, 1899-12-20
KILLED
ONE OF THE BEST OF AMERICAN
OFFICERS INSTANTLY KILL
ED ON MONDAY.
Filipino Sharpshooters Cut Short the
Career of the Intrepid Cavalry
Leader and Indian Fighter-Was
Once Inspector General-Whole
Army Mourns For Him.

Manila, Dec. 19.-General Henry
Lawton was shot and killed at San
Mateo. He was standing in front OF
his troops, was shot in the breast and
died Immediately.
General Lawton left home Monday
night, having returned from his north
ern operations Saturday to lead an ex-
petition through Mariquina valley,
which has been an insurgent strong
hold through the war. The valley has
several times been invaded, but never
held by the Americans. General Gero-
nimo was supposed to have there the
largest organized force north of Manila
and General Otis wished to garrison
Mariquina.
The night was one of the worst of
the season. A terrific rain had begun
and is still continuing.
Accompanied by his staff and Troop
/, Fourth cavalry, General Lawton set
out at 8 O'Clock in advance of the main
force, consisting of the Eleventh cava.
IS and one battalion each Of the TWEEN
tieth and Twenty-seventh infantry,
which started from La Iona at mid
night. With a small escort he led the
way through an almost painless coun-
try,a distance Of fifteen miles over hills
and through cane brake and deep mud,
the horses climbing the rocks and slid
ing down the hill. Before daybreak the
command had reached the head of the
valley.
San Mateo was attacked at 8 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 defences
Of the town.
General Lawton was walking along
the firing line within 800 yards Of q
small sharpshooters trench, conspicu-
GUS in the big white helmet he always
wore, and a light yellow rain coat. He
was also easily distinguished because
Of his commanding stature.
The sharpshooters directed severa,
close shots which clipped the gras:
near by. His staff oficer called his at.
tention to the danger he was in, but hi
only laughed with his usual contemp'
for bullets.
Suddenly he exclaimed: II am shot,
clenched his hands in a desperate ef
fort to stand erect, and fell into thu
arms of a staff officer.
Orderlies rushed across the field fol
surgeons, who dashed up Immediately
but their efforts were useless. The
body was taken to a ciump Of bushes
and laid on a %stretcher, the familia,
white helmet covering the face Of the
dead general. Almost at this moment
the cheers of the American troops rush
ing into San Mateo were mingling with
the rifle vol VS.. After the fight 81,
stalwart cavalrymen forded the river
to the town, carrying the litter On theil
shoulders, the staff preceding with the
colors and 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 intrep-
i'd Lawton. The entire command was
stricken with grief, as though each man
had suffered a personal loss. Owing
to the condition OF the country, which
is impossible so far as vehicles are con-
cerned, the remains could not be
brought to Manila today. Mrs. Law