The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-05-12
Grant, Hancock, and Longstreet.

The following extract from speech
delivered by Mr.. Skinner, OF Franklin
county, Pa, in the House Of Represcn-
tatives at Harrisburg shows the injus.
tice which has been done to our gallant
HANCOCK by GRANT. In the course of
his remarks Mr.. SKINNER said:
In this connection he would draw q
parallel case illustrative Of the kind OF
injustice that Grant sometimes deals
out to the "nation's defenders" On
the third day of the battle Of Gettys.
burg, the fierce conflict raging between
the two armies had reached its height.
The fate Of Pennsylvania and of the ma
tion hung trembling in the scale OF bat
tie. Lee was hurling his maddened
and desperate forces in quick succession
against our lines, hoping to crush them
at some point and put our soldiers to
rout. The key TO the Union position
on that day was Cemetery Hill. That
point gained to the enemy, all would
have been lost TO us. Lee knowing
this, placed his best corps in the hands
of his ablest General and directed him
to carry it. Forming speedily the long
deep grey lines began TO move forward.
They were all men who had faced death
on many a bloody field. They knew
the Importance of the work they had
been sent TO perform, and they marched
up that slope with firmness and stead
fastness which told plainly enough
that fear held no place in their ranks.
On the summit of the hill stood another
corps-a corps OF Union soldiers. If
there were blanched faces and quivcr-
ing lips among these it was only moro
sure indication that they had determin-
ed to hold their position or so down to
death in the attempt. 1t takes more
courage to meet charge than to make.
On came the deep gray lines. The first
well-directed volley, while it thinned
their ranks, staggered them not-a Sec
ond had no greater effect and then they
came together, those strong and brave
men, in fierce and bitter conflict that
lasted for hours. Never did men fight
with more determined valor. The conf
manders OF each were brave and skill
full. The commander OF the Union
forces was the idol of his men. He had
been selected on account OF his superior
courage and skill to hold that position.
Right we'll too he did it-leading his
men in person and mngling in the
thickest of the fray. After an exhibit
tion OF valor rarely witnessed, and after
a most fearful slaughter on both sides,
the Union forces were victorious, and
the Rebel forces sent reeling back
mere bloody remnant of that strong
and compact body which had moved
up to the attack. Here on this spot was
victory won to our army. Here was
? Pennsylvania saved and possibly the
1 nation. At the close of the conflict the
!. commander of the L nion forces was
r borne from the field wounded. His
name was Hancock--a name dear tc
/ millions of Democrats in the land be
;. cause he has kept In peace, as in war
Q his personal honor untarnished. Tht
II name of the opposing General wa
d Longstreet. When Grant came t.
rs Washington as President, one OF tn
?, first acts of his administration was t.
k appoint Longstreet Collector of Custom
n at New Orleans, with salary of thirt.
" thousand dollars, and his second to eX
lie Hancock, the man who had save
10 the day at Gettysburg, to the wilds c
d Dacotah. Surely Republics and Reput
n ican Presidents are ungrateful.