Date: | March 1904 |
Place: | Siranaya, Midsayap, Cotabato |
Result: | American victory |
Combatant1: | Moro |
Commander1: | Datu Ali |
Commander2: | Leonard Wood |
Strength1: | Several thousand of Moro warriors |
Strength2: | 5 companies artillery battery |
The Battle of Siranaya was fought between the Philippines and the United States during the Philippine–American War. Leonard Wood led a force against Datu Ali in the Cotabato Valley in retaliation for refusing to obey an antislavery law.[1] Wood used a force of five companies and an artillery battery with a 3.2 inch piece to attack Ali's cotta and several thousand Moros.[1] The cotta surrendered after two days of American shelling but not before Ali and most of his men fled.[1] The Moros left behind 21 Spanish cannons and 72 lantakas.[1] Secretary of War William Taft criticized Wood afterwards for the excessive use of force and brutality.[1]