The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-20
GENERAL
LAWTONS'
SAD FATE.
At the Head of His Command he
Was Shot by a Filipino
sharpshOOter.
HIS DEATH CAME INSTANTLY.
When News Came a Commission In
the Regular Army Was Being
Issued For Him.

MANILA, Dec. 1O.-MaJor General
Henry w. Lawton has been shot and
killed at San Mateo. He was standing
in front Of his troops, was shot In the
breast and died Immediately.
General Lawton started from Manila
last night with cavalry, under Captain
Lockett and battalion OF the Twenty
ninth and Thlrty-sevepth Infantry, uh-
der Lieutenant Colonel Sargent, for the
purpose OF capturing San Meteo, where
Gernomo was said to have 800 Insur-
gents.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Up to l
o'clock this afternoon the war depart
ment had received no word Of General
Lawton's death except that conveyed
in the Associated Press dispatch, which
was given Immediately to the war oftl-
clals. The Presidents first intImation
of the loss OF this brave officer was also
given him by the Associated Press.
The dispatch was sent TO the white
house while the cabinet was in progress
and was Immediately sent to the cabi-
net room, where 1t was received with
expressions of profound sorrow and re-
gret. 1t was learned at the war de-
partment that Instructions had been
received last night from the President
to prepare General Lawton's commits
sion as bFigadier general In the regu-
lar army 20 fill one OF the existing va
cancles, ard the adjutnnt generals
clerks were at work on the commission
when the Information of General Law
tons death was conveyed to the de-
partment. General Lawton was born
in Toledo, Ohio, and appointed to the
army from Indiana, and won his COM
mission in the army by signal galIantry
during the war between the states.
General Lawton was known as gooi
fighter AMI soldier of experience and
ability. He served in the Union army
Throughout the civil war, having enter
ed the seryIce as sergeant of Company
e, Ninth indiana Volunteer Infantry.
in April, 1851. He was successfully
promoted until in March, 1865, he was
breveted a colonel for gallant and meri
torous service during the war He en-
tered the regular establishment in July,
1866. as second lieutenant of the Forty
first Infantry, (colored), and remained
with that branch of the army until
January, 1871. In septp9pber, 1883, he
was appointed Inspector general with
the rank OF major. At the opening of
the war with Spain President Mckinley
appointed him a br!gadIer general of
volunteers aud assigned him to the COM
mand Of division OF the Fifth army
corps, commanded by General Shafter.
In July, 1898, he was chosen for the
Important duty OF opening the military
operations against the spaninrds by the
capture of Caney and the interception
of the Spanish reinforeemsnts then
nearing Santiago de Cuba.
General Lawton sailed for the Phil
IppIne islands on the transport Grant,
January 10, 1899 His distinguished
services In the Philippines are recent
history. He received a special message
Of thanks from President Mckinley af-
ter his capture OF San IsIdro
on General Lawton's arrival at Ma
nila he relieved General Anderson in
command of tpf regular troops. He
captured Santa Cruz at the extreme
end OF the lake near Manila, Apri 10.
This place. which was n Filipino
stronghold, fell into the hands Of Gen.
Lawton's expedition after some sharp
fighting, which formed one of the
most interesting battles of the war.
General Lawton and his stan, accom-
panied the troops, some times leading
charges in Indian lighting tactics,
which eventually resulted in the COM
plete rout OF the rebels.
The generals next hard fighting took
place in his attack on San Rafael.
where the American troops were met
with q heavy fire from a largue number
OF rebels, who were concealed in the
jungles on all sides. Only the adoption
by General Lawion OF the tactics fol-
lowed in indian fighting in the United
States, every man for himself. saved
the division from great loss. As usual,
General Lawton was at the head OF his
line with his stan.
II was announced June that General
Lawton had been placed In command OF
the defense Of Manila, and the troops
forming the line around that city. Early
in October General Lawton was engaged
In dispensing the insurgcntg and cutting
on the communication maintained by
them between BacoOr and linus by
means OF Il road between those places.
He was successful In clearing the coun-
try Of Flllpplnos. and was several times
under fire. He then pushed northward,
CAPTURED a number OF towns and drove
tho Insurgents everywhere before him.
General Lawton and General Young
arrived Mt Arayat, october 49, with
force OF about three thousand men. He
next made his headquarters at Cahana-
tuan and took an active part In disperf-
ing the insurgGnt bands in different
parts Of the country.
About the middle OF November the
whereabouts Of Generals bnwton and
Young, on account OF tho rapidlty OF
their movements. became almost as
mysterious az that OF AEuinaldo. Gen
cral LawtOn's troops suffered consider
able hardship In this series Of energetic
movements. Numbers OF the soldiers,
and even Some or the officers, were Dr.
scrlbcd as marching ahead half nnRed,
their clothes being torn IN shrcds In get
tlnE through the jungtcs; hnndreds OF
them were barefOotCd, and all OF them
wrrp living on any sort OF provisions.
Bread was rare and carabHo meat and
hnnnmnn 1Nnrr tho HinnInA.