#TodayinHistory in 1873, José Torres Bugallón, strategist for the #Filipino forces upon the outbreak of hostilities in #PH-US War, hero of the Battle of La Loma, said to be the "equivalent of 500 Filipino soldiers", is born in Salasa (now Bugallon), Pangasinan, #PH. (THREAD)
Raised from a relatively well-to-do family—his father hailed from Baliuag, Bulacan, while his mother was from the Gonzales family of Pangasinan, Bugallón was able to study at @LetranOfficial from 1886-89 w/ high marks, & entered @SanCarlosSem to become a priest.
In 1892, Bugallón became a scholar, studying tactics & military strategy in the Academia Militar in Toledo, Spain for 3 yrs. This would be his niche in the yrs to come. He rose to the rank of Spanish Army, from Lt. to Capt., after fighting the revolutionaries in Talisay in 1897.
Bugallón was awarded the Cruz de Maria Cristina & Cruz Roja del Merito Militar (2 Spanish medals of honor). He resigned from the army upon Spain's signing of the Treaty of Paris on 10 Dec 1898, selling #PH to the U.S. for $20M. Filipino gen. Antonio Luna quickly recruited him.
Bugallón became Luna's aide-de-camp, offering invaluable advise as to what preps to make as tensions rose bet Filipino & American forces. On 4 Feb 1899, the Philippine-American War broke out. Bugallón lead from the frontlines.
On 5 Feb, Bugallón led the Filipino defense of La Loma. US Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr. however had them surrounded. Bugallón was mortally wounded. Recognizing his value, Luna quickly provided reinforcements as he was rushed by train to Malolos to be treated. He died along the way.
Photos:
- Portrait of José Torres Bugallón (unknown source)
- Troops assembled at Academia Infantería de Toledo (1912-1913), from JoseRanal.Wordpress
- Orden Militar de María Cristina medal illustration, from Armoires et décorations, 1896
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