February 4, 1899. 9:43PM
At nine sharp tonight, American camp started hostilities. Our forces
answered enemy fire. All in their posts without fear. Await orders.
Wire from Capt. Fernando Grey, in-charge of the Third Zone.
|
On Saturday, Feb 4, 1899
- Gen. Artemio Ricarte and Gen. Luciano San Miguel were summoned
to Malolos and met with Pres. Aguinaldo in the afternoon. They stayed
the night in Malolos, at the house of Tomas Guison.
- Gen. Mariano Noriel was in Parañaque making prepations for his
wedding
- Gen. Antonio Luna, Director of War, asked permission to visit his
family in San Fernando, Pampanga.
|
In Manila on the 5th, I saw as a prisoner being marched to quarters by the
Americans, Señor Escamillo, one of Gen. Aguinaldo's secretaries
or interpreters. He has spent the night of the 4th in Manila. He bowed
to me as he passed. Had hostilities been commenced by Gen. Aguinaldo,
as was alleged by the Americans at the time, is it probable or likely that
Escamillo would have laid himself open to arrest by his presence in Manila?
Source :
The Filipino Martyrs
A Story of the Crime of February 4, 1899
by an Eyewitness.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
|
|
On Feb 2 and 3, 1899
- Filipinos employed in different capacities in the American ships were dismissed.
On Feb 4, 1899
- About 200 to 300 American soldiers boarded two cascos in Manila
and were towed in the direction of Cavite. They did not disembark in Cavite,
but at nightfall, they were towed back to the Pasig, where they were
transferred to the gunboat Laguna de Bay, which brought them to
Sta. Ana
|
About eight oclock, Miller and I were cautiously pacing our district.
We came to a fence and were trying to see what the Filipinos were up to.
Suddenly, near at hand, on our left, there was a low but unmistakable
Filipino outpost signal whistle. It was immediately answered by a
similar whistle about twenty-five yards to the right. Then a red lantern
flashed a signal from blockhouse number 7. We had never seen such a sign
used before. In a moment, something rose up slowly in front of us. It
was a Filipino. I yelled Halt! and made it pretty loud, for I was
accustomed to challenging the officer of the guard in approved military
style. I challenged him with another loud halt! Then he shouted
halto! to me. Well, I thought the best thing to do was to shoot him.
He dropped. If I didnt kill him, I guess he died of fright. Two
Filipinos sprang out of the gateway about 15 feet from us. I called
halt! and Miller fired and dropped one. I saw that another was left.
Well, I think I got my second Filipino that time....
Private William W. Grayson
|
|
