The Portland daily press., 1899-12-22

War Department,
Warrington, Dtc. 81, 1899.
With deep regret the Secretary OF War
announces the death on the field Of battle
Of Henry W. Lawton, major general OF
volunteers and colonel and inspector gen.
eral Of the regular army.
On the 18th Of April. 1861, three days
after President Lincoln's first call for
volunteers In the war for the union, at
the ago Of eighteen, he enlisted ss .
private In the ninth Indiana volunteers.
He served with his regiment In the field
in the army Of the Tennessee throughout
ut the age of 3, rs lieutenant colonel, az
ter being brevstted colonel for gallant
and merltorious service and. awarded .
medal OF honor for distipguishsd gallant
~. He was commissioned second lieu
tenant In the regular army on the 2sth
of July, 1896. and ssrved In the infantry
until 1869, thsn In the cavalry until 1855
and thereafter - inspector general until
the Commencement OF the war with
Spain.
He was repeatedly commended In genera
orders To-. vigilance and zeal, rap:dity
aud persistence OF purpose, for great
skill, perseverance, and gallantry In SER
Woes on the frontier against hostile Indi-
ans.
Upon the declaration of war with
Spain, he was MAIDS brisadier general
and on the sth Of July following. major
general OF volunteers. His nomination
for brigadisr general Of ,hs regular army
was determined upon and was ready to be
sent to the senate upon the day Of his
death. He commanded the second d.
vision of the fifth army corps in the
Cuban campaigns rendering distinguished
service In the battles tefors Santiago and
subsequently, commanded the department
Of Santiago and the fourth army corps
On the 18th Of March, 1899, he assumed
command Of the first division OF the
eighth army corps, In the Philippine
islands, and remained In command Of
this division In practically continuous
and most eventful service in the field un-
I'll hs fell on the 18th of December 1899,
pisroed by an insurgent bullet while lead
ing his troops near San Mateo In the
island Of Luzon. The swift and resist
less movement Of his column up the Rio
G-anie and aorcss the northern boundary
of the plain of central Luzon, which hsd
just been completed, was thu chief factor
liz the destruction of the insurgent power
and was the browning achievement Of his
arduous life. He fell In the failness OF
his powers. In the Joy of conflict In the
consciousness Of assured victory.
He leaves to his comrades and his
country the memory and the example of
dAuutless courage Of unsparing devotion
to duty of manly character and OF high
qualities Of command which inspired his
troops with his own indomitable spirit.
The flag will be placed at half mast and
thirteen minute guns will be fired at
every military post and station on the
day after the receipt of this order. and
the usual badges OF mourning win be
worn for thirty days.
(Signsd)
ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War.
BY Command of Major General Miles.
Ii. c. Corbin. Adjutant General.
GIN. LAWTON'S BODY.
Manila, December alb p. m.--General
Lawton's body will be removed from his
later resid ,noe to the cemetery tomor-
row. In accordance with Mrs. Lawton's
wish there will be no ceremonial, only q
prayer. The lats generals staff aud
Sewart's troop Of the fourth cavalry
which accompanied General Lawton
through the campaign viii be the escort.
The actual funeral ceremonies will take
place in about ten days when the trans
port sails, cnder the direction of Sohwan,
and with military honors.
A GENEROUS RESPONSE.
Washington, December 2l.-Adjutant
General Corbin at the head Of the COM
mittes charged with the oollsotion OF
funds for the benefit OF the family OF the
late General Lawton 10 In receipt Of sx.
prsssions OF sympathy and of willingness
to cooperate from all quarters Of the
country. Some Of these are accompanied
by contributions Of money. and alto
gethsr theirs IL promise Of = generous re.
Spouse to the committees appeal issued
yesterday. The committees aims to collect
at least $4,000.
The frat contribution In Washington
came frsm q clerk in the war department.
who gave 81 from his salary to start the
list of contributors. General Corbin re-
oeived telegram from General II. A.
AIger saying: ~ send 500 for the Law
ton fund"
A telegram was received from N. Ii.
Hamilton of Milwaukes saying that tbs
chiefs Of that city authorized him to offeE
$1,000.