The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-20
MET DEATH AT SAN MATEO
SHOT IN THE BREAST, HE DIES
INSTANTLY.
BRIEF SKETCH OF HIS BRILLIANT CAREER
He Served With Distinction in the Union Army
in the Civil War, in the War With
Spain and lastly in the
Philippines.

Philippines.
Manila. Dee. 19.-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.
Orderles rushed across the field for
surgeons who dashed up Immediately,
but their efforts We're useless The body
was taken to "a clulnp of bushes and
laid upon a stretcher, the familiar white
helmet covering the face of the dead
general.
Almost at this moment the cheers of
the American troops rushing into San
Mateo were minglimg with the rifle vol
leys. After the fight six stalwart cayal-
i rymen forled the river to the town car
rying the litter ON their shoulders, the
staff preceding with the colors, and a
cavalry escort following. The troops fl
ed fbareheaded through the building
where the body was laid and many a
tear fell from the eyes of men who had
long followed the intrepid I1awton- The
entire command was stricken with grief.
as though each man had suffered a pee
sonal loss.
Owing to the condition of the country
which is impossible so far as vehicles
are concerned the remains could mot be
brought TO Manila today. Mrs. Lawton
and the children are living in a govern
nent residence formerly occupied by a
Spanish general SAN Mateo lies between
a high mountain behind and broad
shallow stream in front, with wide sand
bars which the insurgent trenches ana
the buildings command. The ATneri
cams were compelled to ford the river un-
der fire. 1t was while they were lying
in the rice fields and volleying across
preparatory to passing the stream that
General Lawton was shot. All except
The officers were behind cover. Staff
officer was wounded about the same time.
and ore other officer and seven men
were wounded.
After three hours shooting the Eil-
linos were dispersed into the mountains.
Colonel I1ockett took command when
General I1awton fell.
STORY OF THE BATTLE.
Manila, Dec. 19.-G1 p. m.)-General
Lawton left home Monday night, having
returned from his northern operations
Saturday to lead an expedition through
Mariquina Valley, which has been an
ins,lrgent stronghold throughout the war.
The valley has several times been inyad-
ed, but never held by the Americans.
General Geronimo was supposed to have
there the largest organized force north
Of Manila and General Otis wished to
garrison Mariqlina.
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 Cavalry
and one battalion each of the Twentieth
and Twenty seventh infantry, which
started from La Iona Mt midnight.
With Il small escort, he led the way
through an almost patllless country, a
distance of Is miles over hills and
through canebrake 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 eight
o'clock and three hours fight ensued
This resulted in but few casualties on
the American side, apart from the deati
Of General Lawton, but the attack was
ssf the town. General Lawton was walk
ing along the firing line Within three
hundred yards of a small sharpShooters
trench, conspicuous in the big white he'll
met he were, and a light yellow rain
coat He was also easily distinguishablt
because Of his commanding statue. Tht
sharIshooters directed several close shot
which clipped the grass near. His staf
officers called General Lawton's attention
TO the danger he was in, but he only
laughed with his usual contempt fol
bullets.
Suddenly he exclaimed: / am shot.
clcnched his hands in d desperate effor
to stand erect, and fell into the arms
OF staff officer.
CONFIRMED BY OTIS.
Washington, Dec. 19,-The War De
partment tonight received the following
official confirmation OF the killing Of
General Lawton, near San Mateo Iu-
zon:
Manila, Dec 19.--General Iawton
engaged IN driving insurgents from
San Mateo section of country northeast
of Manila killed instantly at 9:30 yester.
day morning. a great loss to US and
his country.
tsigned) "OTIs."
GENERAL LAWTON'S CAREER
General Lawton was known as d good
fighter and soldier Of experience ani