The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-12-27
4 GENERAL KILLED
While Waking Along the Firing
Line Sefore a Charge.
A CONTEMPT FOR BULLETS
Showed by Laugh When Member
of Staff Warned Him of
the Danger of Ex-
nNCtiFS
u SSs -

Gen. Henry w Lawton has been snot
ane killed, at San Mateo. He was
standing in trout Of his troo2s, was
sAot in the breast aid died immediate
Il. Gen. Lastou left Manila Monday
night, having returned froul his Gorth-
EN- operations Saturday, to lead an ex-
peditiou through Mar!quina valley,
which has oeeu an insurseut stronghold
throughout the war. The valley has
several times been invaded, but never
held by the Americans Gen. Geroni-
mo was supposed to have there the
largest organized force uorth OF Manila,
and Gen. Olis wished to garrison Mari
Quina.
The night was one Of the worst Of the
season. A ter:iic raia had begua ana
was still continuing. Accompanied by
his staff and Troop |, Fourlh cavalry,
Gen. L.wton Set out at 9 clock IN ad-
vance of the main force, consisting OF
the Eleventh cavalry and one battalion
each of the Twentieth and Twenty s,v-
enth infantry, which started from La
Lorna at mid night. With small es
cor5, he led the way through an almost
painless country, distance OF 10 miles,
over hills and through caueorake and
deep mud, the horses climbing the rocks
and Sliding down the hills. Before
dsybreak the command had reached
rhe 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
Gen. Llwton, but the attack was d III
cult because Of the natural defenses OF
the town. Gen L4wtou wa> wa,klns
along the firing line within 300 yards Of
a suall shap,hooters treuch, cousplcu
Gus in the big white helmet ne Wore aud
light yellow rair ceat. He was also
easily distinguishable because Of his
commanding stature.
The sharpShooters directed several
close shots, which clipped the grass
near. HIS staff officers called Gen.
Lawton's attention to the danger ne
wa, in, but he only laughed with his
usual contempt for bullets. Suddenly
he exclaimed: Il am shot, cieuched
his hands in a desperate effort TO stapd
erect, aud fell into the arms of staff
rficer. Orderlies rushed across the
field for surgeons, who dashed up I'M
medistely, but their effnrts were use
less. The body was taken to clump
of bushes and laid upon astretcher, the
familiar white helmet covering the face
Of the dead general.
Almost at this moment the cheers OF
thu American troops rusal"g into San
Mateo were mingliug with the lie vol
leys. After the fight six stalwart cav
airy men toried the river to the town
carr, ing the litter on their shoulders,
the staff preceded with the colcrs, and
a cavalry escort following. The troops
tiled bareheaded Through the building
where the body was laid, aud many
tear fell from the eyes Of the men who
had long followed rhe Intrepid Lawton.
The entire comuau0 was stricken with
grief, as though each man had suffered
a persona, loss. Owing to the condl.
ton of the country which is impossible
so far as vehicles are concerned: the re-
mains could not carried to Manila Tues
day. Mrs. Lawton and the children
are living in a government residence
formerly occupied by the Spanish gen
eral.
San Mateo lies between high noun
tain behiud and broad shallow stream
in front, with wide sand bars which
the insurgeut trenches aud the build
ings command. The Americans were
compelled 10 ford the river under fire.
I was while they were lying in the rice
fields aud volleying across Preparatory
to passing the stream that Gen. La@tou
was shot. All excepd the officers were
behind cover. \ staff officer vas
wounded about the sane time, and one
other officer aud seven men were
wounded. After three hours shooting
the Filipinos were d. i>prrsed into the
mountains. Col Lockett took COM
maud when Gen. La@ton fell.