In response to a war challenge earlier called by a Filipino revolutionary general, Juan Cailles, Colonel Cheatham of the U.S. forces based in Sta. Cruz, Laguna ordered a company each of the 37th and 15th Infantry Regiments to attack the revolutioanry camp at Mabitac, Laguna. Commanded by Captain David Mitchell of the 15th Infantry, the group was ordered to attack from two sides: east of the river and west over the water.

"It was a battle above the clouds," wrote American war correspondent Richard Henry Little. On this day a century ago a battle raged between 60 Filipino soldiers headed by General Gregorio del Pilar and 300 Americans under Major Peyton C. March at a mountain pass 4,441 feet above sea level in the highlands of Ilocos Sur. Gen. del Pilar, then aged 24, was one of the youngest generals in the revolutionary army. He was the commander of General Emilio Aguinaldo's rear guard. With the American forces close behind him, Gen.