It is not believed that the chief insurgent leaders wished to open hostilities at this time, as they were not completely prepared to assume the initiative.

They desired two or three days more to perfect their arrangements, but the zeal of their army brought on the crisis which anticipated their premeditated action.

They could not have delayed long, however, for it was their object to force an issue before American troops, then en route, could arrive in Manila." [227] Thus began the Insurgent attack, so long and so carefully planned for.

We learn from the Insurgent records that the shot of the American sentry missed its mark.

There was no reason why it should have provoked a hot return fire, but it did.
The result of the ensuing combat was not at all what the Insurgents had anticipated.