The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-22
THE DEATH OF ONE OF HER MOST
GALLANT ARMY OFFICERS.
MESSAGES OF COINCIDENCE
From the President and Secretary eff
War to Our Commander In the Phil
fppInes The Remains of General
Lawton Placed Temporarily In a
Vault in Manila - To be Brought
Home and Buried at Arlington-For
$ Relief of Mrs. Lawton. -,

Manila, December 20.-Major Law
tons body was brought from San Ma
teo to Manila this afternoon, his staff
and a squadron of cavalry acting as
escort 1t was found necessary to
bridge the river.
The funeral will take place from his
late residence here, a mansion formerly
occupied by a Spanish general. The
body has been placed temporarily in a
vault in el Paceo cemetery, where
many of the American soldiers have
been inferred, and a guard of honor
will be maintained.
When Mrs. Lawton and her four
children shall have completed their
arrangements for returning to the
United States, the remains will be
taken on a transport with an escort
of officers for final interment. as is
thought probable here, in Arlington
cemetery.
General Lawton's death has caused
universal sorrow in Manila No Amer
lean officer had greater popularity
among all ranks. and in his dealings
with the natives he commanded their
respect and confidence to a remark
| able degree. The mayors whom he in
stalled in the neighboring towns are
arranging to attend the funeral in
| body.
| To his executive ability and personal
| leadership is chiefly due the brilliant
execution of the plan of campaign in
north Luzon, which has scattered the
| insurrectionary forces from San Isidro
| to the Gulf of Lingayen. That section
| Of the island, which had to be travers-
| ed during the very worst season of the
year, presented difficulties considered
by all acquainted with it to be almost
| insurmo&ntable, but General Lawton-
thoroughly covered the programme a.
signed him.
When he reached Tayug and found
| that the other division had not arriv-
| ed he went through to Dagupan ON
his own responsibility. Although he
imposed great hardships on his men,
| he invariably shared their lot cheer
| fully.
Thirteen Americans, including three
officers, were wounded in the engage
ment at San Mateo, where General
! Lawton was killed. Captain Brecken-
| ridges wound is not considered dan
gerous, although the bullet penetrated
| his arm and side.
| 1t is estimated that the insurgents
numbered 500 and that half of them
were armed with rifles. The Americans
numbered 1,300 but the command had
been much depleted by sickness. The
wagon train found the roads impas-
sablt and was obliged to return.
The insurgents retreated to the
northeast, leaving six dead. They have
other forces near Taytay. This region,
although close to Manila, has proved
the most difficult from which to dis
| lodge the enemy. 1t is now reported
that the insurgents intend to concen-
trate at Santa Cruz, Laguna province,
and in the district east of Laguna de
Bay.
CABLEGRAM FROM THE PRESI-
| DENT.
Washington, December 2O.-The pres
| ident sent the following cablegram to
General Otis:
| washington, December 20.
Major General Otis, Manila.
| Il have learned with inexpreSSible
| sorrow of the death Of Major General
| Law'ton and ask to share with the Of
ficers and men Of the Eighth corps in
| their grief. One of the most gallant
officers of the army has fallen. At
| the time the sad news came to us, his
nomination as brigadier general Of the
| regular army was already made for
| transmission to the senate, but no rank
can enhance. his fame. He rose from
the ranks of the Ninth Indiana volun-
teer infantry, filling every grade in the
| service to that of major general of
volunteers, and in the civil war, was
conspicuous for bravery and devotion
| to duty. The country mournS the
death of this intrepid leader. Convey
| to Mrs. Lawton my heartfelt sympathy
| in her overshadowing affliction.
civilian MCKINLEY"
Secretary Root cabled as follows:
War Department, December 20.
"Otis, Manila:
"I join with the officers and men of
the Eighth army corps in deepest re-
gret over the death OF their heroic
| comrade, General Lawton. 1 beg you
to convey to Mrs. Lawton the express
sion of my sincere sympathy. 1t was
the ideal death of a soldier, as his
splendid courage and devotion to duty
has met the ideal Of soldiers life. The
sad news will be announced to the
army and due ceremonies of respect to
his memory will be directed in orders.
''ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary OF War"
TO PENSION MRS. LAWTON.
Senator Fairbanks today introduced
a bill granting a pension Of $4,000 a
year to the widow of General Lawton
. Representative Lands, OF Indiana
introduced a similar bill in the house
Mr.. Lands represents the district from
which Lawton's first regiment was re-
cruited.
Adjutant General Corbin and othel
| friends Of General Lawton have issuet
an appeal to the public for funds t.
pay OF a mortgage on property bough
by General Lawton in California for /;
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