The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-07-13
GEy. WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK,
His Army Service Of Thirty
Six Years,

Six Years,
And His Record as Champion of
| Civil Law--HOw, as a Hard Fight
ing General, He Became a Shield
tor His Native State--PerSOnal
! characteristics.
From the Philadelphia Timesl
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 personifcation of honor, honesty
and capacity. Gallant and unassuming,
a soldier in three wars, the hero of a
hundred battles, he is man on whom
all Democrats might consistently unite
for President, and who, as candidate,
would perhaps command larger degree
of respect and support from Republicans
than any other man in the Democratic
party. Clear headed and self-reliant, bis
career as judicial statesman and Mill
tary Governor while in command of
Louisiana and Texas gives evidence that,
if strong man is needed for President,
there is no man in the Nation more fit
for that position than Winfield S. Han
cock. With him as the candidate of
their party the Democrats would have
nothing to explain or defend, and could
proudly point to his record and chal-
lenge comparison of it with that of the
Republican candidate, whoever he might
De. The people of this country will not
soon forget there was day in his his
tory 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 Gettys
burg and Lees forces were driving back
the Union army. Like thunderbolt
Hancock precipitated his troops upon
the victorious enemy, hurled them back,
and seizing Cemetery Heights and Round
Top, wrested order from confusion and
restored confidence to our half-beaten
army.
A YOUNG PENNSYLVANIA.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born in
Montgomery County, Pa, February IA,
1924, and is, therefore, fifty-six years OF
age. His mothers father was revolu-
tionary soldier, and was captured at sea
and confined in the Dartmoor Prison,
England. 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. Hancock's father served in
the war of 1912, and afterwards became
lawyer of distinction in Montgomery
County, Pa. At The age Of SIXTEEN Han
cock was sent to West Point, aud had
for CLASSMATES U. S Grant, George B.
Mcclellan. j. F. Reynolds, j. L. Reno,
Burnside, franklin and w F Smith,
He graduated in 1874, June 80, and in
1855 served with his regiment in the
Indian Territory as Second Lieutenant
of the Sixth Infantry. In 1847 we find
him in Mexico and conspicuous for gal
lantry at the Natural Bridge, San Anto-
nio, Contreras, Cherubusco, Molina del
Rey and the capture of the City of Mex
leo. He was brevetted for gallantry at
the battles OF Contreras and Cherubusco
In 1S49 and in 1850 lie served with his
regiment as Quartermaster 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. He took part in several In
dian campaigns in the West, and in 1857
was engaged in the Southern Florida
war. He served. in the expedition
against Utah and ip 1859 went to Cali
fornia.
Wnen he heard of the rebellion he
took high ground in favor of the Union
and did much in 1861 to check the Sc
cession spirit tnen seizing upon Califor-
MIA. He applied to. Governor Curtin, of
Pennsylvania, for a commission in the
volunteers, but the Governor being slow
in replying to his application he obtain
ed leave OF, absence and came East -
His earnestness impressed General Scott,
who ordered him to report to General
cClellan, and on the formal recon.
mendatioD of Mcclellan, President Lin
coin, on the 23d of September, 1861.
commissioned Hancock Brigadier Cen
eral of Volunteers. He was assigned to
brigade in the division of General Bal
dy Smith and reported for duty at Chain
Bridge, Va, in the Army Of the Poto
mac. ~ .-.......
HIS FIRST BATTLE
His first battle in the Rebellion was at
Warwick Court house, near Yorktown,
and he led his brigade in person, driving
the enemy before him. At Williams
burg Hancock bore conspicuous part.
The rebels having repulsed Hooker and
exposed Hancock's left flank he deter,
mined TO retire and ordered the batteries
back to the slope, where his brigade line
stood. The rebel commander, seeing
the movement, at once advanced his
troops, and they came down on Han
cocks right in two superb lines of bat
lie, cheering tremendously and calling
lout, "Bull Run! Bull Run! That flag
is ours" Hancock sat on his horse be
hind the center of his line, waiting with
imperturbable. GOODNESS the favorable
moment. Calling on the rnen to stand
fast and keep their pieces loaded, Han.
cock waited until the rebels we're within
100 yards, then dashing forward on his
horse, With head barred and swinging bis
hat, he shouted: For ward! forward
forward!' The men saw the towering
form of their General leading them, and
springipg up, with shout that made the
hills ring, they precipitated themselves
upon the enemy. The great, irregular
; mass of rebels faltered, halted for mo
ment, wavered and then fell back slowly
Every inch of ground was stubbornly
contested; still, Hancock forced them
= off the field, nor did they again adyancs
until the Union reinforcements came VI
and rendered the victory secure. ltwa'
almost night when Hancock repulsed tb.
enemy, and no pursuit could be ordered
1 in the darkness. The ground was cover