Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-15
Hancock in Louisiana.

Gen, William, i'll. Irwin, formerly of
Mihlin county, and previous to the
war Republican candidate for Con-
gress ingthe district composed of Milf
fin, Centre, Clinton and Lycoming
counties, is at present a resident of
the State of Louisiana, and the nom-
ination of Gen. Hancock has called
forth letter from him which appears
in the Louisville Coilqier-Journdt of
late date. 1t was under the command
of General Irwin that the gallant old
Pennsylvania 49th went into the SER
vice in 1861, and under him it acquired
that proficiency and steady discipline
that made it throughout the war one
of the finest regiments that Pennsyl-
vania had in the field. The General
writes of Hancock as follows:
al had the honor to command one of
the regiments of Hancock's Brigade"
the Forty ninth Pennsylvania-until
the Maryland campaign of 1862, during
which, and in the battle of Antietam,
commanded the third brigade of
Smiths division of Franklin's corps,
General w. S. Hancock commanding
the first and General Brooks the second
brigade. After the war | did not re.
sumo the practice of law, but was en-
gagged in extensive mining operations in
the Juniata Valley, Pa, when. in 1867,
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock,
United States Army, commanding the
Fifth Military district, Texas and Louis.
lana, offered me, and | accepted, the
important and confidential position of
attorney at his headquarters in New
Orleans. When | reported for duty in
December, 1867, cases of nearly every
description, and some very serious ones,
arose in the wide territory under Gen.
Hancock's command. The evidence in
regard to these was collated under his
immediate eye and was then sent to my
Office for examination, and, a written
opinion being prepared, was, with the
evidence, transmitted TO Gen. Hancock
for his final decision. was thus con.
stantly brought into close official rela.
tions with General Hancock | saw the
minute and rigid investigation which
public business received from him,
heard his views on local and national
government, the wants Of the impover.
ished South, the true principles of con.
stitutional liberty, the superiority OF the
civil over military power, the sacred
writ of habeas corpus, the vital necessity
of the union OF the States and the cul.
tivation of fraternal kindness among
the people of all sections, and it gives
me the highest satisfaction to declare
that they were the views of a man of
the purest honor, great intelligence and
courage, patriot and a statesman.
They were above all party, all sectional,
all personal consideration absolutely
free from selfshness or ambition it
was the only desire of that brave, hon.
est and noble heart and that clear and
prescient mind faithfully to discharge
the very important duties imposed on
him by the government OF the United
States.
This know better than any one else
can, for was the legal adviser of Major
General Hancock and knew not only
his actions, but his motives and inten.
tions.
How wisely, how beneticently this
illustrious soldier statesman fulfilled his
vast and varied duties the whole world
knows. The American people are pre-
pairing to reward him with their richest
gift. Very respectfully,
WILLIAM HOWARD Irwin,
late attorney at headquarters Fifth Mil.
itary district, Colonel Forty-ninth regi-
ment Pennsylvania volunteers, Brevet
Brigadier General United States vol
unteers.n