The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-06
CALLANT LAWT0N
Died with His Face to the Foe, and
His Example
INSPIRED THE OFFICERS
And Men of his Command Colonel
Sergeant, in His Report, com-
mends oficsrs and Mem For Con-
spicuOus Bravery, and Recommends
Promotions.

WASHINGTON. D. C.. Feb. 5.-The
war department has received the report
Of Colonel Sargent. OF the Twenty-ninth
Infantry, at Manila, detailing the ac-
ton ut san Mateo during which Gen.
Lawton lost his life. The report says
General I.awton had ridden all night to
be able to arrive on the scene at $3.50
in the morning. but he said: Sargent,
I wish TO give you full swing; 90 ahead
with your command carry out your
plans" 1t was rather significant that
Lawton added that he did not expect
much resistance considering that he
met his death in that engagement. Be
tween San Mateo and the troops lay a
river, which It was necessary to ford,
and the location Of the ford was as
certalned with great difficulty. the en-
envy being strongly intrenchedi on the
Deposits bank, and yolleylng upon the
troops. The report reads:
"At this time, about or S:15 a. M,
the first firing began, and 1 dlsmounted
and started to the front. General Law
ton had already arrived on the firing
line, and as descended the hill in
front Of which was the rice field, Gen.
Lawton was ooolly walking up and
down the firing line within about two
hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's
entertainments. A few minutes after
ward Lieutenant Breckenridge was
wounded, and / saw General Lawton
aching as one of the four litter bearers
helping to carry Lieutenant Breckin-
ridge from the field. After helping to-
carry back Lieutenant Breckenridge to
the generals headquarters during the
battle he remained few moments,
asked Lieutenant Breckenridge how he
felt, said a few words 70 Major Rogers
about my disposition for the right, and
then starting back TO the airing line
was shot before he had advanced but a
few steps. He was shot just above the
heart with his face towards the enemy;
he fell to the ground ana lived but
few moments. Thus died on the battle
field, this great. brave. heroic soldier;
large of heart and large of frame. with
an indomltable will and with power
unsurpassed of overcoming obstacles
a soldier who had never known fear;
who knew not what fear was"
The remainder OF the report is de-
voted to a description of th= battle and
Its results and agrees with the accounts
heretofore published. Says Colonel
Sargent. in conclusion:
"The officers and men under my COM
mand behaved magnincently through
out. Conspicuous bravery was appar-
emit everywhere 1 saw no falterIng and
no Sinking. The officers walked up and
down the firing line almost continuous
~, taking no cover whatever when
there was any work to be done. Major
Hawthorne, of the Twenty-nInth, dis
played conspicuous bravery at all times
and Ninder all circumstances, and his
battalion. Companies i, F and II, did
splendid work"
Major Bryan, OF the Twenty-seventh,
was cOoi ana brave, anu Na1of Shn' oA
the Eleventh Cavalry did effective
work. Lieutenant Rowland S. Pike, of
the Twenty-ninth, is accorded great
credit for bringing through the supply
train under conditions 50 adverse that
General Lawton did not think 1t possi-
BILE. Capt. owen T. Kenan. of the
Twenty-ninth, is recommended for bre-
vet for gallantry and pluck in fighting
after having been wounded. For fear
less and gallant conduct during the
fight, Col. Sargent also recommends the
promotion to second lleutenancies OF
sergennts Frank Catches, Company c,
and William b. Bonham, Company Z,
Twenty-nlnth Infantry.