Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-07-02

explain or defend, and could proudly
point to his record and challenge . CON-
psrison of it with that Of the Republican
whoever he might be. The peo.
ole of this country will not soon forget
there was q day in its history when, if Gen.
eral Hancock had not shown the highest ca
pacity as military commander, there might
be no republic to govern. It was on that
day when the gallant General Reynolds fell
ct Gettysburg and Lees forces were driving
back the Union army. Like thunderbolt
Hancock precipitated his troops upon the
victorious enemy, hurled them back, and
selling Cemetery Heights and Round Top,
wrested order from confusion and restored
confidence to our half-beaten army.
4 YOUNG PENNSYLVANIA.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born in Mont
gomery county, Pennsylvania, February IA,
1924, and is therefore ffty-six years of age.
His mothers father was revolutionary SOL
der and was captured at sea and 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 became lawyer of dis
tinction in Montgomery county, Penusylva-
mia. At the age Of sixteen Hancock was cent
to West Point, and had for classmates U. s.
Grant, George B. Mcclellan, j. F. Reynolds,
j. L. Reno, Burnside, Franklin and W. F.
Smith. He graduated in 1874, June 80, and
in 1866 served with his regiment in the
Indian Territory as second lieutenant Of
the Sixth infantry. In 1S47 We find him in
Mexico and conspicuous for gallantry at the
Natural bridge, San Antonio, Contreras,
Cherubusoo, Moline del Rey and the capture
of the city of Mexico. He was breveted fol
gallantry at the battles of Contreras and
Cherubusco. In 1s49 and 1850 he served
with his regiment as quatermaster and adult
ant. and in the fall of 1850 was married at
st. Louis to Miss Almira Russell, the
daughter of prominent merchant of that
city. He took part in several Indian cam
paigns in the West, and in 1857 was engaged
in the Southern Florida war. He served in
the expedition against Utah and in 1853
went to California.
When he heard of the rebellion he tool
high grounds in favor of the union, and did
much in 1861 to check the secession spirit
then selling upon California. he applied tc
Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, for 6
commission in the volunteers, but the cover.
nor being slow in replying to his application
he obtained leave of absence and came
East. His earnestness impressed General
Scott, who ordered him to report to General
Mcclellan, and on the formal recommends,
ton of Mcclellan President Lincoln, on thu
2sd Of September, 1861, commissioned Han.
oook brigadier general of volunteers. He
WAS assigned to brigade in the division Of
General Badly Smith, and reported for duty
I Ct Chain Bridge, Virginia, in the army of the
Eo.>tonaa = p
HIS FIRST BA TILE,
His first battle in the rebellion was al
Warwick court house, near Yorktown, an6
he led his brigade in person. driving the en-
envy before him. At Williamsburg Hanoocs
bore conspicuous part. The rebels having
repulsed Hooker and exposed Hancock's left
Hank he determined to retire and ordered thu
batteries back to the slope, where his brigade
(ine stood. The rebel commander, seeing
the movement, at once advanced his troops
and they came down on Hancock's right in
two superb lines of battle, cheering ire
mendously and calling o1t, "Bull Run! Bull
Run! That flag is ours" Hancock sat OF
his horse behind the centre Of his line, wait
ing with imperturbable GOODNESS the favor
able moment. Calling on the men to stanG
fast and keep their pieces
oaded, Hancock waited until the
rebels were within 100 yards, then dash
mg forward on his horse, with head barred
and swinging his hat, he shouted: "Forward!
forward forward p The men saw the tow
ering form of their General leading them,
and spinging up, with shout that made the
bills ring, they percipitated themselves upon
the enemy. The great, irregular mass of
rebels faltered, halted for amoment, wavered
and then fell back slowly. Every inch of
ground was stubbornly contested; still, Han
cock forced them off the field, nor did thes
again advance until the Union reinforce
ments came up and rendered the victory Sc
cure. It was almost night when Hancock
repulsed the enemy, and no pursuit could be
ordered in the darkness. The ground was
covered with rebel dead and wounded and
many were cut off and captured. The &C.
ton Of Hancock had rendered Williams
burg untensble, and that night the enemy
abandoned it. Hancock's name was herald
cd from Maine to Cslifornis, aud in few
hours, from an unknown subordinate he
had lesped into fame and assumed q nation
al reputation. Mcclellan telegraphed the
President, Hancock was superb to-day."
An expression which all who saw him tower
ing above his men leading them to battle
knew to be only Just.
HIS SERVICES m THE PENINSULA.
On the 9th of June, 1862, Hancock, who
was then ct Golding's Farm, in the Peniusu-