National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-10-26
WHO WON GETTYSBURG?
Leaf From the History OF the Thirty
Eighth Congress.
None OF Hnncock's Present 4 Admirors to sug-
gost His Name In Vote of rhNiks
to tho Heroes.
Thanks to Hooker, Meade and Howard.


good deal has been written about General
Hancock ~ the battle OF Gettysburg, and his
friends are highly Indignant that any one should
dare to question the assertion that General Han
cock Is the true hero Of that famous and important
battle. The democrats Of to-day do not hesitate TO
pu. in this claim and challenge proof to the con-
trary. If General Hancock ever deserves the
credit Of the victory at Gettysburg 1t strange
that his democratic friends In the senate and house
Of the thirty eighth congress when resolution was
offered aud passed thanking Mcatc, Hooker, How.
ard and other generals, failed to pat in claim
for Hancock orto even mention his name when the
resolution was under discussion. Such democrats
as Buckalcw and Cowan Of Pennsylvania, Rev
crdy Johnson of Maryland, Hot udricks Of Indiana,
Garrett Davis aud Powell Of Kentucky, Bayarl
and salisbury Of Delaware, ana McDougul Of Cal
ifOrniU were present in the scugte and failed TO
mention Hancock's name, ns viii be shown by the
following transcript OF the proceedings OF that
Mr.. Wiis0n-There arc resolutions on the table
thanking some Of the military men, that we may
as well act upon at this time.
The presiding oniccr-Wil the senator indicate
what resolution he desires to call upl
Mr.. Wilson, move to take up the joint rcsolu.
Tie motion was agreed to, and the Joint rcsolu.
ton (S No -, expressive of the thanks Of congress
to MRlor-Gencru Joseph Hooker and Major-Gcn-
oral George g. Meade and the officers ana soldiers
OF the Army OF the Potomac, was considered as IN
committee of the whole
NlT hllnGh move 10 insert ullcI INC llNlllG VI
General Meade the nnmc of Mujor-Gcncral oliver
o. Howard. AS ! have read The history OF that
campaign the man who selected the position
where the battle of Gettysburg was fought, and
who, indeed, fought 1t tho first day, was General
Howard, aud to him the country is indebted us
much for the credit Of securing that victory rs to
any other person, wish, therefore, as rccogni-
ton of his merits TO couple his name with that Of
General Meade In the vote of thanks.
The amendment was agreed to.
The joint resolution was reported to the senate
rs amended and the amendment was concurredin.
Tho resolution was ordered TO BE- engros,cd for u
third reading aud was read the third time.
Mr.. Buckalew-BefOre the vote Is taken on the
passage of the resolution should like to have ii
read IN It's present form.
The secretary read rs follows:
LcSOlued bV The Senate aud House Of Representatives
Of he United States Of America h Congress assembled
That the gratitude of the American people and the
thanks of their representatives IN congress are due
and are hereby rendered. TO MaJor.Gcneral Joseph
Hooker and the officers and soldiers OF the Army
Of the Potomac for tho skill, energy and endurance
from the meditated blow of the advancing and
powerful army of rebels led by General Robert f.
Lee, and e Major. General George e Meade, Major;
General Oliver o. Howard and the officers aud
soldiers Of that army for the skill and heroic yalor
which at Gettysburg repulsed. defeated and drove
back, broken and dlspirited beyond the Kappa
hammock, tho veteran army OF the rebellion"
Mr., Buckulow-Mr President should like to
vote compliment to General Meade and his army
as distinguished from other officers but as at pres
ent informed. in order to vote for resolution of
thanks to him. am obliged to vote for resolu-
ton that in some respects do not like.
The resolution was passed
Mr.. Grimes-I move that the title be amended
to correspond with the body of tho resolution.
The motion was agreed TO- and the title was
amended to read Joint resolution expressive OF
the thanks of congress to Malor-General Joseph
Hooker, and Major-General George {. Meade, and
MajOr.General Oliver D. Howard and the officers
and men of the Army of the Potomac.
III the house there were such democrats as Fer
nando Wood James Brooks and S. $. Cox of New
York. Samuel J. Randall of Pennsylvania, Holman
of Indiana, Eldridge of Wisconsin, and n number
of others. Mono of these gentlemen at that time
thought Hancocks service Of such importance as
to call for any recognition by congress All this
would seem 10 sustain the statement recently made
by General Grant that in searching for q com.
mander for the army of the Potomac Hancocks
name was not mentioned. General Hooker, whose
name appears first in the resolution, was them as
he always remained, o democrat in politics.