The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-20

ability. He served in the Union army
throughout the Civil War, having en-
tered the service as Sergeant of Com
pany Il. Ninth. Indiana volunteer infan-
try in April, 1861. In March, 1865. he
was hrevetted Colonel for gallant and
meritorious service during the war. He
entered the regular establishment in
July. 1866, as Second Lieutenant of the
Forty-irst infantry (colored), and re-
manned with that branch of the army
until January, 1871, when he was trans
ferred to the Fourth cavalry, with
which he remained until September,
1888, when he was appointed Inspector
General with the rank of Major. Later
he was promoted to the rank of Lieuten-
ant Colonel and held the rank until the
opening of the war with Spain. when
President Mckinley appointed him
Brigadier of volunteers and assigned
him to the command of a division of the
Fifth army corps, commanded by Gener-
al Shafter. He served with distinction
in the operations before Santiago.
On General Lawtons arrival in Ma
Mia in February last. he relieved Gen
eral Anderson, in command of the
regular troops. He captured Santa
Cruz, at the extreme end of the lake
near Manila. April 10th. This place,
which was Filipino stronghold, fell
into the hands of General Lawton's
expedition after some sharp fighting,
which formed one of the most interest
ing battles of the war.
The Generals next hard fighting took
place in his attack on San Rafael. After
the capture of San Isidro by General
Lawton, President Mckinley sent him
dispatch of congratulation.
1t was announced June 1st that Gen
eral Lawton had been placed in com
mand of the defense of Manila and the
troops forming the line around the city
Early in October General Lawton was
engaged in dispensing the insurgents and
cutting off the communication main
tained by them between Bacoor and
linus, by means of the road be-
tween those places. He was success
full in clearing the country of the E'ili-
pinos.
General Lawton and General Young
arrived at Arayat, October 18th, with
a force of about 5000 men, He next
made his headquarters ut Cabanatuan.
About the middle of November the
whereabouts OF Generals Lawton ana
Young. on account of the rapidity of their
movements, became almost as mystic
rious as that of Aguinaldo.
The General was at Tayaug, on De
cember 1st, his troops having captured
large quantities of insurgent supplies.
Later he returned to Manila and started
December 18th to capture San Mateo,
where he was shot and killed.
ia xx7rEycN-.c IN.Iark>v fAasu.Tf,N-
Washington, Dec. 19.--Genaral Law
TONS death was great shock to the
officers Of the War Department, to neaG-
ly adj of whom he was known person.
ally. Hitherto his luck Ill battle had
been marvellous. He had been in hum
dreds of slairmishes and midnight attacks
He was regarded as a man OF action
and of splendid courage, but was not
considered reckless He never exposed
his men without due consideration of Hhe
risks and the stake. His men knew
this and would unhesitatingly follow his
lead under what seemed to be the most
desperate conditions. The Indians came
to know him as the most active, yigylant,
wary ard determined of foes. and his
pursuit and capture of Geronimo. the
famous Apache chieftain. has gone down
TO history as one of the most remarkable
campaigns ever undertaken with the
small force in hand.
General Miles picked out Ilawton to
lead the chase after tine Indian chief, and
for three months, day and night, without
a pause. through all sorts of yicissitudes
OF weather and personal suffering Law
ton hung ON the trail like a bloodhound
until the game wasrun TO earth. and
for the first time in quarter Of cen
fury. Southeastern Arizona was pacified.
Secretary Root aud the President each
tonight expressed their profound grief at
the confirmation Of the report of the
death of the gallant general.