West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-10

his District IN the state Senate one
or more terms. l remember his ser.
wees on the Finance Committee OF
that body at least one session, and
know HIM 10 be fair acting and
competent gentleman.
Portraits Of Hancock and English.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born in
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, Feb
ruary IL, 1924 and is therefore dfty six
years OF age. His mothers father was
"a Revolutionary soldier and was cap
tured at sea and confined in the Dart
moor Prison, England. His great grand
father on his mothers side was also
good soldier under Washington and rem
dered good service, dying at the close of
the Revolution from exposure and hard
ships endured in the field. llancock's
father served in the war Of 1912 and at
tcrwards became lawyer of distinction
in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania
At the age Of sixteen Hancock was sent
to West Point and had for classmates L.
) Grant, George B. McClellen, J. +.
Reynolds, j. l.. Reno, Burnside, Frank
lin and w. +. Smith. lie graduated in
1874, June 80, and in 1si5 served
with his regiment Ia the Indian
Territory as second Lieutenant OF
the Sixth Infantry, In 1Sl7 we find him
in Mexico and conspicuous for gallantry
at the Natural Bridge, San Antonio,
Contrcras, CherubuscO, Molino del Rey
and the capture of the City of Mexico.
He was brevcted for gallantry at the
battles Of Contrcras and Cheruhusco. In
lS49 and 1850 he served with his regi-
ment as quartermaster and adiuiant, and
in the fall Of 1850 was married at ST.
Louis 20 Miss Almira Russell, the daughter
of prominent merchant of that city.
He took part in several Indian campaigns
in the West, and in 1867 was engaged IN
the Southern Florida war. He served In
the expedition against Utah anG in 1859
went TO California.
When he heard Of the rebellion he
took high ground in favor of the Union
and did much in 1861 TO check the secee-
sion spirit then seizing upon California.
He applied to Governor Curtin, of Penn
sylvania, for commission in the yolun-
teers, but the Governor being slow in re-
plying 10 his application he obtained a
leave of absence and came East His
carncsincss impressed General Scott, who
ordered him 10 report TO General MCClcl
on g1 .l,t.
of McClellen, President Lincoln, on the
23j, of September, 1861, commissioned
Hancock a Brigadicr General of Voun-
teers. ne was assigned to a brigadior IN
the division of General Badly Smith and
reported for duty at Chain Bridge, Vir-
ginia, in the Army Of the Potomac. His
subsequent military career forms one Of
the most brilliant chapters in the history
of The war
Hancock, in personal appearance, is
tall, well formed and very handsome.
His height cannot be less than six feet
two inches, and he weighs two hundred
and forty pounds He would make the
finest looking President who ever eat in
the White House, except, possibly, Geo.
Washington. His form towers above
other men and he attracts attention by
his mere looks wherever he goes His
eyes arc blue and have benignant und
mild expression when ia repose, but in
spring when in danger. Uis manner
is dignihed and kuIghtly and he is cour-
lesy itself. He is always magnetic, and
draws men 10 him by bis kindli-
ness and gentle interest I'm their affairs.
His sympalhice are easily aroused and ho
becomes intensely concerned for the cor
rows and misfortuncs of othcrr, striving
in every way 20 relieve them, as thongh
their troubles were his own. Hancocks
kindness % his sujordiantCs always won
not only their love and confidence, and
caused them 90 rely on him az friend as
well as commander. Hc gave man
good opinion Of himself, and made each
one feel hc was Of more importance than
he ever before suspected u was this
which caused him TO have such power
over his officers and men in battle, and
made them prefer rather 20 die than Tor
felt the good opinion Of their leader.
General Hancock had two children,
Russcll Hancock and Ada Elisabeth.
The latter died in New York, of typhoid
fever, when rs years of age She was
young lady Of great promise. Russell
Hancock, the Generals only ron. Sc Div.
ing and is lp.an,cr iu Mim.s.ppl
wW. U ESGLfeu.
Few men in thc country have lived
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