Colored Americans in the Philippine Revolution of 1899

The historical events of 1899. the time of America's first experiment in imperialism by occupying the Philippines. Private David Fagen, known in history as the first of twenty African-American soldiers who defected to join the cause of the Filipino resistance led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

As the Philippine-American War progressed, many African American soldiers increasingly felt they were in an unjust racial war. Recognizing a growing affinity with the black soldiers, Filipino freedom fighters used propaganda to enlist them into their cause. Posters and leaflets addressed to "The Colored American Soldier" described the lynching and discrimination against blacks in the United States and discouraged them from being the instrument of their white masters' ambitions to oppress another "people of color." Blacks who deserted to the Filipino nationalist cause would be welcomed and given positions of responsibility. Private David Fagen became a notorious "Insurrecto Captain" and so successful in fighting American soldiers, a price of $600 was placed on his head. (Source: Soldiers in the Sun: The Philippine War).

A fictional book "Cousins of Color" by William Schroder weaves this part of history into a very interesting novel. Synopsis available at www.cousinsofcolor.com