From:
ONE HUNDRED YEARS WITH THE SECOND CAVALRY
By Joseph I. Lambert, Major, Second Cavalry
Copyright 1939 Commanding Officer, Second Cavalry, Fort Riley, Kansas
Capper Printing Company, Inc.
The first and third squadrons and Machine Gun Platoon were in the field from the middle of December, 1911, to the first week in January, 1912, as a part of the forces operating against hostile Moros in a campaign which ended by the investment of Mount Bud Dajo. General Pershing issued orders on December 16, 1911, for the capture or destruction of the hostile forces occupying the mountains. After careful reconnaissance, it was found that about 300 men, women, and children had entrenched themselves on the crest. Camps were established around the base and the Second Cavalry was used to patrol and reconnoiter between these in order to prevent the hostiles from having any communication with the outside. Artillery was brought up and registered on the defenses. Finally General Pershing made an inspection of the preparations at the various camps and opened communication with the Moros to try to induce them to surrender. Some of them capitulated and the rest were finally driven out.
RECONNAISSANCE OF MT. BUD DAJO AND VICINITY
From Regimental War Diary
In compliance with Field Order No. 7, Headquarters, Jolo Field Forces, Jolo, P.I.
On December 15, 1911, the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry (less Troop I), Troop D attached, left Jolo December 16, 1911, at 6:30 a.m. fully armed for field service over the Jolo-Tambang Market trail for the purpose of reconnoitering the base of Bud Dajo and to locate the positions occupied by the hostiles reported to be on the hill. Captain Brewster, 4th Field Artillery, was ordered along to locate artillery positions, and 1st Lieutenant Waring, was ordered to make a map of the route marched by the squadron. One Medical officer and 1st Lieutenant Swift, 2nd Cavalry, A.D.C. to General Pershing, accompanied the squadron, Captain J. S. Herron, 2nd Cavalry, commanding. Tambang Market was reached about 8:30 a.m. and here observations were taken and range to top of Bud Dajo was found to be 2,000 yards. Range was found by Weldon Range Finder. The squadron then marched on the main trail about 400 yards east of Tambang Market when a trail running toward Bud Dajo was found over which the march was continued about one half mile when a halt was made, and Troops D, K, and L proceeded to march dismounted towards Bud Dajo, Troop M remaining as guard over lead horses. The Lawton trail was found shortly after and the troops took this route, examining all trails and paths running into it. Mr. Charlie and Mr. Eddie Shoock and two natives, Jagi and Juomrani, acted as guides and interpreters, and from Moros living on northeast and east side of Bud Dajo, it was learned that about 300 men, women, and children were on Bud Dajo and had many rifles. At about 10:00 a.m. the troops arrived at the base of Bud Dajo on the Lawton trail and extensive works could be seen on top of the hill. The works seemed to be made of timber and dirt, and all along the top the Moros were seen busy laboring on these works and extending them east and west along the edge of the crater. Here two carabaos and three ponies and some provisions were captured and taken along on the return march. A camp site was located about three fourths of a mile from the base with water about half way towards the base on the right of Lawton trail. Artillery sites were located and the range was found to be from 1,600 to 1,200 yards in the different positions.
From here the march was continued south to locate Bundy trail. Several houses were passed, most all of which had white flags displayed from the roofs and it was learned that some Moros who had tried to get up on Bud Dajo had been refused permission by the hostiles there unless they brought all their belongings and wives and children as no spies were wanted on the hill. The country through here is mostly all cultivated and the natives showed themselves to be friendly. A short distance from Bud Narroll, an old native woman came out and after some talk agreed to come along and show the squadron commander Bundy trail and the old camp where water could be found. Bundy trail was found and examined but did not seem to be used very much. Another group of fortifications was seen on Bud Dajo at the head of Bundy trail. The Moros were here seen plainly working along the top cutting down trees and digging. From here the squadron marched to Colonel Duncan’ s old camp and located a water hole about fifteen feet in diameter and two feet deep of good, clear, running water. From here the squadron marched northwest to locate Koehler trail and Captain Koehler’ s old camp. On the march here two Moros came up and asked the squadron commander not to be molested if the troops attacked Bud Dajo, as, they said, if they were to hoist white flags, the hostiles would come down and kill them all. These two seemed to be of some influence as they went along. Shortly afterward a group of about fifteen houses was passed and from here two other Moros came along also to show the Koehler trail and where water could be found. From here the squadron returned to Jolo, arriving at 6:30 p.m. over the trail that leads by Mr. Shoocks house and pump station.
On December 17, 1911, the 3rd Squadron (less Troop I) was ordered to march to Bud Dajo for further reconnaissance to the country east of the mountain and to act as escort for a column of Scouts commanded by Major Peyton, P.S., and a column of infantry coming from Taglibi and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hearn, Third Infantry. The squadron, commanded by Captain J. S. Herron, 2nd Cavalry left Jolo 6:30 a.m. over the Jolo-Tambang Market trail, arriving at about 400 yards from Tambang Market where a halt was made to await for the infantry. About 11:00 a.m. they came up and the march was continued to Lawton trail where the infantry went into camp. From here the squadron reconnoitered the country the country east of Bud dajo and also located water in two places along the main trail to Crater Lake. The work assigned was completed at 3:00 p.m. and the squadron returned to Jolo, arriving at 5:00 p.m.
The fortifications located December 16th on top of Bud Dajo at the head of Lawton trail could be plainly seen to have grown bigger, and Moros were seen at several places occupied with the cutting of trees and digging of dirt on top of the hill.