Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-07-30
\ BIT or HISTORY.
Another Mans Views Ut ecu. Han.
cock.

Chicago Times,
II is certainly not u pleasant duty fol
amy man ConVCrsnnt with solid ncts to
reply Ia every sralawag and coffee
cooler who, over the signature of u
soldier. airs himself in the partisan
press and attempts to Nrnlsh the we'll
earned reputation that Cen Hancock
won in the war uf the rebellion But,
as these attacks arc evidently made for
partisan purposes, il is just rs we'll thnt
those who served in the army Of the
Potomac. and have Il slight knowledge
of what they speak, should give the
matter Il little attention A great deal
Is not necessary.
After the disastrous battle Of Chan
ccllorsyillc when il became evident
that Lee intended m invasion of the
north, Gen. Hooker, then in command
of the army. dispatched the sixth corps
To the south side Of the RappnhnnnocL
10 create diversion, or rather Ia try
and delay Lees northern movement
II, however, failed Ia accomplish
the desired end, ~ the rebel chicftnin
flushed With triumph and almost
sure of ultimate success, was marching
for the Potomac This movement Of
the enemy ncccsslnted II speedy move
mcnt ON the part Of our army, and
when wr reached roolcsyilc, Md, the
order came from Washington relieving
Gen. Hooker and appointing IN his
place Mai Gen George G. Meade
Every man who was there and who wns
ut all eouyersnrt with affairs rs they eX-
istcd, knows how anxious every man
felt Lee had to b met and defeated;
the fate of the nation was tO he decided
by the result Of the battle. A hurried
council was held and the situation dis.
cussed Lee had superior numbers, but
we had the choice ~ il battlefield, and
Hancock said we must fight nj Gettys-
burg, and Meade aCquiosced. 10 reach
Gettysburg in advance Of the enemy
was now the task john r Reynolds,
The heroic commander Of thc first army
corps, was in the advance, and on tho
forenoon Of the first day Of July, he
struck the railroad bridgca little south
west Of tho town, and there the first
shot VAS fired His object was to de-
stroy the bridge and in the terrible com
bat that cnsucd he yielded up his noble
life willing sacrifice To his state and his
country, but the position was gained
During the night Hancock arrived and
~ once assumed control Of affairs, 50
that when the fntcful morning Of the
second day Of July, 1868 dawned upon
~, il found the union troops in line Of
battle on Cemetery Hill, Little Round
Top, and adjacent positions. A. a
one Of tie honored many who
shared IN the glories of that battle
the great battle of tire war; can not
allow my mind to wander back 10 that
memorable day without feeling tho
blood rushing through my veins see
again the encmy's lines advance; hear
tie shrek IL shot and shell, and amidst
that rain Of fire see Hancock ~ ! saw
him then, riding amidst its fury, the
trie-borH knight, the superb soldier,
showing by his voice and example what
4 soldier. duty il "a bis country. | see
again the confederate lines advance.
] see the reckless gallantry ~ their
leaders n they ride along their
lines. SOC their banners fall, and M
quickly ri.e, and fervcntly thank God |
that they are my conntrymon; that we |
arc 10 longer enemies, and that Il com |
mon destiny destincS that We shall be |
for NH time brothers and friends The |
third day If July was bit a repetition
u the secend During the night Ham
cock. Sedgwlck and Meade held con.
sultation. What transpired no one
knows but Handbook himself. ~ the
other two heroes are in their graves;
lint the morning found the knight of