Battle of Siranaya
Battle of Siranaya | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Moro | United States | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Datu Ali | Leonard Wood | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Several thousand of Moro warriors | 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]: 110 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]: 110–111 The cotta surrendered after two days of American shelling but not before Ali and most of his men fled.[1]: 112
The Moros left behind 21 Spanish cannons and 72 lantakas.[1]: 112 Secretary of War William Taft criticized Wood afterwards for the excessive use of force and brutality.[1]: 112