Camp Jossman was a United States Army cantonment constructed near the town of Buenavista on Guimaras Island in the Philippines after the Spanish–American War.

Naming

Camp Jossman was named for Albert L. Jossman. Jossman, a graduate of the University of Michigan enlisted for the Spanish–American War as a member of the 35th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He subsequently transferred to the 27th Michigan Regiment, and later joined the regular Army as a member of the 22nd Infantry Regiment. Jossman was subsequently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and was wounded at the Battle of Bayan. Second Lieutenant Jossman died in Manila on July 28, 1902 while en route to the United States on a furlough. Jossman's remains were returned to Michigan, and he received a military funeral in Detroit.[1][2]

Construction and operation

The construction of a post on Guimaras Island was authorized by Congress in July, 1902. Subsequent acts of Congress authorized the expansion of the camp.[3]

Camp Jossman was the base for the 19th Infantry Regiment and two battalions of Philippine Scouts.[4]

In 1909 the facility was expanded to include the Punta Blanco target range.[5]

Sixty-seven buildings were planned for Camp Jossman.[6] Not all of these buildings had been completed when the post was vacated.[7]

Affiliation with prominent soldiers

3rd Engineer Battalion Coat of Arms.

While serving with the 3rd Engineer Battalion from 1902 to 1903, Douglas MacArthur, then a First Lieutenant, was responsible for construction of the Buenavista wharf at Santo Rosario (today known as MacArthur's Wharf), as well as the road from the wharf to Camp Jossman.[8][9]

Brigadier General John W. Heavey, Chief of the Militia Bureau during World War I, served at Camp Jossman from 1902 to 1904.[10]

Brigadier General George W. McIver, commander of the 81st Infantry Division's 161st Brigade in World War I, served at Camp Jossman from 1903 to 1905.[11]

Lieutenant General William H.H. Morris served at Camp Jossman as a Second Lieutenant in 1911.[12]

Major General David C. Shanks, assigned to Camp Jossman as a major with the 4th Infantry Regiment from 1908 to 1909.[13]

General Joseph Stilwell was assigned to Camp Jossman as a First Lieutenant from 1904 to 1906.[14]

Deactivation

In 1912 the U.S. Army determined that there was no longer a need for bases on Guimaras Island, and Camp Jossman was vacated. The buildings and other infrastructure were subsequently demolished.[15]

Present day

The site of Camp Jossman is now a reservoir under the jurisdiction of the Water District of Buenavista.[16]

The Punta Blanco Ranges are still visible, and are considered a local historic site.[17]

References

  1. ↑ History of Oakland County Michigan, by Thaddeus D. Seeley, 1912, Volume 2, page 863
  2. ↑ Fanny Dunbar Corbusier: Recollections of Her Army Life, 1869–1908, by Fanny Dunbar Corbusier, edited by Patricia Y. Stallard, 2003, page 319
  3. ↑ United States Military Reservations, National Cemeteries, and Military Parks: Title, Jurisdiction, etc., prepared by the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General, 1910, pages 326 to 327
  4. ↑ Annual report, published by the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates, 1939, page 126
  5. ↑ "Municipality of Buena Vista, Guimaras press release, Punta Blanco Target Range, July 23, 2008". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  6. ↑ Annual Reports of the War Department for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1903, published by U.S. Government Printing Office, Volume III, 1903, pages 227 to 228
  7. ↑ A Life of Duty: the Autobiography of George Willcox McIver, 1858–1948, by George Willcox McIver, edited Jonathan Dembo, 2006, pages 133 to 135
  8. ↑ "Official Homepage of the Province of Guimaras, Public Utilities page". Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  9. ↑ Military.com, 3rd Engineer Battalion: 1901 - 1965, accessed July 23, 2013
  10. ↑ George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Volume IV, 1901, page 519
  11. ↑ A Life of Duty: the Autobiography of George Willcox McIver
  12. ↑ Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, by George Washington Cullum, 1920, Volume VI-b, page 1549
  13. ↑ Thayer, Bill (May 5, 2015). "David C. Shanks in Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, Volumes III-VIII". Bill Thayer's Web Site. Chicago, IL: Bill Thayer. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  14. ↑ Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911–45, by Barbara W. Tuchman, 1972, page 23
  15. ↑ "Official Homepage of the Province of Guimaras, Tourist Attractions page". Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  16. ↑ Province of Guimaras web site, Tourist Attractions page
  17. ↑ Belle Piccio, 11 Ways to Enjoy Buenavista, Guimaras, June 13, 2013

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