The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

Gen. A W. Greedy, Chief Signal Officer
of the Army. has received a report from
Colonel Allen at Manila, which discloses
the movements and fortunes of Aguinaldo
in the closing months of 1899. 1t consists
of a report of Corporal John d. salisbury,
Signal Corps, United States Army. who
was for nearly three months prisoner.
The reliability of Corporal Saulsbury's
report has been confirmed by corrobora-
tive information from many different
sources. The report follows:
Having been released from captivity,
I wish to make the following report of
facts concerning my capture and release.
Having no memoranda, certain dates given
may be incorrect.
Il left Manila october II with sig
nal corps party under command of Captain
Russell, proceeding by way of San Fernan-
do de Pampanga Mexico and Santa Anna,
arriving at Arayat about noon October is.
l learned that our forces were then fight
ing near Cabiao and in order to obtain. If
possible, pictures of this work / had per-
mission from Captain Russell 10 push on
with d troop of the Third Cavalry which
was then leaving Arayat. We reached
%
the night. l was Joined here by my as
sistant. l.. S. Smith, who had been with
loves scouts.
Next morning October 10. We joined
the advance upon San Isidro. The day be-
ing rainy our work was very difficult and
finally our material became so saturated
as to render further progress impossible.
As there were no signs of insurgents in
that vicinity Everything being ahead of
eur line) We took refuge In native hut
which stood close to the road. intending TO
Slry our material and IL possible wait IN
til the weather cleared. As troops had
just passed over this road and supply
trains and hospital carts with guards were
passing from time to time this was consid-
cred safe. However, about an hour later
we were fired upon by a party of insur-
gents at such short range as to make it
impossible for two men armed only with
revolvers 10 do other than retreat.
The Retreat to Snn Isidro.
''our property being spread out to dry
we were unable to collect all of it in our
packs, but left it there, hoping to be able
TO return later and reclaim it. Keeping
under cover as much as possible We man.
aged to reach San Isidro (which had then
been taken) in safety. As soon as more
troops reached San Isidro l endeavored to
learn of them IL they had seen our prop |
erty and If there we're still any natives in |
the vicinity. AS several guards of the |
Thirty-seventh Infantry supply train and |
several men of the Fourth Cavalry but OF |
what troop am unable to recalD had seen |
the property and reported that it was still |
there but had seen no natives. | started /
back to recover it if possible. When with
in about 100 yards of the hut | was again
fired upon and my horse killed. / then
returned TO San Isidro where / camped |
with the Thirty seventh Infantry.
In the morning started again with my
assistant, resolved to regain our outfit or,
If that was impossible. to return to Arayat |
and report to Captain Russell. When we
reached the hut (Which we did in safety |
We found that the property had been re-
moved, SO We hurried on. passing Cabiao
about noon. All went well until We reach
ed small bario. about half way between
Cabiao and Arayat, where We were at
tackled by large body of Filipinos. who
drove us of the road toward the river.
AT the river however We met two
sunboats towing cascoes. in one of which
l saw General Lawton. who, upon my re-
porting to him the attack we had re-
ceiveG. told us that from there to Arayat
either the road the river was clear and
that l coIld proceed by either route. As
he had just come up the river, / took that
as the best course, and. embarking in
small banca, started down the river. At
the mouth of the Rio Chico we were sud-
denly fired upon by party OF about sixty
insurgents, who were in concealed trenches
at that point, several balls entering the
banca and many more struck the water
close by. but fortunately neither my COM
panion nor myself was hurt.
Captured by Rebels.
I'm the excitement OF the moment the
banca was overturned and We took refuge
behind it, firing with our revolvers when
ever we could see any of the enemy. On
account of the bullet holes in the banca it |
soon sank so low as TO no longer afford pro
lection, so removing shoes, leggins, and
coat, l sank my revolver, and taking one
of the bamboo poles from the side OF the
boat, swan down stream, keeping under
water much as possible. few min
utes later ball struck in the water. just
grazing my head, and / was stunned when
the natives pulled me from the water TO
the bank, where Smith had gone some time
previous.
I'VE were taken before Lieutenant Tex
oil. who was In command of the battalion
located there, and by him sent TO Tarlac
going by Magaleng and Bamban. At Tarlac
we were interviewed by Colonel Leba, who
was English interpreter for Aguinaldo and
3Dnhned in the rear Of the Office CT Bgiga-
3ler General Macabulos, who was Secre-
harry of War. We arrived at Tarlac oe-
tober %. Next day Smith, with several
other prisoners who were then in Tatlac
was sent to Victoria. When we were cap
tured | was suffering from dysenteTy and.
owing TO the exposure, had grown rapidly
worse and was unable to be moved.
finally became so sick that il WAS evident
that unless ! obtained medicine ! would
certainly die.
Il endeavored in many ways 20 secure
my return to Manila for treatment. even
agreeing 10 sign an agreement srIilaf 10
that signed by the prisoners Who had for
merly been released, knowing tina; it would
not be binding; just at this time Sran-
lard, who was also a prisoner, ojtainCd
some raw opium for me. and with this and
with the diet of rice which | was given.
began to get better rapidly and October
20, was sent 10 San Carlos, where Novem-
Der l. there were assembled as prisoners
twenty-four American soldiers, three de-
serters, one American and one En:li
civilian.
While | was in Tarlac a Spaniari
showed me papers which showed thaj one
William Miller, an American soldier, who
had been prisoner and had been released.
was giving information to and acting )
agent for the insurgents in Manila.
mention this that it may be investigated
In San Carlos We were separated into par
ties Of four and sent to different towns
My assistant, who had Joined me there, CO.
ing With myself and two others to Asingan
in the province OF Pangasinan. We were
CHARTERED here from November to Ma
vember 10. on which latter date. reys
having been received that the American |
cavalry. which was much feared was in /
San Jose. We were sent to Binaionan |