The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-02

and h other three Tagalogs, whom
General Funston trusted implicitly.
Genera Funston and the American
officers wore plain blue shirts and
khaki trousers. They carried each a
half blanket but wore no insignia OF
rank. The Macababees were carefully
instructed to obey the orders of the
four ex-insurgent officers.
On the night OF March Sth the party
embarked on the United States gun
tended to take cascoes from the island
OF Polillo and to drift to the mainland;
but a storm arose n three of the cas-
Goes were lost. This plan was aban-
doned.
At 2 O'Clock a. m.. March 14th, the
Vicksburg put her lights out and ran
in shore twenty-five miles south Of
Casiguran. province Of Principe. The
party landed and marched to Casigu-
ran. The Americans had never gar
risoned this place, and the inhabitants
are strong insurgent sympathiZers.
Having arrived there the e~x-insurgent
officers, ~ostensibly commanding the
party. announced that they were on
the way to join Aguinaldo between
Pantobagan and Baler, hat they had
surprised an American surveying party
and that they had killed q number
caturing five. They exhibited General
Funston and the other Americans as
their prisoners.
A NINETY MILES MARCH.
The insurgent presidente of Casigur-
an believed the story. Two of the
Lacuna letters. previously ~concocted,
were forwarded to Aguinaldo at Palan-
an. province of Isabella. General Fun
ston n the others were kept imprison-
ed for three days, surreptitiously giy-
ing orders at night. On the morning of
March 18th, taking a small quantity
Of cracked corn. the party started on
a ninety miles march to Palanan. The
country is rough and uninhabited, and
provisions could not be secured. The
party ate small shellish. but were al
most starved. Wading swift rivers.
climbing precipitous mountains and
penetrating dense iungles. they march
ed eve days n nights and on March
22nd had reached a point eight miles
from Palanan. They were now SO weak
that it vas necessary to send to Agui-
naldo's camp for food. Aguinaldo dis
patched supplies and directed that the
American prisoners be kindly treated,
but not be allowed to enter the town.
On the morning of March 23rd the
advance was resumed. The column was
met by the staff officers of Aguinaldo
and a detachment of Aguinaldo's body
guard. which was ordered to take
charge of the Americans.
While one Of the ex-insurgent officers
conversed with Aguinaldo'S aide, an
other, a Spaniard, sent a courier to
warn General Funston and the rest
who, with eleven Macabees were about
an hour behind. Having received this
warning General Funston avoided
Aguinaldo's detachment and joined the
column. avoiding observation. The
Tagalos went ahead to greet Aguinaldo
and the column slowly followed. finally
arriving at Palanan.
Aguinaldo's household troops, fifty
men in new uniforms of blue and white.
n wearing straw hats, lined up to re-
ceive the new corners. General Fun
ston'S men crossed the river in small
boats, formed on the bank. and march
ed to the right and then IN front of the
insurgent grenadiers. The Tagalos en-
tered the house where Aguinaldo was,
THE SURPRISE AND CAPTURE.
Suddenly the Spanish officer, noticing
hat Aguinaldo's aide was watching
the Americans suspiciously exclaimed;
Now. Macabebees. Go for Them"
The Macabebees opened f1re, but their
aim was rather ineffective, n only
three insurgents were killed. This
rebels returned the fire.
On hearing the firing, Aguinaldo. who
evidently thought his men were merely
celebrating the arrival of reinforce
ments ran 20 the window and shouted
stop hat f~oolishness! Quit wasting
ammunition"
Hilario Placido. one Of the Tagalos
officers and a former insurgent major
who was wounded in the lung by the
fire of the Kansas regiment at tn
battle of Caloocan. threw his arm:
around Aguinaldo, exclaiming: "Yot
are a prisoner Of h Americans
Colonel Simeon Villa. Aguinaldo':
chief of staff, Major Alamabra and 9th
ers. attacked the men who were hold
ing Aguinaldo. Placido shot Villa il
the shoulder. Alamabra jumped on
of the window and attempted to eros!
the river. 1t is supposed that he wa
drowned. Five other insurgent Officers
fought for a few minutes n then fed
making their escape.
When the firing began, General Fun
ston assumed command and directed
the attack on the house. personally as
sisting in the capture Of Aguinaldo. Tn,
i%nsurgent bodyguard fled. leaving TWEEN
ty rifles. Santiago Barcelona, the in
treasurer. surrendered withou
resistance.
When captured, Aginaldo was tire
mendously excited. but he calme,