Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-30

Colonel in the regular army. At
the FIRST Fredericksburg fight his un-
form was perforated with bullets,
but he received only a slight flesh
wound. Soon after the battle of
Charlottesville he was placed in
command of the Second Crops on
the retirement of Couch. When
the news came of the opening of
the fight at Gettysburg, he was
with General Meade, at Taney-
town, and was ordered by him to
take command of all the forces on
the field there, with such others as
might arrive. Gen. Reynolds, who
commanded the First Corps, had
been killed, and that body, under
Doubleday, with the Eleventh, un-
der Howard, had been forced to re-
treat Hancock knew that Meade
intended to fight the battle on the
line of Pipe creek, but sent him word
by his senior aid, Major Mitchell,
that Gettysburg was geographically
far mord advantageous. Gen Meade
wisely coincided. Hancock COM
manded the left centre on the Sec
ond day of the battle, and repulsed
desperate attack, following it up
with u counter charge. On the third
day he sustained a cannonade of two
hours from 120 guns, under cover
of which Longs,reet's men were
massed. Streams of shot and shell
hissed and screamed on every side,
men and horses were torn into frag-
ments, caissons exploded, blowing
the gunners to pieces, and the infan-
try hugged the ground almost in des-
pair. A band began to play "The
Star Spangled Banner" and Han
cock, with his staff Major Mitchell
and Capts. Bingham, Parker and
Brownson), with Private James
Wells, carrying the Second Corps
flag, appeared with heads uncovered
on the right of his line. Cheers
arose, and the brave little group rode
coolly down the front to the left.
Shot and shell ioared and crashed :,
but not one OF them was harmed.
Hancock knew that the artillery fire
was intended to dem moralize his men,
and to cover the advance of Long
.stssetss- infantry 46, ,000 strong;
which was to make the real attack.
As he reached the left of the line
this infantry began emerging from
the woods and advancing up the
hill.
WOUNDED IN BATTLE.
Hancock turned his horse and,
followed by his staff, rode to the
right of the line again, hat in hand I,
bowing and smiling to the men as
he passed. The troops became wild
to engage, and, Oh receiving ORDERS,
made terrible havoc with the enemy,
who in their turn, laid themselves
down to avoid q deadly fire both of
musketry and artillery. At the mo-
ment of victory Gen. Hancock reeled
from his horse but was caught before
falling. He was seriously wounded
in the thigh, but he remained on the
field, giving orders until the defeat
of the enemy became complete. He
was the central figure of the memor-
battle, aud received the thanks of
Gen. Meade, of the President, of
Congress and of the nation at large.
In March, 1864, Gen. Hancock re-
turned to the field and took COM
mand of his old corps, with which
he fought brilliantly III the Wilder
ness. On Aug. 18th he was created
Brigadier General in the regular
army. His successful fight at Boyd
ton Road in the following October
was his last. He was ordered to
Washington to form a veteran corps
$4,000 strong, which he quickly sue
ceeded in getting from among the
many soldiers whose term OF enlist
ment had expired. He was sent
with the corps to the Middle Military
Division, with headquarters at Win
chester, and was to cooperate either
with the Army of the Potomac or on
the Southern Coast with Gen. Sher-
man, as might be decided. The sur
sender of Lee at Appomattox render
ed both movements unnecessary.
YEARS AGO DEEMED WORTHY.
Gen. Hancock's name was men
toned for the Presidency on the
Democratic ticket both i'll 1868 and
1872. He was also rendered a nom
ination to the Governorship of Penn
sylvania, which he declined.
Gen. Hancock has twin brother,
Hillary B. Hancock, a lawyer,
iu Minneapolis, Minu. A second
brother, John, is connected with the
PENNSYLVANIA Central Railroad in
Washington. His father died few
years ago, and mother last year. he
has son, Russell Hancock, aged
25. who is working plantation near
Foyer's Point, Mississippi. Ills
daughter Ada, died of typhoid fever
in this city III 1875, aged Is, Just
after leaving school. Russell Han