Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1901-04-04


manded by Captain Russell t. Haz-
zard. With him was his brother, Lieu
tenant Oliver T. VI. Hazard. both of
the Eleventh United States cavalry.
Captain Harry w. Newton, Thirty
fourth infantry. was taken because of
his familiarity with Casiguran bay,
and Lieutenant Burton J. Mitchell.
Fortieth infantry. went as General
Funston's aid. These were the only
Americans accompanying the leader OF
the expedition.
Insurgent Officers With Funston.
With the Macabebes were four ex-
insurgent officers. one being a Spaniard
and the other three Tagalogs. whom
General Funston trusted implicitly.
General Funston and the American
officers wore plain blue shirts and
khaki trousers. They carried each a
half blanket. but wore no insignia of
rank. The Macahebes were carefully
instructed to obey the orders OF the
four ex-insurgent officers.
On the night of March the party
embarked ON the United States gun
boat YicksburG. Ii was originally in
of Polillo and to drift to the mainland
but a storm arose and three of the cas-
Goes We're lost. This plan was aban-
doned. At . a. m. March II the Vicks-
burg put her lights out and ran in
shore % miles south of Casiguran
province of Principe. The Americans
had never garrisoned this place. and
the inhabitants are strong insurgent
sympathizers. Having arrived there
the ex-insurgent officers. oStensibly
commanding the party. announced that
they were on the way TO join Aguinal-
do between Pautobagan and Baler
that they had surprised an American
surveying party and that they had
killed a number. capturing five. They
exhibited General Funston and the
other Americans as their prisoners.
InsurEent Presidente Deceived.
The insurgent presidente of Casigu-
ran believed the story. Two of the
Lacuna letters. previously concocted.
were forwarded to Aguinaldo at Pala-
nan. province of Isabella. General
Funston and the others were kept inn
priSoned for three days. surreptitiously
giving orders at night. On the morning
of March II, taking small quantity
of cracked corn, the party started on
a 90 mile march TO Palanan. The
country is rough and uninhabited. and
provisions could not be secured. The
party ate small shellfish. but was al
most starved. Wading swift rivers.
climbing precipitous mountains and
penetrating dense jungles. they march
| ed seven days and nights and on
March 22 had reached a point eight
miles from Palanan. They were now
so weak that il was necessary TO send
to Aguinaldo's camp for food. Agui-
naldo dispatched supplies and directed
that the American prisoners he kindly
treated. but not be allowed TO enter the
| town.
| On the morning of March % the ad-
| vance was resumed. The column was
! met by the staff officers of Aguinaldo
| and a detachment of Aguinaldo's body
guard. which was ordered TO take
charge of the Americans.
| While one of the ex-inSurgent officers
conversed with Aguinaldo's aid anoth-
er, Spanfard, sent courier to warn
General Funston and the rest. who,
| with IL Macabebes. were about an
hour behind. Having received. this
warning. General Funston avoiSsed
Aguinaldo's detachment and Joined the
/ column. avoiding observation. The
Tagalos went ahead to greet Aguinal-
do. and the column slowly followed,
finally arriving ut Palanan.
Aguinaldo's household troops, 90
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