The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-30
WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.
Sketch of the Life of Our Next Presi-
dent.
His Army Service of Thirty-six Years and
His Record as a Champion or Civil Law
How, as a Hard Fighting General,
He Became n Shield For His
Native State-Persona1
CHARACTERISTICS.

Few men have served their country better
than Winfield s. Hancock and few deserve
more from their countrymen. A big man,
with big head, a big heart and a big brain,
Hancock is the very personification Of honor,
honesty and capacity. Gallant and unassum-
ing, g soldier in three wars, the hero of a hun
dred battles, he is man on whom all Demo-
Gratis might consistently unite upon for Presi-
dent, and who, candidate, will perhaps
command larger degree OF respect and sup
port from Republicans than any other man in
the Democratic party. Clear-headed and self
reliant, his career as judicial statesman and
Military Governor, while in command of
Louisiana and Texas, gives evidence that, IL
strong man is needed for President, there is no
man In the Nation more lit for that position
than Winfield 3. Hancock. With him as the
candidate the Democrats will have nothing to
explain or defend and can proudly point to his
record and challenge a comparison of it with
that of the Republican candidate. The people
of this country will not soon forget there was
day In its history when, If General Hancock
had not sho wn the highest capacity mill
tary comm snder there might be no Republic
to govern. 1t was on that day when the gall
liant General Reynolds fell at Gettysburg and
army. Like thunderbolt Hancock precipi-
tated his troops upon the victorious
ing Cemetery Heights and Round Top,
wrested order from confusion and re-
stored confidence to our half-beaten army.
YOUNG PENNSYLVANIA.
Winfield scott Hancock was born in Mont
gomery County, Pennsylvania, February IA,
1924, aud is therefore fifty-six years of age.
His mothers father was Revolutionary
soldier and was captured at sea and confined
in the Dartmoor Prison, Eogand. His great
grandfather on his mothers side was also a
soldier under Washington and rendered good
service, dying at the close OF the Revolution
from exposure and hardships endured in the
field. Haucock's father served in the War OF
1872 and afterward became a lawyer of dis.
tinction in Montgomery County, PennsylYa-
to West Point and had for classmates u. 8.
Grant, George b. Mcclellan, J. +. Reynolds, j.
L. Reno, Burnside, Franklin and.W. +. Smith.
He graduated in 1874, June 30, and in 1886
served with his regiment in the Indian Terri
tory as a Second Lieutenant OF the Sixth In
fantrV. In 1917 we 1nd him In Mexico and
conspicuous for gaLantry at the Natural
Bridge, san Antonio, Contreras, Cherubusco,
Melino del Rey and the capture of the City of
Mexico. He was breveted Tor gallantry al the
battles of Contreras and Cnerubusco. In lSi9
and 1850 he served with his regiment as Quar-
termaster and Adjutant, aud IN the fall OF 1880
was married at ST. Louis to Miss Almira Rus
sell, the daughter of a prominent merchant of
that city. He took part In several Indian
cam aigns in the West, and in 1857 was en-
gagged in the Southern Florida War. He served
In the expedition against Utah and in 1883
went to California.
When he heard of the Rebellion he took high
ground in favor of the Union aud did much IN
1861 to check the Secession spirit then Selling
upon California. He applied to Governor Cur
tin, of Pennsylvania, for a commission In the
Volunteers, but the Governor being slow in
replying TO his application he obtained
leave of absence and came East. His earnest
ness impressed General Scott, who ordered him
to report to General Mcclellan, and on the
formal recommendation OF Mcclellan Presi-
Dent ne0Ia on the Esd Of 5S
Volunteers. He was assigned to a brigade in
the division OF General Badly Smith and re-
ported for duty at Chain Bridge, Virginia, in
HIS FIRST Battle.
His first battle in the rebellion was at War
wick Court House, near Yorktown, and he led
his brigade in person, driving the enemy
before him. AT Wllllamsourg Hancock bore
conspicuous part. The Rebels having repu'sed
Hooker and exposed Hancock's left flank he
to retire and ordered the batteries
back 10 the slope, where his brigade line stood,
The Rebel commander, seeing the movement,
at once advanced his troops, and they came
down on Hancock S right in two superb lines
of battle, cheering tremendously aud calling
out, "Bull Run! Bull Run! That nag is ours"
Hancock sa, on his horse behind the center of
his line, waiting with imPer!nrbable GOODNESS
the favorable moment. Calling on the men to
stand fast and keep their pieces loaded, Han
cock waited until the Rebs were within leo
yards then dashing forward his horse,
with head barred and swinging his hat, he
Forward forward forward!' The
men saw the towering form CT their General
leading them, and springlng up, with shout
that made the hills ring, they precipitated
upon the enemy. The great,
irregular mass. of Rebels faltered, halted for
wavered and then fell back slowly.
Every inch of ground was stubbornly con-
tested; still, Hancock forced them off the field.
nor did they again advance until the Union
came up and rendered the
victory secure. 1t was almost night when
Hancock repulsed the enemy, and no pursuit
could be ordered In the darkness. The ground
was covered with Rebel dead and wounded,
and many were cut of and captured. The
action OF Hancock had rendered Williams
burg untenable, and that night the enemy
q abandoned IL. Hancock's name was heralded
from Maiue TO California, and In few hours,
from an unknown subordinate, he had leaped
into fame and assumed a national reputation.
Mcclellan telegraphed the President, "Han-
cock was superb to-day" an expression which
leading them to battle knew to be only Just.
HIS SERVICES IN THE PENINSULA.
on the 9th OF June, 1862, Hancock, who was
then at Golding's Farm, in the Peninsula, re-
ceived a severe attack from the enemy. He
repulsed it and continued the fighting far
each other at close quarters in the dark. This
battle of Hancock's was one of the grandest
spectae'es of the war, and Will never be for
18th of June, 1862, Hancock was heavily en-
gagged at Garnetts bill, as he was at Savage
Station on the 18th and at White Oak Swamp
as many days, and in every one OF them were
led by Hancock in person. He never knew
fear himself, and could not tolerate 1t in
others. An officer, who had his men in a
tight place, rode up to the General and said
General my men are all being killed. NAV
not Withdraw them a little out of the fire?"
NO" replied Hancock, az hope we shall be
able to advance soon."
"Then we shall all be killed." despondingly
replied the officer.
aVery WE'LL said Hancock; "return to your
troops, and If you fall you will have the salts
faction of knowing you have died for your
For his services in the Peninsular caul-
paign General Mcclellan recommended Han
cock for promotion TO the rank of Major Gen
eral of Volunteers and the brevets of Major,
Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in the Regu-
lar army.
ALWAYS AT IT.
In September 1862, Hancock commanded
his brigade in the battle OF South Mountain
and afterward at Antietam. In this latter en-
gsgement, when General Richardson fell,
Hancock was sent to take command of that
gallant officers division. In November, 1862
Hancock received his commission Major