The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-20
LAWT0N SHOT ON FIRING LINE.
GALLANT GENERAL WAS A TARGET
FOR FILIPINO BULLETS.

Laughed when His StaR Officers
called His Attention to His Danger.
Suddenly He Exclaimed 81 Am
shot" Fell Into the Arms of "A
STAFF officer and Expired Immedi-
ateIy-Gen. LawtOn's Career-Fev
other Casualties.
Manila, Dec. 19.-Maj. Gen. 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 immediate
ly.
Gen. Lawton left here Monday night.
having returned from his northern oper-
ations Saturday, to dead an expedition
through Mariquina Valley, which has been
an insurgent stronghold throughout the
war. The valley has several times been
invaded. but never held by the Americans.
Gen. Geronimo was supposed to have
there the largest organized force north of
Manila and Gen. Otis wished 20 garrison
NIariquina.
The night was one of the worst of the
season. A terrific rain had begun and is
stin continuing. Accompanied by his staff
and Troop l., Fourth Cavalry Gen. Law
ton set out at o'clock in advance of the
main force, consisting of the Eleventh
Cavalry and one battalion each of the
Twentieth and Twenty-second Infantry,
which started from LaLoma at midnight.
With a small escort he ted the way
through an almost painless country, A
distance of fifteen miles over hills and
through canebrakes and deep mud, the
horses climbing the rocks and sliding
down the hills. Before daybreak the
command had reached the head of the val
ley.
San Mateo was attacked at o'clock
and a three-hours' fight ensued.
This resulted in but few casualties on
the American side, apart from the death
of Gen. Lawton, but the attack was diff
cult because of the natural defenses of
the town.
Gen. Lawton was walking along the fir
ing line within 800 yards of sman sharp
shooters trench, conspicuous in the big
white helmet he wore, and a light yell
low rain coat. He was also easily distin-
gushable because of his commanding stat
ure.
The sharpshooters directed several close
shots which clipped the grass near His
staff officers called Gen. Lawton's atteu-
tion to the danger he was in, but he only
laughed with his usual contempt for bull
lets.
Suddenly he exclaimed: 81 am shot!
clenehed his hands in desperate effort
10
staff officer.
Surgeons Could Do No Good.
Orderlies rushed across the field for sur
geons, who dashed up Immediately, but
their efforts were useless. The body was
taken to a clump of bushes and laid upon
a stretcher, the familiar white helmet COW
ering the face Of the dead general.
Almost at this moment the cheers of the
American troops rushing into San Mateo
We're mingling with the rifle volleys. Aft
er the fight, six stalwart cavalrymen ford
ed the river TO town carrying the litter on
their shoulders, the staff proceeding with
the colors, and cavalry escort followed.
Troops filed bdreheaded through the
building where the body was laid and
many a tear fell from the eyes of men
who had long followed the Intrepid Law
ton. The entire command was stricken
with grief as though each man had suf-
fered personal loss.
Owing to the condition of the country
which is impossible, so far as vehicles
are concerned, the remains could not be
brought to Manila to-day. Mrs. Lawton
and the children are living in a govern
ment residence formerly occupied by a
Spanish general.
San Mateo lies between high mountain
behind and a broad shallow stream in
front, with wide sand bars, which the in
surgent trenches and the buildings com
mand.
The Americans were compelled to ford
the river under fire Tt was while they
We're lying In the rice fields and volleying
across preparatory to passing the stream
that Gen. Lawton was shot.
All except the officers were behind cover
A staff officer was wounded about the
same time and one other officer and sew
en- men were wounded.
After three hours shooting the Filipinos
were dispersed into the mountains.
Col. Lockett took command when Gen.
Lawton fell.