Battle of Zapote River

Overview

The Battle of Zapote River, also known as the Battle of Zapote Bridge, was fought on the 13 June 1899 between 1,200 Americans and between 4,000~5,000 Filipinos. It was the second largest battle of the Philippine–American War after the Battle of Manila five months before in February 1899. Zapote River separates the town of Las Piñas in what was then Manila province from Bacoor in the province of Cavite. The ruins of Zapote Bridge still stands next to its replacement bridge on Aguinaldo Highway.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Zapote River was the second largest engagement of the Philippine–American War, surpassed in scale only by the Battle of Manila fought five months earlier in February 1899. Fought along the Zapote River, which marks the boundary between Las Piñas in Manila province and Bacoor in Cavite province, the battle placed approximately 1,200 American troops against a Filipino force of 4,000 to 5,000 under Artemio Ricarte. Filipino casualties ranged between 150 and 375. The engagement illustrates the First Philippine Republic's sustained capacity to field large conventional forces well into the mid-1899 campaign season, even as American forces under Henry W. Lawton pressed operations south of Manila into Cavite territory.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)