The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-04-02
GENERAL FUNSTON'S STORY
OF AGUINALDO'S CAPTURE

Joined the column. The Tagalos went
ahead to greet Aguinaldo and the col
umn slowly followed, arriving finally
at Palanan.
Aguinaldo's hous ehold troops, fifty
men in neat uniforms of blue and
white, and wearing straw hats, lined
up to receive the newcomers.
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 Tagals entered the house
where Aguinaldo was.
Suddenly the Spanish officer, noticing
that Aguinaldo's aide was watching
the Americans suspiciously, exclaimed:
Now, Macabebes, go for them"
The Macabebes opened fire, but their
aim was rather ineffective and only
three insurgents were killed. The reb-
els returned the fire. On hearing the
firing, Agllinaldo, who evidently
thought his men We're celebrating the
window and shouted:
stop that foolishness; quit wasting
ammunition"
Hilario Placido, one of the Tagalo
officers, and n former insurgent major,
fire of the Kansas regiment at the bat
tie of Caloocan, threw his arms around
Aguinaldo, eNclaiming: You are
prisoner of the Americans"
Colonel Simeon Villa, Aguinaldo's
chief of staff, Major Alambra and 9TH
ers attacked the men who We're hold
ing Aguinaldo. Placido shot Villa in
the shoulder. Alambra jumped out Of
the window and attempted to cross the
river. 1t is supposed that he was
drowned. Five other insurgent officers
fought for n few minutes and then
fed making their escape.
When the firing began General Funs-
ton assumed command and directed the
attack on the house, personally assist
ing in the capture of Aguinaldo. The
insurgent bodyguard fled, leaving
twenty rifles. Santiago Barcelona, the
insurgent treasurer, surrendered with
out resistance.
General Funston secured all of
ASuinaldo'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
also discovered that Aguinaido, Janu-
ary 2Stb, had proclaimed himself die
tator. lie had been living at Palanani
when a detachment of tho sixteenth
infantry visited the town. on that oc-
casion 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
asserted that he had never been
wounded adding:
Il should never have been taken ex-
cept by strategy. l WINS completely de
ceived by Lacuna's forged signature"
| He feared he might be sent TO Guam,
and he was glad to come to Manila.
Las Palanan was guarded by numer-
Gus outposts and signal stations. Dur
ing the fight none of the Macabebes
We're wounded.
The expedition rested March 24th,
lowing day to Palanan bay, where Gen.
eral Funston found the Nicksburg,
which brought him to Manila Com
mander Barry OF the Vicksburg rem
dered General Funston splendid assist
ance.
Aguinaldo, who talked freely of past
events, said he supposed that General
Trias would proclaim himself dictator,
even not knowing that Trias had sur
rendered. He behaved courteously and
gave no trouble.
General Funston says Aguinaldo is
above the average in intelligence and
has prepossessing manners.
General Macarthur has given Aguin-
aldo quarters in his own palace under
guard.