The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-05
HOW LAYTON DIED.
Story Graphically Told by Colonel
Sargent in an Official Report

Washington, Feb. 5.-The war depart
ment has received the report Of Colonel
Sargent of the Twenty ninth infantry
at Manila, detailing the action at San
Mateo during which Gen. Lawton lost
his life. The report says Gen LaWtOn
had ridden all night to be able to arrive
on the scene at half past six in the
morning but he said.
Sargent, 1 wish to give you full
swing, go ahead with your command
and carry out your plans"
It was rather significant that Law
ton added that he did not expect much
resistance considering that he met his
death in the engagement. Between San
MateO and the troops lay a river which
it was necessary to ford and the loca-
ton of the ford was ascertained with
great difficulty, the enemy being strong
" intrenched on the opposite bank and
volleying upon the troops. The report
reads:
AT this time about or Sis a. m,
the first firing began and 1 dismOunted
and started to the front. Gen. LawtOn
had already arrived on the firing line,
and as L descended the hill in front of
which was the rice field Gen. LaWtOn
was coolly walking up and down the
firing line within about $50 yards of
the enemy's entertainments. A few
minutes afterWard Liuet. Breckenridge
was wounded and l saw Gen. LaWtOn
acting as one of the four litter bearers
helping to carry Lieut. Breckenridge
from the field.
After helping to carry back Lieut.
Breckenridge to the generals headquar-
tiers during the battle he remained
few moments, asked Lieut.. Brecken-
ridge how he felt, said a few words to
Major Rogers about my disposition for
the fight and then starting back to the
firing line was shot before he had adj
vanced but few steps. He was shot
just above the heart with his face
towards the enemy; he fell to the
ground and lived but few moments.
Thus died on the battlefield this
great and heroic soldier large of heart
and large of frame, with an indomita-
bic viii and with q pc Wer unsurpassed
of overcoming Obstacles-a soldier who
had never known fear; who knew not
what fear was" The remainder of the
report is devoted to a description of the
battle and its results and agrees with
the accounts heretofore published. Says
Col. Sargent in conclusion:
The officers and men under my COM
mand behaved magnificently through
out Conspicuous bravery was appar-
ent everywhere. l saw no faltering and
no sinking The officers walked up and
down the firing line almost cOntinl-
ously taking no cover whatever When
there was any work to be done. Major
Hawthorne of the Twenty dis
played conspicuous bravery at all times
and under all circumstances and his
battalion, companies E. F, C and H, did
splendid work.
Major Bryan of the Twenty-seventn
was cool and brave and Major Slime of
the Eleventh cavalry did effective work
Lieut.. Rowland S. Pike of the Twenty
ninth,is accorded great credit for bring
ing through the supply train under con-
ottiOns so adverse that Gen. LawtOn
did not think it possible. Capt Owen
Z. FKenan of the Twenty ninth is rec
commended for brevet for gallantry and
pluck in fighting after having been
wounded. For fearless and gallant con-
duct during the fight, Col. Sargent also
recommends the promotion to second
leutenancies of Sergeants Frank Catch
es, company c, and William B. Bonham,
company &, Twenty-ninth infantry.