Battle of San Mateo (1899)

Battle of San Mateo
Part of the Philippine–American War
Death of Major-General Henry Ware Lawton during the battle
Date December 19, 1899 Location San Mateo, Manila (now Rizal), Philippines Result Inconclusive Death of General Henry Ware Lawton Americans' 29th Battalion successfully cross the river at 11 am Filipino forces retreat from San Mateo
Belligerents
Philippine Republic	United States
Commanders and leaders
Pio del Pilar Licerio Gerónimo	Henry Ware Lawton † James R. Lockett
Strength
1,000	Unknown
Casualties and losses
40 killed 125 wounded[1]	11 killed 13 wounded

The Battle of San Mateo was a battle during the Philippine–American War between the United States and the Philippines. It was fought on December 19, 1899, near San Mateo in what was then Manila province (now a part of Rizal) between the forces of General Henry Ware Lawton, and General Licerio Gerónimo's Morong Command and a detachment of Tiradores de la Muerte.^[2] Lawton was killed in the battle, making him the highest-ranking American commander to die in the Philippine conflict.^[3]

On December 18, Lawton and his men were en route to San Mateo along the Marikina River in a punitive expedition against Brig. Gen. Pio del Pilar's 1,000 force, which threatened the Marikina waterworks and the Manila Wagon Road to the north.^[4]: 160 Lawton's force included Col. James R. Lockett's squadron of the 11th Volunteer Cavalry and Lt. Col. H.H. Sargent's 29th Battalion.^[4]: 160 A monsoon flooded the river and muddied the trail.^{[4]: 160 [5]}