The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-25


wounded men were appalling; still the aw.
IN, rushing sound Of flying missiles went
on, and apparently never wonld cease. It
was then, when the ERNEST hearts had begun
10 QUAIL the army witnesses one VI the
erandest sights ever beheld by any army on
earth. Suddenly baud began to play
"The StarSpsngied Banner" and General
Hancock. with his staff Major Mitchell,
Captain Bingham, Captain Parker. and Cap
tain Bronson-witb corps flag flying In the
hands Of Private Wells, appeared on the
right OF his hne uncovered, and rode down
the front Of his men to the left. The sol.
diers held their breath. expecting every
moment TO see him fail from his horse
pierced ny dozen bullets; but still he rode
90, while the shot roared and crashed
around him, every moment tearing great
gaps In the ranks by bis side.
So,med az by shot ard she'll,
Boldly he redo, aud well.
Every soldier felt his heart thrill as he
witnessed the magnificent courage OF his
General. and he resolved 10 do something
that day which would equal it in daring.
Just as Hancock reached the left Of his line
the Confederate batteries ceased to play,
and their infantry were seen emerging from
the woods and advancing up the hill. Hau.
cock knew the artillery fire had been in
tended TO dcmoralize his men and cover the
advance Of their infantry, which was TO
make the real attack. Turning his horse he
rode slowly up his line from left TO right.
holding his hat In bis hand, bowling and
smiling 90 the troops as they lay fiat on
The ground. Hardly hSd ne reached the
right Of the line when the men, who. in
spired by the courage Of their general, could
now hardly restrain themselves. received
orders to attack the advancing Coniederates.
Eighty guns, which Hancock had concen-
trated. opened their brazen .9Ouths, and
streams Of blue bullets flew from tue muZ.
zleS OF our rifles 10 the breasts OF the Con-
federaies. II was an awful day, and Long
streets "Old Guard OF the South " melted
away like wax under that terrible fire.
Hancock was everywhere. riding the storm
OF battle as il he bore charmed life. At
last. Just I'm the moment OF victory, he was
seen 10 reel In his saddle, and would have
fallen TO the ground had he not been helped
from his horse. A ball had pierced his
thigh, and for a time il was thought the
wound wss mortal.
"Tell General Meade" said Hancock, adj
dressing his aide, Colonel Mitchell, "that
the troops uuder my command have re-
pulsed the Confederates, and gained a great
in all directions in my front"
When the aide delivered this message TO
General Meade and added bis General was
dangerously wounded, Meade said Say
10 General Hancock that | am sorry he is
wounded. and that thank him for myself
and for the country for the services he has
rendered to-day"
General Meade, afterwards, in comment
inc on the battle OF Gettysburg, said to
General Il. c. Drum: "NO commanding
general ever bad better lieutenant than
Hancock. He was always faithful aud re-
liable"
UNDER GRANT.
Hancock did not recover from his wound
until December, 1868, when, although still
quite lame, he reported for duty, aud was
sent North TO recruit his corps. He WAS
rendered reception at Independence Hall
by the citizens OF Philadelphia, and received
the Inequalities Of the cities OF Boston,
Albany, and New York. In March, 1864,
be reioined his corps and participated in
the battles OF the Wilderness with Grant.
He commanded the Second and parts OF the
Fifth and Sixth Corps, amounting in all 10
$4,000 men. He fought az AllS0p'S House
and Spot, ylyana Courthouse. He was at
North Anna. and did most OF the fighting
there. He commanded at the bloody as
saults on Cold HarbOr, and did his best to
execute Grants orders. The fighting was
desperate, and Hancock's loss could
not have fallen far short Of twelve
thousand. He was on the south side
OF the james river, and made the as
sauts on Petersburg. He was with Sheri-
dan, and attacked the COnfederates at Deep
Bottom. He was at Petersburg and wit
messed the explosion OF the mine on the
morning Of july so. The advance up tie
James river, August II, 1864, was under
his command, and he handled the Second
and Tenth Corps OF the Army OF the james
and Gregg's division Of cavalry with such
cOnsummaie skill rs to elicit expressions OF
admiration from even General Grant. He
fought the battle OF Reams's Station, Au-
gust %, and had his horse shot under him.
He fought the battle OF Boydton Road. cap
turing 1000 prisoners and two stand OF
cOlors.
With the battle OF Boydton, General Han
cocks active fighting in the war ceased.
President Lincoln, who had learned 10
place high estimate on Hancock's ability.
ordered him to Washington and directed
him at once TO proceed with and organize
an army OF $4,000 veterans with discharged
volunteers who had served an enlistment.
The use OF this army was alone prevented
by the surrender si Lee and the ending OF
the war. At tile close OF the war Hancock
commanded the Army OF the Shenandoah,
relieving General Sheridan. Tnis army con-
sisted of $4,000 men OF all arms, and was
destined 10 move south with Ilancock'S
$4,000 veterans and join General Sherman,
but Joe Johnston threw up the sponge and
rendered the movement unnecessary.
SINCE THE WAR.
General Hancock'S career since the war Is
so well known it needs but little mention
here. For his services during the war he
was appointed brigsdier and afterwards
Enlargement in the regular army. and as
signed 10 command Of the Middle Depart
ment. In 1866 he took command of the De-
partment OF Missouri and conducted two
campaigns against hostile Indians. taking
the field in person at the head Of 1900 men
OF all arms.
In 1867 he was sent by the President to
New Orleans to command the States OF
Texas and Louisiana. 1t was In this field
Of labor that he distinguished himself by
setting the example OF an officer OF the army
with extraordinary powers, sfrenuously IN
sisting upon the entire subordInatlon OF
civil 10 military authority in time
Of peace. Among the military com
manders during the reconstruction Pc
Rod he YVES conspicuous in this re-
gard, and the positions then lald down in
his general orders and correspondence did
more, perhaps, than anything else to make
him the ideal soldier in the minds OF eonsli-
tutionaI Democrats. La 1868 he was re-
lieved at bis own request, and In 1869, ~,