The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-22
SHOT WHILE STANDING BY HIS MEN
ON THE FIRING LINE.
PICKED OFF BY A SHARPSHOOTERI
He and His STAFF the Only Men Exposed
While Attacking Town OF Mateo.
When Warned He Laughs at the Idea
OF Danger from Bullets Striking
Close BY Almost Instantly He Re-
eeives One I'm the Breast and Falls
Dead-A sketch of His Life.

1NAAA bE@NAtAh@A As--1AdI0A GA& 1AE
Henry W Lawton has been shot and
killed at San Mateo. He was standingl
in front OF his troops. was shot in thel
breast and died Immediately.
General Lawton left home Monday
night, having returned from his north
petition through Mariquina valley
which has been an insurgent strong
hold throughout the war. The valley
has several times been invaded. but
never held by the Americans. General
Geronomo was supposed TO ave there
the largest organized force north of
Manila and General Otis wished TO gar
rison Mariquina.
The night was one OF the worst OF
the season. a terrific rain had begun
INK is still continuing. Accompanied
by his staff and troop 1. Fourth cav
airy, General Lawton set out al 3,
o'clock in advance of the main force,
consisting of the Eleventh cavalry and
one battalion each of the Twentieth.
and Twenty-seventh infantry, which
started from La Iona at midnight.
With a small escort, he led the way
through an almost painless country. al
distance of fifteen miles over hills and
through can brake and deep mud, the
horses climbing the rocks and sliding
down the hills. Before daybreak the
command had reached the head of the
valley.
San Mateo was attacked at s O'Clock
and a three hours fight ensued. This
resulted in but few casualties on the
American side, apart from the death
of General Lawton, but the attack was
difficult because of the natural de-
fenses of the town. General LawtonI
was walking along the firing line
within 800 yards of a small sharpshoot-
ers' trench conspicuous in the big
white helmet he wore, and a light yell
10y rain coat He was also easily dis
tinguishable because of his command
ing stature.
The s~harpshooters directed several
close shots which clipped the grass
near. His staff officers called General
Lawton's attention to the danger he
was in, but the only laughed with his
usual contempt for bullets.
Suddenly he exclaimed: II am shot"
clenched his hands in a desperate eff
fort to stand erect, and fell into the
arms of a staff officer.
Orderlies rushed across the field for
surgeons, who dashed up Immediately.
but their efforts were useless. The body
was taken to a clump OF bushes and
laid pom a stretcher, the familiar he'll
met covering the face OF the dead gen.
eral. Almost at this m0ment the
cheers of the American troops rushing
into San Mateo were minclirg with
the rifle volleys. After the fight six
stalwart cavalrymen forded the river
to the town, carrying the litter on their
shoulders, the staff preceding with the
colors, n a cavalry escort following
The troops filed bareheaded through
the building where the body was laid.
and many a tear fell from the eyes Of
men who had long followed the in
trepid Lawton. The entire command
was stricken with grief, as though
each man had suffered a personal loss.
Owing to the condition of the
try, which is impossible so far as We
hicles are concerned, the remains
could not be brought to Manila today.
Mrs. Lawton and the children are liv-
ing in a government residence former
ly occupied by a Spanish general.
San Mateo lies between a high noun
tain behind and a broad, shallow steam
in front, with wide san bars which
the insurgent trenches and the build
ings command. The Americans were
| compelled to ford the river under fire.
IL was Willie lucy were Lying III he
rice field and volleying across prepar-
atory to passing the stream that Cen
eral Lawton was shot. All except the
officers were behind cover. A staff Off
Ger was wounded about the same time,
and one other officer and seven men
| were
After three hours shooting the Fflipi-
nos were dispersed to the mountains.
Colonel Lockett took command when
General Lawton fell.
Washington, December 19.-The var
department tonight received the fol-
lowing official confirmation of the kill
| ing of General Lawton lee a Mateo,
LuZon:
'Manila.-General Lawton, engaged
in driving insurgents from San Mated
section Of country northeast of Manila,
was killed instantly at $3.50 o'clock yes
terday morning. A great loss to US and
his country. OTIS"
General Lawton was known as q
good fighter and soldier of experience
and ability. He served in the union
army throughout the civil war, having
entered the service as sergeant OF Com
pany E, Ninth Indiana volunteer in.
fantry, in April 1861. In March 1865
he was breveted colonel for gallant
and merftorious service during the war
He entered the regular establishment
in July 1866, as second lieutenant of the
Forty-first infantry (colored) and re-
manned with that branch OF the army
until January 1871, when he vas trans.
ferred to the Fourth cavalry, with
which he remained until September
1883, when he was appointed inspector
general, with the rank OF major. Later
he was promoted to the rank of lieu
! tenant colonel and held that rank un-
til h opening Of the war with Spain,
when President Mckinley appointed
him brigadier of volunteers, and as
signed him to the command Of a divi-
sion of the Fifth army corps. com
manded by General Shafter. He serv-
ed with distinction in the operations
before Santiago.
On General Lawton's arrival in Ma
Mia, in February last, he relieved
General Anderson in command Of the
regular troops. He captured Santa
Cruz, at the extreme end of the lake
near Manila, April 10th This place
which was a Filipino stronghold. fel
into the hands Of General Lawton's
\ expedition after some sharp fighting
which formed one Of the most inter.
esting battles Of the war. The gener
ais next hard fighting took place ir