LEXINGTON, Kentucky Sept. 21 - The Kentucky State Guard numbers among
its' members the youngest individual that ever donned shoulder straps in
the united States army or who has been under fire in battle. This
person is Capt. Manley Lawton, now but thirteen years old, the son of
General H. W. Lawton, who fell at San Mateo while charging a Philippine
stronghold across a rice field, who is now bugler for the First
Battalion of artillery, Kentucky State Guard.
At the tender age of eleven years this boy was on the firing line and
under fire. He went to the Philippines with his father and served
in various commands until his father's death, in December, 1899.
Immediately upon his arrival in Manila, and before his father was given
a command, this boy went with General MacArthur to the front, where they
found themselves under fire. General Lloyd Wheaton's brigade had
advanced from San Pedro Macati to Guadalupe Ridge and encountered the
enemy. The courage displayed by this child while the battle raged
was a matter of comment among the officers.
Soon after this he was assigned to the position of volunteer aid on his
father's staff, with the rank of captain. He served faithfully and
well, going through the entire campaign, taking part in all the
expeditions and enduring the same hardships as others of the command.
Before starting on the long northern expedition with his father in
Luzon, the result of which meant so much, he served for some time as aid
to General Fred Grant while the latter was stationed in Bacoor.
When General Lawton left Manila the night of December 18 for San Mateo
it was the first time Manley did not accompany him. The boy was
not well and the storm was so great that the young soldier's mother
detained him. The next morning his father fell. Manley
returned to the States with his mother, whose mourning was that of the
nation.
The mother has
taken up her residence at Pewee Valley, near Louisville, where young
Lawton is much admired by the citizens, being seen almost daily riding
his Philippine pony which he brought to America. He was much
admired at the recent encampment of the State Guard at Owensboro, where
he recited entertainingly to Gov. Beckham, General John B. Castleman,
and other officials, his experiences in the Philippines.
The records show young Lawton's assignments in the Philippine
service as follows: Arrived in Manila March 10, 1899.
Reported June 10 and tendered his services to the division at Las Pinas,
June 13 present at the battle of Zapote River. July 4 appointed
captain and volunteer aid-de-camp. Accompanied the division
commander on launch and was present at the capture of Calamba, July 26.
August 9 was announced aid-de-camp to Brig.. General Fred Grant.
On August 9 he was directed, in addition to his other duties, to assist
Capt. William M Ekin, brigade quartermaster, in charge of the repair of
roads in the vicinity of Bacoor. October 16 departed with the
division commander on his expedition to the northern part of Luzon.
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