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January 7th, 1900

Between 8 and 9 p.m. we arrived at the barrio of Oscaris, a town of Echague, Province of Isabela of Cagayan, coming from the ranchería of Bayabas. Here we learned with true sorrow in our hearts of the surrender of General Daniel T. Tirona with his officers and troops to the American forces commanded by a captain.

There were few forces in the valley of Cagayan but our forces could not move as they were intended exclusively for the preservation of the precious life of our unconquered and remarkable leader.

All the local chiefs, powerful residents, and inhabitants of the valley who visited us grieved with sorrow in their souls at the act of the two generals, Canon and Tirona, because of their surrender without firing a shot at the American forces. They told us that the generals were carrying with them great quantities of jewelry and money. They attribute the surrender to the fear of losing their riches, although they commanded forces much more numerous than the enemy.

Since our arrival we have lodged in the convent and the troops in the church; and, as this situation was not safe, a camarin was ordered constructed on the other side of the river where we moved in on the afternoon of the 18th.