The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-20
KILLED AT HEAD
OF HIS TROOPS
CONTINUED From First Page.
deep mud. the horses climbing the rocks
and sliding down the hills.
ATrACKED SAN MATEO.


deep mua. the horses climbing the rocks
| and sliding down the hills.
ATTACKED SAN MATEo.
Before daybrcak the command had
| reached the head of the valley. san Mateo
was attacked at o'clock and b hours
0ght followed. This resulted in few cas-
ulaties on the American side apart from
the death Of General Lawton, but the
attack was difficult because Of the natural
dcfences OF the town.
General Lawton was walking along the
firing line within 800 yards Of a small
sharp-shooter's trench conspicuous I'm the
big white helmet he wore. and light yell
low rain coat. He was also easily dis
tinguishable because OF his commanding
stature The sharp-shooters directed
several close shots which clipped the grass
near. His staff officers called General
Iawtons attention to the danger he was
i'm. but he only laughed with his usual
contempt for bullets
Suddenly he exclaimed. 81 am shot,
clenched his hands i'm desperate effort
10 stand erect and fell into The arms OF
a stan officer
SURGEONS EFFORTS USELESS.
Orderlies rushed across the field for
surgeons. who dashed up Immediately,
but their efforts were useless. The body
was taken 10 a clump of bushes and laid
upon a strotcher. the familiar white hem-
let covering the face of the dead General
Almost az this moment the cheers OF the
American troops rushing into san Matco
were mngling with the rifle volleys AZ
ter the fight six stalwart cavalrNmen
forded the river 20 the town carrying the
litter ON their shoulders. the stan pre-
HnIN THH
cort following. The troops fled bare
headed through tine building where the
body was laid. and many tear fell from
the eyes of men who had long followed
the intrepid Lawtou.
Owing TO the condition Of the country
hich is impossible so far as vehicles
q.ro concerned the remains could not be
br ought 10 Manila to-day
Airs. Lawton and the children arc liv-
ine i'm government residence formerly
occlpied by Spanish general
san Matco lies behind a high mountain
and broad shallow stream in
frorrt with wide sand-bnrs which the in
surgent trenches and the buildings com
mand The Americans were compelled 10
ford the river under fire. II was WINE
they were lying IN the rice fields ana vol
Iovins across preparatory TO passing the
stream. iIdA ~ llf eA La A't' ''"
All e., cent the officers were behind cover
san officer was wounded about the
same time and ono other officer ana sew
,ral men were wounded Alter three
! ,,r-s' shooting The Fiipinos were dis
% er-cd into the mountains.
Colonel Tockett took command when
q. ueral LawtOn fen.
GREAT SHOCK TO OFFICIALS.
-ASHtNGTON. Dec. 19-Generals Law
ton Is death was "a. great shock 10 lhe
,.oi. 49, OF the War Department. 20 all OF
,,b, n, he was known personally Hitherto
his tick I'm battle had been marvellous.
lilo f,a6 been i'm hundreds OF skirmishes
aud midnight attacks He was regarded
as a man Of action and OF splendld
coura -. but was not considered rechleS7'
He u. ser exposed his men without que
,o-sid, Vation of the risks and the stake
tris ION knew this and would un-
besita, ngly follow his lead under what
seemed to be the most desperate condi-
films r.. De Indians came 10 know him as
the mos active. yligdnt, wary and de-
terroined of foes. and his pursuit ana
,apturc % Geronimo. the famous Apache
chieftain. has gone down 10 history as
one of the most remarkable campaigns
ever lindei taken with the small force I'm
hand.
General Niles picked out Lawion 10
lead the ch asc after the Indian chief and
for three ponths. day and night with
ont a paus y. through all sorts of vic
issitudes Of weather and personal sur
faring. Law ton hung on the trial like
bloodgound unul the game was run 10
death. and for the first time I'm quarter
Of "A century Southeastern Arizona was
pacihel.
Secretary Root and the President each
tonight expressed their profound grief
al tie confirmation of the report Of the
death of the gal;un general
OOOL' FIGHTER.
General LaVton was known as good
fehter and sold Ter Of experience ana
ability. lie served i'm the Union Army
throughout the civ il war. having entered
the service as ser geant of Company j.,
Ninth Indiana V Olunteer Infantry. in
April. 1861. lie W.. IS promoted AT various
times and finally brevetted colonel for
gallantYr He emit ared the regular estab-
lishment as a SEQ ond lieutenant at the
close of The war. rose TO ieutenant-colo-
mel and was appO inted brigadicr-eeneral
Of volunteers at the outbreak Of the Span
ism war
In July, 1NsS. he was chosen for the i'm
portant DUTY Of op enins the military ope-
rations against the Spaniards by the cap
ure Of Canev and the interception of the
Spanish reinfcucen ents then nearing san
tiagO De Cuba
General Lawaoa sailed for the Philip
pine Islands on int transport Grant jan
uary 49, 1899.
NEWS IN WASHINGTON
Up 10 ] o'clock this afternoon the War
Department had received no word Of
General Lawton's death. except that
conveyed I'm the Associated Press de-
spatch. which was Immediately given 10
war officials. The presidents first inti-
nation Of the ios- OF this brave officer
was also given him by the Associated
Press.
The despatch was sent 10 the White
House while the cabinet meeting was IN
progress and was Immediately sent into
the cabinet room where it was received
with expressions Of profound sorrow and
regret
1t was learned at the War Department
that instructions had heen received last
night from the president to prepare Law
tons commission as a brigadier gener-
al in the regular army 70 NIL one Of the
existing vacancies and she Adiutant Cen