Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-03-29
STORY OF THE CAPTURE
Suffering of Funston and Compan-
ions on the March.

Manila, March 29.--Aguinaldo, Wao
was captured by General Funston ami
brought to Manila on the United
States gunboat Vicksburg, was
brought ashore at $40 p. III. yester-
day and taken before General Mac
Arthur at the Malacanang palace. lie
talked freely, but seemed Ignorant
concerning recent events. lie ap-
peared to be in good health and was
even cheerful. He lunched with the
officers of General MacArthur's staff,
and was then escorted to the Anda
street Jail
General Funston gives out the fol
lowing story of the capture:
'On the night Of March the party
who were to go after Aguinaldo emf
barked Oh the United States gunboat
Nicksburg. 1t was originally intend
ed to take cascops from the island
of Polillo and to drift to the main
land, but storm arose and three or
the cascoes were lost. This plan was
abandoned. At a. IN. March IA the
Vicksbllrg put her lights out and ran
in sore twenty-five miles south of
Cusiguran, province Of Principe. The
party landed and marched to Casigu-
ran. The Americans had never gar
risoned this place, and the inhabi-
tants are strong insurgent sympath1Z-
crs. Having arrived there the eN-
insurgent officers, ostensibly com
handing the party. announced that
they were on the way to join Aguin-
aldo between Pautobang and Baler;
that they had surprised an American
surveying party, and that they had
killed a number, capturing five. They
exhibited General Funston and the
other Americans as their prisoners.
The insurgent president of Casigu-
ran believed the story. Two Of the
Lacuna letters. previously concocted,
were forwarded to Aguinado at Pala-
mana, province of Isabella. General
Funston and the others We're kept
imprisoned for three days, surrep-
titiOusly giving orders at night. On a
small quaint ity of crackers and corn,
the party started on ninety mile
march to Palanan. The country is
rough and uninhabited and provisions
could not be secured. The y&rty ate
small shell fish, but were almost
starved. Wading swift rivers, climb
ing precipit Gus mountains end penc'
trating dense jungles. they marched
seven days and nights. AMI March
% had reached point eight miles
from Palanan. They were now SO
weak that it was necessary to send
to Aguinaldo's camp for food. Aguin-
aldo dispatched supplies and directed
that the American prisoners be kind.
ly treated, but not be allowed tC
enter the town.
On the morning of March 90 the ad
vance was res umed. The column was
met by the staff officers of Aguinaldo's
body guard, which was ordered tt
take charge of the Americans.
While one of the ex-insurgent Off
GERS conversed with Aguinaldo's aide
to warn General Funston the rest
who, with eleven Macabebes, were
about an hour behind. Having re.
ceived this warning General Funston
avoided AguinaIdo's detachment and
Joined column, avoiding observation
The TagulOs went ahead to greet
Aguinaldo and the column slowly fol
lowed. finally arriving at Palanan.
Ayuinaldo's household troops. fifty
men in neat uniforms of blue and
white and wearing straw hats, lined
up to receive he newcomers. Gen
cral Funston's men crossed the river
in small boa is. formed on the banks,
and marched to the right and then
in front of the insurgent grenaders.
The Tagalos entered the house where
Aguinaldo was.
Suddenly the Spanish officer, motto
ing that Aguinaldo's aide was watch
ing 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. Aguinaldo, who
evidently thought his men were mere
ly celebrating he arrival of reinforce
ments, ran to the window and shout
ed, stop that foolishness; quit vast
ing ammunition
IIilario Placido, one Of the Tagalo
officers and a former insurycnt ma
jor, who was wounded in the lung bv
the fire of the Kansas regiment at
the battle of Caloocan, threw his
arms around Aguinaldo. cXrlaiming:
''Iou are Il prisoner of the Amcri-
cans
Colonel Simeon Villa, AgninaIdo's
chief Of staff: Major Alumbra and
others attacked the men who were
holding Aguina lido. Placido shot Vii
lia in the shoulder. Alambra jumped
out of the window and ATTEMPTED to
cross the river. 1t is supposed that
he was drowned. Five other insur-
gent officers fought for a few min
utes and then fled, making their cs
cape.
When the firing began, General
Funston assumed command and d.
rected the attack on the house, Der
sonally assisting in the capture of
Aguinaldo. The insurgcnt body
guard fled. leavin" twenty rifles. San.
tiago barcelona. the insurgent treas.
urer. surrendered without resistance
When captured. Aguinaldo was tre-
mendously excited, but he caI,ncd
down under General F,,nston's assam