The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-07-22
GEN. HANCOCK.
Biography Of the Democratic Candi-
date for PresIdent-His Exploits In
War-His Record In Peace.

typography OF tne UenOcTatiC Cahui
date for President-His Exploits II
War-His Record In Peace.
Winfield Scott Hancock is soldier b,
inheritance as well as by experience
One of his grandfathers was captured n
sea during the Revolution, and suffered
the miseries of the Infamous Dartmoo
prison. His mothers father and grand
father served as soldiers in the Revolu
ton, the former enlisting ut the age o
Is, the latter dying from the exposure
and hardships of the campaign soon afte
the close of the war. His father, nativ'
of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
was soldier in the war of 1872, and sub
sequently became prominent lawyer
1t was in this county, February Is, 1924
that young Hancock was born and nance
for the distinguished soldier OF Lundy'
Lane. He is, therefore, little NOR
than Sc years of age.
HIS EARLY LIFE
Was passed at Norristown, Pennsylvania
and he was educated at the academy il
that place. He was studious, thought
full boy, whose selection to read the Dec
laration Of Independence one Fourth o
July, when he was Is years of age, wa
one of his first honors With tina
ancestry it was almost impossible tina
the youth should look forward to any
but military career and the next year HI
was appointed to the Military Academy
of West Point
HIS CLASS MATES-MEXICAN WAR.
He took his high rank as a scholar
graduating number eighteen in his class
Among his fellow cadets were U. s
Grant, Geo. b. Mcclellan, John +. Rey
nolds 0iilled at Gettysburg), j. l.. Reno
(killed at South Mountain, Burnside
VIM. b. Franklin, Badly" Smith, botl
of whom have been present at Cincinnati
and Longstrect, Stonewall" Jackson
and the two Hills. In the Mexican Wal
he was conspicuous for gallantry Mt Sar
Antonia Contreras, Cherubusco, Moline
del Rey and the assault and capture Of
the City of Mexico. His first brevet was
given him August 20, 1S47, for gal
OSti
treras and Cherubusco"
THE OUTBREAK OF THE REBELLION.
For the next ten years he served n
quartermaster and adiutant in the West
in the Indian war in Florida, the Utal
Expedition and at the outbreak of til,
Rebellion was stationed at Los Angeles
When Sumter was fired upon, Southern
California was infused with Southern
sympathies, but in spite of the unpopu
larity, Hancock, by public speeches ano
example, applied himself to sustaining
and spreading Union sentiments. Hi
services were of great value in preserving
California to the Union. In the mean
time he applied to the Governor of Penn
svlvania for command of some of TIN
troops that were to be raised in hi
native State, but no ready complianc
being made to his request, he aske,
General Scott to order him to the East
Scott, well acquainted with his brillan
record in Mexico, was glad to comman,
his services, and his soldierly aspect al,
bearing Mt Washington Mt once com
mended him to the notice of Presiden
Lincoln. On the express request of Nc
Clellan he was commissioned Brigadier
General and assigned to the division o
the Army of the Potomac under com
mand of Badly" Smith and took up lii
headquarters at Chain Bridge.
HIS FIRST CAMPAIGNS.
His command consisted of four regi
ments from New York, and one each from
PENNSYLVANIA, Maine and Wisconsin
Ho at once set to work disciplining an,
drilling them for effective service. Thu
brigade became conspicuous in the al
vance upon Yorktown along the Jane
River road from the middle of April t
the Sd of May, being constantly on dut,
in the trenches or skirmishing with til
enemy. On the 9TH of May, after hold
ing strong position before Fort Magrll
der and yainly calling for reinforcements
he was attacked by two brigadcs q
Early's troops. As they came up Han
cock watched his opportunity and dashet
forward on his horse, with head barred
he swung his hat, shouting Forward
Forward /! For Gods sake forward 7
His men, thus encouraged, marched OF
as if in parade, the enemy's line faltered
retreated-and the field was won. Thi
gallant act introduced him to the Amer
lean public. In telegraphing til,
success to the President, Mcclellan said
"Hancock was superb.
During the campaign of the Peninsula
at Antietam, after which he received hi
commission as Major General; at Fred
ricksburg and Charlottesville. he wa
always distinguished for his bravery, hi
GOODNESS and the effective disposition c
his troops.
GETTYSBURG.
Both on the first and second days a
Gettysburg he successfully repealed tn
assaults made upon his position. lndee'
it was he who, being in the advance, ant
surveying the situation, sent back wor'
to Gen. Meade that Gettysburg was tn
place for the fight and Meade at ono
acted on his information.
On the third day, Hancock's lines sus
tanned cannonade of two hours from II
guns, under cover of which Longstreet'
corps of eighteen thousand men wer
massed, like Napoleon's Old Guard
Waterloo, for final assault on tn
Union position. During this cannonade
and during the infantry attack tina
followed it, Hancock rode up and dow
his line, from Cemetery Hill towart
Roundtop, encouraging his men by hi
voice to stand firm and repulse this com
ing attack, and when Longstreet at las
launched his force, the flower of tn
rebel army, on Hancock's position, h
met with resistance more stubborn AM
bloody than any other in modern history
As is well known, this last assault OF LIE
failed. Of that attacking force sou
men surrendered to Hancocks troop
and thirty stand of colors were taken
Exposing himself without the slightes
scruple or thought for his own safety o
life, as was his custom, Just as tn
enemy's force was turning back, AM