The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-07-24
THE CANDIDATES.
Gen. Winfield S. Hancock,
THE SOLDIER STATESMAN.
Hon. William Il. English,
THE Pride Of the Hoosier State"

Mai. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock,
son Of Benjamin Franklin and Eliza
beth Hancock, was born in Montgom-
cry county, Pa, Feb. IA, 1924. He
comes from sound Anglo Saxon stock,
the ancestral line. on the maternal side
leading back to the English and
Welsh, and on the paternal to tile
English, Irish and Scotch. His fathers
family were Episcopalians aud Friends
aud his mothers Baptists. His moth
er's family have resided in Pennsyl-
vauia from the time of William Penn,
and have heen living in what is now
Montgomery county for the past $50
years. In Hatfield township may now
be seen the old family homestead,
will. the figures 1854 on the gable end
of the more recent part; the older
part, built long before, falling into
decay.
Gen. Hanc0ck's father was a native
Of Philadelphia, and as boy of Is
sought the field when the British
threatened the city during :he war of
1912. 1t was at Swede's Ford on the
site Of Norristown that Washington
had crossed the Schuylkill in his cam
paign of Valley Forge, and it was
here, in full view of the historic hills,
that Young Hancocks' early years were
passed. Born and raised in q patriotic
atmosphere, with heroic blood in his
veins, his martial spirit and love of
Justice soon gave promise Of the bril-
liant future he was destined to
achieve.
In 1910 he entered the Military
Academy at West Point, and was
there as cadet with Grant, McClel-
Ian, Franklin, John F. Reynolds (who
was killed at Gettysburg), Burnside,
Reno (wbo fell at South Monntain),
"Stonewall" Jackson, Longstreet, A.
P. Hill, oh. Hill, and other officers
Of distinction on both sides during the
late war. Graduating in 1874, he was
appointed brevet second lieutenant in
the Sixth Infantry, and assigned to
duty on the Western frontier. He
participated with his regiment in the
war with Mexico, and was conspicuous
for his gallantry at San Antonio,
Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, and the
assault and capture of the city of
Mexico. He served either as legi-
mental quartermaster or adjutant,
from June, 1648, to May, 1855, having
been meanwhile promoted to first
lieutenant. From June to November
Of that ytar he acted as Assistant Ad-
iutant General of the Department of
the West, headquarters at St. Louis.
1t was there that he had married
few years before, the daughter of
Samuel Russell, prominent merchant
Of that city. Hancock was promoted
to captain and assistant quartermaster
in the fall of 1855, and served on the
staff of Gen. Harney, in Kansas and
Nebraska, during the memorable po-
litical troubles of twenty-five years
ago. Afterwards he went with Harney
to Utah, and rode across the continent
to the Pacific coast. He was stationed
in California until the outbreak of the
rebellion.
HIS RECORD IN THE LATE WAR.
When the news of the firing on Fort
Sumpter reached his distant post, lie
sent request to the Governor of his
State for assignment to command
of volunteers. There were many dis
cordant elements in California at that
time, and manifest sympathy with
secession, which threatened to isolate
the golden State from the Union.
While awaiting reply from the Gov
error OF Pennsylvania be took an
active part in encouraging and organ
izing the loyal sentiment.
His influence 10 Southern California
was of signal service in saving the
State to the Union Impatient at de-
AZ in hearing from the Governor, he