Letters from an Insurrecto

[JoeyDivisoria]

Gents,

Following an old Timawan tradition (complete with the traditional comical reference to a popular Hollywood flick in the thread title), pls find over the next several days serialized in this thread yet another attempted (mis-?)translation of a firsthand account of the KKK Revolution. This is an account by Dr. Don Mariano Ponce of Bulacan, not a soldier, but a civil official and chronicler of the Revolution.

RIZAL, M.H. DEL PILAR, PONCE

Original in Spanish is here.

6 Mayo 1897 Sr. D. F. BLUMENTRITT. MI QUERIDO AMIGO:

Son en mi poder tus muy apreciadas fechadas en 28 y 30 de Marzo y la del 2 de Abril y gracias por tus indicaciones. La premura del tiempo y la circunstancia de tener que meditar un poco sobre los hechos y los sucesos, han hecho que no vaya todavia por este correo la carta que tui pides. Ira en el proximo, lo mismo que los datos para tu articulo para el Almanaque de Praga.

I have in my possession your letters dated 28 and 30 March and 2 April. Thanks for the update. Time and circumstance have compelled me to meditate a little upon works and events, such that the information you request cannot be sent by this mailing. It will go in the next one, and these ought be useful for your article in the Almanac of Prague. 

Segin todas las noticias e indicios, la toma de Imus no significa mas que un pequeno golpe para la Revolucion. Los rebeldes han abandonado aquellos sitios con todas sus municiones y avios y hasta los graneros y pot este motivo la Revoluci6n sigue en pie, no verificandose mas que un cambio de domicilio. En cambio Bulakan se va llenando de rebeldes en sus montainas y no faltan campamentos insurrectos en la misma provincia de Manila, como Novaliches y otros puntos. Aguinaldo, pues, no esta vencido aun, pucsto que despues de la toma de Imus, todavia los espanoles lc pcdian parlamento, que no sc verifico porque estos no han querido accptar las condiciones de scguridad pedidas por Aguinaldo para verificarlo.

According to all indications, the fall of Imus signifies no more than a small blow against the Revolution. The rebels abandoned those sites with all their munitions and possessions, including grain, and it is still possible that the Revolution is still afoot… all this signifies is a change of address. Notwithstanding this, Bulacan is full of rebels in its mountains, and so is the province of Manila, such as in Novaliches, ansd other places. Aguinaldo therefore is not defeated, even after the fall of Imus, and the Spaniards are petitioning Parliament so as not to accept the conditions demanded by Aguinaldo.

ITUTULOY...

[JoeyDivisoria]

5-6-1897; Letter from PONCE to BLUMENTRITT continued

Gen Jose Alejandrino (later Gov of Pampanga)

Dr Maximo Viola

Cuando me prcguntaste por Alejandrino, crei que te referias al padre de Jos6 y por este motivo te contest6 que habia fallecido. Jose no era el que ha muerto sino su padre. Aquel te escribe ahora pues se encuentra aqui actualmente procedente del Japon. Con la muerte de su padre, 1e desempena ahora el papel de padre de familia; tiene una hermana y dos 6 tres hermanos. Aquella esta metida en un colegio y 6stos parece que no encontraron sitio scguro, y se refugiaron en el campo insurrecto, lo mismo que nuestro amigo Viola.

When you asked me about Alejandrino, I believed  you were referring to the father of Jose, for which reason I answered that he had died. Jose has not die, but the father has. He thus has written to you, and is now coming back from Japan. With the death of his father, he now has the role of padre de famila, and he has a sister and 6 brothers.  They first took refuge in a college, but when they found the site unsecure, they took refuge in the rebel camp, as did our friend Viola.

ITUTULOY

[JoeyDivisoria]

5-6-1897; Letter from PONCE to BLUMENTRITT continued

NOZALEDA, Archbishop of Manila

Corre aqui la noticia de que cuando llego Primo deRivera a Manila (23 Abril), el arzobispo Nozaleda se present6 a darle consejos; el general, cargado de mal humor, dicen que le contesto que no necesitaba consejos de nadie y que podia el arzobispo, por lo tanto, dejarle en paz. Este episodio dice muy bien en favor dcl general, y con ello parece prometer el planteo de una verdadera politica de atraccion. Vcremos que nos diran los hechos.

News has arrived that when Primo de Rivera arrived in Mnaila (4-23-1897), Archbishop Nozaleda presented himself in order to offer his counsel. The general, irritated, said in reply that he needed no counsel, and asked the archbishop to leave him in peace. This episode speaks very well in favor of the general, and the prospects for a true policy of attraction. We speak of what these acts say to us.

ITUTULOY

[JoeyDivisoria]

5-6-1897; Letter from PONCE to BLUMENTRITT continued



He aqui algunas notas tomadas de cartas particulares, acerca de la Insurreccion: "El 30 de Marzo en Pasong-Balite (Polo, Bulakan), a eso de las nueve de la maniana, una columna de 450 espainoles con voluntarios procedentes de Sta. Maria, inicia un ataque contra 120 hombres insurrectos con 10 jinetes, lantacas y municiones, bien atrincherados bajo el mando de un jefe llamado Capistrano. Resisten un combate de 5 horas, logrando la huida de los espanoles que en su fuga gritaban (( Viva Espafia!) dejando en el campo 58 muertos, entre ellos el capitan que mandaba la columna y un teniente. Los tagalos, como estaban bien atrincherados, no tuvieron mas que 3 muertos y 7 heridos y pudieron recoger 52 Maiisers y 2 Remingtons con sus municiones."

There are here some notes taken from certain letters about the insurrection: “March 30 in Pasong-Balite (Polo, Bulacan) at 9 in the morning, a column of 450 Spaniards with some volunteers coming from Sta Maria began to attack 120 rebel infantry, who also had among them 10 cavalry, and some lantacas, all under the command of a chief called Capistrano. They resisted for 5 hours, then forced the Spaniards to flee (while crying Viva Espanya) leaving behind 58 dead, including their commander, a captain, and a lieutenant. The Tagalogs, as they were well entrenched, lost mo more than 3 dead and 7 hurt, and could recover 52 Mausers and 2 Remingtons with ammunition."

ITUTULOY

[JoeyDivisoria]

"Un detalle: El Consejo de Guerra de los rebeldes someti6 S proceso a uno de estos prisioneros por haber abofeteado el cadaver del capitan, dicicndo: 'Tu tienes la culpa de lo que nos pasa.' El procesado manifesto que estaba muy resentido porque mandoles avanzar a sablazos, cuando que, vista la posicion ventajosa de los enemigos, lo que procedia era la rctirada."

"El 2 de Abril, columnas combinadas de Novaliches, San Francisco del Monte, Caloocan y Polo, con unos 800 hombres vuelven a atacar Pasong-Balite, defendido por 50 tagalos bajo el mando del mismo Capistrano. Estos se resistieron durante 7 horas; pero viendo que conclufan las municiones, abandonaron las trincheras, internandose hacia sitios estrategicos, despues de haber causado 200 bajas a los espanoles. S6lo tuvieron los tagalos 1 muerto y 4 heridos por su ventajosa posicion."

A detail: The War Council of the rebels subjected to interrogation one of the prisoners, who buffeted the corpse of their captain, saying: “It is your fault what happened to us.” The interrogated one further said that they were resentful for their commanders lead them to advance straight “into a saber blow” as could clearly be seen from the advantageous position of the enemy, from which they were forced to retreat.

On April 2, combined columns from Novaliches, San Francisco del Monte, Caloocan and Polo, together comprising 800 men went to attack Pasong-Balite, defended by 50 Tagalos under the command of  the same Capistrano. These resisted for 7 hours, but seeing their ammo gone, retreated to strategic positions after causing 200 dead among the Spaniards. They only found 1 dead Tagalog and 4 wounded, due to their advantageous position.

    SABLAZO
PUNYAZO
PUNYEZAZO
  CABEZAZO

[JoeyDivisoria]

"En Tanque (Caloocan, Manila) una avanzada tagala de 5 hombres, descubrio el 4 de Abril a una columna leal de 200 hombres. Los tagalos escogieron un sitio aprop6sito y apostados tras unos arboles, se tirotearon con los espanioles, matando al coronel, un cabo y 9 soldados.y causandoles muchos heridos, entre ellos un teniente." "En Marilao (Bulakan) el 16 de Abril, seis ninios de 14 a 16 afnos armados de puniales atacaron por sorpresa la estaci6n del Ferrocarril, guarnecida por 9 espanoles y 4 indigenas. Fue tal la sorpresa causada por aquel inesperado ataque, que antes de poder tomar las armas murieron 7 espainoles, siendo apresados dos indfgenas, 5 Maiisers, 2 Remingtons con sus municiones." "En Pamitinan, comprension de Montalban y a medio kilometro de este (provincia de Manila), hay un campamento tagalo de los mejor defendidos. Columnas procedentes de Manila, Mariquina, Pasig y San Mateo intentaron atacarlo el 7 y el 9 de Abril; pero viendo la situacion y defensa del campamento, se retiraron a gran distancia sin disparar un solo tiro." "En Jaen (Nueva Ecija) uno de los capitanes rebeldes, Enrique Zamora, con 11 hombres atacaron el 9 de Abril el convento, al anochecer, consiguiendo arrebatar7 fusiles de los voluntarios indfgenas, bien municionade que no hacen ninguna resistencia y se escapan al prin disparo."

In Tanque (Caloocan, Manila), an advance party of 5 Tagalog men discovered a loyalist column of 200 men. The Tagalos  chose an appropriate site amon some trees and they shot at the Spaniards, killing the colonel, a corporal, and 9 soldiers, and causing many wwounded, among whom was a lieutenant. In Marilao (Bulacan), April 16, 6 youths of 14 to 16 years of age, armed with daggers, launched a surprise attack on a railway station garrisoned by 9 Spaniards and 4 loyalist natives. So great was the surprise  that they were able to take arms, and slew 7 Spaniards and captured 2 natives. Captured were 5 Mausers, 2 Remingtons, and ammo.* In Panimitan, in the jurisdiction of Montalban, a half km east of Manila, was a well-defended Tagalog camp. Columns proceeded from Manila, Marikina, Pasig and San Mateo intending to attack on the 7th and 9th of April, but seeing the location and defenses of ther camp, retired without even a single shot. In Jaen (Nueva Ecija) a captain of the rebels, Enrique Zamora, with 11 men, attacked a convent April 9, at dusk, capturing 7 rifles from native loyalist volunteers, who did not resist, and fled without firing a shot.

* Tangina... astig talaga itong mga baguets na escrimadores!    

[prairiefire]

Wow, nice pic joey! Lots of Remingtons!

[JoeyDivisoria]

^^

Hey Doc PF, You got some good eyes on you... hindi ko makita kung bolt (Mauser) or hammer-trapdoor (Remington) iyung action ng mga fusil, but apparently you can.   

BTW, I'm puzzled about the composition of this pic. Are these loyalist Pinoys (such as those described in Ponce's letter) who are about to be executed? But then at least one of them is dressed similar to the insurrecto officer. Maybe they just happen to be in front of the platoon, which is showing off its weaponry (in a very dangerous way, I might add). 

CAPTION: Filipino soldiers outside Manila

[prairiefire]

Hehehe actually you are right. Hard to tell. But I just counted the number of barrel bands on the rifles. The Remington has 3, while the Mauser, two. Seems like most of the rifles in the pic have 3. Those held by the kneeling soldiers on the left seem to be Mausers, though. IMHO, those in front are either officers or NCOs. Maybe no concept of gun safety yet in those days? 

[JoeyDivisoria]

Hehehe actually you are right. Hard to tell. But I just counted the number of barrel bands on the rifles. The Remington has 3, while the Mauser, two. Seems like most of the rifles in the pic have 3.

Hehehe, now I know your trick. Kala ko may Superman vision ka  .

Good rule of thumb for IDing old fusiles. This really helps in my research hobby:

REMINGTON
MAUSER

Isang- libong salamat... Mil gracias.

[prairiefire]

Hey Mr. JD, a thousand thanks to you rin. You are posting pics I have never seen before. Please keep it up!

[JoeyDivisoria]

Dead juramentado

La carta de la cual tomo estos datos esta fechada en el ca pamento rebelde de Baling-Cupang (San Miguel de Mayumo) 26 de Abril. Estas proezas de nuestros tagalos indican que dificil sojuzgarles por la fuerza y que s6lo una verdadera polit de atraccion puede hacerles deponer las armas. Parecen es unos juramentados, unos atacados del hamuk descrito por malayistas; pero al propio tiempo atacan 6 se defienden con ojos abiertos, midiendo y calculando la fuerza de los enemig y n6 como los juramentados de Jol6 que se lanzan con los o cerrados y con el proposito de matar, aunque mueran descu tizados. Veo, pues, que la Revolucion esta lejos de su fin, si acierta Primo de Rivera a desarrollar una poltica que infundI los filipinos verdadera confianza, en el porvenir.

The letter that narrates these events are dated 4-26-1897 from the rebel camp at Baling-Cupang (San Miguel de Mayumo. These acts of our Tagalos indicate how difficult it would be to subjugate us by force , and only a true policy of attraction can makes them lay down their arms. They are as fierce as the juramentados whose fierce amuck attacks  are described by Malayologists. But at the same time, they attack and defend with open eyes, calculating the strength of the enemy, unlike the juramentados of Jolo who attack with eyes close intending to kill and die.  See therefore, the Revolution is far from finished unless Primo de Rivera develops a policy which gives Filipinos a true confidence in the future.

[Barber 6]

To Sir Joey: I 'm not sure if you already know about this link. I just wanted it to share with you and the rest of the Gang.

http://joserizal.info/Writings/Letters/Reformer/portal_ref_ltrs.htm

[JoeyDivisoria]

^^^ Sir B6, No this new to me. Thanks very much for the link.   

[JoeyDivisoria]

Los rebel( saben que Espania esta pasando ahora por una verdadera crisis ec n6mica y politica, y que a ellos les basta, para poner en jac la soberanna de Espania, con situarse en lugares seguros de montanas, sosteniendo asi pasivamente la reBelion. Los peri6dicos de Manila no titubean ahora en decir que si a Polavi le toco hacer mucho, a Primo de Rivera le toca ahora ha mucho mas que aquel. Queda pues lo mejor de los sucesos. Puedes escribirme con cualquiera de las senas: esto es, c mi verdadero nombre 6 con el de Semper. Es completamei igual. Te incluyo una fotografia conteniendo el retrato de Ed berto Evangelista y M. Salvador. Tambien te remito a ti y a Herr Ratzel nums. del "Weel Box of Curiousities" de Jap6n. Saludos afectuosos a tu apreciable familia y recibe un ap: tado abrazo de tu fiel amigo. M. PONCE. Hare una prueba mas fuerte de la fotografia y te la remit en el proximo.

The rebels know that Spain is passing thru a true economic and political crisis, and that they can outlast Spanish sovereignty waiting in their secure mountain strongholds, passively sustaining the rebellion. Those in Manila now say that Polavieja did much, but that Primo de Rivera will do much more. These then are the best events. You may write referring to me as Semper. I include a photo of Edilberto Evangelista and M. Slavador. I also give you and Herr Ratzel  “Wheel Box of Curiosities” from Japan. Affectionate salutations to your precious family, and an embrace from your faithful friend M. Ponce.

Evangelista