Camp Jossman

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]

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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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