FALES, NOVEMBER 10, 1902

GENERAL SERVICE AND STAFF COLLEGE,
Fort Leavenworth, Kans., November 10, 1902.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE-GENERAL U. S. ARMY,
Washington, D. C.

SIR: I have the honor, in replying to your letter of November 5, to state that I commanded Company C, Twenty-sixth U. S. Volunteer Infantry, as first lieutenant during its entire service in the Philippine Islands (except a short period while sick) and up to its muster out at San Francisco, Cal., May 13, 1901; which service practically consisted of field service during the entire period of duty on the island of Panay, P. I. On or about May 25, 1900, I took command of Borotac Nueva [Barotac Nuevo], province of Iloilo, with about one-half my company, sending the rest with Second Lieut. Roy L. Fernald (who on September 1, 1900, was drowned near that spot in line of duty) to Dumangas, about 4 or 5 miles distant. While not directly in command of Dumangas, I considered that as part of my company was stationed there I kept informed of their wants, and called on Lieutenant Fernald several times.

From the time Lieutenant Fernald took station at Dumangas, and up to the burning of that place, he met with opposition in all his work as to the betterment of affairs in the town, not only with the presidente and officials but with Padre Augustine de la Peña. I believe we all (officers.) serving in the Philippines considered the padres as of much importance as the presidente-and they certainly from my experience could accomplish many times more than the other officials, if they were so disposed. In his capacity Padre de la Peña was particularly in a position to have been of great assistance should he have so chosen, as he was related to many of the influential people of Dumangas, and especially to one Joaquin de la Peña (a direct relative), an insurgent chief, who was very active and cruel beyond measure-also to Colonel Quentin Salas [Quintin Salas]. Both of these officers claimed Dumangas as their home, and lived during this period between November, 1899, and March, 1901, in the swamps of Dumangas and on the heights of Aglayo, near by. In interviews with Padre de la Peña it was quite evident he considered the presence of American troops at Dumangas a nuisance. And when called upon by Lieutenant Fernald for assistance or information in his work, as mapped out by the department commander as regards to Dumangas, his attitude while seemingly friendly was indifferent, and I know of not one incident myself where help from Padre de la Peña was accorded him.

And I distinctly remember Lieutenant Fernald remarking that if he could have his own way he would place him in arrest. And here I beg to state that Lieutenant Fernald was an officer not easily excited under perplexing conditions, always kind, and never harsh in his dealings with the Filipinos. One incident in particular; In sending

mail or other matter between Dumangas and Borotac [Barotac] we used small detachments, and on one occasion Lieutenant Fernald started with three or four men to take Private Mills, who was down with fever, to Borotac [Barotac] from Dumangas. He had trouble in securing transportation (bull and cart), which was rather unusual, and had requested Padre de la Peña to assist him-he seemed ready to do so-but after nearly a day's delay waiting, the padre informed him there wasn't a bull in Dumangas (an unusual state of affairs). Finally he started. When about halfway between the above stations, he was ambushed by a superior force, and, the bull having stampeded, they were obliged to take turns in carrying Private Mills and in turn fighting their way toward Borotac [Barotac], until rescued in nick of time by detachment from Borotac [Barotac]. Private Mills died a few hours after reaching Borotac [Barotac], from shock, so the medical officer stated. Lieutenant Fernald always said he was positive the ambush was planned by Padre de la Peña; that the movement of the detachment was at first delayed for the purpose of giving the insurgents time to take their position; that Padre de la Peña was very anxious to know just when he would start with detail.

I consider Dumangas the hotbed of the insurrection in the island of Panay, and I believe my statement can be borne out by official records on file in the War Department from that district. After the burning of Dumangas, Padre de la Peña went to either Jaro or Iloilo to live; I don't remember which. I never heard that he was taken to Banate and that the water cure was given him, and from which effects it was stated caused his death, until I arrived in the United States some time after muster out, and I believe this information I received from the newspapers.

Banate was about 10 miles from Borotac [Barotac], and I saw Captain Brownell and his men quite often, and no mention was made of this matter as regards Padre de la Peña to me. I never witnessed the water cure given, as I remember, and I never heard of a case while in the islands where it was stated that a death resulted from its effects. I left Borotac Nueva [Barotac Nuevo] and took station at Poloton [Pototan], about 6 miles to the west, on September 25, 1900, and remained there or in that vicinity until regiment was ordered home about March 6, 1901.

Very respectfully,

HENRY M. FALES
Second Lieutenant, Twenty-first Infantry.