History

History provides the looking glass through which one can view the past and understand how events happened, and the outcome they had on the world. Within history, the observation of those characters, which have influenced a particular event, gives the opportunity to delve into the past-in order to better understand decisions made or not made. One such individual this historian feels is worth looking closer into is Captain Thomas Walter Connell. I believe that Captain Connell's actions are a direct reflection on the bias attitudes engulfing the nation during this era. Western research has placed blame on the Filipino's for their fiendish attack on the men of Company C. However, my argument eliminates this accusation and places the blame on pure racial bias by the American government and those leaders that simply impressed a young Army officer throughout his short-lived career. Credited not only for honorable service to his country, Captain Connell gave his life in service serving at Balangiga, Samar, Philippines, at the infamous Balangiga Massacre on September 28, 1901. Connell led his men to Balangiga on August 11, 1901, in an effort to support and secure this particular part of the Philippines. However, on a Sunday morning in late September, Connell and his men faced an insurmountable enemy determined to eliminate the American influence not only in the Philippines, but also in the town of Balangiga. Historians however, because of the small part that Captain Connell played, have overlooked his military career up to Balangiga. Connell not only served in the Philippines, but in Cuba and China before finally making this final voyage to Balangiga.