History: Spanish American War: Leandro Fullon Documents: Report to Aguinaldo [Stamp of the Republican Government Headquarters, the General Commanding in the Visayas, Antique, May 31, 1899] To the Honorable President of the Philippine Republic and Captain General of the armies of the Nation, Sr. Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy. Greetings and independence. After sending my greetings to you and to all the brothers who are fighting in that Island for the sacred cause of independence and after wishing the success of our arms in the war we are at present waging, I have the high honor of making a report to you of the operations had in the Island of Panay by the expeditionary army the command of which you conferred upon me with a confidence I did not deserve. In regard to the bombardment by the Americans of the city of Iloilo, of which you are aware both the expeditionary force and the regional forces retreated . . . Since that time we have had only a few partial engagements of little importance and skirmishes when our soldiers go out on a reconnaissance. This is the state of affairs, with little more ammunition on our side we remain without leaving the trenches where all of our forces are stationed. They are more than ever determined to sustain our sacred cause with the hope of securing the attainment of our ideals, even though it be with a scarcity of material means, especially those of communication with that Government (Aguinaldo's). We do not even know here what is occurring in that Island (Luzon) but we always have faith that victory will always follow our arms. In compliance with orders received from that Superior Government I presented my appointment as Commanding General of operations in these Visayan Islands, authorized by you, to the other Commanders of Iloilo and of all expeditionary forces; in view thereof they have recognized me as such and Sr. Martin Delgado continuing as General-in-Chief of the regional forces of Iloilo. By virtue of this recognition of the authority that you have entrusted to me, I may later have the honor to communicate to you all the details of the campaign, when the respective Generals and Commanders transmit to me the data necessary to complete the journal of operations. . . . An American vessel is continually visiting us, the intentions of which we do not know, and yesterday, the first instant, one passed here which, after approaching the coast of this town ans the capital San Jose, left in a northerly direction probably for the capital. I have ordered that watch on the coast be redoubled, and it affords me great satisfaction to be able to inform you that all the inhabitants of this province military as well as civilian, are disposed to repulse the enemy and not permit that this portion of Filipino territory be sullied by foreign footsteps, and we shall continue to work with all the faith we have in our sacred cause and with all the enthusiasm of every Filipino who loves the liberty and independence of his country. . . May God preserve you many years for the good of our country and the consummation of our independence. Antique, May 31, 1899 (signed) Leandro Fullon Commanding General of the operations in the Visayas [Note: This is an excerpt. Substantial portions with operational details have been edited out. Original in Spanish. L.S. P.I..R. 117.2] |
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