The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-07-02

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line and in the dark, was one ofthe finest
spectacles Of the war.
On the 2eth Of june, 20 Gsrnettb Hill
General Hancock wss again heavily en-
gagged, m hewas at Savage Station ON tn.
2Sth, and at the White Oak Swamp On
the S0th. In this latter engagement hil
brigade sustained, without ainching. until
ordered to fall back, the FIRE of sixty
pieces of rebel artillery from positior
on the other side of o rsvine. The rebel
position could not be attscked, and no re-
ply except by two or tAFee of the Union
batteries, could be made to this tremen-
dous bombardment General Hancock's
brigade held their position throughout the
day, repelling the infantry attacks Of the
enemy successfully until the immense
wagon trains Of our refreshing army were
ont of the way. It was an occasion that
tried the steadiness of h.s men more than
anything else could have done. For three
days his men, in common with the rest of
the retreating army, lad been fighting
by day and marching by night. They
were worn ont with fatigue and want of
sleep. Under such circumstances the
best troops are liable to give way before
Q heavy and concentrated fire of artillery,
and that they endured this without finch
ing told volumes Of their bravery and
discipline.
For his conspicuous services in these
and other engagements during the PENN
sular campaign and the seven days. fight
which closed at Malvern Hill, General
Hancock was recommended by the Gen
eral-in-Chief for promotion to the rank of
Major General of Volunteers, and for the
brevets of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and
Colonel in the United States Army. His
promotion was for the highest possible
cause, "Gallant and meritOrious conduct
in the Peninsalar Campaign"
The campaign against Richmond hav-
ing failed, and the Army of the Potomac
having been transferred from Harrison's
Landing northward, General Hancock
took part in the campaign in August and
September, having been moved to Center
vile to the support Of Pope. He CON-
manded his brigade at South Mountain,
when Mcclellan was restored to the COM
mand of the Army of the Potomac. On
the 18th of September he shared conspicu-
ously in the dangers and glory of the VIC
tory of Antietam. 1t will be remembered
that in this engagement the gallant Rich.
ardson, commander of the First Division,
Second Army Corps, was mortally wound
ed. General Hancock was on the field
placed in command of the division, from
which time dated his connection with this
corps, which he afterward commanded
with success and renown. After the re-
treat of Lee across the Potomac, General
Hancock led the advance from Harper's
Ferry to Charleston, striking the enemy's
line and driving him with sharp fighting.
In November he received his commission
of Major General of the United States
Volunteers. He moved with his division to
Fredericksburg, and on the 18th of De
cember took part in the desperate and
bloody assault on Mayre's Heights. His
behavior on this occasion was in keeping
with the high reputation he had achieved.
He was, with his division, in the thickest
of the conflict, leading his men as far as it
was possible for men to 60, and only falling
back when attempt at further advance
was foolhardy and useless. In this fight,
as in fact, in almost every one in which
he was engaged, he seemed to wear .
charm on his life. He received in the
" slaughter pen,' as the rank and file were
wont to call the position they occupied in
this fight, a slight flesh wound, coming
out otherwise unharmed, though with his
uniform perforated with the enemy's bull
let's. When General Hooker made his at
tempt on Lees lines at Chancellorville,
in May, 1868, to General Hancock's divis-
ion important duties were assigned. His
division was unmoved amid the ruin that
followed the rout Of the Eleventh Corps,
was among the last to leave the field, and
retired in splendid order, forming the
rear guard of the defeated army. The di-
vision repelled everv attack of the eme-
my, and often were opposed to many
times their number As usual, Hancock
was right among his men, holding them
to their work by his presence. Fortune
was again kind to him. He received no
wound, having only his borse shot under
him. A month after this battle Hancock
was put in command of the Second Corps,
in which for nine months he had been .
division commander His elevation to
this command gave unusual satisfaction
to the men and officers whose chief he
was to be, and was recognized by the
army and the country as hardly and
fairly earned tribute to the highest sol
dierly qualities. His assignment to the
was at first temporary, occur
ring on the retirement of General Couch
on the 10th of june. But soon was to oc-
cur the eliminating event of the var.-
Lee was to start on his invasion Of the
North, and the race between the opposing
armies for Washington, or perhaps Phila-
delphia, was about to begin. 1t was dur
ing this memorable movement, namely,
on the 25th of june, that President Lin
coin himself permanently confirmed Cen
eral Hancock IN the command Of his
corps.
rHE SAFETY OF A NATION RESTING ON
ONE MAN-GErTYsBURG--D
WOUNDED.
The story of the struggle at Gettys-
burg has been told by thousands who par
ticipated in it. Hundreds who have
proved as able writer's 90 they were gal
Iaut soldiers have written Of the share /
they had in the great event, or have de- !
scribed what took place under their own
It. would be cut of place
and, indeaA imposaiblaEo repsodnce even
. good outline of tn momentous events
of those three July days, when the fate
of the Union forever was actually tremb-
ling in the balance. The philosopher dis
- e : y