Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-24

a surprise to many, and it was vari-
ously commented on, favorably and
otherwise. General Hancock is a
military man in its truest sense, and
has never been politician, He
is exceedingly popular in the
army and won the good will OF the
people of the south, and especially in
Louisiana, where his conciliatory and
statesmanlike course placed him first
in the hearts of the oppressed citizens
OF that military ridden state. The
Louisiana delegation to the conven-
tion were solid for Hancock from the
start, and it is doubtless to their en-
thusiasm and good favor that the re-
suit is due. General Hancock is a
native Of Pennsylvania, and resides at
Norristown in the eastern portion of
the state. He graduated at West Point
in the class of 1874, and has served
in the army since that time. He is
closely identified with the south, hav-
ing married Miss Russell, of St.
Louis, and his son, Russell Hancock,
is a cotton planter at the present
time, his farm being on the Sunhower
river, near Clarksdale, some twenty
miles south Of Friar's Point, and
about one hundred miles from this
city, in Mississippi. 1t has been but
a few weeks since General Hancock
stopped briefly in this city while re-
turning from visit to his sons Sun
flower river cotton plantation. A
number of his military friends and
others paid respectful call upon him
during his stay, little thinking, how
ever, that he would be the democratic
standard bearer, though it was then
known that he was among the proba-
BILE candidates. General Hancock's s
record is clear and clean in every
respect. As a soldier, he was efficient,
able and valiant and in his brief
evil career he proved equal to the
trying emergency in which he was
placed. He will prove strong can
didate in the eyes of many, and while
there are some who believe that it
would have been wiser to have es.
chewed the military, yetnothing can be
s id against the noble, chivalrous and
true-hearted Hancock. The general
is now commander of the military de-
partment of the Atlantic, with head
quarters at New York, having some
time since been transferred from the
department. ofDacotah. A brief sketch
of his military career, taken from the
register Of the graduates of the United
States military academy, says he was
at West Point from 1910 to 1874,
served on the frontier as second
lieutenant Of the Sixth infantry until
the Mexican war; was brevetted first
lieutenant for gallant and meritOrious
copduct at the battles Of Contreras and
Churubusco, near the city Of Mexico,
in l847; was afterwards assistant adju-
tant genera of the department of the
west, with quarters at st. Louis; did
quartermaster duty in Florida during
hostilities with the Seminoles, and
was promoted to a captaincy; served
in quelling the disturbances in Kansas
in 1857; was also in the expedition
against the MormOns under johnson
in 1883, and next served at
Los Angeles, California, until 1861.
In the early part of the inter state
war Hancock was promoted to brig
adler general, and served about the
defenses at Washington; was in all
the Virginia peninsula actions, the
seige of Yorktown, battles of Will
liamsburg, Chickahominy, Golding's
farm, Savage station, White Oak
swamp, and retreat to Harrison's s
landing under Mcclellan; was also in
actions of Antietam, Fredericksburg
and Charlottesville. AS major-gen.
eral of volunteers he commanded
the Second corps at Gettysburg,
aud repulsed Longstreets attack on
the left center, where he was disabled
by a severe wound. Congress, on
May Both, 1866, rendered him a vote
of thanks for his gallant, meritori-
Gus and conspicuous share in that
great and decisive victory" Recoy
ering from his wounds, General Han
cock again took command of the Sec.
Ond corps, was engaged in the battles of
the Wilderness, SpOttsylvania, North
Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Har.
Dor, Petersburg and other
actions. His Gettysburg wound
breaking out afresh, he sought
&ck leave, but was seon on duty
again, and served until the close of
che war. He was promoted to brevet-
major. general ia the regular army
March 18th, 1863, for gallant and
meritorious services at the battle of
Spottsylvania, Va; afterwards com
manded the middle department from
1895 to 1866; then the department of
Missouri. being promoted to full
major generalship July 26, 1866; was in
the Indian campaign of 1867, He also
commanded in Louisiana, and as
above remarked, in Dacotah and else
where. General Hancock was also
.l ! 1. -. a l. =. L n