The Portland daily press., 1900-01-04

TON.
A New Version ofthe Charge by which
EI Csney Was Captured.
Some National Guard officers who
81 rived In the 6panieh-A merican war were
discussing Gen. Lawton's death and his
services In Cuba. One OF them told the
foil owing stories ooncsrniag his conduct
at El Caney whers he wore the white
elmst which was the cause of his death +:
"On the morning of July Gen. Law
ton was sent with force Of about 5000
men to take FL Caney, while the balsnce
of the troops were TO be engaged at San
Juan. As dusk fell after the first day .
lighting We viewed with alarm the thin
blue line which surrounded San Juan.
Many Of rs. tired out with the long, het
days work. having broken camp that
damp hillside of San Juan, trying to gain
few moments rest before the struggle
which we knew was Inevitable the next
day. Grave doubts were expressed 1t We
could hold our position against the Span
iards, and Il will be remembered that
there was consultation OF officers at
which 1t was suggested that our troops
violently opposed by Gen. Wheeler and
others. About midnight We were awak-
eued with the pleasing intelligence that
Cen. Lawteu had captured Nj Caney
with . very small less, I think five, and
that he wss rapidly moving to Join our
right, which would be done By day break;
This he accomplished and It IL doubtful
gave for this II our troops could have held
their position. Our jay was somewhat
| tempered BY the fact that Gen. Llwton's
loss at FL Caney was m oh heavier than
M first reported.
"a day or two after the battle. one OF
the offiosrs of Gan. LAwt1n's stan told
me OF the General famous white helmet
which seems 10 have been the cause Of
his death near Manila. He said that
DUNG tho battle of III Caney the tall
form OF Gen. Lawton with his white
helmet was a most conspicuous object
while directing the movements of the
troo, Then, az was after ward the case
In tie Philippines. he WAS thus target
for the enemy's bullsts, but undistur OF
and unprotected hs stood while the bull
lets battered like hail about him. One
or two OF his staff officers begged him to
lie down as he was drawing the fire OF
TO him that he would he hit. and he
char ,teristicAIly remarked to tbss, offic-
srs that II any Of them cared about lying
down they could 90 SO, and many OF them
did 50 while Lawton remained erect.
Ana there the staff had TO remain ex-
posed to q calling fire. ms the ensmy's
sharpshooters continued to select Gen.
La ~ton's white helmet as a mark.
81 have seen some mention nhce the
death OF Gen. Lawton OF the order sent
to him by Gen. Sbafter to withdraw bis
troops from FL Caney, proceeding which
would have been disastrous to our forces,
but have never seen the statsmsn:
given to me by the same staff officer. He
told me that's Gen. Lawton stood direct
ing the troops an aide from the staff Of
Gen Shafter rode mp and said;
Gen. Lawton, Gen. Shafter directs
you TO withdraw your troops"
cat first Gen. Lawton was nonplussed:
then turning t, an aide he said; This Is
too serious an order to be rec'ivsd ver-
bslly and shall require it In writing
from Gen. Shafter. He well knew that
Gen. Shafter was eight miles In the n ar
and that a written order from him could
net To received before the charge was or
dsred. This much Is = matter Of history,
but do not believe that the whole story
has been told.
" Gen. Lawton knowing that this aide
would soon reduce ths order to writing
I'm m sdiatsly sent orders to his officers to
charge. The aide returned In about
twenty minutes with the written order,
having only retired q short distance To
write and be delivered 1t to Gen. Lawton
Just as the whole American force stcrmed
across the field in n last desperate, sue
cessfuI attempt to take bel Caney. When
he handed tbs written order to the
General, Lawton pointed to the charging
troops and said AS yon see, the troops
have already oommsnoed to charge. Tell
Gen. Shaftsr that God Almighty Himself
could not stop them now
"Thus the car ture Of FL Caney was
due to Gen. Lawton's perseverance, under
difficultiss."
The following story of Cen. Lawton
Was told by sergeant In the regular
Army who served under Lawton In Cuba
and afterwasd went to Manila, being now
the Oldest sblIstet man In the Eighth
Army Corps Aftsr tbs surrender OF San
tiago the General was ttanding In tha
main ct rect of the city looking into the
windows of a shop, his sail, massive form
making him even more conspicuous than
usual. He wore blue shirt and CAM
paign hat. and was without any indica-
lions OF his rank. A young Second Lieu
tenant Just from West Point, and so be-
longing to the class known In the army
Is "tohnny -oome-latsly," WAS walking
down tine street, and having high sense
srai on the shoulder, taking him for 9
n on comm issioned officer. As the General
turned around he was addressed thus by
the young offiesrt
"Sergesnt,. are you a soldir"
"Yss, sir." replied the General.
"Thsn why don't you salute an ofiissr
whom you sec him"
The General salutsd, but with so
abrupt and dippans an air that the anger
Of the Lisutsnant was aroused, and he
further askeds
"nsrysent, what's your name"
"Wsu. replied the General, assuming
q slight drawl that was somstimes cbsfas
tsrisuc "my name 10 MaJcr-0eneral