The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-07-24

applied to Gen. Scott to be ordered
East for active duty. His request was
granted, aud he was assigned US chief
quartermaster on the staff of Gen.
Robert Anderson, who was organizing
an army at Louisville, KY, but before
entering on those duties he was ap-
pointed by Mr.. Lincoln Briga.lier
General Of volunteers, and assigned
to a command in the Army Of the
Potomac. The four regiments COM
posing his brigade were the Fifth
Wisconsin, the Sixtl, Maine. the For
ty.ninth Pennsylvania, and the Forty
third New York. In the spring of
1862 he accompanied the Army Of the
Potomac to the Peninsula, and was
actively engaged in the siege of York
town during the month of April. For
his gallantry during the siege he was
specially complimented in the dis
patchea Of the Eoabalaulling General
Of the Army. The phrase, !" Hancock
was superb" /" ran through the country,
from Maine to California. His subse-
qnent conspicuous services at Gold
ing's Farm, Garnett's Hill, White Oak
Swamp, and other engagements dur
ing the Seven Days Fight, which
closed with the victory at Malvern
Hill, led the General in Chief to urge
his promotion to Major General Of
volunteers.
In the fall of 1862, after the return
Of the army of the Potomac from the
Peninsula, he took part in the move
meDt Oh Centreville, Va. In the
Maryland campaign of the same year
he commanded his brigade at Cramp-
toms Pass, South Mountain, on the
14th Of September. Three days after
ward, on the battlefield Of Antietam,
he was placed in command Of Gen.
Richardson's division when that gal
liant officer fell mortally wounded.
At the battle of Fredericksburg in
December, he led his division in the
assault on Marye's Heights, where he
lost half his command in killed and
wounded. and where he and all his
aids were wounded. At the battle of
Charlottesville, in May, 1869, he
covered the roads leading towards
Fredericksburg, where his troops
maintained their position to the last,
and formed the rear guard of the army
in moving off the field. The Generals
horse was shot under him in that bat
tie. Early in June he relieved Gen.
Couch in command of the Second
Corps, and later in the same month
was assigned by Mr.. Lincoln to lie it's
normanont onnn1nndor
Hancock guarded the rear of the
army ON the march to Gettysburg.
Reynolds was in advance in command
Of three army corps, aud after he had
fallen on the first day, Gen. Meade
sent Hancock forward to take com
mand of the forces on the battle field.
Upon his arrival he checked the enc
my's advance, and sent word to Gen.
Meade that the position should be
held, as Getty ysburg was the point
where the great impending battle
should be fought. In accordance with
these suggestions Gen. Meade hurried
forward all his forces. On the second
day Hancock commanded the left CEN
tire Of the army, and reconstructed the
line Of battle pierced by the enemy
in many places, so that at night his
position stood intact as in the morn
ing. On the third day it was his high
fortune to 1epulse the assault of Gen.
LoDgstreet. but only after a contest
of the most stubborn and sanguinary
character. Five thousand prisoners,
thirty seven stand Of colors, aud many
thousand stand of arms were among
the trophies of this victory. At the
moment of his triumph Hancock fell
desperately wounded. While lying
on the ground Oh his line Of battle he
sent an aide to Gen. Meade, com
manding the Army Of the Potomac:
Tell Gen. Meade" he said, the
troops under my command have re-
pulsed the enemy's assault and we
have gained a great victory. The
enemy is now flying in all directions
from my 'front.'" The officer who con-
veyed this message to Gen. Meade,
added that Gen. Hancock was dan
gerously wounded. Say to Gen.
Hancock" said Gen. Meade, !" that /
am sorry he is wounded, and that
thank him for the country and for
myself, for the service he has zen
dered to-day" By joint resolution
nf Gnnorpaa f4nns Hancock rpcaivps1