Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-07-08
IRONTON THURSDAY.

wound until December, 1868, when, al
though still quite lame, he reported for
duty, and was sent North to recruit his
corps. He was rendered reception by
the citizens of Philadelphia. and receiv-
ed the hospitalities Of Boston, Albany
and New York. In March, 1854, he re-
joined 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 to SO, 900 men. He fought at Ale
sop's House and at Spottsylvania Court
House, capturing Stonewall Jackson's
old brigade. 1000 prisoners and thirty
colors; and he did most of the fighting
at North Anna. He commanded at the
bloody assaults 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
1900. He was on the south side of the
James river, and made the assaults on
Petersburg; and he was with Sheridan,
attacking the enemy at Deep Bottom,
taking four pieces of artillery, 600 pris-
oners and three stand of colors. He was
at Petersburg and witnessed the explo-
sion of the mine on the morning of July
80. The advance up the James river,
Aug. IL, 1854, was under his command,
and he handled the Second aud Tenth
Corps of the Army of the James and
Gregg's division of cavalry with such
skill as to elicit expressions
of admiration from even Gen. Grant.
He fought the battle Of Reams' Station
Aug. 25, and had his horse shot under
him. He fought the battle of BoydtOn
Road, capturig 1000 prisoners and two
stand of colors. With the battle of
Boydton Gen. Hancock's active fight
ing in the war ceased. President Lin
coin, who had learned to place high
estimate on Hancock's g abilities, ordered
him to Washington, and directed him
at once to proceed with and organize an
army of so 900 veterans from discharged
who had served All enlist
ment. The Use of the army was alone
prevented by the surrender of Lee
and the ending of the war. At the
close of tho war Hancock command
ed the Army of the Shenandoah,
relieving Gen. Sheridan. This army
consisted of $4,000 men of all arms,
and was destined to move South with
SO, 900 veterans and join Gen.
but Gen. Joe Johnston threw
up the sponge and rendered the move
ment unnecessary.
SINCE THE WAR.
Gen. Hancock was at Winchester
when the murder of President Lincoln
Summoned to Washington,
which was included in his military di-
vision, he was ordered TO remain there
by President johnson until order should
replace the excitementc caused by the as
of Lincoln. It was in his ca
pacity as military head of the division
that he was compelled to look on and
witness the murder of the unfortunate
mission. But to his credit be it said
that he made every effort, consistent
with his position and duties, to save
this victim convicted under martial
aw. Mrs. Surratt and her companions
were executed July 8, 1865.
Gen. Haucock's career since the war
8 SO well known it needs but little men,
ion here. For his services during the
war he was appointed Brigadier and
sfterward Major-General in the regular
army, and assigned to command of the
Middle Department.. In 1867 he took |
OF Missouri, and conducted |
wo campaigns against hostile Indians. |
aking the field in person at the head |
# 1900 men of all arms.
IN LOUISIANA.
In 1867 he was sent ry the President
O command the military district of the
States of Texas and Louisiana. While
n command of the district, with head
Iuarters at New Orleans, he found him.
elf met by difficulties arising out of the
esults of the war. With admirable
act, and keen sense of justice to the
avs of the country as well as to the
,eople Of Louisiana and Texas, he rec
nciled the differences which had pre-
,iously prevailed, and which had had
heir origin in the abominable carpet
,ag governments that since the close of
he war had blighted those States. In
tead of an oppressor the Louisianians
nd Texans found in him a Governor
inspired by motives of the purest patri-
tism and Of the highest Justice. On
ssuming command, Nov. %, 1867, he
,suei his well-known General Order
10. 4O," in which he laid down his
as Governor of the district.
his document was a revelation to an
robbed and humiliated peo-
te. In it he expressed his conviction
hat the people of Louisiana and Texas
esired peace, and he declared his pur-
ose to insure it, by allowing the civil
uthorities to carry out the civil laws. I
low honestly, how impartIally and +,
ow prudently he conducted the af-
lirs of those two States is shown in I
is controversy with the carpet-bagger 1
,-called Gov. Pease, of Texas. This
,dividuaI had arbitrarily removed the /.
ldges and county officers whom he [
,und in office and had appointed his
wn creatures to fill their places. s
The just course Of Gen. Hancock In {
,e South offended the carpet-baggers G
nd their friends in Congress, who en- i
Bavored, by hostile legislation, direct i
| against him, either to have him re- ,
red from the military service or to
AXE his position as commander of the q
18th Military District irksome and en- I
Finally the issue of obey G
q wrong or resigning his Governor /
,ip was presented to him. He chose |
Ie latter course, and in a letter to q t
lend, in which he spoke of his diff q
Ilties, he said: "NothiDg can intimi- s
.te me from doing what believe to Y
, honest and right" He made appli- .
ton to be relieved from his command
. Eab 90 1899 a within of Radical