The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-03-21
l.-Early ltfe-west Point-Thc War
with Mexico.

I.-EnrIy Lfe-West POint-The WAR
with Mexico.
Winfield Scott Hancock comes of revolutionary and
patriotic ancestry During the struggle of the colonies
with the mother country his paternal grandfather
perenced the seventies of the English authorities,
having been captured at sea- claimed British Sub
tect, and imprisoned in the famous Dartmoor prison.
In England. His maternal grandfather and great
grandfather served In the Revolutionary armies with
fidelity, the latter taking up when boy of
fifteen. Both took part In important engagements the
elder, In fact giving his life for his country and
dying at the close of the war from the effects Of
posture and hardship in the field. Hancock's father
was native of Montgomery county, Pa. and he, too
was soldier In tho War OF 1872, becoming afterward
lawyer Of prominence Here Winfield Scott Han
cock was born on the 18th OF February 1924. His
early life was passed at Norrstown and his early ed-
cation was received at the academy in that place. 1t
is recorded Of him that, while boy he was noted for
his studious, thoughtful ways. lie was promising
student and among the youth Of his own age was
looked up to with respect and as leader.
When only fifteen years old the honor of reading the
Declaration Of Independence at public celebration Of
the National anniversary was conferred on him. not
less account of his ustrios descent than for the
abilities lie had displayed student. With such
family history II might be expected that the boy would
choose the profession Of At the age of sixteen
he received the appointment to the Military Academy
at West Point passed his examination with credit aud
entered the service his country He found himself
in the National Academy the associate of young men
who like himself destined to be famous In IT,
country's history. Among his fellow cadets were U
s. Grant, George Is. Mcclellan, John F. Reynolds.
(who fell on the first day at Gettysburg, J. l.. Reno
(who fell at South Mountain Burnside, Franklin,
and William f. (Baldy) Smith. all afterward dis
kl,,.v,
tinguished in tho cause Of the South, Longstreet,
"Stonewall 2" Jackson the two Hills. and others of
less emlnence. Surrounded by such competitors was
tho character of the boy developed and strengthened
He took higher than average rank scholar gradu
aing In large class number eighteen the 30th
day OF june 1874, receiving the commission of Brevet
Second Lieutenant of the Sixth Infantry. For the
two following years he served with his regiment in the
Indian Territory. The war with Mexico gave him his
first opportunity for distinction soldier The
young Second Lieutenant won his spurs the National
Bridge, and he was conspicuous for gaantry Mt San
Antonio Contreras, Cherubusco Moline del Ray, and
the assault and capture Of tho City OF Mexico. His
first brevet was given him August 20, lsA7, for gal
liant and mertorious conduct at Conreras and Cheru
bnsco va formula which signifies the highest
for which advancement In rank may lie conferred.
Although only Second Lieutenant he was in command
VI "'' e""f'"y' "" '''o o''''"' 'SPo'''i mo ~"
was complimentary in the extreme.
From 1915 10 ie4s ne serVeu as hegiheh'ai quarter
mes'er' anu 'hehco 10 1919 as h"Ju'a'' having ie-
ceiVed MIS- iu rank OF fHst Leu'ehant IN ieoS' HE
marriage with Miss husse'' inc oea"'iii aa"ehter Oh
prominent merchant Of st. Louis took place In 1850
In 1900 while serving Us Assistant AdI"taht GENERA
OF tile department OF inc West' he was promoted u
the rank OF captain ana hssstah' p"arter'nas'er'
serving In southern Fioiida III the ihdiah war o.
isoo- o. inc h"hsas ''ouo'eS vi 1000 'ouho III" II
that ierrtory' ne ser'e" !" '"c eAPc"i'ioh 10 ctai
ana 'he Subsequent o'e''"no "''ch 70 ."'orh'a' "h'
inc outbreak OF Inc fopeloh io"'o MN stationed a.
Los Angeios.
Wheh tho news OF inc 'homeh'ous struggle whic'
tno "'i"g ." ro'. sumter a''onhceu W ."e "oriu "
nave peg"h reacnca the racine Stops the iht'ihsi'
ch"rac'er o' 'he man NJ ONCE uisP'ayeu 'se' So"'h
erh oa''orh'a was "'hoS "S W 10 10Y"
| Us any eo"'hcrh e'a'e' ~ was ho' PoP"'a
thing Tor man 10 advocate Union sentiments thefe
| secession OPINION was everywhere rampant aii'
there was imminent danger 'hat evh war would DE
ihaugura'ea west w wen ~ Gas. Oh .no ROCKY noun
tains' hahcock aee'Aiea h''"se" without heSta.,eh
"e"'s' "PP"e" W '"0 'o''''o' VI n'' ""'''o o'"'
Tor command among the troops peihg raised II
pennsylvania ana "hiie waning ah ahs~er no aDaene'
himseif 10 sustaining ana spreading Union sentiment
| In California, ny puohc speeches. ana ny loyal ex
ample. HIS services We're of the greatest value II
preserving California TO the union' but the Gov
| ernor OF his own sta'e was SLOW III responding Z
Captain Hancock's request anu unable to broo
delay, burning 10 serve his country On inc hed' u
applied 70 inc oenerai OF the Army ~ washington
be ordered Fast Ter active service. II chuIac