The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-07-01
WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.

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HIS LIFE AND CHARACTER.
His Army Service of Thirty-six Years and
His Record as Champion of Civil Law
How, as Hard-Fighting General, he be-
came Shield for his Native State-Per-
sonnl Traits.
Few men have served their country bet
ter than Winfield S. Hancock, and few
deserve more from their countrymen.
A big man, with big head, big heart
and q big brain, Hancock is the very
personification of honor, honesty and
capacity. Gallant and unassuming, a
soldier in three wars, the hero of hun
dred battles, he is man on whom all
Democrats can consistently unite for
President, and who, as a candidate, will
undoubtedly command larger degree Of
respect and support from Republicans
than any other man in the Democratic
party. Clear-headed and self-reliant,
his career as a judicial statesman and
military governor, while in command OF
Louisiana and Texas, gives evidence
that, if strong man is needed for Presi-
dent, there is no man in the nation more
fit for that position than Winfield S. Han
cock. With him as their candidate, the
Democrats will have nothing to explain or
defend, and can proudly point to his re-
cord, and challenge comparison oft with
that of the Republican candidate. The
people of this country will not soon forget
there was day in its history when, If Gen.
Hancock had not shown the highest ca
pacity as a military commander. the
fate of the Union would have been
sealed. 1t was on that day when the
gallant Gen. Reynolds fell at Gettys-
burg, and Gen. Lees forces were driving
back the Union army. It was Hancock
who, at this critical moment, precipita-
ted his corps like thunderbolt upon the
victorious but wearied Confederate col
ums, hurled them back, and, seizing
Cemetery Heights and Round Top,
wrested order from confusion and re-
stored confidence to the half-beaten I'm
ion army.
AYoUNG PENNSYLYANIAN.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born in
Montgomery County,, Pennsylvania,
February "A. 1924, and is therefore fifty
six years of age. His mothers father
was Revolutionary soldier and was cap
tured at sea and confined in the Dartmoor
Prison, England. His great grandfather
on his mothers side was soldier
under Washington and rendered good
service, dying at the close of the Revo-
luton from exposure and hardships en-
dured in the field. Hancock's father
served in the War of 1872 and afterwards
became lawyer of distinction in Mont
gomery County, Pennsylvania. At the
age of sixteen Hancock was sent to West
Point, and had for classmates q. s.
| Grant, George B. Mcclellan, J. F. Rey-
| nelds, J. l.. Reno, Burnside, Franklin
and w. +. Smith. He graduated in 1874,
June 80, and in 1876 served with his
| regiment in the Indian Territory as
second lieutenant of the Sixth Infantry.
In 1847 we find him in Mexico, and
conspicuous for gallantry at the Natural
Bridge, San Antonio, Contreras, Cheru-
busco. Molino del Rey and the capture
for gallantry at the battles of Contreras
and Cherubusco. In lS49 and 1850 he
served with his regiment as quartermas-
ter and adiutant, and in the fall Of 1850
was married at ST. Louis to Miss Almira
Russell, the daughter of prominent
merchant Of that city. He took part in
several Indian campaigns IN the West,
and in 1857 was engaged in the Southern
Florida war He served in the expedi-
ton against Utah, and in 1859 went to
California.
Upon the secession of the Southern
States, he took high ground in favor Of
the Union and did much in 1861 to
check the secession spirit then seizing
upon California. He applied to Cover
nor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, for COM
mission in the volunteers, but the Gov
ernor being slow in replying to his ap-
plication he obtained leave of absence
and came East. His earnestness i'm
pressed Gen. Scott, who ordered him to
Gen. Mcclellan, and on the formal re-
Lincoln, on the 23d of September, 1861,
commissioned Hancock a Brigadier-
General of Volunteers. He was assigned
to q brigade in the division of Gen.
Baldy Smith and reported for duty at
Chain Bridge, Virginia, in the Army of
the Potomac.
HIS FIRST BATTLE.
His first battle in Virginia was at War
wick Courthouse, near Yorktown, and
he led his brigade in person with distin-
guished gallantry. At Williamsburg
Hancock bore conspicuous part. Tho
Confederates having repulsed Hooker
and exposed Hancock's left flank he de-
termined to retire and ordered the bat
teries back 10 the slope, where his brig
ade line stood. The Confederate COM
mander seeing the movement, at once
advanced his troops, and they came
down on Hancocll's in two superb lines
of battle, cheering tremendously and
calling out, "Bun Run! Bull Run
horse behind the centre of his line,
waiting with imperturbable GOODNESS
tho favorable moment. Calling on the
men to stand fast and keep their pieces
loaded, Hancock waited until the Confed-
crates were within 100 yards, then
dashing forward on his horse, with head
barred and swinging his hat, he shouted
"Forward forward forward p The men
saw the towering form of their General
leading them, and springing up, with a
shout that made the hills ring, they pre-
cipitated themselves upon their assail-
ants. The Confederates faltered, halted
for moment, wavered and then fell
back slowly. Every inch of ground was
stubbornly contested; still Hancock
forced them off the field, nor did they
again advance until the Union reinforce
ments came up and rendered the victory
secure. 1t was almost night, and no
pursui. could be ordered in the
darkness. The action of Hancock had
rendered Williamsburg untenable, and
that night the Confederates abandoned
it. Hancock's name was heralded from
Maine to California, and in few hours,
from an unknown subordinate, he had
leaned into fame and assumed q Nation
al reputation. Mcclellan telegraphed
the President, "Hancock was superb to-
day." an expression which all who saw
him towering above his men, leading
them to battle, knew to be only just.
HIS SERVICE IN THE PENINSULA.
On the 9th of June, 1862, Hancock,
who was then at GOlding's Farm, in the
Peninsula, received q severe attack from
the Confederates. He repulsed it and |
continued the fighting far into the night,
tho contendng forces firing Mt
each other at close quarters in the dark. |
This battle of Hancock's WAS one of !