St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-04-03
Aguinaldo a Prisoner.
, brilliant Exploit of gen. Funston

brilliant Exploit Oh Gen' Funston.
Emilio Aguinaldo leader, of the insur-
cotton in the Philippines, is in Ma
ala prisoner in the hands OF the
American authorities. He was captured
80 March %, near Casigurau, on the
island of Luzon, by small party of
Americans and detachment of scouts
,,rder the command Of Brig. Gen. Fred
srick Funston. The party with their
prisoner reached Manila, Thursday on
tbe gunboat Vicksburg. The capture is
+be result of a plan devised by Gen. Funs-
Ton and executed under his direction.
About the middle of January a detach.
n,ent of Gen. Funston's command cap
Tired a messenger bearing dispatches
from Aguinaldo to various insurgent
chiefs asking for re,inforcements. On
Feb. s one of Aguinaldo's staff officers
surrendered and in his possession were
naDers, which told OF the dctator's
whereabouts.
Briefly told, Gen. Funston scheme was
TO make up party to impersonate in
surgent troops going to reinforce Agui.
raldo. The Americans were to be passed
off as prisoners. The plan was forward
ed to General Macarthur and was ap.
nroved by him. Gen. Funston then
formed the expedition of four Tagalogs
who were formerly officers in Aguinal-
dos army, three United States officers
aside from the commander and rs Mac
cabebe scouts. The party left Cavite on
the Vicksburg, March 6, and on the early
morning OF the 14th landed near Baler,
which is 20 miles south Of Casigurau.
For six days the expedition marched
over an exceedingly difficult country,
covering ninety miles. When they
reached a point eight miles from Agui-
naldo's camp they were almost exhaust
ed from lack Of food and the fatigue of
the march. They stopped at the place
and sent message to Aguinaldo request
inc him to send food to them. The ruse
thus far had worked with great success
and on March %, when Aguinaldo sent
provisions, it was seen that he did not
have the slightest suspicion.
Americans were not wanted in his camp,
but instructing their supposed captors
to treat them kindly. On March % the
march was resumed, the Maccabebe off
GERS starting an hour ahead of the main
BODY of the expedition. The prisoners
under guard followed them.
When the party arrived at Aguinaldo's
camp bodyguard of fifty rifemen was
paraded and the officers were received
atAguiualdo's house, which was situat-
ed on the Palanan river. After some
conversation with him, in which they
gave the alleged details Of their engage
ment' with an American force, they
made excuses and quietly left the house
They at once gave orders in an under.
tone for the Maccabebes to get in posi-
ton and fire on the bodyguard. The
order was obeyed with rapidity, and
three volleys were delivered The insur-
gents were panic striker by the sudden
turn in affairs, and they broke and ran
III CONSERVATION. Two of them, howev-
er, were killed and eighteen wounded.
Simultaneously with the delivery of the
yolleys the American officers rushed into
Agunaldo's house.
Major Alhambra, one of Aguinaldo's
staff, had been shot in the face. He,
however, was determined not to be cap.
tured and he jumped from window into
the river and disappeared. Two cap.
tains and four lieutenants made their es.
cape in similar manner. Aguinaldo,
Col Villa, his chief-otstaff, and Santiago
Barcelona, the insurgeut treasurer, did
not have time to make an attempt to get
away before Gen. Funston and the Others
were upon them, demanding their sur
render. Seeing that the situation was
hopeless they gave themselves up.
The party stayed at the camp two
days, then marched overland to the coast
where the Vicksburg picked them up and
brought them to Manila.