Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice Philippine-American / Moro Rebellion era Model 1902 peaked visor in Navy blue. The visor was worn by a member of the 11th Army Infantry Regiment in Company E. The M1902 replaced the earlier M1895 pattern. This was the U.S. Army's second example of a visor cap after leaving the traditional kepi design. Like the M1895, it is made of wool, and has a leather visor bound with patent leather, lined on the underside with lacquered paper. It does have the infantry blue band going around the cap, and retains a patent leather chin strap retained by brass rimless federal regulation general service buttons. 

During the Philippine–American War from 1901–1903, the Eleventh Infantry was sent to the Philippines to help put down the Moro Rebellion, where it was in engagements against the Moros of Mindanao and the Filipinos of the Visayas.

After the Balangiga massacre, the survivors escaped to Leyte where nightmarish accounts made their way into the front pages of US newspapers. The Eleventh Infantry Regiment and the U.S. Marines led by Major Littleton Waller were quickly dispatched to Balangiga with orders from Brigadier General Jacob Smith. On or about 29 September 1901, the town was reoccupied by two companies of the Eleventh Infantry to secure the American position and bury the American dead. The Bells of Balangiga were taken as booty of war when the Eleventh left.

24 March to 15 July 1903, Eleventh Infantry in operations of the Surigao expedition. This was an expedition against all outlaws, ladrones, and insurrectos in this province. Col. Albert L. Myer, Eleventh Infantry, was placed in charge of the military operations in the field.

This example shows very heavy service wear as well as heavy mothing damage to the exterior blue band and the crown. The chinstrap is in good shape.

The underside of the sweatband is stamped:

PHILA DEPOT
M. SCHLESINGER

A good but heavily mothed cap to a regiment that saw heavy fighting in the Moro Rebellion. Ready for display.

Office Company E, Eleventh Infantry, Camp at Mataling Falls, Mindanao, P. I., 1 September 1902. The Adjutant, Mataling Falls.

Sir: I have the honor to report that a hunting party of 1 sergeant and 7 privates, Company E, Eleventh Infantry, while on the road to Malabang and about 1½ miles from camp, 31 August 1902, were ambuscaded by a force of hostile Moros. Conservative estimate of strength of Moros, 15 rifles and 25 bolos. At first volley Private Charles M. Branson was killed and Privates Logsdon and Foster seriously wounded. The survivors fell back firing. The wounded men lying on the ground called for assistance. Sergeant Nash, Privates William D. Howard, William R. Bryan, and Fred Houck rushed forward and secured the two wounded men and their equipments in the face of the Moro fire, from a distance not exceeding 15 yards. They carried the wounded men toward camp for nearly a mile, keeping the Moro party who had pursued them at bay.

Private Joseph Dubian, after emptying his rifle, rushed to the camp for assistance. Company E being notified by the commanding officer to hasten to attack hostile Moros, that company proceeded with all possible speed to the scene of the attack, but were unable to gain contact with the enemy. The body of Private Branson was found frightfully mutilated, and the ground gave indication of a large party lying in ambuscade. Sergeant Cline with 30 men was immediately sent down the road to meet the wagon train from Malabang, the size of the party of Moros justifying their attacking the train.

This party withdrew, it is believed, toward the northeast and afterwards encountered the hunting party under Lieutenants Game and Parker, and also Company F, Eleventh Infantry, under Captain Chiles.

Casualties: Private Charles M. Branson, killed, Privates Logsdon and Foster wounded, all of Company E, Eleventh Infantry; rifle No. 36224 and equipments of Private Branson captured by Moros. It is known that at least 4 Moros were hit, but no bodies were secured at scene of ambuscade.

The action of Sergeant Nash. Privates William D. Howard, William R. Bryan, and Fred Houck. Company E, Eleventh Infantry, in securing their wounded comrades and their arms under the very muzzles of Moros, who outnumbered them at least 10 to 1, and after their party had virtually lost 50 per cent of its strength, was exceedingly courageous and meritorious. It is recommended that they each be given a certificate of merit for their action.

Very respectfully.

John W. Heavey, Captain, Eleventh Infantry, Commanding Company E.