Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-18
TAKING AGUiNALDO
FUNSTON'S REPORT MADE PUB
Lie AT WASHINGTON.
WAS CAREFULLY PLANNED
And Approved by Gen. Macarthur Be-
fore Daring kansan Set Outlet
tiers of Insurgent Chief and of
Trusted Lieutenant Led to Location
of Former.

Washington, July 13.-The war de-
partment yesterday made public Briga-
der General Funston's report of the
| capture of 1,guinaldo, made under date
| of May 6. Funston says his entire
! plan Of expedition was submitted to
the commanding general of the depart
ment Of northern Luzon and then was
sent to Gen. Macarthur. by whom it
was approved. Funston gives the fol-
lowing account of the forged letter
which was used to deceive Aguinaldo:
October "a 1900, while scouting in
the vicinity Of Gapan, Neuva Ecija, l
had surprised the insurgent chief La
cuna in his camp and had captured
among other things, some writing pa
pers which bore his headquarters SEAL
On this paper two letters were written
to Aguinaldo over a signature of La
cuna.
zone of these letters was dated Feb.
"a, 1901, at Bulac. place in the noun
tains east of Panaranda. In it Lacuna
acknowledged the receipt of Aguinal-
dos letters of Jan. Is and IA, thanked
him for the confirmation Of his appoint
ment as brigadier-general made some
time previously by Alajandrino
ct will be remembered that the let
tiers of Aguinaldo referred to had fall
len into our hands. Our letter in
dulged in the usual rhetoric employed
by the insurgent chiefs in their CORE
spondence and gave glowing account
Of the progress of the campaign from
the standpoint of Lacuna.
Another letter, supposedly from the
same place but dated Feb. %, was pre-
pared stating the writer had just re-
ceived a communication from Baldom-
ero Aguinaldo ordering him to send
one of his best companies under a
reliable chief to Emilio Aguinaldo in
Isabella.
I'm accordance with these orders he
was sending this force under Lieuten-
ant Colonel Hilario Placido. The let
ter, he stated, had been captured by
Americans year ago and after his
release had lived in Jaen. but re-
Gently had taken to the field again
The letter also stated that .Aguinaldo'
courier, Cecilio Sigismundo, was with
Lacuna and would accompany the
column. These two letters were die
tated by me but written by Segovia"
OF the actual capture, Funston says:
1.-The Maccabebes started up into the
town and we heard few shots follow
and scattering firing. We hastily
crossed the river and running upon the
town found the Maccabebes somewhat
demoralized, firing wildly in every di-
rection. They were gotten under con-
troll with some difficulty. Aguinaldo'
guard of about so armed and neatly
receive reinforcements and on being
fired into broke and ran, a few of them
returning the fire as they retreated.
Aguinaldo with his officers had wait
ed in their quarters. Placido and Sc
govia entered the house to report their
arrival and after short conversation
Segovia stepped outside of the house
and ordered the Maccabebes who had
just come up from the river bank to
open fire on the insurgents standing III
line at distance of fifty yards. The
MaccabebeS were so excited and nerv-
Gus that their fire was very ineffective
But two insurgents were killed, the re-
mainder in flight throwing away eight
teen rifles and 1000 rounds of ammunI-
ton.
"As soon as Segovia had given the
order he ran back into the house, and
opened fire on the officers surrounding
Aguinaldo. He wounded Villa and
Alhambra. The latter jumped out of
the house into the river, and was not
seen again. Villa, on being wounded,
surrendered, as did also Santiago BARGE
Iona, Aguinaldo's treasurer. The five
remaining officers escaped from the
house and swan the river. Placido
seized Aguinaldo and told him he was
a prisoner Of the Americans. At this
juncture the Americans arrived on the
scene and gave their attention to get
ting the Maccabebes under control and
protecting the prisoners from them
One Maccabebe was slightly wounded
by a gunshot wound in the forehead"
In conclusion Funston deals out
praise generously to all who had
share in the expedition. He also
speaks in high praise of the assistance
the navy rendered him