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ORIGINAL PLAN: SWINGING ON CABATUAN, ENTRAPMENT Gen. Hughes with 4 battalions would go to Cabatuan from Tigbauan and Oton, and block while Col. Carpenter with 2 battalions would then attack the Jaro defenses and drive the revolucionarios into the waiting arms of Hughes in Cabatuan and force a single decisive fight 
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However, Col. Rice discovered the road from Oton to Cabatuan to be impassable due to rains,
so this route was nixed. Gen. Hughes then proceeded to Cabatuan from Tigbauan with all his four battalions. Meanwhile, Col. Carpenter attacked the Jaro defenses directly, instead of going to Jibao-an. The two columns joined up in Cabatuan on Nov. 23 1899. 
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| ... were eager for another battle like that of Pavia, the opportunity was denied them, for the city was deserted the night before when the fleeing rebel army, with its cartloads of dead and dying, fled though Santa Barbara to Cabatuan, the rebel capital, four miles beyond. This city was the next morning invested by the second battalion without resistance, the Khakiaks having all run to the mountains. Later in the day General Hughes, with his personal column, entered Cabatuan and could ... |
From Cabatuan, Iloilo, on November 23 1899,
Gen. Robert P. Hughes reports to Gen. Elwell S. Otis the capture of Cabatuan, the seat of government
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From Cabatuan on November 23, General Hughes reported the results of these operations as follows:
The enemy has been driven out from Pavia, Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Oton, Tigbauan, Cordoba, Leon, Almodian, Maasin, and Cabatuan, the seat of government, and the boasted army headquarters have taken to the mountains. There were but two actions, the first on the 20th at the crossing of the Aganao, and when the result of that action was certain, and the enemy had shown his full strength on that front, it was evident that it would be entirely safe for Colonel Carpenter to attack at Pavia, and he was ordered by signal to do so. He attacked the advance of the enemy on the south of the Aganao at daylight and drove them into Pavia. He then attacked the defenses of Pavia and took the place. These actions compelled the abandonment of Santa Barbara, Maasin, and Cabatuan. * * * Captured 10 prisoners, 18 cannon of all kinds, 6 rifles, quantities of ammunition, powder, etc. |
Gen. Elwell S. Otis then cables Washington / President Mckinley
that Gen. Robert P. Hughes in Iloilo is reporting the capture of Cabatuan, the insurgent capital
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MANILA. (Received November 24, 1899 - 8.34 a.m.)
ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Washington: Hughes, Iloilo, reports enemy driven back into mountains; insurgent capital, Cabatuan, captured; only serious action that of Carpenter at Pavia; total casualties 5 killed or since dead of wounds; 27 wounded; captured 10 prisoners, 18 cannon, 6 rifles, quantities of ammunition; enemy's casualties not stated. OTIS |
The War Room in the White House
with the telegraph operator at left in the background
Telegraph Operator. General Miles. Mr. Porter, President's Secretary.
Secretary Long. President Mckinley
Captain Crownenshield. Military Aide.
Secretary Alger.
On the same day that it was received
President McKinley reads aloud the cable from Gen. Elwell S. Otis
regarding the capture of Cabatuan, Iloilo, the insurgent capital in Panay, by Gen. Robert P. Hughes
during the cabinet meeting, before giving it to the press
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Cabinet Derives Great Comfort from Otis' Despatches Washington, Nov. 24 (Special) - The cabinet meeting today was taken up largely with the consideration of the despatches from General Otis. The semi-political one in which the general announced in an oratorical fashion the capture of more of Aguinaldo's cabinet members as well as the president of the Philippine Congress and the taking of the Tagal capital of Panay by Hughes, was read aloud by the President before being given out to the press. These were productive of great comfort to the cabinet, and it seemed to them that the insurrection is over. LINCOLN |
U.S. Newspapers publish the capture of Cabatuan, Iloilo, the insurgent capital
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And the Generals and Troops Separated and In a Condition of Panic [News-Democrat Leased Wire Service.] Washington, Nov. 25. - Gen. Otis sends several cablegrams this morning. He says: The insurgents claim to having a government can be made no longer. Its treasurer, secretary of the interior, and president of the congress are in our hands. Its president and remaining cabinet officers are in hiding and generals and troops scattered. Indications are that Aguinaldo did not escape through Lawton to Wheaton's lines, but fled westward from Bayambang. Hughes, at Iloilo, reports enemy driven back into the mountains. Insurgent capital, Cabatuan, captured. Only serious action that of Carpenter at Pavia. Total casualties, five killed, 27 wounded. Captured ten prisoners, cannons, rifles and ammunition. |
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Three of its Members in Otis Hands OTHERS ARE IN HIDING THE ARMY BROKEN UP INTO SMALL BANDS AGAIN WHERE IS AGUINALDO THE CHIEF? Otis Says He is Supposed to Have Fled Westward From Bayambang Railway Station. American Successes in Iloilo. Capture of Cabatuan. Washington, Nov. 24. - General Otis summarizes the situation in Luzon in a dispatch to the War Department today in which he says that the insurgent Government cano no longer claim to exist, its troops and officials are scattered and Aguinaldo in hiding. |
