The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-07-08

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hearts begun to quail, the army
witnessed one Of the grandest sights ever
beheld by any army on earth, Suddenly
a band began to play The Star Spangled
Banner" and General Hancock, with his
staf-Maior Mitchell, Capt. Bingham,
Captain Parker, Captain Bronson-with
corps flag flying in the hands of Private
Wells, appeared on the right of his line
uncovered and rode down the front Of
his men to the left. The soldiers held
their breath, expecting every moment
to see him fall from his horse pierced by
a dozen bullets, but still he rode on while
the shot roared aud crashed around him
every moment tearing great gaps in the
ranks by his side.
Stormed atby shot and shell,
Boldly he rode, and well.
Every soldier felt his heart thrill ashe
witnessed the magnificent courage of his
General, and he resolved to do some
thing that day which would equal it in
daring. Just as Hancock reached the
left of his line the rebel batteries ceased
to play, and their infantry, $4,000 strong,
we're seon emerging from the woods and
advancing up the hill. Hancock knew
the artillery fire had been intended to
demoralize his men and cover the adj
vance of their infantry which was to
make the real attack. Turning his horse
he rode slowly up the line from the left
to right, holding his hat in his hand
bowling and smiling to the troops as they
lay flat on the ground. Hardly had he
reached the right of the line when the
men, wuo, inspired by the courage of
their general, could now hardly restrain
themselves, received orders to attack the
advancing rebels. Eighty guns which
Hancock had concentrated opened their
brazen mouths and streams of blue bull
lets flew from the muzz'es of u rifles
to the breasts of the Confederates. 1t
was an awful day, and Longstreets "Old
Guard of the South" melted away like
wax under that terrible fire. Of the 49,
900 who came to the attack 5000 fell or
were captured on the hill side. Thirty
stand of Colors and an immense number
of small arms were taken. Hancock was
everywhere riding the storm Of battle as
if he bore a charmed life. At last, just
in the moment Of victory he was seen to
reel in his saddle and would have fallen
to the ground had he not been helped
from his horse. A ball had pierced his
and for time it was thought the
wound was mortal.
TELL General Meade" said Hancock,
addressing his aide, Colonel Mitchell,
that the troops under my command
have repulsed the enemy and gained a
great victory. The enemy are now fly
ing in all directions in my front"
When the aide delivered the message
to General Meade and added his Gener-
I'll was dangerously wounded, Meade
said, Say to General Hancock that l am
sorry he is wounded and that l thank
him for myself and for the country for
the services he has rendered to-day"
General Meade afterwards, in COM
menting on the battle of Gettysburg said
to General R. C. Drum; mo command.
ing General ever had a better lieutenaut
than Hancock, He was always faithful
and reliable"
UNDER GRANT.
Hancock did not recover from his
wound until December, 1868, when, al
still quite lame he reported for
luty and was sent North to recruit his
He was rendered a reception at
independence Hall by the citizens of
Philadelphia, and received the hospitali-
les of the cities of Boston, Albany and
New York, In March, 1864 he rejoined
ais corps and participated in tie battles
Of the wilderness with Grant. He COM
handed the Second and parts of the
Fifth and Sixth Corps, amounting in all
$4,000 men. He fought at Alesop's
House and S%pottsylvania Court House,
capturing "Stonewall" Jackson's old bril-
yade, 1000 prisoners and thirty Colors.
he was at North Anna and did most of
he fighting there. He commanded at
he bloody assaults on Cold H4rbor, and
lid his best to execute Grants orders.
The fighting was desperate and Han
locks loss could not have fallen far
Jhort of 10000. He was on the South
tide of the James river, and made the
assaults on Petersburg, He was with
Sheridan and attacked the enemy at
Deep Bottom, taking four pieces of artil-
cry, six hundred prisoners and three
itand of colors. He was at Petersburg
md witnessed the explosion Of the mine
IN the morning of July 30th. The adj
yance up the James River August IL,
1854, was under his command he han
lied the Second and Tenth Corps of the
Army of the James and Gregg's division
If cavalry with such consummate skill as
expressions of admiration from
,ven General Grant. He foughtthe bat
lie of Reams' Station, August %, and had
lis horse shot under him. He fought
he battle of Boydton Road, capturing
900 prisoners and two stand of Colors.
With the battle of Boydton General
active fighting in the war
President Lincoln, who had
earned to place a high estimate on Han
,ock's abilities, ordered him to Wash
ngton and directed Him at once to pro.
iced with and organize an army of $4,000
Veterans from discharged volunteers who
lad served an enlistment. The use of
his army was alone prevented by the
urrender Of Lee and the ending of the
var. At the close of the war Hancock
commanded the Army ofthe Shenandoah
elieving General Sheridan. The army
consisted of $4,000 men of all arms. and
vas destined to move South with Han
ock's $4,000 veterans and join General
herman, but Joe Johnson threw up the
PONCE and rendered the movement un-
necessary.
SINCE THE WAR.
General HancoCk's career since the
var is so well known it needs but little
MENTION here. For his services during
he war he was appointed a Brigadier
nd afterwards a Major General in the
army and assigned to command