The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-25

from slipping Tt rained every night
and from constant wading we were wet
continually. We marched every morn
ing at daybreak and would stop about
o'clock and boil our rice or corn for
breakfast. In about two hours we would
resume our march and keep going until
5 or 6 in the evening, having two meals
a day. One days march was pretty
of the I'D day we stopped on the Deacn
and knew we were about six or seven
miles from where Aguinaldo was sup
posed to be.
We were a weak and tired lot of men
and as our rice and corn We're all gone
we were unable to get any further We
had all gone the limit and must have
something to eat. The natives caught a
few fresh fish along the beach and one
lad caught an octopus We roasted the
fish over some Goals and ate them
without salt. scales and all and also
got a little of the octopus soup and
am compelled to say that 1 would not
care for it as a regular diet At this
time General Funston had Hilario
write a letter and send it to Agulnaldo
stating that we were out of ratiOnS and
could proceed no further unless he
would send us home The rations
came and also an order to treat the
American prisoners well, but to leave
them at this place under guard For
the rest of the party to come to Palanan
as soon as possible
We knew then that Aguina1do was
ring accidents we would have him
prisoner next day. We were all dlSap-
pointed at the thought of being left be-
hind and we were afraid that sending
the natives in alone they might lose
their nerve or in some way mess things
up The general finally settled the whole
affair by saying that we would stay be-
hind under guard and would follow the
main party in half an hour. This we did
and when we were half way there one
Of the soldiers camem running back and
motioned US to get off the trail We
We're at this time Wading down a river
and in less time than it takes to tell it
we were out of the river and up among
the under brush The fellow then ex-
planned to us that they had met a
party Of eleven men coming down to
relieve the guard who had been left over
US. Sagovia had stopped them and en-
gagged them in conversation while this
fellow came back to warn us. In a short
time they came splashing up the river
and it was a great opOrtunity to ambush
them but as it would have spoiled our
plans we had to be content with seeing
them go by. After they had gone we
again started and when within about
I'VE hundred yards of the river on
which Palanan is situated we heard the
firing and knew that the big show was
on. OF course we set out on the run
and as soon as the river was reached
saw the Filipino flag flying from Agui-
naldo,s house and quarters and the
MacabebeS firing and shouting for all
they were worth. We crossed in a banca
and as soon as we reached the house
the little Macabebes surrounded US
shouting s.Vivi Macabebe," ..Vivi Vivi,
Ameriano,' grabbing our hands and
shouting themselves hoarse.
In the house was Emilio Aguinaldo
and Doctor Barcelona, treasurer, and
Col Simeon Villa, chief of staff, pris-
oners. When our main party reached
the river they Immediately crossed and
marched between AguinaldO's house
and the convent building where his sol
yards disance between these two build
ings. The guard in the convent, about
fifty armed men, turned out and pre-
scented arms to our fellows and then
came to carry arms The Macabebes
were standing at attention facing them
with pieces loaded and not fifty feet
away HilariO, SagOvia and CeciliO
then went into Aguinaldo's house and
were introduced to six other officers.
They exchanged little pleasantries
Aguinaldo congratulated them on their
successfully reaching him, also con-
graduated Cecilio on his safe delivery
of the letters, and told him he would
be made major at once. After talk |
ing about twenty minutes Sagovia ex-
cused himself, saying that as his men
were tired he would go out and put |
them in camp. He stepped outside the |
house, called to Gregoria, who had |
been left in command, to open up, and !
he in turn shouted: '.Macab ebes, now |
is your timei" The firing started at |
grabbed Aguinaldo, telling him to con
slider himself an American prisoner. |
He gave in at once without further re- !
sistance. Colonel Villa jun ped through /
the window and made a run for the |
river. Sagovia after him and shooting
him through the shoulders and through |
the left hand before he would stop. I
Major Alhambra- who had direct charge /
Of Aguinaldo's bodyguard, also jumped |
through a window, and was shot |
through the head, and bleeding he |
jumped in the river and was drowned. |
Doctor Barcelona, treasurer, went |
through the door and was brought |
up short by a little Macabebe with a /
rife As soon as Gen Funston got in /