Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-08
WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE GREAT SOLDIER
STATESMAN.

The following sketch of General
Hancock was prepared by Gen. j. S.
Brisbin, and published in the Phila-
delphia Times White House gallery.
Few men have served their country
better than Winfield S. Hancock, and
few deserve more from their country
men. A big man, with big head, a
big heart and a big brain, Hancock is
the very personifcation of honor, hon.
esty and capacity. Gallant and unas-
suming, soldier in three wars, the
hero of hundred battles, he is a man
ON whom all Democrats can consistent
ly unite for President, and who, as
candidate, will command larger de-
gree of respect and support from Re-
publicans than any other man in the
Democratic party. Clear-headed and
self-reliant, his career as a judicial
statesman 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 fit for that position
than Winfield S. Hancock. With him
as the candidate of the party the
Democrats will have nothing to ex-
plain or defend, and can proudly point
to his record and challenge compari-
son 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 gallant General Reynolds
fell at Gettysburg and Lees forces
were driving back the Union army.
Like thunderbolt Hancock precipi-
tated his troops upon the victorious
enemy, hurled them back, and seizing
Cemetery Heights and Round Top
wrested order from confusion and re-
stored confidence to our half-beaten
army. x x
A YOUNG Observation-Disclosures FIRST
BATTLE.
His first battle in the rebellion was
at Warwick Court House, near York
town, and he led his brigade in person,
driving the enemy before him. At
Williamsburg Hancock bore con-
spicuous part. The rebels having re-
pulsed Hooker and exposed Hancock's
left flank he determined to retire and
ordered the batteries back to the slope,
where his brigade line stood. The
rebel commander, seeing the move
ment, at once advanced his troops,
and they came down on Hancock's
right in two superb lines of battle,
cheering tremendously and calling out,
"Eull Run Bull Run! That flag is
ours" Hancock sat on his horse be-
hind the centre of his line, waiting
with imperturbable coolness the favor
able moment. Calling on the men to
stand fast and keep their pieces loaded,
Hancock waited until the rebels were
within 100 yards, then dashing for
ward on his horse, with head barred
and swinging his hat, he shouted
Forward forward forward! !" The
men saw the towering form of their
general leading them, and springing
up, with a shout that made the hills
ring, they precipitated themselves upon
the enemy. The great, irregular mass
of rebels faltered, halted for a moment,
wavered and then fell back slowly.
Every inch of ground was stubbornly
contested still, Hancock forced them
off the field, nor did they again adj
vance until the Union reinforcements
came up and rendered the victory Sc
cure. 1t was almost night when Han
cock repulsed the enemy, and no pur-
suit could be ordered in the darkness.
The ground was covered with rebel
dead and wounded and many were cut
off and captured. The action of Han
cock had rendered Williamsburg un-
tenable, and that night the enemy
abandoned it. Hancock's name was
heralded from Maine to California,
and in a few hours, from an unknown
subordinate, he had leaped into fame
and assumed a national reputation.
Mcclellan telegraphed the President,
Hancock was superb to-day" an ex-
preston which all who saw him tower
ing above his men leading them to
battle knew to be only just.
For his services in the Peninsular
campaign Gen. Mcclellan recommend
ed Hancock for promotion to the rank
of major general of volunteers and the
brevets of major, lieutenant colonel
and colonel in the regular army.
ALWAYS AT 1T.
In September, 1862, Hancock com.
manded his brigade in the battle of
South Mountain and afterwards at
Antietam. In this latter engagement,
when General Richardson fell, Han
cock was sent to take command of that
gallant officers division. In Novem-
ber. 1862. Hancock received his COM