The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-20

Arms of an Aide-Grief at Wash
ington, Throughout His Adopted
State, Indiana, in Cuba and
Wherever He Was Known.
MANILA Dec. 19-Maj. Gen. Henry
W. Lawton was shot and killed at San
( Mateo.
Gen. Lawton left here Monday night,
having returned from his Northern op.
erations Saturday, to lead an expedition
through Mariquina valley, which has
been an insurgent stronghold through
out the war. The valley has several
times been invaded but never held by
the Americans. Gen. Geronimo was sup
posed to have there the largest organized
force north Of Manila, and Gen. Otis
wished to garrison Mariquina-
The night was one of the worst of the
season. A terrible rain had begun and
is still continuing.
Accompanied by his staff and Troop ].
Fourth cavalry, Gen. Lawton set out at
9 o'clock in advance Of the main force,
consisting Of the Eleventh cavalry and
one battalion each of the Twentieth and
Twcnty-seVenth infantry, which started
from La Iona at midnight With
small escort he led the way through an
almost pathless country. a distance of
fifteen miles, over hills and through cane
brakes and deep mud, the horses climb
ing the rocks and sliding down the hills
Before daybreak the column had reached
the head Of the valley. 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 difficult because Of the nat
ural defenses of the town
DIED LIKE A SOLDIER.
Gen. Lawton was walking along the
firing line within 800 yards Of a small
sharpshooters' trench, conspicuous in
the big white helmet he always wore
end a light yellow rain coat He was
also easily distinguishable because Of his
commanding stature. The sharpshoot-
ers directed several close shots, which
clipped the grass near by. His staff Of
hcers called Gen. Lawton's attention to
the danger he was in, but he only laugh
ed with his usual contempt for bullets
Suddenly he exclaimed: Il am shot"
clenched his hands in a desperate effort
to stand erect and fell into the hands Of
Il staff officer. Orderlies rushed across
the field for surgeons, who dashed up i'm
mediateiy, but their efforts were useless
The body was taken TO clump 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 minging with the rife vol-
leys. After the fight six stalwart cav
alrymen forded the river to the town
carrying the litter on their shoulders,
the staff preceding with the colors and a
cavalry escort following.
GRIEF FOR THEIR CHIEF.
The troops filed bareheaded through the
building where the body was laid, and
many 6 tear fell from the eyes of men
who had long followed the intrepid
Lawton. The entire command was
stricken with grief as though each man
had suffered a personal loss.
Owing to the condition of the country,
which is impossible so far as vehicles
arc concerned, the remains could not be
brought to Manila today Mrs Lawton
and the children are living in a govern
meDt residence formerly occupied by a
Spanish general
San Mateo lies between high noun
tain behind and q broad shallow stream
in front, with wide sand bars, which the
insUrgent trenches and buildings COM
mand. The Americans We're obliged to
fire over this stream, and they were
lying in a rice field and volleying across
the stream, preparatory to crossing. when
Gen. Lawton was shot. All except the
officers were behind cover. A staff Of
ficer was wounded about the same time
and one other officer and seven men were
wounded.
After three hours shooting the Fill
pinos were dispersed into the mountains
Col Lockett took command when Gen.
LawtOn fell.
OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19-The war de-
partment tonight received the following
confirmation of the killing of Gen. law
ton near San Mateo, Luzor:
Manila, Dec 19.-Gen. Lawton, engaged
IN driving insurgents from San Mateo.
SSeeGHon OF country northeast of Manila,
killed instantly at $50 yesterday morning
a great loss to US and his country
Gen. Lawton's death was great Shock
to the officers of the war department m
sonally. Hitherto his luck in battle had
been marvellous. He had been in hun
dreds Of skirmishes and midnight attacks
He was regarded as a man of action
and Of splendid courage, but was not con-
sidered reckless. He never exposed his
men without due consideration of the
risks and the stake. His men knew this
and would unhesitatirgly follow his lead
under what seemed to be the most des-
perate conditions. The Indians came In
know him as the most active, vigilant
wary and determined of foes, and his pIIr-
suit and capture OF Geronimo. the fa
nous Apache chieftain, has gone down
into history as one Of the most remarka
bic campaigns ever undertaken with the
small force in hand Gen. Miles picked
out LawtoE to lead the chase after the
Indian chief, and for three months. day
and night without a pause, through all
sorts of Vicissitudes of weather and per
soGal suffering, Lawton hung on the trail
like bloodhound until the game was run
to earth, and for the first time in a
Gu, Tter Of century Southeastern Arizo-
ma was pacihed.
Secretary Root and the president each
tonight expressed profound grief at
the confirmation of the report of the
death Of the gallant general
GEN. LAWTON'S CHARGE.
On Gen. Lawtons arrival at Manila he
relieved Gen. Anderson in command of