The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-04
Major Generals Warren, Banks and
Hancock.
Correspondence of the st. Louis Republican.

Correspondence of the st. Louis Republican
ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, Aug 90, 1868.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN: I find in Phlla-
delphia paper, of about ten days ago, the
following, viz:
Brigadier General Warren, commanding the
Engineer Department of this army. has been
nominated Major General by the President.
In conjunction with those of General Hancock.
his services were very valuable to General
Meade at the battle of Gettysburg. Both were
frequently with him during the fight, and
both contributed much to the result by their
judgment and valuable suggestions
In the panorama of Commanding Generals
which this army exhibits, of course we are to
expect that General Meade will one day be re-
lieved. In that case, either Hancock or War
ren may succeed him. Banks is also spoken
of. Warren, though mentioned as q first class
engineer, and an officer generally capable hay
ing small command, and being crcumscribed
in his sphere, is little known beyond the linn
tied circle of headquarters. He graduated at
West Point, and commenced TIE war as Lieut.
Colonel of the Fifth New York. Hancock, on
the contrary, is known and admired by the ar
my at large and more especially for his mag
nitcent management of the Second Corps dur
ing the Gettysburg fight. Though long a
brilliant division com nander in its organization
he had but recently taken command of the
corps. and astOnished the officers by his orig
ii,al and splendid generalship. In addition to
his military genius, Hancock is strikingly pol
ished and courtly in manners, and model of
rich manhood. Being absorbed by his profess
sion, he gave little heed tOpolitics before the
rebellion, but has since ever been ready to ac
quiesce in the policy of the government.
This is very well, but too much cannot
be said OF the capacity, capabilities and
usefulness of such men as Hancock and
Warren, and of their Importance to the
country they have so long and faithfully
served.
Maj. Gen. Gouverneur X Warren was,
during the "Peninsular Campaign" one
of the most conspicuous officers of McClel-
lan's army; he won the admiration of ev-
cry good soldier with whom he was ever
associated, and the praise of all his supe-
riors. He received the highest commen
dations fer his conduct at Hanover Court
House, Old Church, Gaines Mills, Gross
Roads, Malvern Hills, and most of the
battles of that army since it left the Pc
ninsula.
Though Warren only commanded Il bri-
gade, during this celebrated campaign, his
capacity for higher position was well
known to the army, and in Sykes report
of the "Seven Days Before Richmond -
we find "COl. Warren, with the practical
experience OF an accomplished engineer,
his untiring industry, his unceasirg energy,
and unsurpassed gallantry on the field,
won for himself promotion, which cannot
be too soon, nor more wOrthily bestowed. -
Upon the principal that the army's opinion
of a soldier is the best opinion, Gen War;
rem has few, if any, superiors, as division
or corps commander.
AS to General Banks, he is regarded by
the army as about the only soldier among
all the political Generals. In Virginia he
did very well, but Port Hudson must have
fallen just when it did, had any one else
been in command. 1t was the result of
/ Vicksburg. -.~l4 ,r e"
But Major General W. S. Hancock ranks
favorably with Mcclellan and Franklin.
We find him most conspicuous from the
organization of the Army of the Potomac,
till he was borne, severely wounded, from
the bloody field of Gettysburg At Winn's
Mills and at Lees Mills, at Williamsburg
and in the fights before Richmond" we
find Hancock always in the advance, and
always in fight, receiving the highest
compliments of the best officers of the ar
my.
In the Maryland campaign and in the
defence of Pennsylvania, no General
stood higher than Hancock; and with
"those who know" tis generally conceded
that he fought the battle of Gettysburg
As a commander, Hancock has no su
perior; his GOODNESS, discretion, judgment,
yet promptness and far-sightedness on the