The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-02

believed the story Two Of the Lacuna
letters, previously concocted, were for
warded To Aguinaldo at Palanan, Prov
ince Of Isabella Gen. Funston and the
Others were kept imprisoned for three
days, surreptitiously giving orders at
night.
SENT TO AGrINALDO FOR FOOD.
On the morning of March 18th, taking
n small quantity Of cracked corn, the
party started ON 9O-mile march to
Palanan. The country is rough and un-
inhabited, and provisions could not be
secured The party ate small shellfsh,
but were almost starved.
Wading swift rivers, climbing precipi-
tous mountains and penetrating dense
jungles, they marched seven days and
nights, and on March 22nd had reached
n point eight miles from Palanan.
They were now 20 weak that it was
necessary To send to Aguinaldo's camp
for food Aguinaldo dispatched supplies.
and directed that the American prisoners
be kindly treated but not To he allowed
to enter the town
PLAN WAS NEARLY FOILED.
On the morning of March % the ad-
vance was resumed The column was
met by the staff officers Of Aguinaldo and
a detachment Of Aguinnldo body-guard,
which was ordered To take charge of the
|. Americans.
While one of the ex-insurgent officers
cOnversed with AguinaldO O'saide. another
Spaniarl, sent n courier To warn Gen
Funston and the rest, who, with eleven
Macabebes. were about an hour behind.
Having received this warning. Gen. Fun
stOn avoided Aguinaldo's detachment
and joined the columns avoiding observa-
tiOn. The TagalOs went ahead tO greet
Aguinaldo and the column slowly fol
lowed. finally arriving at Palanan.
Aguinaldo's household troops, fifty
men in neat uniforms of blue and white
and wearing straw hats. lined up to re-
cieve the newcomers. Cen. 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
grenadiers The TagaIos entered the
house where Aguinaldo was met.
Suddenly the Spanish officers noticing
Aguinaldos allie 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 rebels
returned the fire.
On hearing the firing, AguinaldO, who
evidently thought his men were merely
celebrating the arrival of reinforcements,
ran to the window and shouted: "StOp
that foolishnessl Quit wasting ammu-
nitiOnl"
HilariO Placido, one Of the Tagalog Off
GERS 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 around Agui-
naldo, exclaiming: "You are a prisoner
Of the Americans
FUTILE ATTEMPT At RESCUE.
Col Simeon Villa, AguinaldO's chief of
staff; Major Alambra and Others attacked
the men who were holding Aguinaldo.
Placido shot Villa in the shoulder. Alam-
bra jumped out of the window and
attempted tocross the river lis suppos-
ed that he was drowned. Five other in
surgent officers fought for few minutes
and then fed, making their escape
When the firing began Gen Funston
assumed command and directed the at
tack on the house, personally assisting
in the capture of Aguinaldo.
The iusurgent body-guard fled, leaving
20 rifles. Santiago Barcelona, the insur-
gent treasurer, surrendered without re-
sistance.
CAPTIVE TREMENDOUSLY EXCITED.
When captured Aguinaldo was tremen-
dously excited, but he Gained down UNI
der Gen. Funston's assurance that he
would be well treated. Gen. 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 also discovered that Aguinaldo
on January % had proclaimed himself
dictator. He had been living at Palanan
;or seven months, undisturbed except
when detachment OF the Sixteenth In
fantry visited the town. On that ocea-
sion the entire population took to the
mountains and remained there until the
troops retired.