Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-07-06


And we twain were wed at the little kirk
| In the pleasant Autumn weather;
| And the gold that wears
| Now soothes my cares,
AS we live and love together.
OUR CANDIDATES.
FOR PRESIDENT. WINFIELD SCOTT HAN
COCK, OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Few men have served their country
better than Winfield s. Hancock. and
few deserve more from their country.
men. A big man, with big head,
big heart, and big brain. Hancock is
the very presonification of honor, hon.
esty, and capacity. Gallant and unas.
suming, a soldier in three wars, the hero
of hundred battles, he is man on
whom all Democrats may consistently
unite for President, and who, as cam
didate, will command larger degree
of respect and support from Republi-
cans thau any other man in the Demo-
cratic party. Clear-headed and self
reliant, his career as a judicial states
man and military Governor, while in
command of Louisiana and Texas,
gives evidence that, if strong man is
uCCOSu lD1 Il lcSluCuJ, UHGIS lS AO
in the Nation more fit for that position
than Winfield s. Hancock. With him
as the candidate of their party, the De-
mocrats have nothing to explain or de-
fend. The people of this country will
not soon, forget that there was day in
its history when, if General Hancock
had not shown the highest capacity as
military commander, there might be
no Republic to govern. 1t was on that
day when the gallant General Reynolds
fell at Gettysburg and Lees forces were
driving back the Union army. Like a
thunderbolt Hancock precipitated his
troops upon the victorious enemy, hurl
ed them back, and seizing Cemetery
Heights and Round Top, wrested order
from confusion, and restored confidence.
to the half-beaten army.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born in
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania,
February IA, 1S24, and is therefore fifty
six years of age. His mothers father
was Revolutionary soldier and was
captured at sea and confined in the
Dartmoor prison. England. His great
grandfather on his mothers side was
also q soldier under Washington and
rendered good service, dying at the close
of the Revolution from exposure and
hardships endured in the field. Han
cock's g father served in the war of 1872,
and afterwards became a lawyer of dis
tinction in Montgomery county, Penn
sylvania. fAtthe age of sixteen Han
cock was sentA to West Point and had
for classmates u. S. Grant, George b.
Burnside, Franklin and w. F. Smith.
He graduated in 1874, June, 80, and in
1856 served with his regiment in the
Indian Territory as second lieutenant
of the Sixth infantry. In 1S47 we find
him in Mexico and conspicuous for gal
lantry at the Natural bridge, San Anto-
niO, COntreras, Chernbusco Molino del
Rey and the capture OF the city of Mexi'
co. He was bre vetted for galantry at
the battles of Con treras aad CherubuscO.
In 1S49 and 1850 he served with his reg
iment as quarter master and adjutant
and in the fall of 1850 was married at
St. Louis to Miss Almira Russell, the
daughter of prominent merchant of
that city. Hetook part in several fndi
an campaigns in the West, and in 1857
was engaged in the Southern Florida
war. He served in the expedition
against Utah and in 1859 went to Ca
lifornia.
When he heard of the rebellion he
took high ground in favor of the Union
and did much in 1861 to cheek the Sc
cession spirit then seizing upon Cali
fornia. He applied to Governor Curtin,
of Pennsylvania, for a commission in
the volunteers, but the Governor being
slow in replying to bis application, he
obtained leave of absence and came
East. His earnestness impressed Cen
eral Scott, who ordered hinl to report to
General Mcclellan, and on the formal
recommendation of Mcclellan, Presi-
dent Lincoln. on the 23d of September,
1861 commissioned Hancock a abrigadier-
general efvolunteers. He was assign
ed to brigade in the division OF Gene
raj Baldy Smith, and reported fos duty
at Chain Bridge, Virginia. in the army
of the Potomac.
His first battle in the rebellion was at
Warwick Courthouse, near Yorktown,
and he led bis brigade in person, driv-
ing the enemy before him. At Viii
liamsburg Hancock bore conspicuous
part. .r His name was heralded from
Maine to California, and in few hours
from an unknown subordinate. he had
leaped into fame and assumed 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.
On the 9th of June, 1852, Hancock,
who was then at Golding's farm, in the
PENINSULA, received severe attack from
the enemy. He repulsed it and con-
tinued the fighting far into the night,
the contendiag forces firing at each
other at close quarters in the dark.
This battle of Hancock 's was one of the
grandest spectacles of the war. and will
never be forgotten by the Army of sthe
Potomac. On the 2Sth of June, 1862,
Hancock was heavily engaged at Gar
netts Hill, as be was at Savage Station
on the 29th, and at White Oak Swamp
on the 3Oth. His trooi fought four
battles in as many days, and in every
one of them were led by Hancock IN
person
For his services in the Peninsula
compaign General Mcclellan recon-
mended Hancock for promotion to the
rank Of n'ajor'general of volunteers and
the brew. t. of major, lieutenant-co.onel,
and colonel in the regular army
In September, 1862, Hancock COM
manded his brigade in the battle OF
South Mountain, and afterwards at An
tietam In this latter engagement,
when General Richardson fell, Hancock
was sent to take command of that gal
liant officers division. In November
1862 Hancock received his commission
as major general, and on the 18th of De-
cember was engaged in the desperate
and bloody assault on Marye's Heights.
His behavior on this occasion was in
keeping with the high reputation he
had achieved. He was. with his divi-
sicn. in the thickest of the conflict
!, aiding his men as far as it was posi-
Bile. under the circumstances, for men
to go, and only falling back when at.
tempt at further advance was foolhardy
, and useless.