The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-22

Lawton's Death Formally Announced
by the War Department..

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The following
general order announcing to the army the
death of General Lawton was issued from
the War Department to-day:
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 aft
er President Lincolns first call for volun-
teers in the war for the Union. at the age
of eighteen, he enlisted as private in the
Ninth Indiana Volunteers. He served with
his regiment in the field in the Army of the
Tennessee, throughout that war, and at its
close was mustered out, at the age of
twenty-five, as lieutenant colonel. after be-
ing brevetted colonel for gallant and meri-
torious service and awarded a medal of
honor for distinguished gallantry. He was
commissioned second lieutenant in the
regular army on the 18th of July, 1866. and
served In the infantry until 1869, then in the
cavalry until 1888, and thereafter as inspec-
tor general until the commencement of the
war with Spain. He was repeatedly COM
mended in general orders for vigilance AM.
zeal, rapidity and persistence of pursuit, for
great skill and perseverance of gallantry on
the frontier against hostile Indians
"On the declaration of war with Spain he
was made brigadier general and on the Sth
of July following major general of volun-
teers. His nomination for brigadier general
of the regular army was determined upon
and was ready to be sent to the Senate on
the day of his death. He commanded the
Second Division of the Fifth Army Corps
in the Cuban campaign, rendering distn-
gufshed service In the battles before San
tiago 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 Philippine
islands, and remained in command 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
insurgent bullet, while leading his troops
near San Mateo on the Island of Luzorl.
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 crowning
achievement of his arduous life.
He fell in the fullness of his powers, in
the joy of conflict, in the consciousness of
assured victory. He leaves. to his comrades
and is-country, the memory and the ex-
ample of dauntless courage, of unsparing
devotion to duty. Of manly character. and
of high qualities of command, which in
spired his troops with his own indomitable
spirit.
1.-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 will be worn for thirty
days. ELIHU ROOT. Secretary of War.
by Command Of Major General Miles.
III. c. CORBIN, Adjutant General"