The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-03-29

greet Aguinaldo and the column slow
ly followed, finally arriving at Palana.
Aguinaldo's household troops, SO men
in new uniforms of blue and white
and wearing straw hats, lined up to
receive the new corners.
General Funston's men crossed the
river in small boats, formed ON the
bank and marched to the right and
then in front of the insurgent grena-
diers The Tagalos entered the house
where Aguinaldo was. Suddenly the
Spanish officer noticing that Agui-
naldo's aide was watching the Ameri-
cans suspiciously, exclaimed: Now,
Macabebes, 60 for them.' The Maca-
bebes opened fire, but their aim was
rather ineffective and only three insur-
gents we're killed. The rebels returned
the fire.
On hearing the firing Auginaldo,
who evidently thought his men were
merely celebrating the arrival Of rein
forcements ran to window and
shouted "Stop that foolishuess, quit
wasting ammunition. y
Hilario Placido, one of the Tagalo
officers and former insurgent major,
! who was wounded in the lung by the
fire of the Kansas Regiment at the
battle of Caloocan, threw his arms
al ound Aguinaldo, exclaiming: You
| are prisoner Of the Americans.
Colonel Simeon Villia, Aguinaldo's
chief Of staff, Major Alambra, and
others attacked the men who were
holding Aguinaldo. Placido shot
Villa in the shoulder. Alambra
jumped out of the window and at
tempted to cross the river. It is sup
posed that he was drowned. Five
other insurgent officers fought for
their escape.
| When the firing began General Fun
! ston assumed command and directed
the attack on the house. personally
assisting in the capture of Aguinaldo.
The insurgent body guard fed, leav-
ing 20 rifles. Sandiago Barcelona. the
/ insurgent treasurer, surrendered with
out resistance.
When captured Aguinaldo was tre-
mendously excited, but he Gained
down under Funston's assurance that
he would be we'll treated. General
Funston secured all of Aguinaldo's
correspondence, showing that he had
kept in close touch with the sub-chiefs
of the insurrection in all parts of the
archipelago. 1t was found that Agui-
naldo, January 2S, had had himself
\ q mo 70 10 hoI
| living at Palana for ssven months
undisturbed, except when a detach-
ment of the Sixteenth infantry visited
the town. On that occasion the entire
population took to the mountains and
remained there until the troops retired.
Aguinaldo admitted that he had
come near to being captured before,
but he averred he had never been
wounded, adding: II would have
never been taken except ny strategy.
was completely deceived by Lacuna S
forged signature. = He feared he
might be sent to Guam and he was
quite glad to come to Manila. Palana
was guarded by numerous outposts and
signal stations, During the fight none
of the Macabebes was wounded. The
expedition rested March 24 and then
marched 16 miles the following day to
Palana bay, where General Funston
found the Vicksburg, which brought
him to Manila Commander Barry
of the Vicksburg rendered General
Funston splendid assistance.
| Aguinaldo, who talked freely Of the
past events, said he supposed General
Terias would proclaim himself die
tator, not knowing that Terias had
surrendered. He behaved quietly and
gave no trouble. General Funston
says Aguinaldo is above the average
in intelligence and has prepossessing
manner.