself an
OFFICER OF RARE ABILITY, PROMPTNESS, EFFICIENCY, COURAGE AND
honor. He has performed every duty faithfully and has won the
respect and admiration, not only of the soldiers and officials connected

45
with them always, but of the citizens as well. His manly and social
QUALITIES HAVE ENDEARED HIM TO ALL WHO HAVE MADE HIS
ACQUAINTANCE. It is with deep regret that I part from him and I sincerely
trust that he may receive that great recognition which he so fully
deserves from soldiers and citizens, wherever he may in future be
called. (Signed) William O. Bradley,
Governor Kentucky.
Exhibit 16.
Brigadier General (Later Major General) Loyd Wheaton's
Report of Operations Along the Pasig River, March 13-19,
1899. March 31, 1899. From Report of Secretary of War,
1899, Vol. I, Part 5, Page 364. Manila, P. I., March 21, 1899.
Adjutant-General United States Army,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — By General Orders, No. 11, current series, headquarters
Department of the Pacific and Eighth Army Corps, I was assigned
to the command of "a provisional brigade" composed of the Twentieth
and Twenty-second Regiments, U. S. Infantry. . . The brigade
was formed on the night of the 12th instant and bivouacked in line in
rear of the intrenched position extending from San Pedro Macati on the
Pasig one and one-half miles in the direction of Passay from right to
left in the following order: . Twenty-second U. S. Infantry,
Colonel Egbert; . . .
Soon after daylight on the morning of March 13, the brigade
moved under my instructions, by echelon, from the right, the . . .
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry moving first; . . .When the Cavalry
and Twenty-second U. S. Infantry had advanced one and one-half miles
the line wheeled to the left and marched toward the river road along
the Pasig. Scott's guns had now opened upon the position of the
enemy at Guadalupe. . . . The right of the Twenty-second U. S.
Infantry struck the enemy as he was retreating in the direction of
Pasig, inflicting heavy loss. The whole line moved on and occupied
the Pasig Road, and then marching east along the road soon came
under fire of the enemy from his intrenched position at Pasig, on the
north side of the river . . . occupied the ridge with infantry and
extended the Twentieth and Twenty-second U. S. Infantry to the right
on the high ground in the direction of Paternos. . . . attacked a

46
force of the enemy in the direction of Paternos and drove him beyond
Taghuig. . . .
March 14.— Extended my line to the south and west of Paternos
and reconnoitered the country to the west and south. . . .
March 15.— . . The enemy lost at least 1,000 men this day.
On the afternoon of March 18, a force of the enemy appeared
in the vicinity of Taghuig, . . . Reenforced the place with two
companies of infantry and directed the colonel of the Twenty-second
U. S. Infantry to send one battalion of his regiment south of the
position held by his regiment and to the west of Taghuig to ascertain
the force of the enemy. The enemy was found about 800 strong
occupying the crests of the ridges, and a spirited combat ensued, which
was terminated by darkness. The Twenty-second had 20 men killed
and wounded in this affair. Among the wounded was Captain Frank
B. Jones, Twenty-second Infantry, commanding the battalion. The
enemy fell back toward the south.
The morning of the 19th inst, soon after daylight I formed line,
deployed in the extended order facing to the south, as follows : Twenty-
second U. S. Infantry . . Advanced the line and struck the
enemy four miles south of Taghuig. My line, wheeling to the left,
partly inclosed him toward the lake, and he was completely routed,
with great loss. . . .
This ended the operations of the provisional brigade. In one week
all his positions that were attacked taken and his troops killed, captured,
or dispersed ; the towns from where he brought over troops or in which
he resisted, burned or destroyed. He burned them himself. His
loss in killed, wounded and captured was not less than 2,500
men. . . .
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) Loyd Wheaton,
Brigadier-General, U. S. V., Commanding.
Exhibit 17.
Brigadier General (Later Major General) Wheaton's Report
Concerning the Operation of His Brigade, Commends, Captain
Ballance for His Courage and Skill and Ability to Handle
His Battalion, March 31, 1899.

47
Published in report of Sec'y of War, year 1899, Vol. 1, Part 5, page 498.
Headquarters Third Brigade, First Division, Eighth Army Corps,
Malolos, P. I., March 31, 1899.
Adjutant-General, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — Relating to the recent operations of this brigade in con
nection with the movements of Major General Mac Arthur's Second
Division, Eight Army Corps, I have to report that I was directed . . .
to report for temporary duty, with my brigade, to General MacArthur,
March 22, 1899. The brigade consisted of . . . Twenty-second
U. S. Infantry. . . .
The night of March 24 the brigade relieved the First Brigade,
Second Division . . in the trenches extending from the left west
of Caloocan to the vicinity of La Loma Church . . . Twenty-
second U. S. Infantry on the right; . . .
On March 25, soon after daylight, Major General MacArthur
commenced his movement by advancing his right brigade to attack the
enemy in the trenches in his front and to advance his right on Polo.
Soon after, his left took up the movement and advanced to the front
and left, his artillery near the center advancing with the line.
As soon as his left brigades moved I advanced one battalion,
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry on my right to cover the movement
of the Third U. S. Artillery, foot, on General MacArthur's left. The
turning movement having sufficiently developed to threaten the rebel
intrenchments on their left flank, I directed that fire be opened on the
rebel intrenchments in my front . . directed my whole line to
advance in the following order: Twenty-second U. S. Infantry, Col.
H. C. Egbert, on the right to endeavor to keep touch and communication
with the Third U. S. Artillery, on the left of Otis's brigade, Mac-
Arthur's Division; . .
The rebels were found in their intrenchments in great force and
line after line of their works was carried with the utmost gallantry.
The roll of infantry fire was now continuous and intense.
Bv 11 :30 a.m. the enemy was thrown to the line of intrenchments
in my front along the Tuliahan River, he having been driven from his
successive lines of intrenchments with great slaughter. ... I had
now suspended my forward movement in order that the enemy might
not be driven beyond Polo or Malinta before the ground in that vicinity
had been seized by General MacArthur. Night closed with my right
connecting with Otis's brigade of the Second Division, and my line
close to the Tuliahan, with the enemy all driven to the north bank.

48
March 26 at daylight the indications were that the enemy was
preparing to retreat. The city of Malabon on my left was on fire
and a stream of fugitive soldiers of the enemy and inhabitants was
pouring from the city toward the north. I directed Coloned Egbert
with his regiment, the Twenty-second U. S. Infantry, to ford the
Tuliahan near my right and form lines perpendicular to the river, his
right to the north, the left of the Twenty-second to be supported by
the battalion of the Twenty-third U. S. Infantry. By 11 a.m. all
intrenchments near the river were carried; ... I directed the
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry to form line facing the intrenchments
and to charge and carry them, which the regiment did with great
gallantry. Col. H. C. Egbert was mortally wounded in this charge
and died soon after. . . The enemy fled north pursued by Major
General MacArthur's center and right. Went into camp at Malinta
with whole brigade, . . .
March 27. — Under orders from the division commander, left the
Second Oregon Volunteer Infantry at Malinta and joined head of
column with . . . Twenty-second U. S. Infantry. . . .
March 28. — March Third and Twenty-second U. S. Infantry to
Marilao. March 29. — Crossed the Marilao and marched up the railroad.
March 30. — Column moved at 6:30 a.m. All trains left at Bocaue
with one battalion Twenty-second U. S. Infantry as guard. Column
reached Guiguinto at 9:30 a.m. and before dark . . . two bat
talions Twenty-second U. S. Infantry were in bivouac one-half in the
rear of Major General MacArthur's line of battle, one and one-half
to two miles from Malolos.
In conference with Major General MacArthur it was decided that
I should support his attack on the enemy's position in front of Malolos
by supporting his right with three battalions Third U. S. Infantry
and left with two battalions Twenty-second U. S. Infantry.
March 31. — Soon after daylight the five battalions mentioned were
placed, deployed in two lines of skirmishers, . . . Action com
menced about 7 a.m., the left occupying Malolos, the enemy's capital
early in the day. I was with the right and opened fire on an intrench-
ment of the enemy with Hotchkiss revolving cannon soon after the
line was formed. . . . The entire movement from our lines in
front of Caloocan to Malolos was a complete success.
Great damage and heavy loss in killed and wounded has been
inflicted upon the rebels and nowhere was the enemy able to con
siderably retard our advance. He was in strong force in front of

49
our lines on March 25. In front of my brigade his intrenchments
were held by not less than 4,000 men, mostly armed with Mauser rifles.
The conduct of our officers and men was distinguished by daring
and the utmost energy. I desire to express the highest admiration
for the distinguished gallantry of Colonel H. C. Egbert, Twenty-second
U. S. Infantry, who fell at Malinta during the charge of his regiment
upon the enemy's intrenchments. He should be held in grateful remem
brance by his countrymen.
The Conduct of Captain John G. Ballance, Twenty-second
U. S. Infantry, was distinguished for courage and skill. His
ability in handling the Battalion he commanded under the
enemy's fire is worthy of the highest consideration.
Very respectfully, (Signed) Loyd Wheaton
Brigadier-General, U. S. V., Commanding.
Exhibit 18.
Major (Later Lieut. Col.) L. O. Parker, Commanding 22nd
Infantry, Report on the Operations of His Regiment From
March 24-31, Recommending Captain Ballance for a Brevet
for Judgment and Gallantry in Leading His Command Under
a Very Heavy Fire. April 6, 1899. Given in Report of Sec
retary of War, 1899, Vol. I, Part 5, Page 503.
Headquarters, Twenty-second U. S. Infantry.
Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Manila, P. I., April 6, 1899.
Washington, D. C.
Left Manila with regiment at 7:30 a.m., March 24, and marched
seven miles to trenches between La Loma and Caloocan, relieving Mon
tana Volunteers. At daylight, March 25, regiment advanced over
the trenches and engaged with the enemy intrenched in front.
Enemy was driven across the Tuliahan river to strong position
in front of Malinta. Camped along river, with considerable firing
throughout day and night.
March 26, at 8 a. m., crossed river by ford one mile to right of
railroad and made turning movement to the left, driving the enemy
behind stone wall and trenches at Malinta. At about 12 m., advanced
and charged enemy's position, who retreated along the railroad.

50
March 27, 28, 29, 30, marched along railroad in rear of firing
line (MacArthur's division) camping at Meycauayan, Malao, San
Marco river, and point three and one-half miles from Malolos.
On March 26, Captain Ballance's Battalion, Companies A,
F, K and I, and Company L, were more especially engaged in the
charge and I especially recommend Captain John G. Ballance,
22nd Infantry, for a brevet for the judgment and gallantry he
displayed in leading his command under a very heavy fire.
I desire to report that Gen. H. C. Egbert commanded the regiment
from the time it left the barracks on March 24, until the capture of
the insurgents' intrenchments on March 26, when, after most gallantly
conducting his regiment to the charge, he fell mortally wounded, just
after the capture of the enemy's position. I then assumed command of
the regiment and commanded it during the remainder of the expedition.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) Leo O. Parker,
Major 22nd Infantry, Commanding.
Exhibit 19.
Major (Later Lieut. Col.) L. O. Parker's Letter, Commendatory
of Captain Ballance, Concerning His Action at Malinta,
November 19, 1901. Falls Church, Fairfax County, Va.,
General John G. Ballance, Nov. 19, 1901
Manila, P. I.
My dear General: — Your letter of October 7th has been received
and I hasten to reply. . . . — this should be "On March 26th,"
as this latter is the date of the engagement at Malinta, which is the
engagement referred to by me in my endorsement wherein I recom
mended you "For a brevet for the judgment and gallantry he
displayed in leading his command under a heavy fire."
I hope you may be brevetted for that day's work, because I think
YOU DESERVE IT FOR YOUR PROMPT AND GALLANT ACTION, BY WHICH
a quick victory was won, with much less loss than we' would have
suffered had there been delay in making that charge. The fire of
THE INSURGENTS WAS HOT IN THE EXTREME DURING THE CHARGE AND
FOR SOME TIME AFTER THEIR FIRST TRENCH WAS OCCUPIED BY YOUR
BATALLION AND COMPANY "L."

51
I believe, up to the date of the engagement at Malinta, no more
severe engagement, and none more successful had been fought by any
of our troops with the Insurgents since the outbreak of the rebellion.
Our loss was Colonel Egbert killed and a number of enlisted
men killed and wounded — the exact figures I have not at hand. I
am of the opinion that our loss would have been much heavier but
for two causes:
ist. Your promptness in ordering the charge when the
Insurgents unexpectedly opened fire, and the gallant manner
in which you conducted the charge.
2nd. There was a dip in the ground, as I recollect it, between
the Insurgent trenches and the point from which you charged — at
all events the charge was up hill and the Insurgents' fire passed mainly
over our heads. The air seemed to be filled with bullets, and I feel
confident your action and the ground saved many lives.
Up to this time not a shot had been fired, and I believe everyone
thought that during the night the Insurgents had retreated from our
front. Suddenly, and as I have written above, "unexpectedly," the
Insurgents opened with a perfect hail of rifle fire. It was then that
you so promptly made your charge, and for which I ACCORD YOU
FULL CREDIT AND ALL THE HONOR. ... I SIMPLY MEAN THAT YOU
HAD YOUR BATALLION WELL IN HAND, YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND
YOU SEIZED IT, LIKE THE GALLANT SOLDIER YOU ARE, SHOULD.
So that General MacArthur's wish and the object of our crossing
THE RIVER WAS ACCOMPLISHED MAINLY BY you, — and I thank God that
the Mauser bullet which some Insurgent fired through your campaign
hat that day during your charge, came no nearer your head than to
graze the hair. After you had taken the first trench and during the
time that we halted our line at this trench to rest our men and open a
rapid fire on the next line, I will never forget the, to me, inspiring
SIGHT OF SEEING YOU, COOLLY STANDING, FULLY EXPOSED TO THAT HEAVY
fire, when we compelled our men to take advantage of the cover
afforded by the captured Insurgent trench.
By far the greater portion of the enlisted men whom you led to
the charge were recently enlisted, and therefore untried; many of them
had never performed a tour of guard duty until they were placed on
board the Transport "Ohio" at San Francisco about two months before
this engagement at Malinta on the 26th of March, 1899, and I have
NO DOUBT YOUR EXAMPLE MADE THEM IF NOT EXACTLY, CERTAINLY
the equals of, veterans. It was a trying occasion, but by prompt-

52
NESS, COOLNESS AND GALLANTRY YOU WERE FULLY EQUAL TO THE
EMERGENCY. Your subsequent service during the time I had the honor
TO COMMAND THE 22ND INFANTRY WAS ON THE SAME HIGH PLANE OF
GALLANTRY, AT ALL TIMES DISPLAYING MOST EXCELLENT JUDGMENT AND
UNFALTERING COURAGE.
YOU CAPTURED BUSTOS. YOU COMMANDED OUR ADVANCE GUARD
that day, the date I forget, and though we subsequently learned
from natives that the Insurgents had over a thousand men in the
thickets of the bend of the river in front of you, yet your cool,
STEADY AND FEARLESS ADVANCE DROVE THEM BACK AND GAVE YOU THE
TOWN WITHOUT HAVING FIRED A SHOT FROM YOUR FOUR COMPANIES.
I commended you for this in my report to my superiors; but
as no firing took place on your part, but you simply received the
Insurgent fire and moved steadily on, I do not suppose that
you will ever receive the recognition you deserve for that day's
work. Yet in my opinion it requires a higher order of courage
FOR OFFICERS AND MEN TO ADVANCE FOR MILES IN FACE OF A FIRE AND
NOT RETURN THAT FIRE, THAN IT DOES TO ADVANCE WHILE PLUGGING
at your enemy. Therefore I think you merit a brevet for that day's
work. Your conduct at San Isidro was equally commendable, so far
as the disposition evinced by you is concerned, but as the enemy made
no resistance worth mentioning — contrary to our expectations — there
was no chance for you to win a brevet there. Had there been, I know
with what avidity you would have availed yourself of it, as you
REQUESTED ME TO GIVE YOUR BATTALION THAT PART OF MY LINE OPPO
SITE THE CEMETERY WALL WHICH THE ENEMY HAD WELL PREPARED
for defense in addition to their trenches. My dear General,
THAT WAS A VERY GALLANT REQUEST AND IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE
TO ME TO COMPLY WITH IT.
Certainly you should be brevetted a Major U. S. Army (being
then a Captain of the 22nd U. S. Infantry) for the good judgment
AND GALLANTRY DISPLAYED BY YOU IN LEADING YOUR BATTALION AGAINST
the Insurgent trenches at Malinta, Island of Luzon, P. I., on the
26th day of March, 1899; and in addition to my former official endorse
ment to that effect I here and now most urgently renew that
recommendation as a proper reward for a most deserving AND
CAPABLE officer.

53
Confidently believing that your brilliant services in Luzon will be
properly appreciated and suitably rewarded by our Government.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) Leo O. Parker,
Major, U. S. Army, Retired,
Late Major & Commanding Officer, 22nd Inf.
Exhibit 20.
General Wheaton, Recommends Captain Ballance for Brevet
as Major and Lieutenant Colonel
Date, November 4, 1909
No. 1583343 Official Copy
Furnished to Shelby M. Cullom, U. S. Senate
Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 1st Division,
Eighth Army Corps, Malolos, P. I.
April 19, 1899.
The Adjutant General United States Army,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — Relating to the operations of this brigade while acting under
the orders of and co-operating with Major General MacArthur in his
movement resulting in the occupation of Malolos, March 24th to 31st,
inclusive, I have the honor to make recommendations as follows, viz. :
Captain John G. Ballance, 22nd U. S. Infantry, to be Major
U. S. A. BY BREVET FOR GALLANT CONDUCT IN THE BATTLE AT THE
Tuliahan river, P. I., March 25, 1899, and to be Lieutenant
Colonel U. S. A. by brevet for distinguished gallantry at the
battle of Malinta, P. I., March 26, 1899.
The gallant conduct of all of the officers named in this com
munication I witnessed and earnestly request favorable consideration.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) Loyd Wheaton,
Brigadier Gen., U. S. V., Commanding.
The Adjutant General's Office
Official Copy
War Department
Seal

54
Exhibit 21.
Major General H. W. Lawton's Report, Recommending Major
Ballance for Brevet Lieutenant Colonel for Distinguished
Conduct and Public Service in the Presence of the Enemy
at Bustos, May 2, 1899, September 26, 1899. 294226 A. G. O.
Official Copy
Headquarters ist Div. 8th Army Corps,
Manila, P. I., September 26, 1899.
To the Adjutant General, U. S. Army,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of an expedition in the Provinces of Bulucan, Neuva Ecija
and Pampanga covering the period, April 21st to May 30, 1899.
List of names of officers of the Army, regular and volunteer, con
sidered entitled to Brevet Commissions "for distinguished conduct and
public service in the presence of the enemy," under Sec. 1209 Rev. Stats.
Name — John G. Ballance.
Rank Regiment Corps — Captain 22nd Infantry.
Specific Act Gallantry — Engagement at Bustos, May 2nd, 1899.
"In my opinion Major Ballance deserves great credit for the manner
in which he conducted the advance guard. By his skill and prudence,
he so developed and flanked the enemy as to prevent the execution
of a surprise, which I believe the enemy had planned, and in all human
probability accomplished without casualty what would have cost us
dearly." Appendix Page 90 1-3 (Major Parker). "Major Ballance
deserves great credit for the manner in which he carried out his orders.
His skirmish line moved forward with energy and over very difficult
ground, driving the enemy before him from positions evidently intended
as a surprise for our flank and rear." Appendix Page 90 2-3. "I
heartily concur in the favorable mention of Major Ballance." Appendix,
Page 90 2-3, General Lawton's indorsement.
Recommendation— Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Service.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) H, W. Lawton,
Major General, U. S. V., Commanding.

55
Exhibit 22.
Brigadier General (Later Lieutenant General) Young Reports
on the Fight at San Fernando
October 19.
Contained in Report of Sec. of War, Year 1900, Vol. 1, Part 6, P. 44.
October 19.
Major General Lawton :
The order of march this morning was: Ballance with
three companies twenty-second infantry. . . .
Command moved from Cabaio at 8:30 a.m., encountering the
heaviest resistance at stream near San Fernando, where the enemy had
torn up the bridge. Infantry pushed forward, cavalry delayed,
repairing bridge. Arrived in San Isidro about 1 :30 p.m.
Our casualties: one killed, three wounded, all of Twenty-
second Infantry. Cannot get names until Ballance returns from
Gapan. . . . Will report more fully on return of columns under
Ballance. . . (Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Brigadier General.
Exhibit 23.
Brigadier General (Later Lieutenant General) Young, Reports
on the Capture of San Isidro and States Captain Ballance's
"Manner of Conducting the Advance was Highly Com
mendable." Printed in Report of Secretary of War, Year 1900,
Part 6, Page 49. Headquarters Provisional Brigade,
ist Div., 8th Corps,
San Isidro, October 22, 1899.
The Adjutant General,
First Division, Eighth Corps.
Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following report of the action
before Sain Isidro on October 19, 1899. The letter subheads are those
required by General Orders, No. 40 c. s. Headquarters First Division,
Eighth Corps:
(c and d) In the order named: First Battalion, Twenty-second
Infantry (Companies A, F, I and K), Captain J. G. Ballance, Twenty-
second Infantry.

56
(n) Wounded, five of Twenty-second Infantry, one of whom
died within an hour.
Captain Ballance's manner of conducting the advance was
highly commendable, and his infantry scouts did splendid work.
San Isidro occupied by . . . First Battalion Twenty-second
Infantry . . .
The reports of Captain Ballance, Twenty-second Infantry . . .
are inclosed. Very Respectfully,
(Signed) S. M. B. Young,
Brigadier General.
Exhibit 24.
Brigadier General (Later Lieutenant General) Young Reports
on the Fight at Taboatin River on October 29, 1899, in
Which He States That "Captain Ballance's Manner of Con
ducting the Advance Was Highly Commendable."
Extracts from printed report of Secretary of War, year 1900,
Vol. 1, Part 6, Page 86. Headquarters Provisional Brigade,
First Division, Eighth Army Corps,
Cabanatuan, Luzon, Nov. 3, 1899.
The Adjutant General,
First Division, Eighth Army Corps.
Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following report of the action
at Taboatin river, before Santa Rosa, on October 27th, 1899:
. . . Strength of 22nd Infantry, Captain Ballance, five officers,
380 men.
(Note) (m) Orders to Captain Ballance to send Castner's Scouts and
company of Infantry to flank enemy on the right and, if possible, take
him in rear. . (o) killed; four (p) 13 dead, 26 wounded.

57
Behavior of both officers and men was excellent. Captain
Ballance's method of conducting the advance was highly
commendable. (Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Brigadier General, Commanding.
Exhibit 25.
Lieutenant Colonel (Later Brigadier General) Clarence R.
Edwards Informs Captain Ballance That General Lawton
Recommended Him for Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel.
Headquarters First Division, Eighth Army Corps,
Manila, P. I., November 6, 1899.
Captain John G. Ballance,
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry.
Sir: — I have the honor to inform you that the Division Com
mander, Major General H. W. Lawton, U. S. V., in his final report,
dated September 26, 1899, of an expedition to the Provinces of Bulucan,
Neuva Ecija and Pampanga, Luzon, P. I., April 22 to May 30, 1899,
(San Isidro or Northern Expedition) recommended you for brevet
as Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, under Section 1209, R. S.
The following is an extract from the General's report of that
expedition :
"In my opinion Major Ballance deserves great credit for the
manner in which he conducted the advance guard. By his skill
and prudence, he so developed and flanked the enemy as to
prevent the execution of a surprise, which i believe the enemy
had planned, and, in all human probability, accomplished without
casualty what would have cost us dearly. (Appendix, Page 90 1-3,
Major Parker's Report.) — and Major Ballance deserves great credit
for the manner in which he carried out his orders. His skirmish line
moved forward with energy, and over very difficult ground, driving
the enemy before him from positions evidently intended as a surprise
for our flank and rear," (Appendix, Page 90 1-3, Lieutenant Colonel
Truemann's Report.) — and, "I heartily concur in the favorable
mention of Major Ballance." (Appendix, Page 90 2-3, General
Lawton's indorsement.) Very respectfully,
(Signed) Clarence R. Edwards,
Lieut. Col. 47th Inf., U. S. V.,
Acting Asst. Adjt. General.

58
Exhibit 26.
General Lawton Forwards Communication of General Young,
Dated November 17, 1899, to General Otis, Recommending
Captain Ballance "For Distinguished Gallantry in Action,
TO BE BREVETTED TO THE GRADE ABOVE THAT NOW HeLD."
November, 19, 1899.
Extract from communication from General Young to General Otis
through General Lawton. Published in the report of the Secretary of
War, dated June 30, 1900. Vol. 1, Part, 6, Page 161.
Pozzorubio, Luzon, Nov. 17, 1899.
Major General Otis:
Aguinaldo is now a fugitive and an outlaw, seeking security in
escape to the mountains or by sea. . . . Aguinaldo is accompanied
by his wife and several other women ; also by General Pilar and General
Tinio. . . The route of the fugitive is through Alava, Rosario
. . . to Benguet Province. . . . My men have had no supplies
from government for past five days. Many of them are bare-footed,
hatless and coatless, but their hearts are all right.
Please inform General Lawton, as the floods prevent my com
municating with him by courier. (Signed) Young,
Brigadier General.
Above was sent to General Otis by mail with the following indorse
ment, November 18, 1899. Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of
Staff, Manila . I desire again heartily and earnestly to recom
mend Gen. Young and the officers and men of his command for their
distinguished gallantry, fortitude and energy. General Young is entitled
to all the credit for the work accomplished by him.
I WISH particularly to commend and to request early recog
nition OF the following named officers for distinguished
gallantry in action . . . Captain Ballance ... to be
brevetted in the regular army to the grade above now held.
(Signed) Lawton.

59
Exhibit 27.
Major General Wheaton's Letter States That the Conduct of
Captain Ballance Was Most Gallant and Efficient, He
Leading His Battalion on Every Occasion.
Headquarters Expeditionary Brigade,
Eighth Army Corps,
Tayug, P. I., December 20, 1899.
The Adjutant General, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.
Sir : — It is my wish to invite the attention of the Department to
the services of Captain John G. Ballance, 22nd U. S. Infantry, who
has commanded a battalion of the regiment ever since arrival in the
Philippine Islands. Captain Ballance, with his battalion, was under my
command in the operations about Pasig, in March last, and in the
campaign from Caloocan to Malolos, March 25th to 31st. His conduct
was most gallant and efficient; he leading his battalion on
every occasion. Fie was with me during a part of the operations
ending with crossing the Rio Grande at Calumpit, April 27th, last.
His high professional attainments and gallant conduct are
worthy of consideration, and I recommend him as qualified and
deserving of any rank in the Volunteer service it may be practicable
to confer upon him.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) Loyd Wheaton,
Brigadier General, U. S. V.
Exhibit 28.
Officers of the Fourth Cavalry State They Desire to Place on
Record the Operations of the Battalion Captain Ballance
so Ably Commanded December 29TH, 1899.
Headquarters 4th U. S. Cavalry,
Pasay Cavalry Barracks, P. I.,
December 29, 1899.
Captain John Green Ballance,
22nd U. S. Infantry, Manila, P. I.
My dear Captain Ballance :
Myself and the officers of the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, wish
to place ourselves on record, concerning the operations of the Battalion
of the 22nd Infantry, which you so ably commanded on the
Northern Expedition.
From Arayat to Cabanatuan your battalion held the post
of honor — the advance of the Brigade, and was supported by the ist

60
Squadron, 4th Cavalry, which gave us every opportunity to judge
the efficiency, discipline and gallantry, which were in a marked
degree displayed by your battalion, under the most trying con
ditions, and which, under your able direction, won the admira
tion of all of us.
Every duty was performed in a perfectly business-like and
soldierly manner, without fuss or display, regular in action as
IN NAME. The work of your battalion, in our opinion, tended greatly
TO THE SUCCESS OF THE EXPEDITION.
With sincere wishes for the advancement in rank, which you so
richly deserve, we remain, Sincerely yours,
(Signed) : E. M. Hayes, Lieutenant Colonel, 4th Cavalry.
J. A. Augur, Major, 4th Cav., Com. ist Squadron.
Geo. H. Cameron, Captain, 4th Cavalry.
Kirby Walker, ist Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry.
Alex. M. Davis, ist Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry.
C. D. Dudley, 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry.
J. N. Munro, 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry.
Lucius R. Holbrook, 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry.
Exhibit 29.
Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier General) Wessell's letter, states he
considers Captain Ballance as "the most exemplary officer of those
with whom he has served on the islands," January 1, 1900.
Third Cavalry,
San Fernando de Union, Jan. 1, 1900.
Captain J. G. Ballance,
22nd Inf., San Luis, near Candaba, Luzon.
Sir: — If I was called upon to state whom I considered the most
EXEMPLARY OFFICER OF THOSE WITH WHOM I HAVE SERVED ON THE
Island, my answer would be, yourself.
I had occasion to see a great deal of you and your command during
the march from Cabanatuan to San Fabian and cannot say too much
of the soldierly qualities of both. Some cavalry officer had before
I joined you spoken of the soldierly qualities of you and your
command in action, I saw you under more trying circumstances

61
than ordinary battle and you showed the finest kind of esprit
and discipline. Very respectfully,
(Signed) H. W. Wessells,
Lieut. Col., 3rd Cav., Com. Reg.
Exhibit 30.
Brigadier General (Later Lieutenant General) Young's letter, com
mending Captain Ballance for his method of conducting his
advance. January 3, 1900.
Office of Military Governor of
Northwestern Luzon, P. I.
Vigan, January 3, 1900.
Captain J. G. Ballance,
22nd Infantry.
Dear Ballance : — I have repeated to the Chief of Staff my desire
to have you here to assist me in establishing civil government and
teaching these people how to start the machinery under the new regime.
The work of your battalion from Arayat on, while under my com
mand and observation, was magnificent and beyond my highest expec
tation, after realizing the condition of the flooded country, through
which progress seemed impossible.
Your method of conducting the advance of my column from Cabiao
to San Isidro, and from San Isidro to Santa Rosa, fighting every mile
against a force superior in numbers to your own, should form
a chapter in our text books of military operations, to be studied
and followed by all our young officers.
These operations, conducted under my personal observation and
supervision, for rapidity of movement, swimming streams and
flanking strong intrenchments filled with strong forces of
the enemy, constructing rafts to cross men who could not swim,
carrying five of these intrenched crossings in one day, and
covering the distance from san isidro to santa rosa in one day
(ten miles) surpass any achievement in minor tactics that i
KNOW OF.
It was accomplished with a loss of only two men killed and one
wounded in your command, while the loss to the enemy was over
one hundred. I know how impossible it seemed to me, after leaving Cabana
tuan, THAT YOU COULD REACH HUMINGAN IN TIME TO BE OF SERVICE
IN CUTTING INTO ROSALES TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF MY SCATTERED
cavalry, at that time covering every avenue of escape for the enemy

62
to Bayombong, and yet you accomplished it; and the presence of
your command at that strategic point, including four guns of the
mountain battery, caused the line of railroad in MacArthur s
front to be evacuated by the enemy.
I regretted sincerely, both personally and professionally, your
detention at Binalonan during my further advance northward.
I WAS VERY MUCH CRIPPLED, IN THE LATTER OF THE CAMPAIGN
FROM BOANG NORTH, BY THE DETENTION OF YOUR BATTALION, the moun
tain battery, and five troops of the Third Cavalry.
Knowing that the hardships and privations endured by you in the
campaign have temporarily impaired your health, I believe the pure
mountain air in this section and the fine sanitary conditions would
rapidly restore it; and besides, I need your assistance in the work
assigned me.
Assuring you of my highest appreciation of your military
skill and ability, as evinced in the late campaign, and hoping
you may join me soon, I remain, Always your friend,
(Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Brigadier General.
Exhibit 31.
Brigadier General (Later Lieutenant General) Young Reports on an
Expedition to Northern Luzon and is Highly Commendatory of
the Work of Captain Ballance and his Battalion. Published in
Report of Secretary of War, Year 1900, Vol. 1, Part 6, Page
262, et seq. Vigan, January 6, 1900.
Adjutant General,
Department of the Pacific and Eighth Army Corps.
Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following report of opera
tions by the forces under my command from date of my arrival in the
Philippines until January 5, last.
A reconnoissance on the evening of the nth in the direction of
Arayat drove back the outposts of the enemy and found the roads
and rice fields on either side impassable for horses or vehicles of
any kind.

63
Capture of Arayat.
The head of my column moved out at 7 a.m. on the 12th and
encountered the enemy's advance post at 8, driving it rapidly within
the intrenchments.
Ballance Reported with his battalion, 22nd Infantry, from
Candaba. My command was reorganized at Arayat, and plans were made
for its northward march.
The town of Cabiao was reported as strongly intrenched, and
it was known that there was a force of insurgents of four companies
on the road to Cabiao, at a place called Libutad (Malibutad) which
was the most advanced post of the insurgents. While the supplies and
the rest of the command were crossing, it was projected to clear the
road to and „ capture Cabiao with Ballance's battalion and the scouts.
. . . Ballance was directed to proceed with his battalion
up the direct road to the frontal attack. . . .
Fight at Libutad (Malibutad).
Ballance's column, with his advance guard, preceded by a screen of its
infantry scouts, started up the direct road before daylight. . . .
An outpost of the enemy was encountered at San Mateo, which
was driven back to Libutad, where the main fight of the day occurred.
. A stubborn resistance was made, but the enemy was driven
out with a loss of one officer and three enlisted men killed ; one officer
and 29 enlisted men wounded, and 70 were made prisoners. The
advance was then continued to Cabiao, which was captured without
serious resistance, and was entered by Ballance's column, about 9 -.30 a.m.
Captain Cameron, with a portion of his troops, which had been sent
to keep open communications with Ballance's column and keep the
road clear of insurgents who were carrying on a guerrilla warfare,
reported to Ballance in Cabiao about noon.
Fight at San Fernando.
In the afternoon of the same day a reconnoissance was made
by a part of Ballance's battalion up the river on the road leading
to San Isidro. Scouts of the enemy were encountered about a mile

64
outside of Cabiao, who fell back firing, on the main force intrenched
in the barrio of San Fernando about two miles from Cabiao. . . .
The enemy was found to be intrenched on both sides of the river,
and a brisk fire was opened on our troops from both banks. After
CONSIDERABLE FIRING, OUR INFANTRY DISLODGED THE INSURGENTS ON THE
left bank and produced so much confusion among the enemy that
they began firing at one another, which completed their demoralization,
and THEY WERE DRIVEN FROM THE INTRENCHMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF
the river by our forces, which were less in number than their force
on either side.
As our force was inferior in numbers and it was near dusk, it
did not pursue the enemy, but returned to Cabiao, meeting on the
road the rest of Ballance's battalion, which, had, on hearing the firing
in the distance, left their suppers and gone to their support.
The overwhelming defeat of the insurgents at Libutad and
San Fernando, and the capture of such a large number of them at
the very beginning of my northern advance . . . enabled me with
ONE BATTALION OF INFANTRY (BaLLANCe's 22ND INFANTRY) TO SUR
MOUNT OBSTACLES AND ACHIEVE GREATER RESULTS THAN I HAD THOUGHT
POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO ACCOMPLISH, AND WHICH HAD BEEN, HERETOFORE,
NOT EVEN ATTEMPTED BY AMERICAN INFANTRY AND COULD NOT HAVE
BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THIS BATTALION HAD IT NOT BEEN COMPOSED
OF THE BEST MATERIAL AND BEEN THOROUGHLY WELL TRAINED AND
DISCIPLINED. I arrived in Cabiao at 9 p.m. . . . Ballance was placed
IN CHARGE OF THE ADVANCE GUARD AND GIVEN COMMAND OF A TEM
PORARY BRIGADE, COMPOSED OF TROOPS FROM THE FOURTH CAVALRY,
THE BATTERY OF ARTILLERY, AND ONE TROOP OF THE TlTIRTY-SEVENTH
Infantry, U. S. V., and Twenty-second Infantry.
On account of his education and experience, and his bravery,
governed by a sound judgment, he was well fitted to command
A BRIGADE IN THE FIELD, ENGAGED IN AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN ; and he
had, moreover, been over the ground the previous spring with the
expedition of General Lawton to capture San Isidro, and had, on
ACCOUNT OF THE SKILL AND SERVICES THEREIN SHOWN, BEEN RECOM
MENDED by Genekal Lawton for the brevet of Lieutenant Colonel
in the Regular Army.
He made the plans for the advance, submitted them to me,
and I approved them in every particular, and they were carried out
as planned by him, with the exception of the delay of an hour in

65
the advance on San Isidro, which I directed in order to ascertain
the situation in regard to Batson and Castner. The tactical skill
exhibited by Major Ballance in handling his advance guard and
brigade, his bravery in leading it on, and the complete success
he achieved fully justified the confidence i had placed in him.
For conspicuous gallantry in action and superior tactical
ABILITY IN HANDLING TROOPS IN THE FIGHT AT CaLABA, AND CAPTURE
of San Isidro, I recommend that Major John Green Ballance
BE APPOINTED A COLONEL BY BREVET IN THE REGULAR ARMY.
In my northern march to get around Aguinaldo's forces I took
with my cavalry only one battalion of infantry (Ballance's Twenty-
second) as it was necessary for me to move with great rapidity, and
I KNEW THIS BATTALION WOULD KEEP UP WITH ME WHEREVER I LED
with my cavalry and the scouts, of which my advance guard was
composed. The infantry battalion moved in advance, preceded by its
screen of scouts, followed by the artillery, and then the cavalry.
The road was, as is usual at this season of the year, very bad.
The land on either side was principally flooded rice fields, interspersed
with bamboo thickets, tropical jungles, and lagoons, over which it was
an impossibility for horses to pass, so I could not, at this time, make
use of a cavalry screen.
The ordinary formation for the advance guard did not furnish
sufficient precaution for advance, so Ballance adopted a method of
using his scouts as a screen, keeping them some distance ahead of
his advance guard. His scouts were men selected from his companies
on account of their physical endurance, courage, and marksmanship.
They were perfectly fearless in the performance of their work
and rendered most excellent service.
Some two miles beyond San Fernando there is an unfordable stream
the screen of scouts had to assemble at the bridge for the
purpose of crossing.
In making the attempt they were met by a strong fire from a
concealed enemy, but without faltering they rushed across the stringers
of the bridge, gained the opposite bank, which they held, and protected
the bridge until the arrival of the advance guard, although 25 per cent
of their number were shot in doing so. Even after being severely
wounded, these scouts continued to use their rifles.

66
Ballance moved up his infantry at a run, got them
across the stream, and deployed on each side of the road and drove
the enemy back from the stream.
Fight at Calaba.
The enemy contested our advance, and owing to the extremely
difficult country to operate over, it was impossible, in most places,
to move anything but troops on foot anywhere except on the direct
road. The main road was very bad but the moment the animals got
off of the traveled road they sank up to their knees in mud and water,
and at other times up to their bellies. The infantry was deployed
on both sides of the road and the artillery in the road. The progress
was necessarily slow, the infantry wading and plowing their way
through the submerged rice fields, lagoons and thickets, being
subjected to an annoying fire from an enemy concealed in the
BAMBOO THICKETS, DRIVING THEM BACK AS THEY ADVANCED. The artillery
on the road fired as it advanced when an opportunity offered.
The enemy fell back to his intrenchments near Calaba, a barrio
of San Isidro, and Ballance advanced to their attack.
The enemy had intrenched himself in a bamboo grove on the far
side of an opening through which our troops had to pass. This opening
was not over 80 yards wide at any place, and averaged much less.
As the advance emerged from the thicket to pass over this open space
it was met by a fusillade from the enemy's trenches. Our troops
charged across the opening and drove him out of his intrenchments.
It was very fortunate for us that this opening in front of their
trenches was not any wider, for we were able to charge across it with
a cheer that demoralized the enemy and before he could recover from
it our men had driven him out.
THE FIRING WAS CONTINUED UNTIL WE ARRIVED AT CALABA, where
a halt was made. . I gave permission to Ballance, who was
chafing at the delay, to proceed forward.
After leaving Calaba the road to San Isidro forks, . . . When
Ballance arrived there with his advance guard he learned that part of
the forces of the enemy had gone on each road, so he sent part of his
battalion on each road, and reported to me the situation. I directed
Captain Rivers with two troops (dismounted), Fourth Cavalry, and
Scott and Lowenberg with four guns of the battery and dismounted
troop Thirty-seventh U. S. Volunteers, to report to Ballance. The
latter proceeded down the direct road with these troops and two com
panies of infantry. .

67
Skirmish and Capture of San Isidro. *
Ballance threw a line of skirmishers on both sides of the road,
which he preceded by his scouts, the artillery in the center moving
up the road and the dismounted cavalry in support.
The extreme difficulties encountered by the infantry in the for
ward movement were surmounted with an efficiency and cheerfulness
that won the admiration of those of the other branches of the service
present and cemented a friendship and regard for each other that
lasted throughout the campaign.
This column had not proceeded far from Calaba before it encoun
tered the skirmishers of the enemy. The firing and skirmishing kept
up for two miles to San Isidro, through that town on the Gapan road,
past the barrio of San Nicolas, where the last dead insurgent was seen.
It being nearly dark, Ballance was recalled from the pursuit. Owing to
the rapidity of our advance and the fact that we were fighting all the
way until nearly dark, we were unable that day to search for the dead in
the trenches where they fell, but on the following day a searching party
was sent to collect the dead in the fields and thickets, and especially
those who had been seen lying in the trenches, but it was found that
every inch passed over by our skirmish line had been thoroughly
searched and every body and everything else had been carried away.
Not even an empty cartridge shell could be found. (See Ballance's
report, Appendix 9.) The enemy's loss is known to be heavy, particu
larly in the trenches at Calaba, the opposing forces at that time only
being a few yards apart, but we do know of one officer and 12 men
that were killed and one officer and five men wounded. . . . The
forces opposed to us did not seem to exceed 700 or 800 on east bank
and 100 on west bank.
The rapid and beautiful tactical work of Ballance, who
bravely kept up with his scouts, and supplied emergency demands for
tactical changes without a moment's hesitation, and the intrepid, daring
and brilliant actions of the officers of the command were not exactly
surprises to me, for I knew their ability, but they excited my
admiration. I found as a general, that after making a disposition of my
forces and giving general instructions to Ballance, no matter
WHAT FORCES HE HAD IN HIS COMMAND, ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TO
COMMAND "FORWARD" TO HAVE MY PLANS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE BEST
MANNER

68
I SPECIALLY SELECTED BALLANCE'S BATTALION, AS I KNEW ITS
METAL AND TRAINING. I HAD KNOWN ITS COMMANDER FOR MANY
YEARS, AND I KNEW HE WOULD ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE WAS ORDERED
TO DO. I was fully cognizant of the dangers of ordinary war which it
would have to undergo, but I did not anticipate all the obstacles and
hardships which it did encounter and overcome, in the way of trop
ical deluges, mud and water, the swimming, bridging and rafting of
innumerable streams, most of which were not on the maps.
Whether it was required to go on a reconnoissance, make
an attack, carry an intrenchment, swim a river, flounder
through a swamp, or bridge a stream, his battalion was always
ready and willing and performed the duty without a murmur
or complaint, although many of its members were at times
without food, shelter, blankets or shoes, and almost naked.
a straggler of this command was never seen, and their fire dis
cipline was most excellent.
Without reflecting in the least on the many other excel
lent BATTALIONS IN THE ARMY, I CONSIDER THIS BATTALION AS THE
FINEST AND MOST EFFICIENT ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE AMERICAN
ARMY. it skirmished and fought through miles of mud and water
and jungle, ahead of my cavalry, from arayat to cabanatuan,
and from there on it did most remarkable work in the face of
the greatest difficulties.
Its march from Humingan to Rosales, when it cut loose
from everything but its guns and ammunition, and fought its
way into the very heart of the enemy's country, where it was
liable at any time to run into a force ten times its strength,
exhibited a daring and achieved a success which must ever
serve as an example to military students of what can be accom
plished by a comparatively small military force properly disci
plined and commanded.
It was a matter of extreme regret to me that an emergency
should have arisen in which it was thought necessary to take this
battalion from my command, and thus deprive me of its valuable
services. I BELIEVE THAT ITS SUCCESSFUL MARCH TO ROSALES CAUSED THE
EVACUATION OF BAUTISTA BY AN INSURGENT FORCE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE
ANY OTHER TROOPS WERE NEAR THERE, AND HAD AS MUCH TO DO WITH
THE DISINTEGRATION OF AGUINALDO'S ARMY AS ANY OTHER ONE EVENT.

69
At the time this battalion started on its hazardous and daring
march from Humingan to Rosales, it was not known how demoralized
Aguinaldo's army was, and some thought that Ballance had gone
TO DESTRUCTION AND WERE CONSEQUENTLY VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT HIM.
AND ALTHOUGH VERY DESIROUS OF LEARNING THE RESULT OF HIS MARCH,
I HAD NO FEARS, FOR I KNEW HE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL EVEN IF HE
ENCOUNTERED AGUINALDO'S ENTIRE ARMY. I HOPE THE OFFICERS OF
THIS BATTALION WILL RECEIVE THE REWARD WHICH THE VALUABLE
SERVICE THEY HAVE RENDERED TO THEIR COUNTRY HAS EARNED.

Notwithstanding the miserable state of the roads, I moved out
out from San Isidro at 5 130 a. m. on Oct. 27, crossing the Gapan River
near its mouth, and proceeded up the road toward Santa Rosa with
Ballance's battalion.
Advance on Santa Rosa.
At the commencement of the forward movement Ballance
was in advance, having his battalion divided escorting the artillery,
but owing to the delay occasioned by the necessity of repairing bridges
to cross the artillery, he was directed to push on with the advance
guard without the artillery.
The country between San Isidro and Santa Rosa, a distance of
10 miles, is traversed by six deep streams, with perpendicular, bluff
banks. Over the first the Rio Chico de Gapan, a rope ferry had been com
pleted by Lt. Cakes and his engineer detachment. Bridges were con
structed over the second and third, under cover of Ballance's column,
using old piers of former bridges. At the fourth, the Tambo
River, a floating bamboo bridge was constructed by soldiers of
Ballance's battalion stripped and working in water 5 to 8 feet
deep. The intrenchments on north side were strong and occupied
by one company of the Manila battalion, but Ballance's men sent
them flying like chaff driven by a whirlwind.
Skirmish at Tambo Barrio.
About a mile beyond the intrenchments on the right bank of the
Tambo River, a company of insurgents were seen hastening toward
the Rio Grande River, presumably to attack the gunboat Laguna de
Bay, which was in the river.
Stone's company engaged them, and finally dispersed them so
effectually that they were never seen again.

70
Fight at Taboatin River.
Several miles beyond the place where the skirmish in Tambo barrio
took place, the advance guard encountered an outpost of the enemy,
which was driven back across the Taboatin River.
Information was received that the enemy had been reinforced by
the arrival of 1,000 men the evening previous, and had taken up a
position at the crossing of the river, on the opposite bank.
Ballance pushed forward the advance guard along the road until
near where the road crossed the Taboatin River, where a halt was made
to give the flanking command time to reach their position.
Ballance moved one of his companies, under cover of the growing
rice and the grass and bushes, in skirmish line opposite the position of
the enemy, the men crawling through the mud and water until within
comparatively a few yards from the trenches across the river.
The enemy were taken by surprise, as they did not know we were
so near, but soon recovered and replied very vigorously from behind
their intrenchments. Our men, by filling their magazines, were able
to keep up such a continuous fire that the enemy became afraid to
RAISE THEIR HEADS ABOVE THE INTRENCHMENTS, BUT PLACED THE GUNS
ON THE CREST OF THE PARAPET ABOVE THEIR HEADS AND POINTED THEM
IN OUR DIRECTION AND PULLED THE TRIGGERS.
The enemy's fire soon slackened, but it was necessary to drive them
from the trenches, but, as it was impracticable to cross the river in
front of the works, part of Ballance's battalion moved up the
RIVER ABOUT A HALF MILE WHERE A PLACE WAS FOUND THAT COULD
BE CROSSED. THIS WAS DONE BY WADING, SWIMMING, AND PADDLING
OVER ON BAMBOO POLES BY THOSE WHO COULD NOT SWIM.
Enemy lost 13 killed and 26 wounded. Part of Ballance's bat
talion SWAM THE RIVER AND CROSSED ON BAMBOO RAFTS HURRIEDLY
constructed. The battery with guns dismounted was rafted across
by men swimming and towing, first crossing a carriage and then a
gun. The infantry who could swim towed their comrades who could
not swim over on bamboo rafts, and all pushed on into Santa Rosa
4 miles distant, . The magnificent, fearless and rapid work of
all the officers and soldiers of my command engaged in the action, and
ESPECIALLY THE SPLENDID FIRE DISCIPLINE EXHIBITED BY BaLLANCE's
battalion, and Scott's battery at close range, inspired me with

71
full confidence in the belief that with the officers of high
ability and these trained soldiers who enjoyed a dash into the
jaws of death as a recompense for a forced march through
sloughs of despond which would have barred christian's progress
in his pilgrimage, i could defeat, smash, or scatter all forces
Aguinaldo and his generals could concentrate at any given
point to defeat the accomplishment of my object.
the clothing of every officer and enlisted man in the
command was not only soaked with water, but also covered
WITH MUD.
This march of ten miles, including 7 miles of fighting,
bridging, rafting and swimming numerous difficult streams,
and with the depressing influence of hot tropical suns, ending
in the defeat, rout and total demoralization of the enemy,
established supreme military confidence between organizations
and between officers and men, which in turn begets self-confidence;
and these two properties in trained soldiers insures success in all
carefully planned battles where success is possible and has been
determined on. Capture of Cabanatuan.
The next point to be taken was Cabanatuan. . . It also con
tained an arsenal for the manufacture of ammunition. On the 30TH
Ballance moved forward, drove out the enemy, and captured
Cabanatuan. Ballance is very anxious to have 10 pack ponies
to each company. All his officers agree that they can leave the wagons
for five days with 10 pack ponies to a company. With Batson's scouts,
Ballance's battalion, Scott's battery, and three squadrons cavalry,
I could cut loose from train at San Jose and occupy the towns of
Tayug and San Nicolas.
On Nov. 6th I published the following order :—
Cabanatuan, P. I., Nov 6, 1899.
Field Orders.
No. 7.
1. This command will prepare immediately for a move to the
front. All surplus weight and articles must be discarded from man,
animal and wheel transportation.

2. Order of march for tomorrow :
3. Battalion Twenty-second Infantry, Captain Ballance com
manding.By the command of Brigadier General Young.

A courier was dispatched to Lieutenant-Colonel Wilder, in charge
of my headquarters at San Quintin, with the following instructions:
Send orders to Colonel Parker at Humingan to hurry up Chase,
if he has arrived there, and to send forward Batson with Macabebes
as soon as Ballance arrives. Direct Parker to leave two guns moun
tain battery with Ballance to hold Humingan. . . .
That night, Ballance, in Humingan, was ordered to march next
day to Rosales with his battalion and two guns.
Capture of Rosales.
On the 13th I directed Ballance to leave Humingan with his
battalion and two pieces of artillery for Rosales, with the intention
of getting in rear of Aguinaldo, clearing the road, capturing Rosales,
and uniting in the attack on Urdaneta, where it was reported there
were 2,000 insurgents.
Ballance encountered the insurgents at several points and routed
them, found the bridges damaged, which he repaired. At the Matablan
River the enemy was encountered. He had destroyed the bridge, and
from opposite bank disputed the passage of the river. A flank attack
caused him to retreat to Rosales, which place was captured that even
ing, the enemy leaving at one end as Ballance entered the other.
He captured here a large amount of insurgent stores, rice, stamped
writing paper, printing paper, seven wooden boxes of postage stamps.
uniforms, underwear, etc., and a great many of the official records,
of the insurgent government.
Ballance constructed a raft and ferried his troops across the Agno,
which was at the time a raging torrent, having had an unusual rise
on account of the constant rains.
At Villasis he received an order from me to proceed to Binalonan.
On his road thither, in passing through Urdaneta, he was received
by the people with a band of music amid great rejoicing and the
ringing of bells.

73
I remained with my staff and orderlies at Asingan until Batson's
column reached there, and sent him by way of Urdaneta to Villasis
to connect with Ballance at Rosales.
The promise of a rich money reward secured two native couriers,
who started at n p. m. to communicate orders to Ballance and Batson.
The following dispatch was sent:
"Lieutenant-Colonel Wessells, Tayug: . . I have sent dis
patches tonight ordering Batson from Villasis to Binalonan, also Bal
lance, if he is there.
. . . Ballance, with battalion Twenty-second Infantry, was
detained at San Fabian, by whose order or for what purpose was
unknown to me.
The endurance of the men of my command surpasses the belief
of a non-participant, and is beyond any ever encountered by an Ameri
can army. It traveled over miles of road which were always wet and muddy,
sometimes only a few inches deep, at other places two feet, sometimes
covered with a little water, at others waist deep, and at others the
bed of a torrent; wading, swimming, rafting and bridging innumerable
streams, torrents, rivers and lagoons ; poorly clad and shod and
generally hungry. My command subsisted on a ration from which,
after leaving Arayat, all vegetable portions had been eliminated and
from which, after leaving San Isidro, half the meat and bread ration
was taken away. After leaving San Jose, all issues of rations ceased
and the men had to live on what they could find in the country, (which
had been largely desolated by the insurgents) supplemented by such
parts of the ration as they could obtain from time to time, until they
got to San Fabian.
The officers and soldiers of my command are entitled to the highest
and best substantial recognition that it is possible to give to men who
who have given to their country's cause the best that is in them,
regardless of life, health, food and shelter.
They clung to the main purpose for which the campaign was
inaugurated and pursued the course laid out for them with a tenacity
of purpose and a physical endurance which I think far exceeded the
highest expectation or belief of their country, as they certainly did
of their general.

74
I thank them all sincerely for their loyalty, cheerfulness under the
most trying conditions imaginable, and their devotion to duty, with
out which all my efforts would have been of little avail.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Brigadier-General, U. S. A.
Exhibit 32.
Major General (Later Lieut. General) MacArthur's Letter to
Board for Examining Officers, Commending Captain Bal
lance for "His Energy and Good Conduct."
Headquarters Second Division Eighth Army Corps.
Bautista, P. I. January 19, 1900.
President Board for Examining Officers for Promotion,
Manila, P. I.
Sir: Captain John G. Ballance, 22d U. S. Infantry, has served with
great distinction and marked efficiency since his arrival in Luzon.
He has been mentioned in letters and reports on several occasions,
especially with reference to the fights at Malinta on March 26th,
1899, at Matamo October ist, and near Arayat on October 4th 1899.
His energy and good conduct entitle him to the highest
possible consideration in determining his fitness for promotion.
I therefore take great pleasure in making the foregoing statement
for consideration by the Board in Captain Ballance's approaching exami
nation for promotion. Very respectfully,
(Signed) Arthur MacArthur,
Major General, U.S. Vols.
Exhibit 33.
Major General Lawton's Report of an Expedition to the Provinces
North of Manila From September to December, 1899, Com
mending "The Superb Heroism, the Indomitable Will and
Unsurpassed Capacity of That Splendid Officer, Captain Bal
lance," Published in Report of Secretary of War, Year 1900,
Vol. I, Part 6, Page 6, et seq.
Headquarters, First Div., 8th Army Corps,
Manila, P. I. April 5, 1900.
The Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific & Eighth Army Corps.
Sir: — I have the honor to state that in consequence of the death
of Major General H. W. Lawton, and pursuant to the instructions of

75
the chief of staff of the Department of the Pacific and Eighth Army
Corps, it becomes my duty to prepare and submit the report of the
operations of that part of the First Division, Eighth Army Corps,
participating in what is known as the Northern Expedition, which
was successfully concluded in December last.
After consultation with Major General Otis, the then department
commander, and in pursuance of his instructions, verbal and written,
the following outline plan of operations was decided upon to be carried
out by the troops belonging to the command of General Lawton.
First. By vigorous and rapid movements of the available troops
to take and hold the Rio Grande de la Pampanga line from San Luis
to San Isidro; thence north along said river as far as Cabanatuan,
and thence along the base of the mountains north to the Rio Agno,
near Tayug; and by thus covering all roads and trails to the east
prevent the escape of the enemy from the line of the railroad in that
direction. Second. By prearrangement, a junction to be made as expedi
tiously as possible at or near Tayug with a co-operating column from
the sea coast, and thus attain the rear of the enemy's principal forces
and cut off all chances of escape to the north and northeast. These
movements, if successful, would, in conjunction with others in the
south, result in the destruction of the enemy's army and the capture
of their capital, and would end the insurrection in northern Luzon.
Such is the general outline of the plan adopted, leaving the
appropriate details as to his command to be carried out within the
discretion of General Lawton, the division commander.
The troops for this expedition rendezvoused at San Fernando de
Pampanga, on the railroad, in the latter part of September and the
first part of October, 1899, under the immediate command of Brig.
Gen. S. B. M. Young, U.S.V., who had been so assigned. .
As these movements and resulting- engagements were mainly con
ducted under the immediate command of General Young, the full
magnitude of their importance in execution and their splendid results
under almost insurmountable difficulties can best be understood by
reference to his clear and comprehensive report. (Exhibit B.)
The immediate objective was Arayat, on the Pampanga River.

76
On October 12 Capt. J. G. Ballance reported to General Young
at Arayat with his battalion (4 companies) of the Twenty-second
U.S. Infantry from Candaba, . . .
General Young's command "was reorganized at Arayat and plans
made for its northward march."
The rope ferry was completed on the 17th and the movement to
the north was commenced on the evening of that day by the crossing
of Ballance's battalion of the Twenty-second Infantry."
Captain Ballance states in his interesting report that "As I was
crossing the river I was directed by General Lawton to report to him
for detailed instructions for the attack I expected to make next day"
(October 18).
For the full details of the pronounced success of the fight at
Malibutad (Libutad), where Ballance won a decided victory,
"taking the intrenchments and blockhouse, killing a number and captur
ing about 70 prisoners" the rapid pursuit of the flying foe, the occupa
tion of Cabiao in the early morning, attention is invited to
the reports of General Young and Captain Ballance.
On the afternoon of October 18 Ballance made a reconnoissance
on the road to San Isidro, encountered and defeated the enemy at the
barrio of San Fernando, about 2 miles from Cabiao, driving them
from their positions on both sides of the river.
On the morning of October 19 General Young, in command
of the provisional brigade, had placed Captain Ballance in
command of the advance of the column which was to capture San
Isidro, consisting of a temporary brigade composed of troops from the
Fourth Cavalry, the battery of artillery and one troop Thirty-seventh
Infantry, U.S.V., and the Twenty-second Infantry.
Fight at Calaba, a Barrio of San Isidro.
From Cabiao the advance was resumed on October 19, under com
mand of Captain Ballance, who encountered a superior force of the
enemy under the insurgent general Pio del Pilar, driving them from.
their intrenchments, bamboo thickets, and other chosen positions, the
"screen scouts" crossing a bridge under fire, holding it with a loss of
25 per cent, of their number until support arrived, and then the com
mand pushing on, engaging the enemy at every attempted stand,
driving them into and out of San Isidro, and pursuing their demoralized
forces through the adjacent barrios of San Nicolas nearly to Gapan.

77
General Young reports enemy's loss heavy in trenches at Calaba and
that "we know of i officer and 12 men killed, and 1 officer and 15 men
wounded." As illustrating some of the obstacles encountered in the advance
and under fire, this quotation is made from Captain Ballance's report:
"THE WATER AND MUD ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD WAS ESPECIALLY
difficult to skirmish over, they (the troops) being knee deep a
great deal of the way, and at other times much deeper. Some men
SANK IN UP TO THEIR NECKS AND WERE WITH DIFFICULTY RESCUED BY
THEIR COMRADES."
A mere resume of these operations can not do full justice to the
endurance and valor of our soldiers. The heroic acts of officers and
men so accurately set forth in the official reports of General Young,
Captain Ballance, and others make one of the brightest pages in the
military history of the American soldier. One has but to read the
report of General Young to get an insight into the superb
heroism, the indomitable will and unsurpassed capacity of that
splendid officer, captain ballance, whose example inspired every
man of his command to successful effort against all odds and
every obstacle.
Captain Ballance reports, "The number of insurgents engaged in
the fight between the bridge and 'sitio' of Calamba (?) was about
1,000". The number Ballance engaged on the direct road from
"Calamba" to San Isidro was 400. This in addition to a reserve of
three insurrecto companies at San Isidro.
In the capture of San Isidro our loss was 1 man killed and 3
wounded; the loss of the enemy unknown.
San Isidro, which was occupied by our troops on October 19,
had been previously designated as the base for future operations.
On October 22 Lieut. Col. C. G. Starr, adjutant-general, reports
the following troops at San Isidro: Twenty-second Infantry, Com
panies A, F. I, and K: . . .
. Notwithstanding the miserable conditions of the roads,
I moved out of San Isidro at 5:30 a. m. on October 27, crossing the
Gapan River near its mouth and proceeded up the road toward Santa
Rosa with Ballance's battalion, . . .
under date of October 27, at San Isidro "Lowe's (Castner's)
Scouts, Ballance's battalion Twenty-second Infantry . . . Ballance's

78
Twenty-second Infantry, Scott's Battery and Chase's troop hit enemy
i mile from Santa Rosa. Loss — killed, i man Twenty-second Infantry
. wounded i man Twenty-second Infantry.
Santa Rosa was occupied on October 27. General Young refers
to this as "a march of 10 miles, including 7 miles of fighting, bridging,
rafting, and swimming numerous difficult streams.
. all these obstacles, instead of being discouragements, gave
birth to new resources, renewed energy, and superhuman effort on
the part of the officers and men. The country was scoured for caraboas
and carts; natives hired and impressed cascos and bancas poled, pushed,
and pulled when steam failed; floating bridges and rafts constructed
by men working to their armpits in water and mud ; officers and men
covered with mud and filth. Men who could not swim the
rapid torrents of swollen streams were towed across by their comrades
who could. There was no faltering, no turning back; transportation
or no transportation, rations or no rations, the command pushed on
at the word and fought the enemy to a finish wherever they tried
to make a stand, and drove them again and again from positions which
had been reputed impregnable.
General Young's order of march for the next day, November 7,
was as follows:
"Third. Battalion, Twenty-second Infantry, Captain Ballance
commanding. The previous work of the campaign had been arduous in the
extreme, but now began a series of movements, marches, and engage
ments under exposure and hardships which demanded the highest
capacity and utmost endurance of the American soldier, from general
to private. In addition to keeping open lines of communication and pushing
forward supplies to Cabanatuan and thence across the swollen rivers
and over bottomless roads, General Lawton was constantly occupied
with the movements of the fighting column under General Young.
That night Ballance, at Humingan, was ordered to march
next day to Rosales with his battalion and two guns.

79
For the brilliant movements, engagements, capture of Rosales, and
subsequent marches by Ballance see General Young's report, page 39.
Two native couriers were secured to take dispatches to Wessells
. . . also an order to Ballance and Batson at Villasis to join him
(General Young) at Binalonan.
November 12 he received important dispatches of pro
nounced successes from General Young, . and Captain Ballance
Twenty-second Infantry.
"Am ready to start over mountains at once, rations or
no rations" This illustrates the spirit of the command; and for
heroic endurance and cheerfulness under hardships and discomforts
see Ballance's letters to General Lawton November 23.
November 26 . . Ballance with his 4 companies of the
Twenty-second Infantry, were ordered to General Young.

Personal Mention.
Had General Lawton lived, the report of this campaign would
have given full commendatory recognition of the many officers and
men conspicuously deserving of special mention. Among many who
were in the General's mind the following were specially mentioned
or spoken of by him :
In an indorsement of November 17, 1899, on General Young's
report, he says : "I wish to particularly commend and to request
early recognition of the following named officers for dis
tinguished gallantry in action : . . . captain ballance,
Twenty-second Infantry, . . all to be brevetted in the
regular army to the grade above that now held by them.
Exhibit E, Report of Capt. John G. Ballance, commanding First
Battalion, Twenty-second Infantry. Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) J. M. Lee,
Major, Ninth U.S. Infantry, Acting Judge-Advocate (Compiler).

80
Exhibit 34.
Colonel J. W. French's Letter Commending Captain Ballance
for "The Great Gallantry He has Shown in Action," April
14, 1900. Manila, P. I., April 14, 1900.
To whom it may concern:
I desire to invite your attention to the services rendered by Captain
John G. Ballance, 22nd Infantry, in the field operating against the
insurgent Filipinos, especially to his conduct on two different occasions
in driving them from their intrenchments above Candating, Pampanga,
after severely punishing them, and his leadership of his battalion on
the northern campaign of this year, for which he received the highest
praise from his brigade commander and commendation from officers
of other organizations.
He has shown great gallantry in action for which he cer
tainly deserves recognition and reward. Respectfully,
(Signed) John W. French,
Colonel 22nd Infantry.
Exhibit 35.
General Young Recommends to General Otis that Captain Bal
lance Be Appointed a Brigadier General of Volunteers "for
His Merit and excellent Service He Has Rendered," "That
There is no Officer More Highly Meritorious in the Army,"
and "His Promotion Will be Considered the Reward of Purely
Meritorious Service." Vigan, Luzon, P. I., 2nd May, 1900.
To Major General E. S. Otis,
Palace, Manila.
My Dear General:
i address you directly on a matter in which i am deeply
interested and which concerns the good of the service, viz. ; the
appointment as brigadier general of volunteers, of captain john
Green Ballance, 22nd Infantry, for his merit and the excellent
service he has rendered in the past, and that which his experi
ence and ability will enable him to render in the future in the
establishment of civil government in these islands.
In my judgment there is no officer who is more highly meri
torious IN THE ARMY, AND NONE BETTER FITTED TO SUCCESSFULLY
SETTLE THE CIVIL QUESTIONS WHICH A GENERAL OFFICER WILL BE

81
CALLED ON TO SETTLE. I BELIEVE HE IS THE MOST FAVORABLY KNOWN
OFFICER OF HIS RANK IN THE ARMY.
You have known him a great many years and undoubtedly know
his great worth and the great service he has rendered the country in
the past, in the many different capacities he has been called on to act,
but I wish to inform you particularly with reference to his recent
service under me in the field, in my campaign north, with which you
are not so familiar. I feel especially called on to refer to them because
the report I made of my Northward march, in which I made mention
of Captain Ballance's services had not reached you although sent
March ioth, and also because the late lamented General Lawton,
who held Ballance in the highest esteem as a military com
mander, cannot give that testimony of it, which he many times said
he intended to do.
Captain Ballance had command of my advance guard in
EVERY MOVEMENT I MADE FROM Oct. 15 TO NOV. I, BETWEEN ARAYAT
and Cabanatuan and he did it with such skill and thorough
ness THAT MY CONFIDENCE IN HIS ENERGY, ABILITY AND SUPERIOR
MANAGEMENT BECAME SUPREME AND I ENTRUSTED HIM WITH WHAT TO
MANY WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INADEQUATE FORCE TO TAKE AND HOLD THE
KEY OF SAFETY TO MY ADVANCE POSITION AT TAYUG.
He SHOWED HIS ABILITY AS MILITARY COMMANDER IN THE FIELD
and in combat in the actions at cabiao, and the rapid work
between that town and san isidro (where he commanded a tem
porary brigade composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery),
thence he continued the advance to the tambo and taboatin
Rivers, and on into Santa Rosa in one day from San Isidro,
against a superior, well organized and strongly intrenched
FORCE. He DIRECTED AND CARRIED OUT SUCCESSFULLY ALL THE ATTACKS
and flanking movements with the greatest skill.
he then made a most successful forced march from
Cabanatuan to Humingan to support my cavalry advance, endur
ing HARDSHIPS AND OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES IN A MOST REMARKABLE
WAY, THE LIKE OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN FACED AND OVER
COME BY AN INFANTRY FORCE. LATER HIS DARING AND DANGEROUS
MARCH FROM HUMINGAN TO ROSALES AND ViLLASIS, STAMP HIM AS
ONE OF OUR ABLEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMANDERS.
IN HIS MARCH NORTHWARD, HE KEPT HIS WHOLE COMMAND IN
AN EXCELLENT STATE OF DISCIPLINE, THERE WAS NOT A STRAGGLER;
NOT A SHOT WAS WASTED OR FIRED NEEDLESSLY, NOT A SINGLE CASE OF

82
BREACH OF DISCIPLINE WAS SEEN, AND NOT A MAN WAS LOST EXCEPT
FROM WOUNDS IN ACTION FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF HIS
march. Although the great worth of this officer is recognized and
shown by his cammanders, by some accident it has been overlooked by
the War Department.
There may be other officers who have rendered equally as good
service in the past, but if such there be, all have been rewarded in
some substantial way.
Captain Ballance has not been given command of any regularly
organized Brigade, but has commanded on advances and in battle, on
various occasions a temporary brigade composed of a battery of artillery
and several organizations of Native Scouts, in addition to his own
Battalion of Infantry.
Captain Ballance's services since he has been in the
Philippines is well known, and his remarkable march with his
infantry has been the subject of conversation and remark
throughout the whole army, and his promotion would be con
sidered BY THE ARMY AS PURELY A REWARD FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE,
and would have a most excellent effect on the army, which is too
much inclined to consider military promotion and rewards are given
for other reasons than for hard and efficient service in the field.
I RECOMMEND CAPTAIN BALLANCE FOR APPOINTMENT AS BRIGA
DIER General of Volunteers with the greatest confidence as
i know he has earned the reward and feel confident that he
can and will do honor to the service and the country with that
rank as a Military-Civil Commander.
I therefore request you to ask for the appointment as Brigadier
General of Volunteers of this meritorious and distinguishel officer, and
that you do all you can consistently with your position to have it made.
Wishing you a pleasant journey and a long rest after your very
successful two years of difficult and unremitting labor, I am, General,
Yours respectfully,
(Signed) S. B. M. Young, Brig. Gen.
ist Endorsement Rochester, N. Y., June 20, 1900.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army.
This communication was received by me after reaching this place.
Capt. Ballance performed very arduous and remarkable field
service during the recent field operations in Luzon, as is fairly

8;!
shown by General Young herein. It was performed during the
very trying rainy season and is the more remarkable on that
ACCOUNT He is now in immediate supervision of civil matters in General
Young's district, and has shown great talents and extensive
ACQUAINTANCE WITH CIVIL AFFAIRS. He IS DESERVING OF CONSPICUOUS
REWARD FOR HIS MOST EFFICIENT SERVICE. (Signed) E. S. Otis,
Maj. Gen. U.S.A.
Exhibit 36.
Brigadier General (Later Lieut. General) Young Recommends
to Adjutant General U. S. Army That Captain Ballance
be Appointed a Brigadier General of Volunteers "for His
Merits and Excellent Record," That "no Officer in the
Army has done more Actual Service in the Philippines,"
That "he Made the Greatest March Ever Made by an
American Force." Vigan, So. Ilocos, P. I.
May n, 1900.
The Adjutant General,
United States Army,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: i have the honor to invite the attention of the honorable
Secretary of War to the merits and excellent record of
Captain John Green Ballance, 22ND Infantry, whom I recom
mend FOR APPOINTMENT AS BRIGADIER GENERAL OF VOLUNTEERS.
I recommend this appointment not only as a reward for services
he has already rendered, and for that which he can and will render,
but also, as a recognition of the services of my command in flanking
and causing the disintegration of Aguinaldo's army, which really was
the cause of the collapse of the organized insurrection.
no officer in the army has done more actual field service
in the Philippines than he has, and no one is better fitted to
grasp and successfully solve the problems, which are now con
stantly arising in the civil administration of these islands.
I have known Captain Ballance for the past twenty years and am
familiar with his services during that time, and although they have
been of the most varied nature, he has always been noted for his
EXCELLENT WORK IN EACH.

84
I merely refer to his fine work as Judge Advocate of the Depart
ment of Texas, his fine record in the Sitting Bull Campaign, where
HE MADE THE GREATEST MARCH EVER MADE BY AN AMERICAN INFANTRY
force (63 miles in 29 hours), his valuable service in organizing
Volunteers for Cuba, and his extraordinary services in the Philippines,
which the late General Lawton said, was greater than that of
ANY OTHER OFFICER, ARE WELL KNOWN AND RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT
THE ARMY.
He has always sought and obtained an active command in the
field and took an important part in clearing the country of insurgents
along the Pasig river as far as the Laguna de Bay, then in the advance
and capture of Malolos, then in the advance and capture of San Isidro.
in May '99, then in my advance northward, in which he commanded
a brigade. Since the dispersion of Aguinaldo's army he has been engaged
IN ORGANIZING CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN THIS DISTRICT, HAVING ALREADY
ESTABLISHED MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS IN SIXTY-FIVE TOWNS, AND IS
NOW ESTABLISHING THE SCHOOLS AND CIVIL courts. In the latter work
of civil administration he has shown singular tact and ability.
Captain Ballance's services for past years are matters of
record, but his brilliant work in my northward march is so
recent that I will refer to it here, as I understand my official
report has not yet been received in Washington.
In the northward march of the column which was to flank
Aguinaldo's army last October, Captain Ballance commanded my
ADVANCE FROM ARAYAT TO CABANATUAN, AND WITH MY APPROVAL,
PLANNED THE ATTACKS AND SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED THEM OUT AS
FLANNED. At Cabiao, Calaba, San Isidro, Tambo and Taboatin river,
he exhibited the highest capacity as commander of a combined
force in battle.
His forced march with his infantry from Cabanatuan to
Humingan, to cover my cavalry advance, is without parallel
in the history of our army, in the remarkably successful way
HE MET AND OVERCAME OBSTACLES THAT THE ENEMY CONSIDERED
INSURMOUNTABLE. To cover my advance position at Tayug, with a comparatively
small force, he made a most daring march to Rosales, and got in
REAR OF THE INSURGENT ARMY, WHICH WAS TWENTY TIMES THE SIZE
OF HIS FORCE.

85
I FULLY AGREE WITH GENERAL LAWTON'S STATEMENT, THAT THE
EXTRAORDINARY WORK OF BaLLANCE's COMMAND DID MORE TO MAKE
THAT EXPEDITION SUCCESSFUL, THAN THAT OF ANY OTHER ONE ORGANI
ZATION. i believe that there is no other officer of his rank, who
has rendered so much and so efficient service in the philippines
as he, and aside from all question of previous service, the
valuable service he rendered in my northern march earned for
him this appointment.
i believe that the appointment of captain ballance as
Brigadier General of Volunteers will have a more beneficial
effect in the army in the philippines than that of any other
officer, by causing it to be believed its hard work is known
and appreciated. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army.
Exhibit 37.
First Lieutenant (Later Captain) L. W. Fuller, Chief Ord
nance Officer General Lawton's Northern Expedition,
Oct. 16 to Dec. 16, 1899, Commends the Work of Capt. Bal
lance. Published in Report of Sec. of War Year 1900, Vol.
1, Part 6, Page 391.
. . . My instructions were to send a battalion under Lt. Col.
Howze, Thirty-fourth Infantry, and another under Captain Ballance,
Twenty-second Infantry, to the support of General Young, unless
General Wheaton had already sent the necessary troops.
. Captain Ballance at San Fabian had already received
his order and was preparing to execute it, although, due to the
work done by his command, over 90 per cent were on sick report.
He and most of his officers belonged properly in the hospital; his bat
talion adjutant, Davison, of the Twenty-second, being delirious with
fever every night and working every day in preparing the command for
the march. It was Major Ballance's intention to move with
ABOUT 80 MEN, ALL THAT HE COULD MUSTER OUT OF HIS BATTALION OF
44O. OF THESE, 40 WERE ABLE TO MARCH, AND THE REMAINDER WERE
TO BE HAULED ON BULL CARTS UNTIL THEY RECUPERATED SUFFICIENTLY
TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. MUCH AGAINST HIS WILL, MAJOR BaL-
LANCE WAS HELD AT SaN FABIAN AWAITING THE ARRIVAL FROM MANILA

86
OF SHOES, BLANKETS AND CLOTHING, OF WHICH HIS MEN WERE ALMOST
entirely destitute. A few days later this battalion was ordered to
Candaba. On December 3 orders were received the same day I
marched with the Twenty-second Infantry Battalion to Calasiao.
Captain Ballance having become so ill that it was necessary for
him to go to Manila on the Relief. The next day the battalion got
away, leaving me in charge of their horses, some twenty in number.
From captured correspondence it was ascertained that the enemy
believed their left protected by the nature of the country, "impassable
for American or other troops." Their knowledge of the country was
perfect, but they had no more conception of the indomitable will
OF the man who commanded the troops than he of an impossi
bility. Very respectfully,
(Signed) Lawson M. Fuller,
First Lieutenant, Ordnance Department, U. S. A.
Exhibit 38.
Major General (Later Lieut. General) Young to Adjutant Gen
eral, Recommends that Major Ballance be Appointed a Bre
vet Brigadier General "For Gallant and Highly Distin
guished Services." Feb. 12, 1901.
Vigan, South Ilocos, Luzon, P. I.
Feb. 12, 1901.
Adjutant General, U. S. Army,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — I have the honor to recommend that Major John Green
Ballance, 13TH Infantry, be appointed a Brevet Brigadier Gen
eral, FOR GALLANT AND HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED SERVICES, while in
command of a provisional brigade composed of Infantry, Cavalry and
Artillery, and a battalion of Native Troops, throughout the campaign
which resulted in the destruction of Aguinaldo's Army, in October and
November, 1899, especially for his military skill and gallantry
IN THE FIGHTS AT LlBUTAD (MALIBUTAD), CABIAO, SAN FERNANDO,
Calaba, San Isidro and Taboatin River.

87
He skillfully planned these FIGHTS for his brigade, and, with
MY APPROVAL, CARRIED THEM OUT AS PLANNED, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN
EVERY PARTICULAR.
The details of Major Ballance's services appear in my report of
January 6th, 1900.
I invite attention to my letter dated May nth, 1900, now on file
in the Office of the Adjutant General of the Army, recommending
Major Ballance for the appointment of Brigadier General of Volun
teers. I regret that Major Ballance did not receive that appointment,
which is a reward which I considered due him, and which I believe
would have been very beneficial to the service.
I RESPECTFULLY URGE THIS APPOINTMENT AS BRIGADIER GENERAL,
U. S. A., BY BREVET, AS A PARTIAL RECOGNITION OF HIS DISTINGUISHED,
HARD, FAITHFUL AND CONSCIENTIOUS SERVICE DURING A CAMPAIGN, IN
ACTUAL FIGHTING.
Major Ballance was recommended for brevet for "gallantry in
leading his command under a heavy fire" at the fight of Malinta on
March 26th, 1899, by Major Leopold Parker, 22nd Infantry, who was
in command of his regiment at the time.
He was recommended for brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel for "his
skill and prudence in conducting the advance guard," in the expedi
tion against San Isidro from April 22nd to May 30th, 1899, by Major
General H. W. Lawton, in his report on that expedition.
He was recommended by me for brevet of Colonel for "conspicuous
gallantry in action and superior tactical ability" in the fight of Calaba
and capture of San Isidro in October, 1899.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Major General, U. S. Army.
Exhibit 39.
Major General (Later Lieut. General) Young Recommends That
Major Ballance be Appointed a Brigadier General in the U.
S. Army, "As the Most Suitable Officer He Knows to Place
in Command of a Military Department in These Islands."
Vigan, So. Ilocos, Luzon, P. . I.
February 12, 1901.
Adjutant General, U. S. Army,
Washington, D. C.
S;r:  I have the honor to recommend that Major John Green Bal
lance, 13th Infantry, be appointed a Brigadier General in the U. S.
Army.

In connection therewith I have the honor to enclose a copy of a
letter dated May 2nd, 1900, written by me to Major General Otis,
recommending his appointment as Brigadier General of Volunteers, and
which he forwarded with the endorsement attached.
Major Ballance has had a high reputation as an able and
conscientious officer for many years. He began his remarkable
record in the Philippines as commander of a battalion of the 22nd
Infantry, known as "Ballance's Battalion," which had the best
REPUTATION OF ANY BATTALION ON THE ISLANDS, AS A WELL-DISCIPLINED
and efficient fighting force. As stated in my official report, it
was the best battalion i have ever seen in the united states
Army.
At my request it was assigned to duty with the expedition I was
organizing in October, 1899, to flank Aguinaldo's army. Major Gen
eral Lawton said to me at the time that Major Ballance was
the best commander he had in his army.
After the expedition was organized Major Ballance was given com
mand of a provisional brigade, which included the Infantry, a Squadron
of Cavalry, a Battery of Artillery, and a Battalion of Native Troops.
hls difficult, daring and successful march from humingan
to Rosales, with only a portion of his brigade, against what was
supposed to be the main insurgent army, caused great anxiety
for his safety in the minds of many, until its success won the
admiration of all. no work was too dangerous for his command
to undertake, no hardship too great for it to endure, no obstacle
too difficult for it to overcome.
He had charge of and ably conducted the advance of the expedition,
SKILLFULLY PLANNED THE ENGAGEMENTS, AND, AFTER MY APPROVAL,
CARRIED THEM OUT AS PLANNED, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY RESPECT.
After the dispersion of Aguinaldo's army, Major Ballance was
PLACED IN CHARGE OF THE CIVIL AFFAIRS OF NORTHWESTERN LUZON,
AND HAS SHOWN RARE TACT AND ABILITY IN THE SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZA
TION OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL COURTS, AND HAS ACHIEVED
A GREATER SUCCESS IN TEACHING THESE PEOPLE THE PRINCIPLES OF SELF-
GOVERNMENT THAN ANY OTHER OFFICER, AND HAS SHOWN HIMSELF
ESPECIALLY WELL QUALIFIED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF A GENERAL
OFFICER IN SOLVING THE MILITARY AND CIVIL PROBLEMS THAT WILL CON
STANTLY ARISE DURING OUR MILITARY OCCUPATION OF THESE ISLANDS.
I RECOMMEND THIS APPOINTMENT AS A JUST REWARD AND RECOG
NITION OF THE PAST SERVICES OF MAJOR BALLANCE, AND ALSO BECAUSE
HE IS THE MOST SUITABLE OFFICER I KNOW TO PLACE IN COMMAND OF A

89
Military Department in these islands, and I believe his appointment
will give the greatest satisfaction to those who have taken the most
active part in crushing this insurrection.
as the one most entitled to receive that reward, and the
one to whom this recognition would give the greatest satisfac
tion to those engaged in that campaign, i request that major
Ballance be appointed a Brigadier General in the United States
Army.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Major General, U. S. Army.
Exhibit 40.
Brigadier General (Later Major General) Bell, Congratulates
Major Ballance on His Promotion to Brigadier General and
States "This Distinction Has Been Fully Earned." May i,
1901.
Headquarters First District, Department Northern Luzon.
Vigan, P. I., May 1, 1901.
Brigadier General John G. Ballance,
U. S. Volunteers, Vigan, P. I.
Sir : — I learned today of your promotion and consequent relief from
duty in this district, where you have so long and ably performed the
duty of Chief Assistant. In offering you my congratulations upon your
promotion, I can sincerely add that in my opinion this distinction
HAS BEEN FULLY EARNED BY THE EXCEPTIONALLY VALUABLE AND WORTHY
SERVICE WHICH HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY YOU.
No ONE UNACQUAINTED WITH THE CONDITIONS PREVAILING, WHEN
you, with your battalion, were a part of the force which, under Major
General S. B. M. Young, U. S. Army, made the memorable campaign
against and in pursuit of Aguinaldo and his scattering forces, can pos
sibly APPRECIATE THE DEGREE OF DETERMINATION, FEARLESSNESS AND
ABILITY REQUISITE IN COMMANDING OFFICERS WHO ACHIEVE SUCH SUC
CESSES AS YOUR BATTALION ACCOMPLISHED UNDER YOUR COMMAND IN
SPITE OF ALL THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED, WITHOUT FOOD, CLOTH
ING OR SHOES, AND IN THE HEART OF THE WORST RAINY SEASON I
HAVE EXPERIENCED HERE IN THREE YEARS' SERVICE. THE LONG AND
RAPID MARCHES MADE BY YOU, IN CONTINUOUS MUD, AND THE AMOUNT
OF FIGHTING DONE, GAVE A JUSTLY EARNED REPUTATION TO THE BAT
TALION YOU COMMANDED.

90
AT THESE HEADQUARTERS EVIDENCES OF ABLE AND VALUABLE SERV
ICE PERFORMED BY YOU ARE FOUND ON EVERY SIDE, NOT ONLY IN SYS
TEMATIZING AND REGULATING MILITARY BUT ALSO CIVIL AFFAIRS. THE
REGARD IN WHICH YOU ARE HELD BY THE NATIVE POPULATION IS AN
ELOQUENT TESTIMONIAL TO THE TACTFULNESS AND CONSIDERATION WITH
WHICH YOU HAVE DISCHARGED YOUR DUTY AS "ClVIL GOVERNOR."
Hoping that you may meet with every success possible, and that I
may at some time in the future have the advantage of your valuable
assistance, believe me, Truly and sincerely yours,
(Signed) J. F. Bell,
Brigadier General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
Exhibit 41.
Major General Wheaton to Adjutant General, Recommends
That Major Ballance be Appointed a Brigadier General on
Account of "His High Professional Acquirements, Courage
and Energetic Performance of Duties," and "He Recommends
it for the Interest of the Army." Nov. 8, 1901.
Headquarters Department of Northern Luzon.
Manila, P. I., November 8, 1901.
The Adjutant General, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — It is my wish to invite the attention of the Department to
the services in Northern Luzon of Major John Green Ballance, Assist
ant Adjutant General, late Brigadier-General, U. S. V.
Major Ballance has participated in all important opera
tions in Northern Luzon since February, 1899, and has as an
officer commanding troops in the field and as a staff officer in the
administration of affairs civil and military, displayed great energy
and marked ability. hls knowledge of conditions in luzon and
his high professional acquirements, courage and energetic per
formance of duties render his services of great value to the
United States in the Archipelago, and in the event of future
promotions to the grade of brigadier general i recommend for
the interest of the army that he be favorably considered.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) Loyd Wheaton,
Major General, U. S. A.

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Exhibit 42.
General D. S. Stanley to Secretary of War Recommends Major
Ballance be Appointed a Brigadier General, as "He Has
Never Seen Him Excelled in Energy, Enterprise, Sound Judg
ment and Decision," "No Better Appointment Could be
Made." Washington, D. C, Nov. 13, 1901.
The Honorable, The Secretary of War.
Sir: — I have the honor to address you in the interest of John G.
Ballance, Major of Infantry and Assistant Adjutant General, U. S.
Army, asking for his appointment as Brigadier General, U. S. Army.
I respectfully invite your attention to the record of this officer in
justification of my recommendation and desire to add that my inti
mate knowledge of his ability and character, extended over a
dozen years of service.
As a line and staff officer I have never seen him excelled
IN ENERGY, ENTERPRISE, SOUND JUDGMENT AND DECISION, IN ALL PHASES
OF PROFESSIONAL LIFE. FURTHER, HIS MORAL TRAITS ARE JUST AS
ADMIRABLE. No BETTER APPOINTMENT COULD BE MADE.
Very respectfully, (Signed) D. S. Stanley,
Brevet Major General, U. S. A., Retired.
Exhibit 43.
Major General (Later Lieutenant General) Young in a Letter
to Gen. H. C. Corbin, Adjutant General, Recommends Major
Ballance for Brigadier General, That "Ballance's Battalion
Was the Best I Have Ever Seen in the Service." Major
General Lawton Said "That Major Ballance was the Best
Commander He Had in His Army." Nov. 15, 1901.
Headquarters Department of California.
Office of the Commanding General.
San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 15, 1901.
(Copy of Letter)
Major General H. C. Corbin, Adjutant General of the Army,
Washington, D. C.
General: — In reply to your confidential note of Sept. 30, 1901,
requesting recommendation of officers who, in my opinion, are specially
fitted and deserving of promotion to the grade of brigadier general, I
have the honor to submit the following:
The selection of general officers to command troops is a matter of
such importance to the army and the country that he who is honored

92
by being asked to advise upon the subject should weigh well the
counsel he gives.
A potent factor is mentality, love of truth, love of soldiers, and
willingness to share with them the hardships incident to a soldier's
practical life in all its phases.
Rewards must go to those of demonstrated fitness. Soldiers must
be taught, as the breath of their life, that the field of danger is pre
eminently the post of honor, and that he who there acquits himself
meritoriously will not be forgotten by his country.
An officer who, throughout his official life, and during every day
of it, has grappled cheerfully and successfully with every military
duty which has fallen to his lot, must be encouraged to feel that such
virtues are recognized by superior authority and eventually will be
rewarded. My attention was first called to this officer by Brevet Major Gen
eral Stanley, then Colonel Twenty-second Infantry, now brigadier
general, retired, and I personally learned his worth during service
at the same post, and in the same department on the Rio Grande
border.
Major Ballance began his remarkable and brilliant record
in the philippines as commander of a battalion of the twenty-
second Infantry, which came to be known as "Ballance Bat-
tallion." While there may have been other battalions equally disciplined
and efficient as a fighting force, yet from personal observations bal
lance's battalion was the best I have ever seen or commanded
in the service, in actual field work.
At my request Ballance's battalion was assigned to duty with the
expedition I was organizing in October, 1899, to flank Aguinaldo's
army. Major General Lawton said to me at the time that Major
Ballance was the best commander he had in his army.
After the expedition was organized, Major Ballance was given
THE TEMPORARY COMMAND OF A PROVISIONAL BRIGADE, which included
his battalion, a squadron of cavalry, a battery of artillery and a bat
talion of native troops.
HlS DIFFICULT, DARING AND SUCCESSFUL MARCH FROM HUMINGAN
to Rosales with only a portion of his brigade against what was
SUPPOSED TO BE THE MAIN INSURGENT ARMY, CAUSED A GREAT ANXIETY

93
FOR HIS SAFETY IN THE MINDS OF MANY UNTIL ITS SUCCESS WON THE
ADMIRATION OF ALL.
No WORK WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR HIS COMMAND TO UNDERTAKE;
NO HARDSHIP TOO GREAT FOR IT TO ENDURE; NO OBSTACLE TOO DIFFICULT
FOR IT TO OVERCOME.
He had charge of and ably conducted the advance of my expedition
as far as Rosales. He skillfully planned the engagements up to
that point, and after my approval, carried them out as planned,
AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY RESPECT.
After the dispersion of Aguinaldo's army, Major Ballance was
placed in charge of the civil affairs of northwestern Luzon, and showed
RARE TACT AND ABILITY IN THE SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION OF MUNICI
PAL GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL COURTS, AND ACHIEVED GREAT SUCCESS IN
TEACHING THOSE PEOPLE THE PRINCIPLES OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.
HE HAS SHOWN HIMSELF ESPECIALLY WELL QUALIFIED TO PERFORM
THE DUTIES OF A GENERAL OFFICER, IN SOLVING THE MILITARY AND CIVIL
PROBLEMS THAT WILL CONSTANTLY ARISE DURING OUR OCCUPATION OF
THESE ISLANDS, BEFORE THE INHABITANTS BECOME AMENABLE TO, AND
FIT FOR, SELF-GOVERNMENT.
I RECOMMEND HIM AS SPECIALLY FITTED AND DESERVING OF PROMO
TION TO THE GRADE OF BRIGADIER GENERAL.
Very respectfully, (Signed) S. B. M. Young,
Major General, U. S. Army.
Exhibit 44.
Brigadier General (Later Major General) F. D. Grant Rec
ommends Major Ballance for Appointment as Brigadier Gen
eral "For Great Skill, Discretion and Judgment, But a For
titude and tenacity That Would Honor Any Man." Nov.
22, 1901. Headquarters Fourth Separate Brigade.
Nueva Cacares, Nov. 22, 1901.
Adjutant General, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: — I have the honor to recommend for appointment to the
grade of Brigadier General, U. S. A., Major John G. Ballance,
Adjt. Gen'l Dept., and lately Brig. Gen. U. S. V. My recom
mendation is based upon Maj. Ballance's services. He commanded
the troops covering the left flank of Gen. Lawton's column in the general
advance in Northern Luzon, Nov. 1899. The 17th U. S. Infantry, com-

94
manded by Colonel (now General) J. H. Smith, of my brigade, covered
the right flank of Gen. MacArthur's column, both commands kept in
communication with each other, and both were handled perfectly and
made the advance in spite of obstacles that would have stopped any
command not accompanied by officers of the highest order. Colonel
Smith has received his well-earned promotion, while Major Ballance's
reward is yet to come.
In the advance of the United States Army in northern
Luzon, Major Ballance not only showed great skill, discretion
and judgment, but a fortitude and tenacity that would honor
ANY MAN.
I am. Sir, With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) F. D. Grant,
Brig. Gen., U. S. A.
Exhibit 45.
Brigadier General W. H. Bisbee Recommends the Appointment
of Major Ballance as a Brigadier General on Account of
"Superior Ability as a Practical Commander in Military
Affairs." Nov. 28, 1901.
Headquarters Second Separate Brigade.
Department of Northern Luzon.
San Fernando, Province of Pampanga,
Nov. 28, 1901.
Major John Green Ballance,
Adjt. General, Manila.
Major: My personal knowledge of your superior ability as a practical
COMMANDER OF MILITARY AFFAIRS IS SO PRONOUNCED AND HAS EXTENDED
OVER SO MANY YEARS OF SERVICE IN AMERICA AND THE PHILIPPINES
that I may, without prejudice to others, claim the honor of recom
mending YOU FOR AN APPOINTMENT AS BRIGADIER GENERAL IN THE
army. This I do in the belief that the advancement must fall to you
when full record is placed before the War Department.
Your command of the Infantry in General Lawton's march north
in 1899 alone should promote you and this is but one of the many

95
SOLDIERLY ACTS WHICH APPEAR PLAINLY AS MATTERS OF PATRIOTIC
HISTORY IN YOUR BEHALF.
Bespeaking for you an early success,
Very respectfully,
(Signed) Wm. H. Bisbee,
Brig. Gen., U. S. A.
Exhibit 46.
General Frederick Funston Recommends Major Ballance for
Appointment as Brigadier General "for His Energy, Good
Judgment and Executive Ability." There is no Officer
"Whose Appointment Would Meet With More General
Approbation." Dec. 15, 1901.
Manila, P. I., Dec. 15, 1901.
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army.
Sir: I hope it is not improper for me to call the attention of the
War Department to the excellent service rendered in these
Islands by Major John Green Ballance, U. S. Infantry, and to
RECOMMEND HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE OF BRIGADIER GENERAL,
A RANK FOR WHICH HIS ENERGY, GOOD JUDGMENT AND EXECUTIVE
ABILITY IMMENSELY FIT HIM.
I have had excellent opportunity to be acquainted with Major
Ballance's services during the past three years and feel justified in
saying that no officer here is more competent or more deserving
or whose appointment would meet with more general approba
tion among those who have seen field service in the
Philippines. Very respectfully,
(Signed) Frederick Funston,
Brigadier General, U. S. A.
Exhibit 47.
Governor (Later Senator) W. O. Bradley, of Kentucky, Letter
to the President Recommends Major Ballance for Appoint
ment as Brigadier General as he "Found him to be One
of the Most Superior Men I Ever Met."
Louisville, Ky., Feb. 9, 1902.
Dear Mr. President:
I am sure I would not annoy you with a request did I not feel
from what I hear, that one of the most gallant and superior officers
in the Army may possibly be done a great injustice.

96
I allude to John Green Ballance, late Brigadier General of Volun
teers, who seeks the appointment to that place in the regular Army.
General Ballance, as Captain in the 22nd Infantry, I believe, organized
Kentucky troops for the Spanish War and earned for himself
the respect and admiration of our people. as governor of the
state, i was frequently thrown in contact with him and found
HIM TO BE ONE OF THE MOST SUPERIOR MEN I EVER MET. His record
in the Philippines more than vindicated my exalted opinion of his
merits, and I believe if you will read the report of General Young
you will agree with me that his services have been most remarkable.
I learn it has been charged that he is broken down in health, etc.
This I am sure is false as I am assured in a way that cannot mis
take that the story is without foundation. I have no interest in
THIS MATTER SAVE ONE OF FAIR PLAY AND I HOPE AND TRUST THAT
THIS SPLENDID SOLDIER MAY NOT BE IGNORED. Your friend,
(Signed) W. O. Bradley.
Exhibit 48.
Major General E. S. Otis Recommends Major Ballance for
Appointment as Brigadier General "as a Hard Working,
Conscientious and Able Officer." "He Rendered a Service
the Importance of Which Cannot be Overestimated."
Headquarters, Department of the Lakes,
Chicago, Illinois. February 22, 1902.
The Honorable Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: Upon the request of Major John G. Ballance, Adjutant General's
Department, late Brigadier General of Volunteers, that I give a brief
recital of his Philippine and other services, I am pleased to state that
I have known Major Ballance as an officer of the Army since his
graduation from the Academy, and that he has always proved him
self to be a hard-working, conscientious and able officer, one
having a general and technical knowledge of a high order, with
superior professional attainments.
Upon his arrival in the Philippines, I selected him on account of
his legal ability as a member of a board for the settlement of pend
ing claims, but did not hold him there very long because of his great
desire for service with troops in the field. He took command
of a battalion of the 22nd Infantry, led the infantry advance in

97
General Lawton's operations in Central Luzon during November, 1899,
and RENDERED A SERVICE THE IMPORTANCE OF WHICH CANNOT BE OVER
ESTIMATED. When, on November 2nd, I learned that Aguinaldo was
moving his property and war material north by Tayug, General Lawton
was directed to swing rapidly to the northwestward by the Cabanatuan,
San Jose and Tayug line and cut off Aguinaldo's retreat. On Novem
ber 9th General Young, with the advance cavalry, had reached San
Jose. General Wheaton had landed his troops at San Fabian west
coast of Luzon, and General MacArthur was about to take up his
advance from Angeles. General Young reached Tayug November
14th, and Major Ballance had then arrived at Humingan, northwest
of San Jose. Aguinaldo's forces had been defeated by Wheaton, and
he was making a great effort to escape into the northern provinces.
At this time Ballance moved southwestwardly on Rosales, where he
encountered Aguinaldo's retreating forces and so masterly maneuvered
his troops as to complete the enemy's demoralization and render
secure our San Jose and Tayug line. The accomplishment of
this important service during a period of constantly prevail
ing rains, in a swampy country without roads, deserves a marked
place in history, and is an example of the fortitude and constancy
displayed by our troops in Philippine service which our country has
never appreciated.
After the defeat of Aguinaldo's army, I sent Major Ballance to
Northern Luzon to report to General Young, relying especially upon
HIS KNOWLEDGE, TACT AND PRACTICAL EFFICIENCY TO ESTABLISH CIVIL
GOVERNMENT IN THAT SECTION. My CONFIDENCE IN MAJOR BaL-
LANCE'S ABILITY, ON WHICH I DREW LARGELY WHILE IN THE PHILIP
PINES, WAS NEVER MISPLACED. Very respectfully,
(Signed) E. S. Otis.
Exhibit 49.
Captain J. G. Ballance Commanding a Provisional Brigade and
Advance Guard Reports the Operations of the Troops Under
His Command in the Expedition to Northern Luzon Oct.
1 to Dec. 7, 1899, Dated Jan., 1900. Published in Report of
Sec. of War Year 1900, Vol. i, Part 6, Page 294.
San Luis, Pampanga, P. I., Jan. 1900.
Adjutant-General, First Division, 8th Army Corps, Manila, P. I.
Sir: — In obedience to telegraphic instructions received from Maj.
J. M. Lee, Tudge-Advocate of the First Division, given pursuant to

98
orders received from the chief of staff, 8th Army Corps, in which
I was directed to submit a complete and final report of the operations
of my command while a part of General Lawton's expedition to the
provinces of Bulucan, Pampanga, Neuva Ecija, and other central and
northern provinces during the last three months of 1899, I have the
honor to make the following report :
In order that the work accomplished by my command may be
understood I deem it necessary to state that when the First Battalion,
Twenty-second Infantry was first established I was placed in com
mand of it, and although I had, at different times, other troops placed
under my orders and had charge of the advance guard and com
manded a provisional brigade in General Young's northern expedition,
I kept control of this battalion in all that pertained to drill and
discipline. In the hard work incident to making an efficient military force
out of these four companies, 80 per cent of whom were raw recruits,
I was ably and willingly assisted by the company commanders, and
it is due to their hard work during the year that this battalion was
able to accomplish the remarkable results which won for it the admira
tion of those of the sister arms of the service who were associated
with it, and caused it to receive the highest praise from Generals
Young, Lawton, and Otis.
There were placed at various times under my orders, between
Oct. 1 and Dec. 7, and in a provisional brigade I commanded, in
General Young's northern expedition the following troops: Three
troops, A, B, and E, Fourth Cavalry; one troop H (dismounted)
Thirty-seventh United States Volunteers; one battery G (six guns)
Thirty-seventh United States Volunteers; six companies A, E, F, G, I
and K, Twenty-second United States Infantry; four companies Maca-
bebe scouts ; one company Lowe's scouts, and one company Dorring-
ton's scouts.
The results of the two engagements I had with the enemy on
October 1 and October 4 have such an important bearing on the
northern expedition, and are so intimately connected with it that its
history would not be complete without mentioning them.
On October 1, I crossed the Rio Grande de la Pampanga at
Candaba and proceeded up it toward Arayat with a battalion Twenty-
second Infantry. When we arrived at Matamo, which is on the
opposite side of the river and above Candating, the insurgents opened
a strong fire from a well-intrenched position on the river. The men
were deployed under the protection afforded by a dike near the river

99
and the walls and buildings of a sugar mill. After an engagement
of about thirty minutes we succeeded in silencing their fire, driving
them out of their intrenchments, killing 8 and wounding 12. While
riding from the left of the line to the right to give some orders my
horse was shot under me.
The troops defending the position were under Lt. Col. Alipeo
Tijon and belonged to the Nueva Ecija Battalion. This battalion, on
account of their defeat, were drawn back to Arayat, and the so-called
"famous" Manila Battalion placed in the front trenches, where I
encountered it a few days later.
The number of insurgents in the fight at Matamo is unknown.
The natives state there were 300, but I consider there were probably
less than 200.
Lieuts. Ivers W. Leonard and R. W. Parrott, Twenty-second
Infantry, deserve special commendation for their action in this fight
of Matamo. As my orders prevented me from going farther I returned to
Candaba. After their defeat at Matamo the enemy commenced new intrench
ments farther up the river as a defense for the pueblo of Arayat,
increased the number of troops, and changed their commander.
Fight Near Arayat.
On Oct. 4, I again crossed the river at Candaba and proceeded
with my command up the road to Arayat. My scouts located the
enemy intrenched between Arayat and Matamo on both sides of the
river, and also in the bamboo thickets some distance from the river
toward Santa Ana and Arayat road.
My command consisted of three companies Twenty-second
Infantry— Company E, commanded by Capt. E. B. Jones, Twenty-
second Infantry ; Lt. R. W. Parrott, attached ; Company F, by First Lt.
D. L. Stone, Twenty-second Infantry; Company K, by First Lieut
J. R. R. Hannay, Twenty-second Infantry, ist Lt. P. W. Davison,
Twenty-second Infantry, battalion adjutant and Acting Asst. Surg.
J. C. Riefsnider accompanied the command. The gunboat Oeste, under
the command of 2nd Lt. Simonds, 22nd Infantry assisted.
The first line of trenches was occupied by the "famous" Manila
battalion. It had been sent to supersede the Nueva Ecija battalion,
which I had defeated four days before, and made what was for
Filipinos a stubborn fight, but their trenches, although very strong,
were not constructed scientifically, and when they were taken in the

100
flank and 14 killed, they abandoned the trenches and retreated. A num
ber more of them were killed in their retreat.
While two companies were engaged against the insurgents in the
first intrenchments, the third company became engaged with those in
the second line of intrenchments, farther up the river, from which
they were soon driven.
Lt. Parrott was sent against a force of the enemy who were in
the woods some distance from the river in the direction of the Santa
Ana-Arayat road. He inflicted a loss of 2 killed and 5 wounded on
it and compelled it to retire.
The main column pursued the insurgents up the river to Arayat,
skirmishing all the way, killing 2 behind the barricade in front of
Arayat. The enemy abandoned their defenses, ran through Arayat, and
retreated in the direction of San Pedro Magalan and to Cabiao.
Two valuable cascos were captured in Arayat and taken to Candaba
by Lt. Simonds.
The troops were engaged altogether about one and a half hours ;
27 of the insurgents are known to have been killed and 38 wounded,
but it is generally reported and I believe the number of wounded was
much greater.
The troops in the second line of intrenchments belonged to the
Neuva Ecija battalion, the same we had whipped a few days before.
The total number of insurgents engaged was about 400. This
number was afterwards verified by an insurgent return of troops which'
was captured a few days later.
On Oct. 10 I received information- that my command would probably
be transferred to the ist Division, but the order of the department
commander transferring it by name was never communicated to me
officially. On Oct. 11 I received an order from General Lawton directing
me to co-operate with General Young in the movement on Arayat,
and from the latter I received orders to proceed to Arayat.
On the morning of October 12 I proceeded to Arayat with the
1st Battalion, Twenty-second Infantry, Companies A, Commanded by
Capt. G. J. Godfrey; F, commanded by 1st Lt. D. L. Stone; L, com
manded by ist Lt. I. W Leonard; K, commanded by ist Lt. J. R. R.
Hannay; ist Lt. P. W. Davison, battalion adjutant. A Company had
the advance, F Company had charge of the train and making the roads,
I crossed the river at daylight, marched up the right bank through
Pasig, Pansaneo, and Matamo, and passed all the trenches and positions

101
which I had taken a few days previously. I met no opposition, and
marched into Arayat in the morning and reported to Brig Gen. S. B.
M. Young, commanding.
The march of the troops was accomplished without special incident,
except that Lt. Stone, commanding F Company, had a great deal of
hard work in constructing a road through the bamboo marshes. Cap
tain Godfrey was taken sick in Arayat and remained there.
Lt. Davison was sent to Candaba with some extra baggage and
to obtain supplies.
I remained at Arayat until Oct 17, when, under instructions
from General Young, I crossed my command over the river just before
dark, and proceeded up the river about 3 miles and bivouacked at
Balasin. The Macabebe scouts were camped in a barrio on the same side
of the river, about 2 miles nearer Arayat.
I crossed the river in the presence of Generals Lawton and Young,
and the former directed me, as I was about to cross the river, to
report to him, when I had made the proper dispositions for the troops
in camp, for detailed orders for my forward movement next morning.
I returned to Arayat that night and reported to General Lawton
for instructions about 10 p. m.
Fight at Malibutad (Libutad).
General Lawton informed me that the insurgents were reported
to be strongly intrenched at Malibutad, about 4 miles in front of me,
on the road to Cabiao. He stated that the force of the enemy was
variously estimated, but it was known that two companies were defend
ing the trenches and a blockhouse at Malibutad, that there were other
troops in supporting distance and that there was a large force at
Cabiao. He informed me that my force would consist of the battalion
of four companies of the Twenty-second Infantry, four companies
Macabebe scouts on the left bank of the river, and Lowe's scouts on
the right bank of the river. He stated that he believed my force suf
ficient to overcome any opposition I would encounter, but that the
cavalry force would cross from Arayat over to the left bank of the
river on the following day, and if I found the enemy in such strong
force that I could not handle them with the infantry, he would send
the cavalry to assist me.
He stated he expected that I would have to fight my way to
Cabiao, and directed that I send him frequent reports of my progress,
and so that I would be able to do this he said he would have a detach
ment of cavalry report to me next morning to act as couriers.

102
He then gave me instructions to carry out the following general
plans for the advance on and capture of Cabiao, which was to be
my objective :
He directed that the Macabebe scouts start about 2 a. m. up the
river on a long detour around the left flank of the enemy at Malibutad,
so as to get in their rear, and that the infantry start soon enough so
as to be able to engage the enemy at Malibutad at daylight.
I left General Lawton about 10:30 p. m. crossed the river, stopped
in the barrio where the Macabebe scouts were encamped, told their
commander, Lt. Batson, the plan of attack and what the Macabebe
scouts were expected to accomplish and then rode to the advance camp
of the infantry at Balasin.
The Macabebe scouts started early on the morning of October
18, and arrived at the infantry camp about 2 :30 a. m. After a short
halt, and being assured that the infantry would be at Malibutad at
daylight, the scouts proceeded on their daring attempt to get in rear
of the insurgents. Unfortunately due to unexpected difficulties, they
were unable to do this. The engagement was commenced shortly after
dawn by the scouts in front. The enemy resisted fiercely for a time,
but were finally driven out of the intrenchments and blockhouse, los
ing a number killed and wounded and about 70 prisoners, including
a captain and 2 lieutenants.
Fifty-seven of the prisoners voluntarily entered the service and
pay of the Government, in repairing the roads.
The position at Malibutad was a strong one. The trenches and
blockhouse could have been held a very long time by a small determined
force against an infantry force greatly superior in numbers.
The forces of the enemy were scattered in several directions, the
main body retreating toward Cabiao.
About 7 a. m. I sent a written message by an infantryman on
foot to General Lawton, informing him of the successful fight at
Malibutad and telling him that I would enter Cabiao by 10 a. m.
The enemy made less resistance than I expected, so that the advance
of my column entered before that time. Lt. Batson was the first officer
to enter. Firing was continued between our advance guard and the enemy,
even after I entered Cabiao. As Cabiao was my objective, and I had
heard nothing from Lt. Castner on the other side of the river, I did
not consider that I should, under my instructions, proceed farther.

103
The scouts in charge of the prisoners were placed in the church
and administration building and the infantry assigned to houses in
the northern part of the town.
The fight at Malibutad was the first real fight in which the Maca
bebe scouts had been engaged, and there was considerable doubt as
to how much dependence could be placed on them. Although they
failed in making the difficult and dangerous part assigned them they
did well otherwise and showed they could be trusted to fight efficiently
against the Tagalos.
Captain J. H. Cameron, Fourth Cavalry, reported to me about
noon with a detachment of his troop, to act as couriers, pursuant to
the orders of Gen. Lawton, heretofore mentioned.
Lt. J. C. Castner, 4th Infantry, who formed part of the advancing
column, proceeded up the right bank of the river where he encountered
unexpected difficulties in the way of swamps and jungles, but over
coming all difficulties reported to me about 3 p. m. in Cabiao, and
I assigned his scouts to quarters fronting on the main plaza.
My command consisted of A Company, 22nd Infantry, commanded
by ist Sergt. James Collins, 22nd Infantry; F Company, 22nd Infantry,
commanded by ist Lt. D. L. Stone, 22nd Infantry; K Company, 22nd
Infantry, commanded by ist Lt. J. R. R. Hannay, 22nd Infantry; I
Company, 22nd Infantry, commanded by 1st Lieut. I. W. Leonard,
22nd Infantry; Macabebe scouts, commanded by ist Lt. M. A. Batson.
4th Cavalry; Lowe's scouts, commanded by ist Lt. J. C. Castner, 4th
Cavalry ; detachment 4th Cavalry, commanded by Capt. J. H. Cameron,
4th Cavalry ; acting Asst. Surg. S. J. Fraser, U. S. A. ; Serg. Frank
Skievaski, sergeant-major. 1st Lt. P. W. Davison, 22nd Infaritry,
joined me about 2 p. m. having pushed on from Candaba, and was
placed in command of A Company in addition to his duties as adjutant.
quartermaster and commissary. Skirmish at San Fernando.
In the afternoon I had a reconnoissance made in the direction of
San Isidro by the infantry. About a mile north of Cabiao it encountered
the enemy, which, after a little firing, retreated to the barrio of San
Fernando, where there was a small force of the enemy on both sides
of the river. The enemy opened fire from both sides of the river and
the firing became quite animated. Owing to some mistake the enemy
on the opposite side of the river began to fire on their own men,
and the demoralization produced by this, as well as the efficiency of

104
our fire, caused them to retreat, although they were behind intrench
ments and had three times the number of men.
During the evening a number of shots were fired by insurgents
into the town, but did little harm.
Late in the evening Gen. S. B. M. Young arrived, escorted by
Chase's troop, Third Cavalry. I reported to him and explained the
dispositions I had made of the outposts of the infantry and scouts
and where I had quartered the command. These dispositions were
approved by him.
The following morning, Oct. 19, General Young informed me
that his next objective was San Isidro; placed me in charge of the
advance guard and directed me to move forward.
The advance started at 8 :30 a. m. the infantry, First Battalion ;
22nd Infantry, in advance.
Owing to the known proximity of the enemy and the utter impos
sibility of moving the cavalry through the swamps and jungles on
each side of the road the advance of the column was preceded by a
screen of 13 picked infantrymen, who were designated as scouts.
Experience in this country had taught me that this was the best
way to protect an advancing column from surprises. The experience
of Oct. 19 fully confirmed the impressions derived from past
experience, and the efficient and gallant work of these scouts won for
them the highest praise from all and caused them to be especially
commended in the dispatches of Gen. Young.
After leaving Cabiao all the houses along the road were found
deserted, an almost certain sign of an anticipated fight, and as the
enemy had twice been encountered behind the trenches on both sides
of the river at the barrio of San Fernando it was expected that he
would again be found there, but he retired as we advanced.
A little distance beyond San Fernando the scouts discovered some
scouts of the enemy to the left. The command was halted and a
detachment sent out to make an examination.
Fight at Calaba.
The screen of scouts in the meantime advanced a considerable
distance beyond the column, and after crossing a bridge over a small
river were attacked by the insurgents. They maintained their ground
against a greatly superior force and held the bridge. I hurried a
force to their support, but it did not reach them before 3 (25 per
cent) of them had been wounded.

105
I moved the infantry battalion forward at double time across the
bridge and deployed it to the right and left of the road and pushed
forward. The progress was necessarily slow, as skirmishers of the
enemy kept up a continuous firing as they fell back. The country
passed over was submerged rice fields, interspersed with jungles and
tropical growth.
The water and mud on the right of the road was especially
difficult to skirmish over, it being knee deep a great deal of the
way and at other times much deeper; some men sank up to their arm
pits and were with difficulty rescued by their comrades.
After skirmishing through this difficult and dangerous country
for some distance, the enemy was encountered in force in the barrio
of Calaba, in a strong position in a bamboo thicket, whose large foun
dation of roots above the ground formed a natural barricade, which
had been strengthened artificially. In front of this position was an
open space, across which the enemy knew the infantry had to pass
to reach their front.
The tactics of the enemy was to have their skirmishers gradually
fall back and draw the infantry on, and when it reached this open
space to decimate it from their ambuscade. The open space was at
no place over 80 yards from their guns and averaged about 40 yards
As the troops went across this open space they suddenly received a
heavy fire from the bamboo, and did the only thing possible under
the circumstances against such a foe, charged and drove them out
It was exceedingly fortunate for our troops that the distance was
so short, for if they had had to pass over a greater distance in mak
ing the charge many would have been killed. The fire of the insurgents
was bad, they shot too high. The close proximity of the giant Ameri
cans seemed to have completely demoralized their markmanship.
The appearance of the cavalry on the extreme left and the
firing of the artillery from the center of my line assisted to complete
the demoralization of the enemy and caused it to retreat down the
San Antonio-San Isidro road to San Isidro.
Fight at San Isidro.
The troops were assembled near the junction of the Cabiao and
San Antonio road to San Isidro, and I moved the advance guard
through the sitio of Calaba, near and beyond which the road to San
Isidro divides, one branch going straight ahead and the other turn
ing to the left along the river. The divergence was not great, but
after reconnoitering both and coming in contact with the enemy on
the direct road and ascertaining from some natives that the retreat-

106
ing insurgents had gone on both roads, I sent one company by the
road along the river and the remainder of the advance guard down
the direct road.
After the command had proceeded less than a mile and I had
made due examination, I feared the roads might diverge too much
for the troops to be in proper supporting distance of each other before
we reached San Isidro, where we expected considerable opposition.
I went back to report the situation to General Young. He directed
me to halt until he could learn something of the Macabebe and Lowe's
scouts. They had been directed to proceed up the right bank of the
river from Cabiao, but nothing had been heard from them. After
a delay of about an hour some shots were heard to the rear and on
the other side of the river, and I was directed to advance.
General Young then increased my command by directing Capt. T.
R. Rivers, 4th Cavalry, to report to me with two troops of his squad
ron — Troop A (Cameron's) and Troop B (Slaven's) dismounted; also
Troop E (Walker's), Fourth Cavalry, dismounted; troop (Scott's)
Thirty-seventh United States Volunteers, and six guns of Battery G
(Lowenberg's) Thirty-seventh United States Volunteers.
I re-enforced the infantry, which had gone down the direct road
with River's two troops of cavalry, Scott's troop, and four pieces
artillery of Lowenberg's battery, and re-enforced the column, proceed
ing along the river road with Kirby's troop of cavalry and two pieces
of artillery. The brigade commander with the remainder of the com
mand went down the river road.
I immediately ordered both columns forward and personally com
manded the column on the direct road, which now consisted of a
good force of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, capable of defeating the
force which we expected to meet.
The infantry, almost immediately after resuming the advance, came
in contact with the skirmishers of the enemy. A skirmish line was
formed on each side of the road and advanced through the flooded
country, engaging and driving the enemy's skirmishers all the way to
and through the town of San Isidro and pursuing them through the
barrio of San Nicolas nearly to Gapan. The last insurgent killed that
day was near the road between San Nicolas and Gapan.
Owing to the orders I had received I discontinued the pursuit
and returned to San Isidro. I was very near to the enemy's main
body, and am quite certain if I had not had to wait for the scouts
on the other side of the river to catch up I would have overhauled
it. The number of insurgents killed and wounded by my command

107
is not known. A number of dead were seen as we skirmished through
the country. The relative quantity of ammunition fired by my command was
small, as very stringent orders were given by me concerning waste
of ammunition, and the men had been strictly trained in fire discipline
and been informed of the harm which badly directed fire caused, by
giving encouragement to the enemy. To further impress on the indi
vidual men the necessity of husbanding their ammunition I had the
number of rounds counted each had remaining after every fight.
Previous to starting out on this expedition each man of the
infantry had been carefully instructed in the elements of pointing and
aiming drill and also had had careful instruction in target practice.
They were thus able to fire intelligently and effiectively and waste
no ammunition. My present recollection is that the infantry, exclusive of the 13
scouts, used only 2,250 rounds of ammunition during the whole day
from the morning until late in the afternoon, including the fight and
both skirmishes. This amount is very much less than the enemy fired
I do not believe during -the whole Filipino insurrection such a large
number of troops have been engaged for such a length of time and
accomplished such important results with the expenditure of so small
an amount of ammunition. I do not know of any other fight or
skirmish which took place previous to these in which the amount
expended by our troops was less than the amount expended by the
Filipinos.. I know of nothing that so well proved the high state of the fire
discipline of the infantry battalion as the intelligent way in which the
individuals and the commanders of the different units effectively
directed their fire and refrained from useless firing.
The infantry battalion having shown such splendid fire discipline
I no longer felt concerned about a reserve supply of ammunition,
and I was able, with perfect confidence, a few days later to cut loose
from all supplies, and with only 100 rounds of ammunition, to push
forward with this battalion without any support in a long and perilous
expedition into the heart of the enemy's country and in rear of his
army which up to that time had been strong enough to keep in check
along the railroad a whole division of the American Army.
The number of insurgents engaged in the fight between the
bridge and sitio of Calaba was about 1,000. The number that went
up the river road was about 200. Many crossed the river, but the

108
number is unknown. The number I engaged on the direct road from
Calaba to San Isidro was 400. There was in addition a reserve of
three companies in San Isidro.
The battle of Calaba and San Isidro was planned by and the
movements conducted under the personal orders of General Pio del
Pilar. He personally commanded the forces that I pursued to Gapan.
As I was constantly advancing and fighting for at least six miles,
it was impossible to count the number of insurgents who were killed.
I personally saw several dead near the road. A number of dead and
wounded insurgents were passed by the troops as they advanced from
the bridge up to where the enemy was intrenched. Dead and wounded
were seen in the trenches, and occasionally one was seen in the fields.
I returned to San Isidro too late that night to gather up and bury
the dead Filipinos, but sent out a detachment the next morning to
collect the dead and wounded, and found that the insurgent sympa
thizers in Calaba and vicinity had made a most minute search of the
country during the afternoon and night of the previous day, and taken
away every dead and wounded insurgent, and had cleaned the country
for about two miles so completely that not even an empty cartridge
shell could be found. For these reasons no positive estimate of the
dead and wounded can be given, but the number is known to be
quite large.
Those whose services were especially distinguished will be men
tioned at the end of this report
The artillery, cavalry and infantry were sent back to San Isidro
in the order named, and went into quarters.
On October 27, General Young again placed me in command of
the advance guard, which consisted of the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry
(four companies), company Lowe's scouts, six pieces of artillery of
Battery G, Thirty-seventh United States Volunteers, and one troop
(dismounted) Thirty-seventh United States Volunteers.
Acting under the orders of General Young, I left San Isidro at 5
a. m., crossed the Gapan River, and took up the advance in the following
order: (1) Scouts First Battalion, 22nd Infantry; (2) Lowe's scouts;
(3) two companies 22nd Infantry; (4) Battery G (six guns) Thirty-
seventh United States Volunteers and one troop Thirty-seventh United
States Volunteers; (5) two companies 22nd Infantry.
Owing to the difficulty of crossing the Gapan River, which had
become swollen from the rains of the previous night, there was a
delay of about two hours. Proceeding northward about two miles,
I arrived at the Tambo River. As the bridge had been torn up, and

109
the water was too deep to attempt to ford it, it was necessary to make
a further delay until the bridge was rebuilt. Owing to these delays
and the prospect that there might be others in repairing bridges for
the artillery, it was decided to leave it with the main body and push
ahead with the infantry and the scouts.
Skirmish in Tambo Barrio.
At the Tambo River the insurgents had destroyed the bridge and
constructed a line of intrenchments on the north side to defend the
crossing. I quickly had a bamboo bridge and float made and crossed
the infantry over it.
The enemy abandoned the trenches and I pressed on with the infan
try rapidly, but with due caution. About a mile farther on a company
of the "famous" Manila Battalion (which I had twice previously met
and whipped) was seen to the left and in front, apparently hurrying to
attack the gunboat Laguna de Bay, which was in the main river. The
infantry immediately engaged them, but the insurgents could not long
stand Lieut. Stone's well-directed volleys.
The three severe drubbings that my battalion gave this "famous"
Manila Battalion, with its gaudy trousers, picturesque straw hats, and
fancy blouses, caused its complete disintegration, and it was never heard
of again as an organization. Battle of Taboatin River.
Several miles beyond where this skirmish took place in Tambo
Barrio, the advance scouts encountered an outpost of the enemy near
the Taboatin River, and drove it back. The main road crosses the
river a little beyond this place. From a reconnoissance of the position
it was learned that the bridge had been completely destroyed, the banks
of the river were very steep, the river much swollen by recent rains,
and that the river was unfordable at or near the usual crossing. In
addition, on the opposite side of the river the enemy occupied intrench
ments which extended about 800 yards along the river. The enemy's
position was an ideal one for a defensive position.
Lieut. Castner with Lowe's scouts, and Company A, 22nd Infantry,
under command of Lieut. H. A. Ripley, was directed to make a long
detour to the right, crossing the river two miles above the trenches,
and then to come in the rear of the insurgents, between Santa Rosa and
the crossing. An hour and forty-five minutes were given him to make
the trip, but he met with much greater difficulties than was expected,
and found that it was an impossibility to accomplish it in the time
allotted. In the meantime I moved the infantry scouts and Hannay's

110
company through the high grass and bamboo onto the river bank
opposite the trenches; one of the squads crawled until it was within
forty yards of a trench on which a sentinel was posted, without being
discovered. I also had the artillery posted, loaded and aimed in a
concealed position, with the dismounted cavalry in support. The
magazines of the rifles were filled. All these preparations were secretly
and quietly made without the enemy suspecting them. Not a shot was
fired until all the men had been placed and the time given for the flank
movement had expired.
On my order fire was simultaneously commenced by the infantry
and artillery on the surprised enemy. If it had been possible to cross
the river a charge would have followed the first volley, and the victory
would have been secured there and then. A well-directed fire was
kept up, which, although it did good execution and kept down the
fire of the enemy, did not drive him out. One use of the magazine
was well demonstrated. The men were directed to fire one round, but
to keep their guns at the aim and ready to fire again when the insur
gents should show their heads above the trenches for the purpose of
returning the fire. The range was very close, not over eighty yards, at
the farthest place. Just as soon as our men would fire the insurgents
would raise their heads and shoulders above the trenches for the purpose
of firing at us, but would receive a volley from our infantry before they
could fire; this disconcerted their aim and nearly silenced their fire,
which accounts for our comparatively small loss. In order that I might
drive them out of the trenches and, if possible, capture them, I sent
two companies of infantry up the river with orders to cross it about half
a mile above the trenches, and take them in flank. They succeeded in
crossing by wading, swimming, and floating on bamboo, without losing
a man. The enemy discovered their movement, left their trenches
through covered ways leading to the rear into the tall rice, and escaped,
retreating through Santa Rosa, taking all of their wounded and most
of the dead. As soon as possible I had a raft constructed and ferried
the remainder of the command across, and entered Santa Rosa that
evening. The number of insurgents engaged in this fight was stated by
natives to be 1,000, and this was the number I had previously been
informed had been sent over the day before to this place to retard
the advance, but do not think there were over 400 engaged.
There were only two men killed and one wounded of the advance
guard. I can not tell what the losses of the enemy were, for reasons
heretofore given in this report. As we were advancing, there was no

Ill
time to search for dead Filipinos. The troops in this fight showed the
same perfect fire discipline as before.
On the morning of October 30 the battalion advanced and took
the important town of Cabanatuan. There was at this place an arsenal
for the manufacture of small-arms ammunition, as well as a quantity
of telegraph material and palay.
November 7, being ordered to Talavera, it became necessary to
construct a ferry to put my command across. A very heavy rain
had fallen and converted the river at this point into a raging torrent.
It was at first only intended to construct a temporary ferry sufficient
to cross my- command, the Engineer Corps having charge of a more
substantial one for the crossing of the remainder of the division. The
temporary one constructed by my command proving to be sufficiently
substantial for the purpose, was used to ferry across the whole division,
except the last few wagons. The work of constructing, the labor of
ferrying, and the responsibility of crossing the division was done by
men of my command, Lieut. Hannay being kept in charge day and
night until it had been accomplished. He did this work while still in
command of Company K of my battalion, and not connected with
either the quartermaster's or engineer's department of the division.
Great difficulty was experienced in bringing my train through.
The roads for about two miles had to be covered with long slough
grass and brush before the carts could be dragged along them. In
some places all the animals could do was to drag the empty carts.
In such cases the carts were unloaded and the supplies carried by the
soldiers. It was found impossible to make over half a mile an hour
with the train, or to get into Talavera until the next day, so I . pushed
forward with three companies and arrived at Talavera that night.
A large quantity of projectiles and parts of ordnance were found
scattered along the route, having been abandoned by the enemy in
their retreat. A large quantity of the same class of material was
stored in Talavera, most of it being practically useless.
At Talavera I received orders to have part of the infantry report
as escort to the train, but later received instructions from General Law-
ton, November 9, to push on, and at daylight on November 10 I left
Talavera, going via San Domingo to Munoz. There was a number
of bridges which the insurgents had destroyed, the repairing of which,
to make them practicable for the artillery, caused considerable delay.

112
I received word from General Young, directing me to push on to
Humingan, leaving all impedimenta at San Jose. November n I
pushed on to San Jose by the direct road, but finding it impassable for
artillery, I sent it back by the San Domingo-San Jose road. The men
arrived at San Jose soaking wet from their feet to their breasts from
fording streams and wading in the road. In some places the latter
had water three feet deep running down it. The infantry had not had
their shoes and clothes dry for nearly a month, on account of the
constant tropical rains to which they were exposed on their march, and
the necessity of fording innumerable streams and marching on roads
which were at all times covered with mud and water. This constant
soaking in water caused the rotting of the stitching of the shoes, and
some shoes actually dropped apart from this cause. The number of
men who became barefooted increased day by day as the command
progressed through the mud and water.
November 12 at San Jose orders were given to leave all impedi
menta behind, and placing all the infantry rations, blankets, ponchos.
tents, rations and ammunition, except one day's field and the emergency
rations, and 100 rounds of ammunition, in a house, I started for
Humingan, via Lupao, with four companies First Battalion, 22nd
Infantry ; six pieces of artillery, Battery G, 37th U. S. Volunteers ; one
troop (Scott's) dismounted cavalry, 37th U. S. Volunteers.
Shortly after leaving San Jose, the road, or rather the place where
a road exists in the dry season, is a wood for about two miles. It is
utterly impossible to describe the extreme difficulties which had to be
overcome to get my command through this wood. I have seen many
bad, muddy roads on the western prairies after the spring thaws, and in
Texas after a week's rain, which even in this uncivilized country would
be considered impassable in the rainy season, but I never conceived of
such a mixture of dirt and water as that which had taken the place of
the former roadway. Every vehicle sank in up to the axles, and
the animals at times would sink in over their bellies. It did not seem
as if it would be possible to get the artillery through it, but it was
finally done by cutting a new road through the woods. At least forty
native vehicles of all kinds were found stuck in the mud, pulled apart
or abandoned. A troop of cavalry, which left San Jose twenty-four
hours before my command, was passed on the road, having only
succeeded in making two miles in thirty-six hours. A few days later,
after the road had an opportunity to dry, it became much better, but
even then it was what would ordinarily be termed impassable. After
getting through this place, the command was pushed on to Lupao,
where it arrived that night.

113
November 13 we left Lupao in the morning, and marched to
Humingan (the road was very bad, but much better than usual), where
I arrived early that morning. Acting under the orders of General
Young, I sent the dismounted cavalry and four pieces of artillery, 37th
U. S. Volunteers, on to San Quintin.
November 14, there being necessity of great haste, and there being
no other troops available, I was directed by General Young to proceed
to Rosales, leaving one company to hold Humingan, and thence to
attack the army in Urdaneta, where he informed me were 2,000 insur
gents. It was also known that there was a force of insurgents at
Rosales. I was expected to get in the rear of the main insurgent army,
the strength of which had been variously stated to be from 5,000 to
24,000, but whatever its actual strength may have been, it was enough
to hold the whole army of the Second Division in front of Tarlac for
some months.
Rosales is but a few miles from the railroad, and was in the rear
of the main insurgent army.
On the morning of November 14 I started with three companies
of infantry and two pieces of artillery. The men had happy hearts.
full of expectation of the success we would meet on what we knew
would be an exceedingly difficult and perilous march. Owing to the
smallness of our force and the large number of insurgents we were
likely to encounter, we moved toward Rosales with the greatest caution,
with no supplies of any kind except what was carried by the men.
We were thus able to move with ordinary infantry rapidity.
After proceeding about ten miles I was informed of the location,
some distance in front, at Bulango, of some new intrenchments, on a
rising ground, on both sides of the road, that were occupied by 1,000
insurgents. On arriving near the place I made the proper reconnois
sance of the place and plans for flanking them, but did not carry them
out, as the enemy retreated. From that point on to Rosales several
intrenchments were found at different places, but all were abandoned
until we arrived at the Matablan River. This river has steep, perpen
dicular banks, and though it ordinarily does not have much water, it
is deep where the road crosses, and it was swollen by the rains. A
very substantial heavy timber bridge had been built across the river.
The flooring of the bridge had been taken up and the stringers cut
through and dropped into the water. This would not have caused much
delay to my intrepid infantry, but the bridge had to be repaired to
cross the artillery. The command was halted in a sheltered place
about half a mile from the bridge, and the position carefully recon-

114
noitered. The natives informed me that it was impossible for a flanking
force to cross the river about the bridge on account of the steep banks
and its depth.
The enemy were intrenched on the opposite side of the river. I
sent a detachment above the bridge, so as to be able to get a flank
fire on him if he retreated up the river, and I also sent Lieut. Stone
with his company to get in their rear by crossing the river Agno at
two fords, which I had ascertained existed, one below and one above
the mouth of the Matablan River. All these dispositions were secretly
made by proceeding through the tall grass, growing rice, and bamboo
thickets. Lieut. Stone succeeded in crossing the first ford, and got in
the rear of the enemy unobserved, but while reconnoitering for the
crossing of the second ford, his movement was discovered by the enemy,
who commenced a vigorous fire on him, to which he replied, but was
unable at that time to cross the river. In the meantime the detachment
sent up the river, contrary to all native beliefs of its possibility, swam
across the river and opened fire on the right flank of the enemy. The
enemy, thus being attacked on three sides, fled in the only direction
left, down the road to Rosales, and it was said that many fled to Santa
Maria. The detachment that had succeeded in crossing the Matablan
River above the position was too few in number, and as they were
the only troops which were not separated by a river from the enemy,
rapid pursuit was impossible.
The bridge was found in the condition stated, the flooring removed
and the stringers cut in two. Lieut. Davison and Lieut. Stone immedi
ately set to repair it, and in two hours had it completed sufficiently to
cross the artillery, the only tools being an ax and a hatchet. We
then resumed the march to Rosales. The bridge over the river in
front of the town had been completely destroyed, so that we had to
make a big detour through the swamps to get to Rosales, where we
finally arrived before dark. As I entered the town at one end the
insurgent forces left at the other, but owing to the fatigue of my troops
and the necessity of procuring something to eat, for the troops had
had nothing since daylight, I did not pursue them.
We captured in Rosales large amounts of insurgent stores, con
sisting of rice, printing and writing paper, postage stamps, uniforms,
underwear, etc., and a great many official records of the Filipino
government. A representative of a lieutenant who commanded a company of
insurgents numbering eighty men, came to me, stating that he did
not wish to fight any more, but desired to come in and surrender, and

115
wished to know on what terms he could surrender his command. I
sent him word to come and see me next day in person, and that I would
make satisfactory arrangements, but I left Rosales before seeing him,
as I was anxious to press on to Urdaneta.
I proceeded in a furious rainstorm to Carmen, where a raft was
constructed to ferry the men and artillery across the river Agno, which
was too high to ford or swim. It took some time to construct the
raft, owing to the rain and the lack of tools and material, but it was
finally completed, and by working until n o'clock at night all the com
mand but F Company got across. By n o'clock the river had become
a rapid torrent, and was so swift and full of floating debris that it was
impossible to cross. It rose about ten feet while we were crossing.
The part of the command which had already crossed the river proceeded
to Villasis, making their way through the rain and deep mud in the
darkness, arriving there about midnight, and lay down soaking wet,
without a fire, and supperless, waiting for daylight. In the night a
messenger arrived from General Young, and I received orders to pro
ceed to Binalonan, it having been ascertained that the insurgent army
had departed from Urdaneta.
A large quantity of hulled rice, palay and sacking was captured in
Villasis that had been collected by the insurgents.
The following morning, after the rain had somewhat subsided, the
remainder of the command was crossed and we proceeded to Urdaneta.
The command was met by the brass band of the town, and escorted to
the plaza, where it was received by the vice-president and many of the
principal men and several hundred of the natives, amid the din caused
by the ringing of all the church bells. Fruit and tobacco were distributed
to the men, and a large ox killed and dressed for them. The com
mand proceeded on to Binalonan, where they arrived that night. The
road was like all others, perfectly atrocious. It was lower than the
submerged rice fields, and for about three miles formed a channel for
a rapid torrent, two and a half feet deep. It was exceedingly tiresome
to progress through this torrent, especially so for these hard-worked.
half-fed, half-clothed men suffering with colds, fever, and bleeding feet.
I was directed to remain in Binalonan by General Young until directed
to go elsewhere.
On November 20 General Lawton ordered me to proceed with the
infantry battalion to Villasis, and to scout all the roads and ascertain
where the advance of General MacArthur was, and if a battalion of the
34th Infantry had communicated with him.

116
General Lawton expressed himself as greatly pleased at the success
of the perilous march to Rosales with so small a force, and spoke of
the great anxiety he had had for the safety of my command, until
he had heard of the success of the movement. He said, also, as near
as I can remember his words, that "Your battalion has done more to
make this movement a success than any other organization, and I
intend, in so far as I can, to see that it receives credit for it." To
further show his opinion of the work of this battalion, he said in
Manila, the Sunday afternoon before he was killed, "I have no hesita
tion in saying that your battalion has done more hard work than any
other on the island. You have done it since I have been here, for you
have been in everything I have been in, and you did a great deal
before I arrived.
November 20, I returned to Villasis, scouted all the roads as
directed, and ascertained through messenger from Colonel Howze that
General MacArthur had arrived at Bautista, the railroad station of
Bayambang, on November 19, five days after I had been at Rosales.
November 23, acting under orders I received from General Law-
ton, I returned to Binalonan, on my way to San Fabian, to reinforce
General Young, who was pursuing the remnants of Aguinaldo's army.
November 24, marched to Manaoag.
November 25, arrived at San Fabian, where I had been informed
I would find rations, shoes and clothing. Rations were obtained, but
not a single shoe. These men were in a very bad plight; most of
them were sick with fever, dysentery, colds, dobie itch, bruised and
bleeding feet, caused by half rations for over a month, no rations at all
for days, living on what they could find of rice and carabao ; rained
on almost every day, wading through water and mud from six inches
to four feet deep every day, swimming, wading, rafting, or bridging
about fifty streams and rivers, going to bed every night with feet and
ankles wet, and many nights with all their clothes wet, exposed to the
cool nights of the winter season without a single blanket or covering
of any kind ; and yet these superb men were not only willing but anx
ious to push on to join their daring general, whom they had been
following for weeks, enduring privations and successfully surmounting
obstacles of a nature and size never before surmounted or encountered
by an American infantry, and which it is hoped they will never again
be called on to face.
Other troops of this adventurous column had endured great priva
tions, and continued to encounter them long after the infantry battalion
was ordered elsewhere, but the cavalry had horses to carry them-

117
selves, their guns, and ammunition during the day; they always had
shoes and stockings; and at night they had their saddle blankets to
sleep under.
It is not the desire of the foregoing to detract from the valuable
services of the cavalry, or draw invidious comparisons; for the infantry
battalion can never have aught but the highest esteem for it on account
of its great service, and will always bear it in affectionate remembrance
for the kindness and consideration shown them by officers and men of
the cavalry, from the general down to the latest private, and will ask
no greater favor in time of active service than to be associated with it
under the same intrepid cavalry leader. No battalion commander ever
had under his command more willing troops than this infantry, and I
feel very proud to have commanded such an efficient body of men.
This battalion can. I think, justly claim to have made the hardest
march ever made by an American infantry battalion.
Orders were received directing the battalion to remain at San
Fabian to refit, and then later, from a staff officer, that the division
commander directed it to remain in San Fabian until further orders.
Most of the men were suffering from fever and dysentery, but
they kept to their physical work by sheer mental effort and American
grit, which was inspiring to observe. When the orders came for the
battalion to remain at San Fabian, the necessity for the men to continue
their mental effort ceased, their physical natures were allowed to exert
themselves, and three hundred collapsed in one day as the result of
fever and the effect of the strain through which they had passed; many
will never recover from the hardships they underwent, and the suffer
ing and disease caused by them.
The Government will never adequately reward the gallant officers
and men of this heroic battalion, but the future historian will some
day do justice to their valor and devotion to their country's cause.
Their. grit and heroism will ever serve as shining examples of what
American manhood is capable.
A report of those trying times would not be complete without
mentioning the devoted services of Acting Asst. Surg. S. J. Fraser
and the men of the Hospital Corps with him. The number of sick
was so great that they had to work from morning until night, which
they did most cheerfully. The men of the battalion of the Twenty-
second Infantry will always feel grateful to Dr. Fraser for his intelli
gent devotion to them.
Orders were received directing the battalion to proceed to Malolos,
but the destination was afterwards changed to San Fernando, and
then again to Candaba.

118
December 3, the battalion left San Fabian for Dagupan.
December 4, arrived at Tarlac.
December 5, arrived at Bamban and San Fernando.
December 6, arrived at Mexico.
December 7, arrived at Candaba, having been absent about two
months. Since October 1, the First Battalion, 22nd Infantry, had marched
220 miles, over what amphibious Filipinos consider impassable roads.
The various scouts and marches made by single companies and by
detachments, amounting to over 200 miles more, are not included.
It had, as an organization, six distinct fights with the insurgents,
three important skirmishes, besides those of minor importance, and
had been the only regular infantry organization to take part in the
rapid movement of General Young, of Lawton's division, that caused
the disintegration of Aguinaldo's army and enabled the American troops
to advance along the railroad.
I desire to express my high appreciation of the energy, courage,
fortitude, and enthusiasm of the officers and men. Each one of them
is deserving of praise, but it is impracticable at this time to give
to each what is due ; . .
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry, Commanding.
Exhibit 50.
Major General (Later Lieut. General) MacArthur's Report
in Continuation of Events to Include May 31, 1899, Dated
San Fernando, P. I., May 31, 1899. Published in Report of
Secretary of War, Year 1899, Vol. I, Part 5, Page 376.
Headquarters Second Division, Eighth Army Corps.
San Fernando, P. I., May 31, 1899.
Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific and Eighth Army Corps.
Sir: — In a former report the narrative of field operations of the
division was brought down to February 28, 1899. In continuation
of that report a record of events is herewith respectfully submitted
to include May 31, 1899.

119
. . the division was strengthened on March 22 by the Third
Brigade, . . Brigadier General Loyd Wheaton, U. S. V.
Twenty-second Infantry,
"March 25, soon after daylight, Major General MacArthur com
menced his movement by advancing his right brigade to attack the
enemy in his trenches in his front and to advance his right on Polo.
Soon after his left took up the movement.
As soon as his left brigade moved, I advanced one battalion
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry on my right to cover the movement
of the Third U. S. Cavalry (foot) on General MacArthur's left.
. and at 8:30 directed my whole line to advance in the follow
ing order: 22nd U. S. Infantry, Col. H. C. Egbert, on the right,
to endeavor to keep touch and communication with the Third U. S.
Artillery on the left of Otis's brigade, MacArthur's division: . . .
The rebels were found in their intrenchments in great force, and
line after line of their works was carried with the utmost gallantry.
By 1 1 :30 a. m. the enemy was thrown to the line of intrenchments
in my front along the Tuliahan River, he having been driven from
his successive line of intrenchments with great slaughter." .
As on the previous day, the tactical operations extended over a
front of several miles, which, as a necessary consequence, resulted in
another series of detached combats, the best reference to which may
be found in the various sub-reports herewith, from which the follow
ing excerpts are reproduced :
General Wheaton:
"March 26. — At daylight the indications were that the enemy was
preparing for retreat. The city of Malabon on my left was on fire
and a stream of fugitive soldiers of the enemy and inhabitants was
pouring from the city toward the north. I directed Colonel Egbert
with his regiment— the Twenty-second U. S. Infantry — to ford the
Tuliahan near my right and form line perpendicular to the river, his
right to the north, the left of the 22nd to be supported by the battalion
of the 23rd U. S. Infantry. By 11 a. m. all intrenchments near the
river were carried, I directed the 22nd U. S. Infantry to
form line facing the intrenchments and to charge and carry them,
which the regiment did with great gallantry. Col. H. C. Egbert was
mortally wounded in this charge and died soon after.

120
The enemy fled north, pursued by Major-General MacArthur's
left and center."
Maj. W. A. Kobbe, commanding 3rd U. S. Artillery :
"The first brigade moved out to the Malinta road and this com
mand ordered to take the advance against that town in conjunction
with General Wheaton's force, then coming up on the left. This we
did about noon, occupying the town and joining Wheaton's force
simultaneously, about the time Col. Egbert was killed. The insurgents
moving northward along the railroad came in contact during the after
noon with troops of the Second Brigade."
United States Military Telegraph.
March 30, 1899, 5 :30 p. m.
Gen. E. S. Otis:
Command left Guiguinto at 2:20 p. m. . . .
MacArthur.
The general impression which existed to the effect that a desperate
resistance would be made at Malolos, was confirmed by reports brought
in by natives who entered the American lines from time to time dur
ing the day of the 30th.
By conference with General Wheaton, who now commanded the
line of communication, it was decided that his five battalions of regu
lar troops should be placed in support. . . .
The two battalions of the 22nd Infantry were placed respectively
behind the interval between Kansas and Montana; . . .
The order of attack prescribed an artillery preparation of twenty-
five minutes, to commence at 7 a. m. on the morning of the 31st.
The first shot was fired precisely at 7 a. m. as intended; and
thereafter the pre-arranged plan was carried out in every particular
as it had been originally ordered. . . General Wheaton, "March
31, . . . action commenced about 7:00 a. m., the left occupying
Malolos. ... I was with the right and opened fire on an intrench-
ment of the enemy." .

121
Killed, 8 officers, 48 enlisted men, total 56; wounded 25 officers,
453 enlisted men, total 478. Total officers 33, enlisted men 501, total
534- • . . Nothing of importance occurred until 12:30 a.m., April
11, when the insurgents made a determined and simultaneous attack
on all points of the line, between Marilao and Guiguinto,
Very respectfully,
(Signed) Arthur MacArthur,
Major-General, U. S. V., Commanding.
Exhibit 51.
Captain J. G. Ballance's Report on the Battle of Santa Rosa.
Published in Report of Secretary of War Year 1900, Vol.
1, Part 6, Page 87. Neuva Ecija, P. I., Santa Rosa,
Oct. 27, 1899.
Adjutant-General, Provisional Brigade, First Division, 8th Army Corps.
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the battle of
Santa Rosa:
My battalion left San Isidro at 5 a. m. and marched to the ferry
over the Gapan River. After crossing the river the command went
forward as advance guard, in order prescribed by the brigade com
mander, as follows :
When I arrived at the Tambo River, the bridge was found to be
destroyed. I immediately had a temporary bamboo bridge constructed
and crossed the foot troops with little delay.
It is supposed that these insurgents formed part of the same
Manila battalion that my battalion whipped twice near Arayat.
Before the battalion arrived at the crossing of the Taboatin River,
as previously ordered by General Young, Lieutenant Castner was sent
with his scouts and A Company, 22nd Infantry, 96 men, under Lieut.
H. O. Ripley, to the right, with orders to cross the river a long distance
above and swing around to the left to Santa Rosa, and take the enemy
in his rear. To enable him to make this turning movement, the main
column was delayed for an hour and forty-five minutes, i. e. from
11 :25 a. m. to 1 p. m.

122
Shortly before arriving at the crossing of the Taboatin River an
outpost of the enemy was encountered by the infantry scouts and
quickly driven back.
The crossing of the stream and the rapid advance of the infan
try was evidently unexpected by the enemy, and when the 22nd
Infantry scouts encountered him he thought they were a reconnoiter-
ing patrol. By moving through the bamboo thickets and through the high
green rice, I was enabled to make (while waiting for the flanking
column to gain their position) complete disposition of the infantry
and two guns of the battery entirely concealed from the enemy, and
when I opened fire simultaneously with the infantry and artillery he
was completely taken by surprise.
The enemy was strongly intrenched on the opposite bank of the
river in front, both above and below the crossing.
His works were not continuous, but consisted of a number of
detached intrenchments.
Taken altogether, the intrenchments in the first line along the
bank of the river afforded concealment and shelter for about 400 men;
back of these in the bamboo there was a second line of intrenchments.
The scouts and Company K crawled through the grass and bam
boo until just opposite the line of intrenchments of the enemy. One
squad got within about 40 yards from a small trench of the enemy
and none were over 150 yards from the enemy. This disposition was
accomplished without a shot being fired by either side, until I gave
the order at 1 :io p. m. to commence firing. The enemy, although
subject to a very hot fire, stuck to his intrenchments and as I could
not cross the river in front, I sent companies F and I up the river
with directions to cross and attack him on his left flank. The enemy
evidently discovered the object of this move, for before it was com
pleted he abandoned his trenches and fled in the direction of the
mountains. Lieut. Castner with his scouts and Company A completed the
movement assigned to them, but owing to the pathless jungles and
flooded rice fields through which they had to pass did not arrive at
Santa Rosa in time to completely intercept them, but saw them retreat
ing in a demoralized condition, and fired volleys at them at long range.
Lieut. Stone and Lieut. Leonard completed the movement assigned to
them, but the enemy had retreated.

123
Total on the firing line, 8 officers, 553 men, and 6 guns.
Number of enemy unknown. They were seen at various places.
The most actually seen at any one place was about 150. The nature of
the country was such that a great many could have been concealed a
few hundred yards away and their presence not even suspected. A
number of natives reported to me that there were over 1,000 insurgents,
but I think there were 400. The number of enemy killed is unknown,
as he was behind intrenchments or sheltered by bamboo thickets most
of the time. The number of casualties was not probably as great as the
short range at which most of the firing occurred would lead one to
suspect. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry.
Exhibit 52.
Lieutenant Colonel Trueman's ist N. D. Inf. Report on the
Expedition to San Isidro, April 21 to May 22, 1899.
Published in Report of Secretary of War, Year 1899, Vol. 1, Part
5, Page 592. Hdqrs. ist North Dakota Vol. Inf.
Manila, P. I., July 31, 1899.
Adjutant-General, First Division, Eighth Army Corps.
Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following report of the opera
tions of my command in the late expeditions to San Isidro and Morong:
Five days rations were drawn at Angat, and on May 1 the column
marched again in the direction of San Rafael, my command, con
sisting of the First North Dakota Volunteer Infantry, 22nd U. S.
Infantry, and Hawthorne's battery, Major Starr, accompanying the
column. About 9 a. m., Mr. Young, chief of scouts, sent back word
that his detachment had the enemy engaged on the outskirts of Bustos,
where strong barricades were constructed across the road. I ordered
Major Parker of the 22nd U. S. Infantry, to deploy his command, Cap
tain Ballance commanding the First Battalion to the right of the road,
with orders to keep the right of his line on the river bank in order to
be able to co-operate with Colonel Summers' command.
The enemy held a splendid position behind stone walls and barricades,

124
and kept up a hot fire without exposing himself. Near Bustos the
river makes a wide bend to the right, and this necessitated Captain
Ballance to stretch out his line in order to thoroughly scour the fields and
thickets between the river and road, it being my plan to cover the
ground between the road and river with a thin skirmish line, as it
afforded an excellent hiding place for the enemy. It was fortunate that
this was done, for quite a large force of the enemy were found in hiding
in these thickets, and were surprised by Captain Ballance's advance, and
a sharp engagement ensued. This force was evidently lying in wait
to harass our flank. . . . The field to the left of the road.
got an effective fire on the enemy's barricades. The scouts and Captain
Ballance's line coming up from the direction of the river and the
flanking movement on the left forced the enemy out of town, a portion
of his force retreating on the south bank of the stream, the remainder
crossing over to Baliuag.
My command had operated over difficult ground under a very
hot sun, and a number of men had succumbed to the heat. The com
mand was quartered in vacant houses in Bustos, the 22nd Infantry
furnishing the provost guard,
On May 3 I was ordered to move my command into quarters in
Baliuag, leaving one company for outpost duty in Bustos. The com
mand rested in Baliuag several days, waiting for rations and supplies.
The troops did outpost duty and guard duty at Baliuag and Bustos
until Monday, May 15.
The column marched at 5 a. m. that date in the direction of San
Ildefonso, resting at Maasin from 9 :30 a. m. to 3 p. m., to allow wagon
train to come up. Left Maasin at 3 p. m., arriving at San Ildefonso
at 4 :30 p. m., where command went into camp.
May 16th the column marched at 5 a. m., arriving at San Miguel
at 8 :30, where the command rested until 3 p. m., when the march was
resumed. Arrived at Salacot at 6 p. m., where the command went into camp.
About 7 p. m. orders were received to push on with two battalions of
the 22nd Infantry.
On the 18th of May the column left San Isidro at 3 p. m., under
command of Colonel French, in the following order: Twenty-second
U. S. Infantry, Scott's battery and First North Dakota Volunteer Infan-

125
try. About 4 p.m., near the village of San Fernando, the advance
guard of the 22nd Infantry suddenly came upon the enemy's outposts.
The fire came from a series of trenches commanding the road, and
from the other side of the river. The Twenty-second Infantry was
deployed, and a part of Major Fraine's battalion. ... It was
dark before the enemy were repulsed. Strong outposts were put out
to protect our position, and the troops camped for the night. On the
morning of the 19th the command was on the march. .
. When nearing Cabiao I had the entire battalion deployed.
There was a small force of the enemy in the village, and we were
also fired upon from the bamboo thickets across the river. The enemy .
retreated in the direction of Arayat. We were in possession
of Cabiao at 8 a. m.
The march was continued on the 20th, the column leaving Cabiao
at 3 p. m.
At 6 o'clock the following morning the march was resumed, and
by 7 o'clock the head of the column reached the river, where a crossing
was to be effected. Outposts were posted to protect the troops in
crossing, and only a few shots were fired by small parties of the enemy,
and they were quickly dispersed.
Promptly at daylight on May 22 the column marched in the direc
tion of Candaba, which was reached about 9 a. m.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) W. C. Treumann,
Lieutenant-Colonel ist North Dakota Vol. Infantry, Commanding.
Exhibit 53.
General Lawton's Report of the San Isidro or Northern
Expedition, April 22 to May 30, 1899. Made on Sept. 26, 1899.
Published in Report of Sec. of War, Year 1899, Vol. 1, Part 5,
Page 75. Hdqrs. First Division, Eighth Army Corps.
Manila, P. I., Sept. 26, 1899.
Adjutant-General U. S. Army,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:— I have the honor to submit the following report of the oper
ations of an expedition in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Eciji, and
Pampanga, covering the period April 21 to May 30, 1899.

126
To carry out the verbal instructions received from the department
commander, the following orders were issued :
Hdqrs. ist Div., Eighth Army Corps.
General Orders, ) Manila, P. I., Apr. 19, 1899.
No. 20. )
The following named troops of this command will hold themselves
in readiness to march on receipt of notice :
Twenty-second Infantry, U. S. Infantry.
join the column directed to march next morning, as
indicated in the following order :
General Field Orders,) Hdqrs. ist Div., 8th Army Corps,
No. 1 ) In the field, near La Loma Church,
Manila, Apr. 21, 1899.
This command will march at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning, the
22nd instant, in the following order:
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry.
During the afternoon the pickets of the Twenty-second Infantry
on the northeast side of the village were fired on by the enemy, who
was intrenched on a hillside near the San Mateo road, about 1,700
yards distant.
Headquarters Third and Twenty-second regiments of infantry, and
Scott's artillery platoon reached the ford crossing the Pasunkambor
River, about 2 miles south of San Jose, at 3 =30 o'clock p. m., and rested
for the night.
Early next morning, April 24th, the Twenty-second Infantry and
Scott's artillery platoon were sent forward, accompanied by Capt. W.
E. Birkhimer, of the division staff, to reconnoiter the town of San
Jose. None of the enemy was encountered, and the town was occupied
about 8 o'clock a.m. (Appendix, P 131.)
April 26 the Third and Twenty-second Infantry were
put into camp at Angat.
Col. J. W. French, Twenty-second Infantry, commanding his own
regiment and the First North Dakotas and Scott's three guns, had been

127
sent forward during the afternoon to camp at Salacat for the night, and
the next day to Join Colonel Summers for the contemplated movement on
to San Isidro, May 18. . . About 4 o'clock a. m., Mav 17, head
quarters and staff left San Miguel, arriving about 6 a. m. at the
tront. Telegraphic communication was established with San Miguel and
corps headquarters without delay and the movement on San Isidro
commenced. Colonel Summers deployed the column; the Twenty-
second Infantry on the left, their right resting on the road ;
The command advanced toward the town, and when within about
1,800 yards of it, fire was opened on the scouts of the Oregons and
on the North Dakotas on the right of our line. . . The advance
was continued and the city was occupied by our forces.
The afternoon of the capture of San Isidro it was rumored that
the enemy had fled toward Gapan, a town of considerable importance
about 4 miles east of San Isidro, where the army had a field hospital
filled with wounded.

On the afternoon of the 18th instant, Col. J. W. French, Twenty-
second Infantry, with his own regiment, the North Dakotas, and two
guns of Scott's Battery, accompanied by Captain Birkhimer of the
division staff, proceeded down the river (Rio Grande de Pampamge)
toward Cabiao, where it was reported there were about 300 insurgents.
(Appendix, page 246.) Near San Fernando he encountered the enemy
intrenched at a bend in the road. . . An engagement ensued
which lasted until dark, when the enemy was forced across the river,
and his fire silenced.
Casualties, five enlisted men, Twenty-second Infantry, wounded —
two severely. (Appendix, page 265.) The column rested here until
morning, when it proceeded to Cabiao, where it camped waiting the
main column.
A telegram was received from department headquarters late May
19, directing the expedition to proceed to Candaba after reaching
Arayat. (Appendix, page 261.)
The entire command left San Isidro on the morning of May 20,
proceeding down the river toward Candaba, . rejoined the main
column at Cabiao. Here Colonel French and his command also joined

128
(Appendix, page 261), and all proceeded down the river to the vicinity
of Mount Arayat, where the command rested for the night.
The advance of the column — a battalion of the Twenty-second
Infantry — entered the town of Arayat at 7:12 a, m., and found no
evidence of the presence of the enemy anywhere in the vicinity.
(Appendix, page 262.)
Two companies of the Twenty-second Infantry, which had crossed
the river at Cabiao and marched without opposition down the right
bank, rejoined here. These companies had had to push their way
through thick underbrush, finding nothing but cross trails.
On The morning of May 22, the entire command moved on down
the river toward Candaba, pursuant to telegraphic orders from depart
ment headquarters (Appendix, page 261), arriving without incident
about noon of the same day.
During the day, after the departure of the troops for Calumpit,
considerable firing was heard to the eastward, in the direction of San
Miguel and Baliuag. A battalion of the 22nd Infantry, commanded
by Captain Ballance, and the detachment of scouts were sent in the
direction from which the sound of the firing came, but were unable
to discover anything, the swamp preventing their continuing to the
San Miguel-Baliuag road.
Insurgent loss reported at 50 killed and 50 wounded.
During the evening of May 23 telegraphic orders were received
from the adjutant-general of the department, breaking up the expedi
tion, and the following orders were issued early next morning.
Headquarters, First Division, 8th Army Corps.
In the field, Candada, Luzon, 5-24, 1899.
General Field Orders, )
No. 13. )
Twenty-second U. S. Infantry: — Headquarters and two battalions

129
to San Fernando; one battalion to Candaba and San Luis; headquarters
and three companies at Candaba; one company at San Luis.
By command of Major-General Lawton:
(Signed) Clarence R. Edwards,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) H. W. Lawton,
Major-General, U. S. V., Commanding.
Exhibit 54.
Colonel O. Summers, 2nd Oregon Infantry, Reports on the
Battle of San Isidro, May 17, 1899. Published in Report of
Secretary of War, Year 1899, v°l. i, Part 5, Page 245.
Headquarters Provisional Brigade, First Division,
8th Army Corps.
In the Field, San Isidro, Luzon, May 17, 1899.
Assistant Adjutant-General,
First Division, Eighth Army Corps, San Isidro, Luzon.
Sir: — In compliance with instructions from division commander
I left San Roque at 5 o'clock a. m. and advanced on road leading to
San Isidro in the following order: Twenty-second U. S. Infantry;
the line was formed with the Twenty-second U. S. Infantry on
the left, their right resting on the road. . . In this position the
line moved forward on San Isidro. Line continued advancing
and routed the enemy and entered the city at 9 :30 o'clock, a. m.
Enemy's strength estimated at 2,000; their loss, as far as can be esti
mated, 15 killed, 20 wounded. . Respectfully, (Signed) O. Summers,
Colonel Second Oregon Infantry, U. S. V
Commanding Provisional Brigade.
Exhibit 55.
Report of Lieut. E. D. Scott, Sixth Artillery on the Fight at
Cabiao, May i8th, 1899. Published in Report of Secretary
of War, Year 1899, Vol. i, Part 5, Page 124.
Adjutant-General, First Division, Eighth Army Corps, Manila, P. I.
Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following report:

130
On May 18 I was ordered to send two sections to report to
Colonel Summers, and to report with the other two to Colonel French.
Second Provisional Brigade.
At 3 p. m. the Second Provisional Brigade started for Cabiao and
FOUND THE ENEMY NEAR THAT PLACE INTRENCHED ON BOTH SIDES OF
the Rio Grande. A spirited engagement occurred, which was
ENDED BY DARKNESS. Very respectfully,
(Signed) E. D. Scott,
Second Lieutenant, Sixth Artillery.
Exhibit 56.
Captain J. G. Ballance Reports from San Fabian, November 30,
1899, Giving Condition of his Men. Published in Report of
Secretary of War, Year 1900, Vol. i, Part 6, Page 328.
San Fabian, November 30, 1899.
General Young, Northern Luzon :
Had no means of communicating with you before arrival here.
Obeyed your last order to go to Binalonan, received at Villasis
from Lieutenant Batson. I had previously received orders to proceed
from Humingan to Villasis via Rosales. This I did, having one fight;
built bridges and ferries. At Binalonan received orders from General
Lawton to return to Villasis, scouting to Rosales and on all roads.
This was done. I received orders to proceed to San Fabian for rations
and join you. I came back again over the same road to Binalonan.
thence to San Fabian, leaving there all the men without shoes, under
my order. On arrival at San Fabian 90 per cent of men were shoeless and
many sick. Nevertheless, I was determined to press on with every
AVAILABLE MAN ACTING AS GUARD FOR WAGON TRAIN AND UTILIZING THEM
AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO CARRY BAREFOOTED MEN.
I had made my arrangements with Lieutenant Howard for doing
so, and part of my men had actually started when I received orders
to remain here and refit. I knew your desire to have your own troops
to assist you and would have joined you with my battalion if not over
30 men had been able to go. I was much disappointed. Captain
Burnside and Lieutenant Howard will give you details.
I AM DIRECTED TO REMAIN HERE UNTIL FURTHER ORDERS. THIS
has a fatal sound to me. I hope that after all the preliminary hard
work I have done my command is not to be put aside and not allowed

131
to go to the front with you. I could easily be with you now if
orders given me had not prevented. Shoes and clothing are now in
Dagupan harbor for me. A good many are sick, but shoes, blankets,
and good food will soon help them.
Under your orders, to lay aside all impedimenta, they proceeded
without rations and covering of any kind, and are ready to do
so again to accomplish so much. (Signed John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry.
Exhibit 57.
Report of Captain Ballance from San Isidro on the Fight at
Calaba and San Isidro, Oct. 19, 1899. Published in Reports
of War Department, Year 1900, Vol. i, Part 6, Page 52.
San Isidro, Oct. 19, 1899.
Adjutant-General, Provisional Brigade.
Sir: — I have the honor to report that I left Cabiao at 8:15 this
morning in charge of the advance guard.
Before reaching Calaba, and at a small bridge, the enemy was
encountered by the advance scouts, three of whom were wounded near
the bridge. The command was deployed and developed the enemy in
breastworks in force on the left of the road. After a sharp fight he
was driven out with loss. He was followed in two columns on different
roads clear to San Isidro, skirmishing all the way, even into the town.
One more of my men was mortally wounded near Calaba. The enemy
was followed through the town beyond the barrio of San Nicolas, of
Gapan. My casualties were five: Three scouts, one of F Company, and
one Hospital Corps private.
The casualties of the enemy are unknown, as he followed the usual
custom of carrying off the dead and wounded, but he was so hard
pressed at several places that he left nine dead.
The ground passed over is entirely too extensive to permit an
extensive search. It is confidently believed many were wounded, but
no approximate number can be given. I hope to ascertain this later.
The enemy retreated in various directions up the river on both
sides. Very respectfully,
(Signed) John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry.

132
Exhibit 58.
Report of the First Lieutenant (Later Captain) Lawson M.
Fuller, Chief Ordnance Officer of the Troops at San
Fabian, November 28, 1899. Published in Report of War
Department, Year 1900, Vol. i, Part 6, Page 202.
San Fabian, Nov. 28.
The Adjutant-General,
First Division, Tayug.
Sir: — I am this evening informed by General Wheaton that he
received orders from General Otis directing that all General Lawton's
troops be held here until further orders. The troops now here affected
by this order are: . and Major Ballance's battalion of 356 men;
Major Ballance's battalion had 305 on sick report this morning.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) Lawson M. Fuller,
First Lieutenant, Ordnance Dept, U. S. A.
Exhibit 59.
Report of Captain Ballance on the Condition of his Troops at
San Fabian, Nov. 20, 1899 Published in Report of War
Department, Year 1900, Vol. i, Part 6, Page 218.
San Fabian, Nov. 30.
General Lawton, Tayug:
Arrived here as directed, with about 90 per cent of men without
shoes. Was informed by brigade quartermaster shoes had been tele
graphed from Tayug and would arrive next day, probably. Neverthe
less, I telegraphed direct to Manila for articles needed, and requested
half be landed here and half to be sent to San Fernando de Union ;
received reply signed Otis stating that the clothing would be forwarded
as requested. I intended leaving at daylight next morning, taking all
barefoot men able to walk and escorting brigade wagon train hauling
limited supply of rations to General Young. Late in the forenoon the
brigade quartermaster informed me he would not be ready to start
before the afternoon. I felt compelled to delay for it, as there was
no one else of your command to escort.
At 2 p. m. I had part of the command started, and was giving
final instructions to my officers, when in came Captain Ramsey and
Lieutenant Fuller, who stated that it was not your desire for me to
proceed with my battalion in case General Wheaton had sent forward
fresh troops, and that they had brought letters to that effect.

133
A few minutes later General Wheaton's aid brought me similar
orders and later I received written orders emanating from General
Oris to remain here to refit. I could have taken only a small portion
of my command through, but knowing your desire to have your own
troops assist General Young, I would have "arrived" there with every
man able to crawl.
I don't believe a single man whom I and the surgeon would per
mit to make the attempt but would have started. Due to the present
unhealthy location, bare feet, lack of covering of any kind at night,
and previous exposure, a great many cases of fever had developed.
but I think plenty of good food and clothing will cure most cases in
a few days. We were much disappointed not to be allowed to follow
your order. (Signed) John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry,
Commanding Battalion.
Exhibit 60.
Report, Dated May 5, 1899, of Captain Ballance of the fight at
Bustos, May 2, 1899. Published in Report of the War
Department, Year 1899, Vol. i, Part 5, Page 158.
Baliuag, May 5, 1899.
Adjutant Twenty-second Infantry.
Sir :— In compliance with the direction of the regimental com
mander, I have the honor to make report of the operations of my
command, consisting of the First Battalion, Twenty-second Infantry,
in the capture of Bustos.
On May 1, the battalion left camp at Angat about 2:45 P- m->
and proceeded along the road along the left bank of the Quingua or
Bagbag River toward Bustos without particular incident, except the
firing of the First North Dakotas, which had the advance until we
reached a series of rice fields opposite San Rafael. The next morn
ing promptly at 6 o'clock the battalion moved out as the advance guard
of the brigade, and was composed of Campany A, Lieutenant Godfrey
commanding; Company K, Lieutenant Wassell commanding; Company
F. Lieutenant Dalton commanding, in regular advance guard formation,
except that distances were diminished, owing to the difficulties pre
sented by the nature of the country. In addition, 12 scouts of the
division were sent about 500 yards in advance of the point. A Com
pany composed the vanguard, K and I the support, and F Company
the reserve.

134
My original orders directed me to preserve touch with the Third
Infantry on the other side of the river. This was easy to do at first,
as the road runs near the river for several miles; later the road departs
from the river, rendering it necessary to re-enforce the right flankers
with half a company from the support. Later, at about two and one-
half miles from Bustos, the river takes a large bend from the road
until it is about one mile from the road. This area is covered by
cultivated fields, interspersed with thickets of bamboo and brush. The
flankers reported the insurgents in force in the bend. I ordered three
companies to move by the right flank until the front reached the river,
then to move forward, leaving one company in the road as reserve.
Finding the distance to the road too great to be covered by three com
panies, I sent a message to the commanding officer, giving the situation.
He ordered my remaining company to join me, and later sent Company
G of the Second Battalion. I moved forward, driving the insurgents
back into Bustos and across the river. The river can be forded at
most places, but there is a particularly good ford near the pueblo of
San Elina, about two miles from Bustos. This was used by the
Filipinos, as was also the ford to Baliuag. It was quite a surprise to
the insurgents to be discovered in the woods in this big bend, and
they were no doubt there lying in ambush for the probable purpose of
making a flank or rear attack when our men should attack the forces
behind the stone barricades defending Bustos. This supposition is borne
out by the fact that these insurgents were not behind intrenchments,
which is the first time I have known them to be so situated since March
19; and also because women and children were with them, and in the
hollows, and brush, besides the household goods and other valuables,
carabaos, and milch cows, all of which they had left behind in their
retreat. Just previous to this movement, about 8 a. m. I received orders
from the commanding officer that, as the distance to the river was so
great, I need not keep in touch with the troops on the other side.
At the beginning of this last movement I was in direct touch with
the extreme left of the Third Infantry, and Lieutenant Godfrey spoke
to them. Having received the above orders, I pressed forward, making a
change of direction to the left so as to sweep every piece of woods
in the entire bend. I was at this time on the extreme right of the
gravel bank of the river, on horseback. I proceeded on this swing
about one-quarter of a mile, until opposite the little pueblo of San
Elina, on the right bank of the river, where the enemy opened up

135
a galling fire from behind a stone wall and another point a little
farther down the river, which I had been told was intrenched (but
1 had not yet verified it). The point from which the enemy fired was
a little in advance of my right flank, and the nearest fire was not
over 60 yards from me. I was mounted on a gray horse, close to
the water, and nearly the whole platoon was in skirmish line on the
gravel shore without cover of any kind. The enemy fired several heavy
volleys at us at this close range before we could get shelter, yet not
a man was hit. There seems to be little danger of being hit while
facing the enemy, except by mere accident. 1 noticed that most of
the men of the battalion seemed to fully realize this, and I am certain
that they are ready to face and charge any insurgent firing line,
even behind strong intrenchments.
I kept the men under cover until the fire slackened, and then
commenced a flank fire on the enemy, which, with the front fire of
the Third Infantry, caused the enemy to leave San Elina. I then
continued sweeping the bend of the river until I got into the open
field in the river bottom near Bustos, when the fire from Bustos and
up the river from Baliuag became so severe that I found it advisable
to halt. The fire from Bustos was from a barricade and houses. I
then sent forward a force of scouts and sharpshooters up the river,
who fired on the men behind the barricade from their left flank, and
moved the five companies by the flank back to the main road, then
moved them to the front under cover. The movement, which was
plainly seen by the enemy on both sides of the river, together with
the fire from the flank, caused the enemy to abandon the barricades
and retreat, some across the river to Baliuag, but the majority on
the Bustos side and went down the Quingua river. I recalled the sharp
shooters of my command from the flank and took them, with some of
the scouts belonging to the division, past the barricade into the town,
where I arrived a few moments before 11 o'clock. I was annoyed by
shots from Baliuag, on the other side of the river. I had expected
that the Third Infantry would take Baliuag at the same time my
battalion took Bustos, but, for reasons not known to me at that time,
it did not do so, and in order to stop the annoying fire from Baliuag,
scouts crossed the river and silenced it.
I could have easily crossed the river and taken Baliuag at 11:15
a. m„ but did not do so, as my orders only contemplated the taking
of Bustos. After taking Bustos I placed Lieutenant Godfrey's com
pany on guard over all the houses, with strict injunction to prevent
any soldier from entering any house without authority, and to prevent

136
all looting. I posted the remaining companies of my battalion along
the river, and posted Company G (Lieutenant Thorn), which had
been attached to my battalion, about one mile down the river, and
came back to Bustos and reported to the commanding officer, who
had arrived in the meantime.
The battalion which I commanded made the front and flank
attack on the enemy's stone barricades, drove them out of them and
from the town, and captured and entered Bustos at n a. m.
The force of the enemy was unknown. When I commenced
operations I was told that there were from 2,000 to 4,000 insurgents
in front of me, but I have since learned from several Filipinos that
there were about 2,000. One intelligent and seemingly reliable Filipino
of position, living between Baliuag and San Elina, informed me that
there were 300 insurgents in my front on the left bank and 500 behind
from the walls and intrenchments at San Elina on the left bank, from
which place I received the heavy flank fire heretofore mentioned, and
that there were 1,300 men in Baliuag, of whom a majority retreated
toward San Ildefonso; that the troops were commanded by General
of Division Gregorio del Pilar, and that most of the troops were
raised in the province of Bulacan. He also informed me that if the
general in command would publish an edict that the men could return
to their work and that the women would be protected from violence
most all would be glad to return to their homes.
All the companies did excellently, largely due to the company
commanders. Lieutenant Godfrey as commander of the vanguard
handled it with skill, and it was due to the vigilance of his right
flankers that the ambush, and a flank attack which would probably have
had a disastrous result, was prevented.
I am very happy to state that there were no casualties from
bullets, due first to the bad markmanship of the insurgents ; second,
to the way in which the battalion attacked the flank and third, the
strict attention paid to keeping the men protected from fire whenever
it was possible to do so.
I do not know the losses of the enemy, but know from the state
ment of the reliable Filipino that he personally counted in the early
part of the fight four dead soldiers being carried off on the backs of
others, and a number of wounded, which he did not count He said
he left for the hills when the firing became heavy, but would not esti
mate the number, but said that all were carried toward San Ildefonso
on men's backs and not in carts. Personally I did not see a dead or
wounded soldier, but they were sufficient to cause them to abandon

137
a strongly intrenched position when attacked by an advance guard
of one-fifth their number. No guns were captured, but some Reming
ton ammunition was found and destroyed; also a quantity of corn,
rice and sugar in warehouses.
The command camped in Bustos that night, and the next day,
May 3, under orders, crossed the river and camped in Baliuag.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry Com
mander First Battalion.
(First Indorsement)
Headquarters Twenty-second Infantry. May 8, 1899.
Respectfully forwarded to the adjutant-general, First Division,
Eighth Army Corps, through commanding officer North Dakota
volunteers. In my opinion Major Ballance deserves great credit for the
manner in which he conducted the advance guard. By his skill and
prudence he so developed and flanked the enemy as to prevent the
execution of a surprise which I believe the enemy had planned, and
in all human probability accomplished without a casualty what would
have cost dearly.
I desire also to commend the zeal displayed by his officers and
men carrying out his instructions. Leo E. Parker,
Major, Twenty-second Infantry, Commanding.
(Second Indorsement)
Headquarters First North Dakota Volunteers.
Baliuag, May 9, 1899.
Respectfully forwarded to the assistant adjutant-general, First
Division, Eighth Army Corps.
Major Ballance deserves great credit for the manner in which
he carried out his orders. His skirmish line moved forward with
energy and over very difficult ground, driving the enemy before him
from positions evidently intended as a surprise for our flank and rear.
The insurgents were also forced to abandon strongly barricaded posi-

138
tion on the main road, leading into Bustos, by being flanked by Major
Ballance's force. Officers and men displayed zeal and energy in carry
ing out their instructions.
W. C. Treumann,
Lieutenant-Colonel, First North Dakota
Infantry Volunteers, Commanding.
(Third Indorsement)
Headquarters First Division, Eighth Army Corps.
In the Field, Baliuag, May n, 1899.
Respectfully forwarded to the adjutant-general, Department of the
Pacific and Eighth Army Corps.
From the best information obtainable the insurgent force referred
to was not to exceed 800 strong.
I heartily concur in the favorable mention of Major Ballance and
the officers and troops herein credited.
H. W. Lawton,
Major-General, U. S. V., Commanding.
Exhibit 61.
Report Dated April 4, 1899, of Captain Ballance of the Opera
tions of His Battalion from March 24 to March 31, 1899.
Published in Report of War Department, Year 1899, Vol.
1, Part 5, Page 505.
Manila, P. I., April 4, 1899.
Adjutant Twenty-second Infantry,
Manila, P. I.
Sir: — Pursuant to verbal instructions of the regimental commander,
I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of
the First Battalion Twenty-second Infantry, from March 24 to March
31, 1899: The battalion was composed of four companies, Twenty-second
Infantry, as follows : Company I, Lieut. W. A. Campbell command
ing; Company F, Lieut. A. C. Dalton commanding; Company A, Lieut.
W. H. Wassell commanding; Company K, Lieut. P. W. Davison com
manding; Lieut. I. W. Leonard, adjutant.
The battalion, as part of the regiment, left Nipa Barracks,
Manila, at 7:15 a. m. March 24th, marched to a point between La
Loma church and Caloocan, where it went into camp until dark. It
then marched to the trenches in front and to the right of the railroad
buildings of Caloocan, as indicated by the brigade commander during
the day, relieving the First Montana Volunteer Infantry.

139
The Third Battalion, Twenty-second Infantry, was on my left, and
the Second Battalion, under Captain Lockwood, on my right, the regi
mental line occupying the line of trenches from the railroad buildings
to the left of the Third Artillery
The action commenced at daylight the following morning about
two miles to our right, and proceeded from right to left until the
whole opposing line was firing at our lines
My original orders required me to make a gradual turning move
ment to the left conforming to the movements of the Second Battalion,
on my right. The latter was directed to cover the left flank of the
Third Artillery. The Third Artillery, after advancing, made a com
plete change to the left, necessitating a similar movement of the bat
talion on my right, both of which passed across my front and passed
beyond it to the left, completely masking my fire. I was directed by
General Egbert to remain in the line during the preceding move
ment. Later I was directed to make a partial change of direction to
the left, form line of skirmishers, and proceed northwest. Line was
formed and proceeded unwaveringly toward the line of intrenchments
of the enemy, who hastily abandoned them and retreated toward the
line of the railroad.
The battalion proceeded in line of skirmishers with half-distance
intervals, three companies being in the firing line and Company I
being in reserve
The battalion proceeded in this order until it reached the railroad
near where it crosses the Tuliahan River, driving the insurgents before
it. At this point the insurgents were discovered in force behind
intrenchments across the river, which was not passable at this point
on account of its depth, muddy bottom, and the well-defended intrench
ments. Large numbers of insurgents, bearing the dead and wounded,
were seen retreating toward Malinta.
The battalion engaged the insurgents all afternoon in a hot fire,
but owing to the impassability of the river could not drive them out.
During the afternoon the two other battalions of the regiment came
up, and also two pieces of artillery.
The following morning the regiment proceeded about a mile and
a quarter up the river, where the men crossed, the water being breast
high. After all had crossed the river a skirmish line was formed at
right angles to the river, the left resting on the river, the Second and
First battalions in the firing line and the Third in reserve The Second
Battalion was on the left.

140
Capt. T. W. Moore, Twenty-second Infantry, reported to me with
two companies with orders to protect my right flank. We were
ordered to proceed in that order to the railroad and to take the line
of intrenchments in reverse.
The movement was most beautifully executed by my battalion.
The company commanders kept the men under perfect control and
as well dressed and with as uniform intervals as was possible.
Owing to the almost impenetrable thickets at some parts of the
line the movement was slowly executed.
After proceeding about a mile in this order the strong intrench
ments which had enabled the insurgents to hold in check our forces
the previous day were taken in reverse, and the battalion proceeded to
the railroad. Lieutenant Murphy, commanding Company C, was on
the left of my battalion and in touch with it, and was with it when
the trenches were taken in reverse and the march made to the rail
road. Two insurgents were killed by the fire of this company.
A few insurgents were seen retreating in the bushes beyond the
railroads and a small white flag was seen displayed about three-
quarters of a mile beyond the track, but as I had been ordered not
to go beyond the railroad track, I halted the battalion at the track.
There was with me at this time the four companies of my battalion
and Company C. The ramainder of the regiment was back of the
line and out of sight.
I went to the right of the line for the purpose of making observa
tions, being preceded by four scouts from Lieutenant Dalton's company.
At a cut through which the railroad passed an advanced post of
eight insurgents was encountered, which opened fire on us. I formed
line across the railroad track and reconnoitered the enemy's position.
He was found strongly intrenched about 300 yards beyond the
railroad cut.
I directed Lieutenant Dalton to form his company in line of
skirmishers with diminished interval, his left resting on the railroad.
Liuetenants Davison and Wassell were formed on his right and directed
to push through the underbrush and attack the intrenchments on the
enemy's left flank.
Lieutenant Campbell's company was formed in line of skirmishers
on the left of the track and at right angles to it.
Word was sent to Lieutenant Murphy to form his company to
the left of Lieutenant Campbell and attack the enemy's right flank.

141
The messenger returned, stating that Lieutenant Murphy had gone
back to join his battalion, which left me with the four companies of
my battalion only.
I then had Lieutenant Campbell extend his line to the left by
taking full interval. Word was sent back to General Egbert by my
adjutant, Lieutenant Leonard, what I had discovered in my front, and
the dispositions I had made. I recommended that one company be sent
to extend my flank farther to the left, and started a movement slowly
forward, directing Lieutenants Campbell and Dalton to attack in front.
Just as the battalion reached the rise of ground through which
the railroad cut was made I received orders from General Egbert,
communicated through one officer and two orderlies, to halt, which
was done.
Later General Wheaton sent an aid-de-camp to ascertain what
I had developed in my front. I reported and also expressed full con
fidence of my ability to take the intrenchments with my battalion and
requested permission to do so. Very soon thereafter General Wheaton
gave me the desired permission.
The battalion proceeded up the rise of the ground to the crest,
where it was met by a galling fire from the intrenchments The men
lay down and returned the fire.
Not having sufficient cover on the crest, it was thought best to
charge the intrenchments, and the troops were moved forward.
This necessitated a forward movement of over 200 yards down
the slope of the hill into a small valley, then up the hill where the
intrenchments were.
After passing into the valley I had Musician Kaercher sound the
charge, which the men obeyed with the greatest alacrity, and with cheers
charged up the hill and took the intrenchments.
On arriving at the intrenchments they were met by a well-directed
and hot fire from the wall around Malinta church and some intrench
ments, and a raised road leading to a bridge from 600 to 800 yards
distant. The fire was so accurately delivered that my men were com
pelled to lie very close to the ground on the reverse side of the intrench
ments and deliver their return fire from there.
It was during this fire that I was informed that General Egbert
was killed.
At first some of the firing of our troops was at will, but later
I directed company commanders to fire volleys only.

142
After about half an hour's continuous firing we succeeded in
silencing the enemy's fire and, causing them to retreat from their
defenses, permitted the head of General MacArthur's column, which
was marching along the road coming from the right, to take their
transportation over the bridge into the town.
Part of the defenses of the enemy consisted of a solid stone wall
two feet thick around a churchyard, which could have been held by
a comparatively small number of men against five times their num
ber of infantry.
A large number of Mauser and some Remington shells were found
behind this wall, showing where much of their fire came from.
The fire on our troops in this advance was very much better
directed than any before or since, and is accounted for by the fact
that the enemy had measured the ground, along a straight line from
the railroad bridge to Malinta church, which was the direct line of our
advance, and had erected along it poles about 50 feet high and about
75 meters apart, and nailed to every alternate one a nipa flag. By
means of these poles the enemy was enabled to tell within a few feet
the exact distance from them, and regulate their sight accordingly.
Their intrenchments were fortunately faultily constructed, being
on the crest of a high rise of ground, with a parapet about five feet
thick and horizontal on top.
When our troops moved forward from the crest of their first posi
tion down the slope, the enemy in the intrenchments were unable to
depress their pieces sufficiently, and all shots passed over our heads
in this forward movement and charge.
I think all our casualties happened after we had taken the first
line of works. The men were then protected by the earthwork.
For these two reasons our loss was comparatively small, although
the enemy's fire was very hot and delivered with an absolutely accurate
knowledge of the distance.
Having driven the enemy out of their defenses around Malinta,
the battalion was directed to camp there for the night.
March 28. — Marched to Marilao and camped.
March 29. — Broke camp at 6:30 a. m., marched along the rail
road to San Marco River, which we crossed, and camped, leaving the
wagon train in charge of the Second Battalion.
March 30. — Marched along the railroad two miles, and camped
with the Third Infantry.

143
March 31. — Marched by battalion, in two lines, as support for the
Third Artillery and First Montana, and moved to the attack and
capture of Malolos, into which we marched about 11 a. m. Marched
through the city and camped near the railroad station.
I wish here to mention particularly my great satisfaction at the
conduct of officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the bat
talion during the time the battalion has been in the Philippines.
The zeal of all to follow out my minutest instructions is exceed
ingly gratifying, and this with the fearlessness shown by them under
fire (the great majority of whom had never before heard a hostile
bullet) shows them to be of material which will become nearly
invincible after more experience.
I doubt if any battalion that had been organized so short a time
as this was ever more zealous than this one in carrying out the
orders of its commander. Very respectfully,
(Signed) John Green Ballance,
Captain, Twenty-second Infantry,
Commanding First Battalion.

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