THE BATTLE

OF
TIRAD PASS

eneral Gregorio Del Pilar

Sacrifice

Tirad Pass Defense

Aguinaldo escaped to
the North, a young and
brave general convinced Aguinaldo that in order
to slow the pursuing American soldiers, he needs
to stay behind Tirad Pass to intercept the
American forces. Tirad Pass was 4,500 feet high
and commands a good view for miles around. In
military strategy, Tirad Pass is an advantageous
position of General Del Pilar. Trail leading to it was
narrow that only one man at a time could climb
the hill. Del Pilar with 60 men build trenches on
both sides to see the movements of the enemies.

Start of Battle

General March was relentless in pursuing

Aguinaldo, with 300 strong men, he proceed to
Tirad Pass on December 2. From atop, the
Filipinos defended Tirad Pass. Through a Christian
Igorot named Januario Galut, he revealed to the
Americans the secret trail. At about 11:30 a.m.,
Filipino defenders were overrun by American
soldiers.

Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar

Gen Gregorio Del Pilar is remembered as the

Hero of Tirad Pass. In this historic place, the
young general fought and held back the strong
invading Americans with only a handful of men,
thus giving Aguinaldo ample time to escape the
conquerors. It was a one-sided battle, but
Gregorio Del Pilar fought bravely. And he paid for
his heroism with his life. He was shot and killed
on that fateful day (December 2, 1899),
commanding Aguinaldos rear guard.

Gen. Gregorio Del

Pilars

Death
Before he died, he
wrote I am surrounded by

fearful odds that will overcome me and my

gallant men, but I am pleased to die fighting for
my beloved country. The American victors
looted the corpse of the fallen general. They got
his pistol, diary and personal papers, boots and
silver spurs, coat and diamond rings, gold watch,
shoulder straps, a gold locket containing a
womans hair and a ladys handkerchief with the
name of Dolores Jose (his sweetheart).

Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar

Diary

The afternoon of the battle, Aguinaldo received

the fatal news. In the diary of General Gregorio
Del Pilar, which Major March found, he wrote:
The General has given me the pick of all men that
can be spared and ordered me to defend the
Pass, I realize what a terrible task has given to
me. And yet I felt that this is the most glorious
moment of my life. What I do is done for my
beloved country. No sacrifice can be too great.