Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-20
Occurred While Leading His
Forces.
A REBEL ~SIlARpSH00TER
Fired a Bullet Which Pierced the
Heart OF the Gallant General
Universal Sorrow Among the Men
Who Were Under His Command.

Manila, Dec. 19.-Gen. Henry LaWton
has been shot and killed at San Mateo.
HI was standing in front of his troops,
was shot in the breast and died imme-
diately.
Lawton started from Manila last night
with cavalry under Col. Lockett and bat
talions of the Twentieth and Twenty
seventh infantry under Lieut.. Col. Sar-
gent for the purpose of capturing San
Mateo where Geronimo was said to have
800 insurgents.
II p. m.-Gen. Lawton left home Mon
day night, having returned from his
northern operations Saturday. to lead an
expedition through Mariquina valley,
! which has been the insurgents strong
hold throughout the war. The valley has
several times been invaded but never held
by the Americans. Gen. Geronimo was
supposed to have there the largest organ
lied force north Of Manila and Gen. Otis
wished to garrison Mariquina. The night
was one of the worst of the season. a
terrific wine had begun and is still con-
tinuing.
Accompanied by his staff and Troop L.
Fourth cavalry, Gen. Lawton set out at .
O'Clock, in advance of the main force, con-
sisting of the Eleventh cavalry and one
battalion each of the Twentieth and
Twenty-seventh infantry, which started
from La Iona at midnight. With a small
| escort he led the way through the almost
| painless country, a distance of Is miles
| over hills and through canebreaks and
| deep mud, the horses climbing the rocks
and sliding down the hills. Before day
break the command had reached the head
Of the valley. San Mateo was attacked at
s 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 natural defense of the
town. Gen. LaWton was walking along
the firing line within goo yards of a small
sharpshooters trench, conspicuous in the
big white helmet he always wore n a
light yellow rain coat. He was also easily
distinguishable because of his command
ing stature.
The sharpshooters directed several
close shots which clipped the grass near
by. His staff officer called Gen. LaWton's
attention to the danger he was in. but he
only laughed with his usual contempt for
bullets.
Suddenly he cried, Il am shot" clutch
ed his hand in a desperate effort to stand
! erect, and fell into the arms of a staff of
ficer. The efforts of the surgeons were
useless. The body was taken to.a clump
of bushes and laid on a stretcher, the IA
miliar white helmet covering the face of
the dead general. Almost at this moment
the cheers of the American troop rush
ing into San Marco were mingled with the
rifle volieys. After the fight six staiWart
cavalryrnen forded the river to the town,
carrying the litter on their shoulders, the
staff preceding with the colors and a c. ~
airy escort following. The troops filed
bareheaded through the building where
the body lay, and many a poor fellows
eyes were dim.
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 are concerned, the remains could
not be brought to Manila today. Mrs.
L.awton and the children are living in q
government residence formerly occupied
by a Spanish general. San Mateo lies be-
tween a high mountain ehird and a
broad shallow stream in front.
1t was while they We're lying in the rice
field and volleying across the river that
Gen. LaWton was shot. a staff officer was
ounde about the same time and one
other officer and seven men We're wound
ed. After three hours shooting the Flip
mos We're dispersed into the mountains.
Col. Lockett took command when Gen,
Lawton fell.