In the second place, on March 23, 1901, Aguinaldo, who had been long in concealment, was captured.

Though there had long been no possibility of really commanding the insurgent forces as a whole, Aguinaldo had remained the center of revolt and occasionally showed his hand, as in the attempt to negotiate a peace on the basis of independence.

In February an intercepted letter had given a clue to his hiding place.

Funston, in spite of his new rank, determined personally to undertake the capture.

The signature of Lacuna, one of the insurgent leaders, was forged and letters were sent to Aguinaldo informing him of the capture of five Americans, who were being sent to headquarters.
Among the five was Funston himself.