The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-04-03

companying the expedition.
With the Macabebes were four ex-
irsurgent officers, one being Span
ish and the other three Tagalos,
whom Gen. Funston trusted implic-
lily.
Gen. Funston and the American
officers wore plan blue shirts ard
khaki trousers. They carried each a
half blanket but wore no insignia of
rank. The Macabebes were care
fully instructed to obey the orders
of the four ex-;nsurgent officers.
On the night Of March Sth the
party embarked on the United States
gunboat Vicksburg. It was origin
ally intended to take cascoes from
the island of Polillo and to drift to
the main land, but a storm arose and
three of three cascoes were lost.
This plan was abandoned.
At "a m. March II the Vlcks-
burg put her lights out and ran in
shore 25 miles south of Casiguran,
province Of Principe.
The party marched to Casiguran.
The Americans had never garrisoned
this place, and the Inhabitants are
strong insurgent sympathizers. Hav-
ing arrived there the ex-insurgent
officers, ostensibly commanding the
party announced that they were on
the way to join Aguinaldo between
Pautobagan and Baler, that they had
surprised an American surveying
party and That they had killed a
number, capturing FIVE. They ex-
hibited Gen. Furston and the other
Americans as the prisoners.
! The insurgent presidents of CAST
guran believed the story. Two of
the Lacuna letters, previously con-
cocted, were forwarded to Aguinaldo
at Palanan, province of Isabella.
Gen. Funston and the others were
kept imprisoned for three days, CIV
ing orders at night. On the morn
ing OF March II, taking a small
quantity Of cracked corr, the party
started on 80 mile march to Pals
nan. The country is rough and un-
inhabited, and provisions could not
be secured. The party ate small
shell fish, but were almost starved.
Wading swift rivers, climbing pre-
cipitous mountains and penetrating
dense jungles, they marched seven
days and nights and on March %
had reached a point eight miles from
Palanan. They were now so weak
that it was necessary to send to
Aguinaldos camp for food. Agui
naldo dispatched supplies and direct
ed that the American prisoners be
kindly treated but not be allowed to
enter tho town.
On the morning Of March 25. the
advance was resumed. The column
was met by the staff officers of Agui-
naldo and detachment Of Aguinal-
dos body guard, which was ordered
to take charge of the Americans.
While one of the ex-insurgent Off
GERS conversed with Aguinaldo's aide,
another was sent as a courier to warn
Gen. Fupston and the rest who,
with IL Macabebes were about an
hour behind. Having received this
warning Gen. Funston avoided Agui-
naldo's detachment and joined the
column avoiding observation. The
Tagalogs went ahead to Aguinaldo
and the column slowly followed,
finally arriving at Palanan,
Aguinaldo's party had troops, SO
men in neat uniforms of blue and
white and wearing straw hats, lined
up to receive the new comers. Gen.
Funston's men crossed the river in
small boats, formed on the bank and
marched to tie right and then in
front of the insurgent grenadiers.
The Tagalos entered the house
where Aguinaldo was.
Suddenly the Spanish officer, motto
ing that Aguinaldo's aide was watch
iDg the Americans suspiciously, ex
claimed:
Now, Macabebes, go for them"
The Macabebes opened fire, but
their aim was rather Ineffective, and
only three insurgents were killed
The rebels returned the fire. On
hearing the firing, Aguiraldc, who
evidently thought his men were
merely celebrating the arrival Of re-
ioforcements, ran to the window and
shouted: Stop that foolishness!-
quit wasting ammunition"
Hila1io Placido, one of the Tsga,
10 officers and a former insurgent
major, who was wounded in the lung
by the fire of The Kansas regiment