The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-09-10
CAPTURED BY FILIPINOS.
Lieutenant Alstaetters Story of His
 Experience.

Lieutenant Alstaetter's Story of His Experience.
 After an absence of three years and three months in the Philippines, Con-
 pany A, Battalion of Engineers, is back In the old quarters at Willets Point, l.. l. Two officers and flfty-seven en- listed men made up the company when
 1t returned, only portion of whom
 went out with the command. Captain
 Craighill took command of the com
 pany Just before 1t returned home, and
 First Lieutenant Alstaetter was as-
 signed to the company after it reached
 the Philippines. First Lieutenant Woo-
 ten, who is now also at Willets Point
 returned about a year ago. Both of
 ficers and men are in fine physical con-
 dition, their clear eyes and clear com
 plexions being a sufficient guarantee of
 the truth of the statement so often
 made and so often disputed that the
 climate of the Philippines is healthful
 The entire company did hard work and
 lots of it. both before and after the
 outbreak of Aguinaldo's insurrection.
 and, although often under fire and at
 the beginning of the Tagal outbreak
 taking its place on the firing line as foot soldiers, none of it's members was killed, although several were wounded
 and several died from disease
 Of all who were in the company none had so varied and exciting an experi- ence as Lieutenant Alstaetter. He it
 was who, with twelve of his men, was attacked in August of last year by large band of insurgents. One of the Americans was killed two were wound- ed and all the survivors made prison CTS. The enlisted men were released on parole. Lieutenant Alstaetter was kept a prisoner for three months and twenty days, when he was released on condition that our people would release a certain Filipino major who was captive in Manila. Lieutenant Alstaet- ter speaks In rather a laughing way of his experience while in captivity, al- though it was hardly an adventure which a civilian, at least, would regard as wholly humorous.
 Tt was in the rainy season that we were caught" said the lieutenant We were out inspecting a road to see what repairs we would want to make on 1t when the weather became so that we could work. The Filipinos introduced thmeselves with volley, hitting three of our men, one of whom was killed in- stantly. Then they overwhelmed us and we were fairly caught. On the whole they treated me fairly well.> I was threatened only once and then by 8 subordinate officer. I am convinced although the food they gave me left good deal to be desired, that it was the best they had. They were in rather close straits themselves. The only thing there seemed to be an abundance of rice. They told me at the outset that if I attempted to escape they would kill me and for nearly three ! I made no effort to get away, 1 I was determined to make a break sooner CT later If I got a good | chance. They took me at once up into l the mountains far out of the range | of where our men were likely to come | and they watched me very closely If ! went out of the house a guard always went with me
 'One day, however, after they had | got used to my being with them and 1 became a little careless, l made a break and ran for it. My guards at the time lad laid down their guns and that was ny chance. I had been quietly prepar- ng for it for some time and had my pocket pretty we'll filled with hard