The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-22
FLAGS AT HALF MAST.
War Department Issues Order An
nouncing Death of Lawton.


Washington, Dec. 21.-The following
general order announcing to the army
the death of General Lawton was is
sued from the war department today:
War Department, Washington, D..
c., Dec. 81, 1S99.-With deep regret the
secretary of war announces the death
on the field of battle of Henry w. Law
ton. major general of volunteers, and
colonel and inspector general of the
regular army.
ION the 18th of April, 1861, three days
after President Lincoms first call for
volunteers in the war for the Union,
at the age of Is he enlisted as pri-
vate in the Ninth Indiana volunteers.
He served with his regiment in the
field in the army of the Tennessee
throughout the war and at its close
was mustered out at the age of % as
lieutenant colonel. after having been
breveted colonel for gallant and mer-
itorious service, and awarded a medal
of honor for distinguished gallantry.
He was commissioned second lieu
tenant in the regular army on the
2Sth of July, 1866, and served in the in
fantry until 1869. and then in the-caval-
ry until 1888, and thereafter as in
spector general till the commencement
of the war with Spain. He was re-
peatedty commended in general orders
for vigilance and zeal, rapidity and
persistence of pursuit. for great skill,
perseverance and gallantry in service
on the frontier against hostile In
dams.
Upon the declaration Of war with
Spain he was made briGadier general,
and on the Sth of July following, major
general of volunteers. His nomination
for brigadier general of the regular
army was determined upon and was
70 n
the day of his death.
He commanded the Second division
of the Fifth army corps in the Cuban
campaign, rendering distinguished
services in the battles before Santiago
and subsequently commanded the de-
partment of Santiago and the Fourth
army corps.
"On the 18th of March. 1899, he as
sumed command of the First division
of the Eighth army corps in the Phil
ippine islands, and remained in COM
mand of this division in practically
continuous and most eventful service
in the field until he fell on the 18th of
December, 1899, pierced by an insur-
gent bullet while leading his troops
near San Mateo, on the island of Luz
zon.
THE swift and resistless movement
of his column up the Rio Grande and
across the northern boundary of the
plain of central Luzon, which had just
been completed. was the chief factor
in the destruction of the insurgent
power. and was the browning achie.--
ment of his arduous life. He fell in
the fullness of his power, in the joy of
conflict. in the consciousness of as
sured victory.
He leaves to his comrades and. his
country the memory and example, of
dauntless courage, of unsparing devo-
ton to duty. of manly character and
of high qualities of command. which
inspired his troops with his own in
domitable spirit.
1.-The flag viii 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 will
be worn for thirty days. :.
'ELIHU ROOT.
''Secy of War.
by command of Major General
Miles. H. c. CORBIN.
'Adjutant General"