The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-27
THE DEATH OF GEN. LAWrON
SHOT DOWN AT THE HEAD OF
HIS TROOPS

| LIS AlhcoA
With Small Escort He Led the Way
for Fifteen Miles Over Hills and
Through Cane Breaks-His Com
manding Figure Made Splendid
Target for Sharpshooters.
The killing OF Gen. Lawton near
San MateO, Luzon, on the 1Ssh inst,
was q great loss to the army, and is
greatly deplored throughout the coun.
try. Gen. Lawton left his headquar-
ters at La Iona to lead an expedition
through Mariquina valley, which has
been insurgent stronghold through
out the war. The valley has been in
vaded several times, but was never
held by the Americans, and Gen.
Geronimo, the Filipino commander,
was supposed to have in tina, valley
the largest organized force north OF
Manila.
The night was one of the worst OF
the season, and a terrific rain was
falling. Accompanied by his staff and
a troop Of cavalry, Gen. Lawton set
out at nine o'clock Ia advance of the
main force, consisting OF the 11th cav
airy and two battalions OF infantry,
which started from La Iona at mid
night With q small escort, he led the
Il
try, distance OF Is miles over hills
and through cane break and deep mud
the horses climbing the rocks and slid
ing down the Mills. Before day break
the command had reached tn ) head of
the valley.
San Mateo was attacked at eight
o'clock and q three hours fight ensued.
This resulted in but few casualties on
the American side, apart from the
death OF General Lawton, but the at
tack was difficult because of the natural
detenses of the town. General Law
ton was walking along the firing line,
"lthln 3OO yards OF small eharpshOot-
srs trench, conspicuous in the big
white helmet he wore, and q light yell
Iow rain coat. He was also easily dis-
tnguishable because of his command
ing stature.
The sharpshooters directed several
| close shots which clipped the grass
near him. His staff Cif1 GERS called
General LawIOn's attention to the dan
ger he was in, but he only laughed
| Hith his usual contempt for bullets
Suddenly he exclaimed 81 am shotl"
:ienched his hands in a desperate ef-
! fort 10 stand erect, and fell into the
| arms OF 4 staff officer.
Orderlies rushed across the field for
surgeons who dashed up immediately,
| but their efforts were useless. The
oody was taken to clump Of bushes
and laid upon stretcher, the familiar
white bolmet covering the face Of the
dead general.
Almost at this moment the cheers of
the American troops rushing into San
Mateo were mingIing with the rifle
volleys. After the fight six stalwart
cavalrymen forded the river to the
town, carrying the litter on their
shoulders, The staff preceding with the
Troops filed bareheaded through the
building where the body was laid, and
many tear fell from the eyes OF men
Who had long followed the intrepid
Lawton. fhe entire command was
stricken with grief as though each
man had suffered a personal loss.
San MateO lies betw cen e. high noun
tain behind and q broad, shallow
stream In front, with wide sand bars
which the insnrgent trenches and the
buildings command. The Americans
were compelled to ford the river unG er
hrc. 1t was while they were lying in
the rice held preparatory to passing
the stream that General LswtOn was
shot. All except the officers were be-
hind cover. A staff officer was wound
ed about ths same time and one other
ctncer and seven men were wounded,
After three hours shooting the Fill
Dinos were dispersed into the noun.
ta!ns.
Mrs. Lawton and the children are
living In government residence for
mcrly occupied by Spanish generals.
General LawtOn was known as a good
lighter and soldier OF experience and
ability. He served In the Union army
throue hout the civil war, having on
tered the service as sergeant OF Com.
pany E, Ninth Indiana volunteer infap.
try, In April, 1861. In March, 1865, he
Was breveted d colonel for gallant and
meritorious service during the war,
lie entered the regular establishment
In July, 1866, as second lieutenant of |
the Forty first infantry (coored), and |
remained with that brancn of the Armv |
until January, 1871, when he was trans. |
Tered TO the FOu.th cavalry, with
%hich he remained until September,
1883, when be was appointed inspector
general with me rank of major. Later
ne was promoted to the rank OF lieu
tenant colon 81 aud held that rank nm
VI the opening OK the war with Spain
when Preslttent Mckinley ap ointed
MIN 6rigadler OF volunteers, and as.
s'gheo MIN To the command of divis-
Ion OF the Fifth army corps, command.
ed by General Shafter. He seryeo
With distinction in the operations be.
fore Santiago.
On General Lawton's arrival In Ma.
nila last February he relieved General
Anderson. In command of the regular
troops. He captured Santa Cruz, at
the extreme end OF the lake near Ma
Mao, April 10. This place which wea |