Henry Ware Lawton (1836-1899) was an U.S. Army officer who served with distinction in the Civil War, Apache War and the Spanish-American War.

Early Life

Lawton was born on March 17, 1836 in Maumee, Ohio an moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana shortly after. He was studying at the Methodist Episcopal College when the Civil War began.

Civil War

Lawton left school to join the 9th Indiana Volunteer Regiment. He and his regiment fought at the Battle of Shiloh. After the battle he was promoted captain in the volunteer army and fought at the battles of Stones River and Chickamauga. He was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Atlanta campaign. He was a brevet colonel at the end of the war.

Indian Wars

After the Civil War he studied law at Harvard University for a while before returning to the army. He first served under Ranald S. Mackenzie in the southwest. He was appointed captain in the regular army. In 1886 he led the expedition that captured Geronimo. In February, 1886 he was promoted lieutenant colonel in the regular army.

Spanish-American War

In May, 1898 he was appointed brigadier general of regulars and assumed command of the 2nd Division, V Corps which was being sent to Cuba. He forces were engaged in the Battle of Las Guasimas but played a smaller role. His division was sent to take the Spanish fortress at El Caney. In the following Battle of El Caney, Lawton's division suffered heavy casualties but eventually took the city and linked up with the rest of the U.S. forces on San Juan Hill for the Siege of Santiago. Once Santiago fell, Lawton served as military governor of the city before being relieved due to drunkenness.

Philippine American War

With the fighting against the Spanish over, Lawton was transferred to the Philippines to command the 1st Division, VIII Corps during the Philippine American War. Lawton brought a level of competancy to the high command in the Philippines and the VIII Corps commander, Elwell S. Otis did not care much for Lawton, however he played a significant role in the fighting in the first half of the conflict. During the Battle of Paye Lawton was killed and his regiment routed, ironically by forces under a general named Licerio Geronimo.

Lawton was so well respected by the Filipinos that his image appeared on their currency for a while.