The outpost was strengthened by a few of our men, who silently bore their taunts and abuse the entire night.

This was reported to me by General MacArthur, whom I directed to communicate with the officer in command of the insurgent troops concerned.

His prepared letter was shown me and approved, and the reply received was all that could be desired.

However, the agreement was ignored by the insurgents and on the evening of February 4 another demonstration was made on one of our small outposts, which occupied a retired position at least 150 yards within the line which had been mutually agreed upon, an insurgent approaching the picket and refusing to halt or answer when challenged.

The result was that our picket discharged his piece, when the insurgent troops near Santa Mesa opened a spirited fire on our troops there stationed.
"The insurgents had thus succeeded in drawing the fire of a small outpost, which they had evidently labored with all their ingenuity to accomplish, in order to justify in some way their premeditated attack.