The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-07-02
General Whitfield Scott Hancock.
Democratic Candidate for President.
HIS ARMY SERVICE OF SO YEARS AND Ills
RECORD AS A CHAMPION OF CIVIL Law
How, AS A HARD FIGHTING GEN
ERAL, HE BECAME A SHIELD FOR
HIS NATIVE sTATE-PERsoN-
AL CHARACTERISTICS.

Few men have served their country better
than Winfield S. Hancock and few deserve
more from their countrymen. A big man,
with big head, big heart and big
brain, Hancock is the personication of
honor honesty and capacity. Gallant and
unassumng, soldier in three wars, the be-
ro of a hundred battles, be is man on
whom all Democrats can consistently
unite for President, and who as candi-
date, will perhaps command larger de-
gree of respect and support from Repubi-
cans than any other man in the Democratic
party. Cear-headed and self reliant, his
career a judicial statesmen and Military
Governor while in command of Louisiana
and Texas gives evidence that, If strong
man is needed for President, there is no man
in the nation more for that position
than Winfield S. Hancock. With him rs
the candidate of their party the Democrats
have nothing to explain or defend, AMI
can proudly point to his record aud chal-
!enge comparison of it with that of the
Republican candidate. The people of this
country will not soon forget there was day
in its history when, if General Hancock had
not shown the highest capacity as a military
commander, there might be no Republic to
govern. 1t was on that day when the gal.
liant General Reynolds fell at Gettysburg
and Lees forces were driving back the I'M
ion Army. Like thund,r5olt Hancock
precipitaed his troops upon the victorious
enemy, hurled them hack, aud selzing Gem
etery Heights and Round Top wrested or
der from confusion and restored confidence
to our half beaten army.
A YOUNG PENNSYLVANIA.
Winfield Scott Iarcock was born in
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, Febru-
airy IT, 1924, and is therefore ffty-sx years
of age. His mothers father was Revolu-
tionary soldier and was captured at sea al d
confined in the Dartmoor prison, England.
His great-grandfather on his mothers side
was also soldier under Washington and
rendered good service, dying at the close OF
the Revolution from exposure and hardships
endured in the field. Hancock's father
served in the War Of 1912 and afterwards be-
came lawyer of distinction in Montgomery
county, Pennsy lyania. AT the age of six
teen, Hancock was sent to West Point and
had for class mates U. S. Grant, George B.
Mcclellan, j. +. Reynolds, j. l.. Reno.
Burnside, Franklin aud w. +. Smith. He
graduated in lSH, June 30, and in 1876
served with his regiment in the Indian Ter
ritory as a second lieutenant of the Sixth
Ilianry. In AZ we find him in Mexico and
conspicuous. for galIantry at Natural Bridge
San Antonio, Contreras, Cherubusco, No
limo del Rey and the capture of the City o
Mexico. lie was breveted for gallantry a.
the battles of Conlreras and Cherubusco
In lS49 aud 1850 he served with his regi
ment as quartermaster and adjutant, and il
the fall of 1850 was married at st. Louis tC
Miss Almra Russell, the daughter of prom
inent merchant of that city. He took par
in several Indian campaigns in the West
and in 1857 was engaged in the Southern
Florida war. He served ir the expedition
against Utah and in 1859 went to Cali
fornia.
When he heard of the rebellion he tool
high ground in favor of the Union and di,
much in 1861 to check the secession spiri
then seizing upon California. He apple,
to Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, for
commission in the volunteers, but the Gov
ernor being slow in replying to his applica
tion, he obtained leave of absence an,
came East, His earnestness impressed Scott
who ordered him to report to General Nc
'Clelan, and ON the formal recommendation