THE RAMAIEN EXPEDITIONDecember 17, 1904

Campaign Streamer awarded to the 22nd Infantry for its service in Mindanao 1904-1905

December 17, 1903, while duck hunting, a small party of officers and soldiers from Marahui were fired upon by hostile Moros near Ramaien.
Repeated demands were made upon the sultan of this district for the surrender of the hostile Moros; but although the assailants were well known,
no attention was paid to the demands. An expedition was accordingly arranged to arrest the sultan. The territory of Ramaien was known to be disaffected.

At three o'clock on the morning of January 22, 1904, the first battalion of the regiment, Major J. S. Parke commanding, embarked in row boats
and native vintas at Marahui and proceeded toward Ramaien, about seven miles across the northern end of the lake. Five men from each company
of the third battalion accompanied the expedition. Companies B and D were landed at Baringbingan, north of Ramaien, in order to get in rear
of the disaffected territory; companies A and C and two boats, containing, respectively, a Gatling gun and a Vickers-Maxim gun, proceeded to Ramaien.

At the mouth of the river, the command was met by several minor chiefs, and after a parley, the companies, preceded by the gunboats,
were rowed up the stream. The actions of the natives that had been taken with the companies plainly indicated that an attack was meditated.
Raising their red umbrellas, they remained standing until ordered to sit. They shouted continuously to Moros along the banks of the river,
finally admitting that, although they themselves were friendly, there were many bad Moros in the territory.

Ramaien consisted of several miles of cottas along the north bank of the river. Ditseen was similarly built upon the south bank.
The river at this time was not more than seventy-five feet wide, and was well commanded by the walls of the cottas.
The boats were running a narrow gauntlet. At any moment a murderous, short range fire might be opened upon them.

US Soldiers rowing a Moro vinta.
Major Parke filled these types of boats with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, and used two other row boats
to hold the Gatling gun and Vickers machine gun, and rowed the seven miles across Lake Lanao
to Ramien. Companies B and D were landed a short distance from the village to advance upon it from the rear,
while Companies A and C, along with the boats carrying the rapid fire guns, moved directly to the mouth of the river
along which the village of Ramien was situated.

From the Parker Hitt photograph collection, University of Michigan
This photo also appeared in the 1904 Regimental History

Before reaching the main cottas, detachments were landed. On each side of the river, between the cotta walls and the stream was a narrow trail,
along which the detachments, in single file, kept pace with the leading boat. While moving up the river, many armed Moros were seen running
from cotta to cotta; they carried rifles, kampilans, and krises, and were evidently hastening to a large cotta at the upper end of the town.
As this cotta was a menace to the boats, the land detachment approached to investigate it. Its narrow entrance was closed by a high gate of bamboo;
within were a number of Moros aiming their rifles at the command. Led by two officers, a dash was made into the cotta.
Hardly had they entered before the two officers were shot down. These were the first shots fired.
The battalion had seen many armed Moros, but in pursuance of a peaceful policy, had refrained from shooting.
Orders required the arrest of the sultan, if possible, without the shedding of blood.

The few men that had gained entrance to the cotta gallantly covered the Moros until the wounded officers were without;
they then retired about twenty yards, and under cover of the cotta walls, the detachment was reinforced,
and immediately charged and captured the cotta.

Escaping Moros were driven from cotta to cotta before they had time to form and make a stand.
This method of attack was continued until there was danger of firing into the other command, which was slowly forcing its way
through the swamps to the rear of the town. All firing then ceased; trumpet calls kept each command informed of the position
of the other command until a junction was effected.

Cotta on the Ramaien River
Earthen walls line the bank, and an opening in the walls can be seen just above the boat in the river.
A hut, or structure is beyond the walls in the left of the photo, with Moros sitting on the wall
in front of it.

The battalion, assisted by the gunboats, then drove the enemy several miles up the river, landed, moved down the river,
and destroyed the defenses of the town as far as possible. In this, as in all other engagements, the troops were greatly hampered
by the proximity of friendly Moros. Ditseen, opposite Ramaien, flew many American flags. It also delivered many hostile shots,
but the troops were compelled to assume that these shots were fired by Ramaien natives fleeing across the river.
Ditseen, displaying American flags, was spared, although in its territory were seen many natives bearing rifles.
The leniency of American troops is truly wonderful. As the battalion embarked, the rear guard was fired upon from lantacas and rifles
in a cotta that had been spared in the advance. In this manner was American leniency appreciated by the Moro.

The battalion returned to Marahui at 4:30 p. m. The Moro loss in the engagement was about twenty-five killed;
and although the direct object of the expedition, the arrest of the sultan, was not accomplished, this worthy afterward presented himself at Marahui,
and made overtures for peace. On a subsequent expedition of the regiment through this territory, this same sultan gave ample proof of his desire for friendship.

2nd Lieutenant William E. Roberts, Quartermaster 1st Battalion
Private Charles Foy, company A.

2nd Lieutenant Campbell W. Flake

Killed in action at Ramaien January 22, 1904

Photo taken at Fort Reno, Indian Territory 1903.
From the Army and Navy Register
(Illustrated supplement)
August 1, 1903

GENERAL ORDERS No. 1, HEADQUARTERS 22ND U.S. INFANTRY.
CAMP MARAHUI, MINDANAO, P. I. January 23rd, 1904.

It has become the sad duty of the Regimental Commander to announce the death of an officer:
2nd Lieutenant Campbell W. Flake, 22nd infantry.
Killed in action at Ramaien river, Lake Lanao, Mindanao January 22, 1904, against savage and treacherous Moros.
He died a soldier's death. Shot dead on the field of battle.
His record is closed. He has given his life to his country.

Brave, courteous, prompt, willing, and efficient were the qualities which endeared him to all.
The regiment has lost a fine young officer, cut down in the prime of his splendid physical strength. His loss is deeply mourned.
To the widow and orphan sincerest sympathy is extended.
Lieut. Flake was born October 31, 1875. Enlisted June 17, 1898, in the 3rd U. S. vol. infantry, and served as first sergeant
until May 2, 1899, when he was mustered out. During this time he served in Cuba from August, 1898, until April, 1899.
Commissioned 2nd lieutenant of infantry on July 15, 1901, and assigned to 27th infantry.
Transferred to 22nd infantry, December 2, 1901, and assigned to company A, in which organization he served until killed.
As a mark of respect officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
BY ORDER OF COLONEL WYGANT:

Major John S. Parke

Commanding officer 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry
in the Ramaien Expedition of January 22, 1904.

Photo from the Army and Navy Register January 6, 1906

The following is a description of the Ramaien Expedition as told by the commander of the Expedition
Major John S. Parke:

"Companies B and D were landed a short distance from Ramaien, with orders to advance on the village from the rear. Companies A and C, along with
two rowboats carrying a Gatling gun and Vickers-Maxim gun, continued on to Ramaien.

At the mouth of the river, leading to the village, we were met by a number of minor chiefs. The nervous chatter, and agitated behavior of the natives,
plainly indicated that an attack was being meditated. With red umbrellas raised over their heads, the tribesmen dashed excitedly about—arguing among
themselves until their leaders shouted for them to sit down.

After a short parley with a couple of dattos, we paddled upstream— the gunboats leading the way. Along the route, the 'umbrella-men' screamed
continuously at other Moros on the opposite bank of the river. The dattos had informed us, that although they themselves were friendly, the 'bad' Moros
were the ones across the waterway.

Ramaien consisted of several miles of cottas along the north bank of the river. Another village, Ditseen, was similarly constructed on the south shore.
The river at this point was well commanded by the solid wall of cottas. Our boats would be running a narrow gauntlet. At any moment a short range,
murderous fire could be opened up on us.

I had noticed that on each side of the river—between the cotta walls and the water—a narrow trail followed the bank. Detachments of soldiers were landed
and moved in single file—keeping pace with the lead boat.

As we proceeded slowly upriver, many heavily armed Moros could be seen running from cotta to cotta. They carried rifles and knives, and evidently
were hurrying to a large fortress at the upper end of town. Since this obstacle could be a menace to our boats, the land detail was directed to approach
and investigate the formidable looking bastion.

The cotta's entrance had been closed by a tall bamboo gate. Within the fort, a number of Moros could be seen with their rifles aimed at our soldiers
advancing along the shore. On command, Lieutenants Campbell Flake and William Roberts, leading their men, rushed the cotta.
The two officers were immediately cut down.

The stunned soldiers attempted to deploy along the path—there was no room. They splashed into the water—and from waist high positions
dueled the Moro riflemen. While the battle was going on, a few troopers braved enemy bullets and dragged the wounded officers to safety.*
The detachment then retreated to protective cover at the base of the bamboo walls.

Reinforcements were rushed ashore. The angry Americans—spurred on by revenge—charged the cotta. No quarter was given or asked.
The Moros quickly realized they were not dealing with the Spaniards, and attempted to flee.

The enemy was not prepared for this kind of furious assault. There was no time to make a stand as they were chased from one cotta to another.
The attack was pursued until it became evident that there was danger of our firing into the other command—which was slowly forcing its way
through the swamps to the rear of the town. Cease firing was sounded, and trumpet calls kept each unit informed of the position of the other
until a junction was effected.

The battalion, assisted by the machine gun boats, drove the Moro warriors several miles from the village. The balance of troops, still aboard canoes,
were put ashore and moved downriver—destroying any cottas still occupied by the enemy.

During this engagement, our men were hampered by the proximity of supposedly friendly Moros. American flags suddenly appeared over the cottas
at Ditseen. Many hostile shots were fired from the purported sympathetic side of the river. However, our trusting soldiers assumed that these bullets
came from Ramaien natives who escaped across the stream. Ditseen was spared—although a large number of their tribesmen were observed carrying rifles.

As the battalion reembarked aboard the canoes, the rear guard came under fire from a cotta that had not been completely destroyed.
The Gatling gun finished the job, and the weary troops returned to Camp Marahui at five o'clock that afternoon." ¹

* Two of the soldiers who covered and retrieved Lieutenants Flake and Roberts were awarded Certificates of Merit.
They were Corporal Travis T. Bryan and Quartermaster Sergeant Edward J. Zink.

The Army Register recorded that on November 16, 1904 Sergeant Travis T. Bryan was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the following citation:

"...action on the Ramien River, near Lake Lanao, Mindanao, P. I., January 22, 1904, gallant and meritorious conduct in action, while a corporal,
company A, 22d U. S. Infantry, in placing himself in the gateway of a Moro fort where two officers had just been wounded by the fire of
the enemy within the fort, which exposed position he maintained, keeping up a fire on the enemy, thus diverting their fire from one of the
wounded officers who had fallen forward within the fort and enabling that officer to reach a place of safety. [525621, A. G. O]

Travis T. Bryan was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in March 1877. He enlisted in the Army for a period of 3 years on June 24, 1900
at Little Rock, Arkansas. His enlistment record indicated he stood 5 feet 7 inches tall, had blue eyes, sandy hair and a light complexion.
His previous occupation was listed as Fireman. He was assigned to Company A 22nd Infantry on October 29, 1900 and shipped overseas
to join his Company which was then in the Philippines. After serving with the 22nd Infantry in the Philippines he returned with the Regiment
to the United States where upon expiration of his enlistment he was discharged as a Corporal at Fort Reno, Indian Territory on June 23, 1903.

Bryan reenlisted as a Corporal in Company A at Fort Reno on June 24, 1903. He returned with the Regiment for a second deployment to the
Philippines and was discharged from this enlistment as a 1st Sergeant at Alcatraz Island, California on June 23, 1906. He reenlisted the same
day at Alcatraz Island as a 1st Sergeant in Company A. He was transferred to Company F as a Private on January 8, 1908 and was discharged from
this enlistment as a Private on February 22, 1908 at the Presidio of Monterey, California. He reenlisted in Company F as a Private on February 23, 1908
at the Presidio of Monterey. On may 31, 1910 while serving with Company F in Alaska Bryan purchased a discharge from this enlistment through
Special Orders 83 dated April 26, 1910. He had served nearly 10 years in the 22nd Infantry, rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant and left as a Private.

Quartermaster Sergeant Edward J. Zink of Company A 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry
was also awarded a Certificate of Merit for his actions on January 22, 1904.

The citation for his Certificate read exactly as that of Travis T. Bryan above with
the exception that the orders for it were contained in 526619 A.G.O.

Years later his award was converted to the Distinguished Service Cross.

The citation for that award is below:

Edward J. Zink was born in Bavaria, Germany in February 1877. He enlisted as a Private for a period of three years in the U.S. Army
on October 3, 1898 at Louisville, Kentucky. On October 5, 1898 he was assigned to and joined Company A 22nd Infantry at Fort Crook,
Nebraska. His enlistment record indicated he stood 5 feet 11 ¾ inches tall, had dark brown hair, brown eyes and a light complexion. His
previous occupation was listed as Driver. By December of 1899 Zink had been promoted to Corporal. Zink was discharged from this
enlistment as a Corporal on October 2, 1901 at Manila, Philippines with a character reference of Excellent.

On October 3, 1901 Zink re-enlisted in Company A 22nd Infantry at Manila for a period of three years. On this enlistment record his previous
occupation was listed as soldier. By October of 1902 Zink had been promoted to Sergeant. By June of 1904 he had been promoted to
Quartermaster Sergeant. Zink was discharged from this enlistment as a Quartermaster Sergeant on September 23, 1904 at Angel Island,
California with a character reference of Excellent.

On October 3, 1904 Zink re-enlisted as a Private in Company A of the 30th Infantry at Louisville, Kentucky. He joined his Company on
October 12, 1904 at Fort Crook, Nebraska. On this enlistment record his previous occupation was listed as soldier. Zink was discharged
from this enlistment as a Corporal on December 14, 1906 by Special Order at Fort Crook, Nebraska with a character reference of Excellent
and a notation of Service Honest and Faithful.

Zink served a total of just over eight years in the Army, six of those years with the 22nd Infantry. He went with the 22nd Infantry
on both of its deployments to the Philippines and saw action in both the Philippine Insurrection and Moro Wars. He finished the last
two years of his Army career with the 30th Infantry on stateside garrison duty at Fort Crook, Nebraska.

Colonel Henry Wygant, Commander of the 22nd Infantry wrote the following short After Action Report of the Ramaien Expedition
and included it on the official Return of Casualties of the 22nd Infantry for January 22, 1904:

In compliance with G.O. No. 5 c.s., this station, Companies A.B.C.& D. 22d Infantry, Major John S. Parke Jr., 22nd Infty., Commanding, left Camp Marahui
at 2:00 A.M. January 22, 1904 for Ramaien River, to capture or kill the Sultan of Ramaien and two of his people. The Command proceeded by boat across
Lake Lanao, reaching the mouth of Ramaien River soon after day light. Major Parker with companies A. & C. proceeded up the River, while companies B. & D. ,
under Major R. L. Bullard, 28th Infty., Civil Governor of the Province of Lanao, who had accompanied the expedition, made a detour to strike Ramaien's
Cottas from the north. About 8 A.M. our troops were fired upon and all were soon actively engaged. The Moros were driven from their cottas, 23 are known
to have been killed. Five cannon, five rifles, a considerable number of Moro arms and one revolver were captured. Their cottas were destroyed as far as
practicable. Troops returned to Camp marahui at 4:30 P.M. - Distance travelled about 20 miles.

Letter from Private John G. Lambert of Company D 22nd Infantry postmarked at the Military Station at
Camp Marahui, Iligan, Mindanao, Philippine Islands on January 13, 1904, nine days before the Ramaien Expedition.

John G. Lambert was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1882. He enlisted in Company D 22nd Infantry on
February 15, 1902. Lambert was with Company D during the Ramaien Expedition of January 22, 1904.

The Return of the 22nd Infantry for the month of February 1904 noted the following entry under the heading
of Record of Events:

Companies "E", "G" and "H", stationed at Camp Pantar took part in defense of that Camp during night attacks by hostile Moros,
at 11:00 P.M., Feb. 13th and at about 3:00 A.M. Feb. 14th ---
Casualties: Pvt. Walter W. Woods, Co. "H" 22d Infty., severe cut from kris, on left forearm, completely severing the Ulna and tendon.
Pvt. Chester A. Collett, Co. "H" 22d Infty., gun shot wound in left thigh.

Above: The casualty report of the 22nd Infantry for the action occurring February 13th and 14th, 1904.
Private Walter W. Woods is listed on Line 1 as having suffered a cut on his left arm by a Bolo.
(The Bolo and Kris were edged weapons used by the Moros and the names were used interchangeably
in reports of injuries inflicted by the Moros using edged weapons.)
Private Chester A. Collett is listed on Line 2 as having suffered a gun shot wound to his left thigh.

Chester A. Collett listed in Line 2 of the above report was born in Leadville, Randolph County, West Virginia on March 30, 1880.
He enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army for a period of three years on June 19, 1902 at Elkins, West Virginia. Collett was assigned to
and joined Company H 22nd Infantry on August 14, 1902 at Fort Crook, Nebraska. His enlistment record indicated he stood 5 feet 9 inches
tall, had light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. His previous occupation was listed as Carpenter. Collett deployed with the 22nd
Infantry to the Philippines at the end of 1903. In May of 1905 he returned to the United States where he was discharged as a Private on
July 26, 1904 at Angel Island, California with a character reference of Excellent. Chester Arthur Collett died in 1953 at the age of 73
and is buried in Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia.

Walter W. Woods listed in Line 1 of the above report was born in Stockton, San Joaquin County, California on August 14, 1881.
He enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army for a period of three years on February 10, 1902 at Worcester, Massachusetts. Woods
was assigned to and joined Company H 22nd Infantry on March 23, 1902 at Fort Crook, Nebraska. His enlistment record indicated
he stood 5 feet 6 inches tall, had dark brown hair, brown eyes and a ruddy complexion. His previous occupation was listed as Farmer.
Woods deployed with the 22nd Infantry to the Philippines at the end of 1903. He was admitted sick into the hospital in Manila on
July 9, 1904 and was transferred to the Casual Detachment of the 22nd Infantry at the Presidio at San Francisco, California on
September 3, 1904. Woods was discharged as a Private on February 9, 1905 at Fort Bayard, New Mexico with a character reference
of Excellent. Walter W. Woods died in 1950 at the age of 69 and is buried in San Antonio, Texas.

On November 1, 1904 Private Walter W. Woods, of Company H 22nd Infantry, was awarded a Certificate of Merit
for his actions at Camp Pantar on February 13, 1904. The following citation for his Certificate appeared
in the Army Register:

Years later his award was converted to the Distinguished Service Cross.

The citation for that award is below:

Note: In the above citation the location is incorrectly given as Camp Santas. There was no Camp Santas and the citation
should read Camp Pantar.

Shortly before midnight, February 27, 1904, Moros made an attack upon the companies at Pantar. Shots were fired into camp,
and one sentinel was cut with a kampilan. Several nights later, a similar attempt, probably to steal rifles, was made at Marahui.

March, 1904, the regiment carried off the honors in the department athletic competition at Zamboanga.
In addition, Private George W. Smith, company K, won first place as the best all-around athlete.
The regimental ball team was so successful in this meet that it was sent to Manila in June;
while there it defeated the winning nine of the Luzon competition.

The Annual Department athletic contest was held at Zamboanga March 24-28, 1904. 
It featured both conventional activities, such as field and track, baseball, and football, but also field exercises,
 such as field stripping, running in formation with packs, dissembling, reassembling artillery pieces, etc.

Results were:
22nd infantry-54 1/2 points
14th Cavalry-----34 points
23rd Infantry-10 1/2 points
17th Infantry-----10 points
17th Battery, FA--3 points

 In addition, Pvt. George W. Smith of Co. K, 22nd was named "best all-around athlete." ²

The bridge at Pantar
Supply wagons move across the bridge and Soldiers can be seen
washing and bathing at the feet of the bridge on both sides of the river.

Another view of the bridge at Pantar over the Agus River, as seen from the blockhouse.

First built in February 1895, the Pantar Bridge was burned by the retreating Spanish during their fight with the Americans,
and then rebuilt over 4 months -- from 18 May – 30 September 1903 – by Company E, 2nd Battalion US Engineers.

^¹Combat Diary EPISODES FROM THE HISTORY OF THE
TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT, 1866-1905
by A. B. Feuer Praeger Publishers, New York, N.Y. pp.159-161

Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls);
Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Returns from Regular Army Infantry Regiments, June 1821–December 1916. NARA microfilm publication M665, rolls 1–244, 262-292, 297–300 of 300.
Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's–1917, Record Group 94, and Records of United States Regular Army Mobile Units, 1821–1942,
Record Group 391. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.