Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-20

Manila. Dec. i0.-Gen. Lawton left
from his northern operations Saturday.
to lead an expeGispn through Mari
qulna valley. which has been an insur-
gent stronghold throughout the war.
The night was one Of the worst OF the
senson. a terrific rain had begun and
Is stlli continuing. Accompanied by his
stan ana troop !, Fourth cavalry. Gen.
Lawton 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-scv-
enth Infantry. which started from In
Iona at midnight.
With small escort, he led the way
through an almost painless country n
distance of fifteen miles over hills and
through cane brake and deep mud. tho
horses climbing the rocks and sliding
down the hill. Before daybreak the
command had reached the head OF the
valley.
San Matco was attacked at s o'clock
and n three hours fight cnrued. This
resulted In but few casualties on the
American side. apart from the death of
Gen. Lawton, but the attack was din
cult, because OF the natural defenses
OF the town.
Gen. Lawton was walking along the
firing-linc within 800 yards OF a small
Sh1rp-shooters' trench. conspicuous In
the big. white helmet he always wore.
and llght-yellow rain coat lie was
also easily distinguished because Of his
commanding stature.
The sharpshooters directed several
close shots. which clipped the grass
near by. His stan officer called Gen.
Lawton's attention to the danger he
was In. but he 1nly laughed with his
uauuI saUfatnnf for hultafu
suddenly he exclaimed. II am shot"
clcnched his hands In q desperate effort
TO stand erect. and fell into the arms Of
a stan officer
Ordeflics rushed across the field FOR
surgeons. who dashed up Immediately
but their efforts were useless. The
body was taken to clump OF bushes
and laid ON strctcher. the familiar
white helmet covering the face OF the
dead general. Almost at this moment
the cheera OF the American troops rurh-
Ing into San Matco were mingled with
the rifle volleys.
After the ilGht six staiwart cavalry
men fordcd the river to the town. car
rying the Hitter ON their shoulders. the
stan preceding. with the colors and a
cavalry escort following.
The troops filed barchcnded through
the building where the body was laid.
and many a tear fell from the eyes of
men who had long followed the In
tfcpld Lawton.
The entire command was stricken
with grief. as though each man had
suffered personal loss. owing TO the
condition OF the country. which II I'M
pasaablc so far aa vehicles are con.
cerncd. the remains could not be
brought 60 Manila today.
Mrs. Lawton and the children are
living In n government residence for
mtrly occupied by Spanish general.
San Mntco lies between high noun
tain and broad. shallow stream In
front, with wide sandbarH. which the
insurgent trenches and the buildings
command.
The Americans were compelled to
ford the river under IRE. II was while
they were lying In the rice fields and
vollcying across preparatory to pass-
Ing the stream that Gen. Lawton was
shot. All except thc officers were be-
hind cover, a stan officer was wounded
about the same time and one other oin-
Ger and seven men were wounded.
After three hours shooting the Fill
plnos were dispersed Into the noun
tnins.
Col Locsett took command when Gen.
Lawton fell.
Los Angeles, Cal. Dec. i9.--Gen.
Henry Lawton, who was Killed at San
Mntco, as announced In the dispatches
today. was well known here. Previous
to the Spnnlsh-American war he was
lleutcnant-colonol In the regular es-