Philippines, America, & Alaska 1899-1915

After the Spanish-American War , the 16th Infantry had brief stays at Camp Wheeler, Alabama, Fort Crook, Nebraska, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, before receiving orders to go to the Philippines to help put down the ongoing insurrection there.

The regiment arrived in Manila on 26 June 1899 and was initially assigned the duty of guarding the Manila and Dagupan Rail Road. Over the next 6 months, troops of the regiment participated in numerous small skirmishes somewhat reminiscent of those in which it would later engage in Vietnam. In December 1899, the regimental headquarters and several companies participated in a small campaign designed to retake the city of San Ildefonso back from a large insurgent force. Soon after this excursion, the regiment was redeployed to Nueva Viscaya Province to pacify and administer the area. The singular incident of note during that effort was the repulse of a force of over 300 insurgents on 14 September 1900 at Carig by a detachment consisting of 24 men from L and D Companies commanded by Sergeant Henry F. Schroeder. Schroeder was later awarded the regiment’s fourth Medal of Honor for that feat.

By the fall of 1900, the regiment had administered the province so well that it was considered the most orderly area on Luzon. The 16th Infantry returned to the United States at San Francisco on 8 July 1901 and from there was posted, less the 1st Battalion, to Fort McPherson, Georgia. The 1st Battalion was concurrently assigned station at Fort Slocum, New York, to provide support to the recruit training operations there. After a few years of routine garrison duty, the regiment was once again ordered to the Philippines in the spring of 1905. Stationed predominantly at FortMcKinley near Manila, this tour in the islands was much calmer than the previous.

The 16th Infantry once again arrived home to America at San Francisco on 16 September 1907. This time it was split between FortCrook, where most of the regiment was stationed, and Fort Logan H. Root, Arkansas, to which the 1st Battalion was posted. The command remained at these posts conducting routine garrison duty for the next 3 and a half years. The only noteworthy incident during this period was the deployment of 4 companies sent to help quell disturbances by the White River Utes at the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. In the fall of 1909, the regiment received orders once again for another overseas move, this time to Alaska. Arriving in July 1912, the regiment was widely distributed in little posts across the huge AlaskanTerritory.

In July 1912, the 16th Infantry arrived back home once again at San Francisco, but this time it remained there for duty at the Presidio, and assigned to the 8th Brigade. Less than 2 years later, the brigade received a new commanding general who was none other than “Black Jack” Pershing. Within two months, Pershing was ordered by the War Department to move his brigade to the Mexican Border to help secure it from depredations by Mexican bandits and paramilitary forces commanded by Francisco “Pancho” Villa.

  • The USAT Grant transported the 16th Infantry from San Francisco to Manila in June 1900 for the regiment’s first tour in the Philippines, 1900-1902

  • Henry F. Schroeder earned the Medal of Honor on 14 September 1900 by leading a detachment of 17 men to defeat a band of about 400 insurrectoes at Carig in the Philippines.

  • Capt. Beaumont B. Buck assumed command of the new K Company in 1898 and led it through the regiment’s first tour in the Philippines.

  • The USAT Logan returned most of the 16th Infantry to the United States at the end of its first Philippine tour in July 1902.

  • The USAT Lawton brought 4 companies of the regiment home from the Philippines to San Francisco in August 1902.

  • Officers of the 16th Infantry at Fort McPherson, GA, 1903.

  • This is Officers’ Row at Fort McPherson, GA, at about the time the 16th Infantry was stationed there.

  • The barracks at Fort McPherson. The regiment, less the 1st Battalion, was stationed at Fort McPherson from July 1902 to May 1905.

  • An unknown officer of the 16th Infantry in the Philippines, circa 1905.

  • Quanto vale? Two 16th Infantry soldiers haggle with Filipino girls over the price of bananas, circa 1905. UC Riverside

  • Private Joseph J.A.H. Joubert served with H Company, 16th Infantry during the Regiment’s second tour in the Philippines 1905-06.

  • The USAT Sherman took the regiment home from its second Philippines tour in August 1907.

  • G Company, 16th Infantry, poses in front of its barracks at Fort Crook, NE, Most of the regiment was at Fort Crook from September 1907 to June 1910.

  • Barracks Building No. 1 at Fort Logan H. Roots, AR, in Little Rock. This barracks was home to A and D Companies 1907-1910.

  • The troops of D Company pose in front of Barracks Building No. 1 at Fort Root circa 1908.

  • Company Barracks at Fort Logan H. Roots, AR. The 1st Battalion was stationed at Fort Roots from September 1907 to June 1910.

  • The soldiers of B Company at Fort Logan H. Roots, circa 1910.

  • The USAT Buford carried the regiment from Seattle to Haines, TA, in June-July 1910.

  • Fort William H. Seward was the home of the regimental headquarters, staff, band, and Machine Gun Platoon form June 1910 to June 1912. It was also home to Companies F, G, H, & K.

  • D and M Companies were posted to the small, dreary, and isolated Fort St. Michael on the far west coast of Alaska.

  • A view of the company street at Fort St. Michael.

  • C & I Companies were stationed at Fort Liscum, 1910-1912.

  • The troops at Fort Liscum spent much of their time indoors during the winter. Outdoors they moved at lot of snow.

  • Another view of Fort Liscum.

  • A & L Companies were stationed here at Fort Gibbon, TA, during 1910-12.

  • This was the scene that greeted soldiers reporting to Fort Gibbon for the first time. The WAMCATS tower can be seen in the distance.

  • A Company Barracks at Fort Gibbon.

  • Officers Row at Fort Gibbon, TA.

  • Commanding Officers Quarters, Fort Gibbon. Major Charles S. Farnsworth, battalion commander, and his family stayed here while the regiment was in Alaska.

  • Officers Row at Fort Gibbon as seen from the Yukon River.

  • The main parade and battalion headquarters at Fort Gibbon as seen from the Yukon River.

  • Dog sleds were a common means of transportation during winter in Alaska. Snow shoes and skis were often used as well.

  • B & E Companies were transferred to Fort Davis for the regiment’s tour in Alaska, 1910-12.

  • Company street at Fort Davis, Nome, TA.

  • Officer’s Row at Fort Davis in the winter.

  • The men of E Company, 16th Infantry, prepare to conduct ski training near Fort Davis, TA. in 1912.

  • The 16th Infantry sailed on the USAT Sheridan from Alaska to its new station at the Presidio of San Francisco in July 1912.

  • This young 16th Infantryman is equipped to head to the field circa 1914.

  • A bugler of the 16th Infantry circa 1914.