Jun 24, 2019 1 min read

Dagger of Don Emelio Aguinaldo

Emelio Aguinaldo was the leader of the Philippine Independence movement. He lead a Filipino army against the Spanish in 1898 and successfully defeated the Spanish with aid from the United States. In June of that year he was made president of a revolutionary government and president of the Philippine Republic in 1899. Following the defeat of the Spanish, Aguinaldo waged a three-year war against his former allies, the United States, and the American occupation army. Aguinaldo was captured in his headquarters in Palanan, Isabella.

The Dagger pictured was acquired by Pvt. George W. Hutchinson of Co. I 10th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in February 1899 when Aguinaldo fled his headquarters. It was donated to the Washington County Historical Society by the Last Man Association, c/o Daniel A. Dooley.

Clay Kilgore is executive director of the Washington County Historical Society.