Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-07-01

p GEN. HANCOcK's CAREER.-MelOF
General Winfield Scott Hancock, the
son of benjamin. Franklin and Elizabeth
Hancock, was born IN Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania, February IL,
1894. 80 that he Is now in his fifty-sey-
enth year. He comes from sound AM
gIo-Saxon stock, the ancestral line on
The maternal side leading back to the
English and Welsh, and on The paternal
70 the English, Irish and Scotch. His
fathers family were originally Episco-
palians and Friends. and his mothers
Baptis:s. Has mothers family have re-
sided IN Pennsylvanlafro the time Of
Vim. Penn, and have been living in
what is now Montgomery county Tor the
last $50 years. In Hatfield township,
in that county, may now be seen the
old family homestead, with the figures
1764 on the gable end OF the more re-
cent part, the older part, built long be-
fore, falling INTO decay.
{ The Geurrul - fylTest deseendanfnf
49, - alFr0sks who came soasass4vvuhtry
In the early period Of lis settlement,
and during The Revolutionary war his
ancestors on both sides were engaged
either on sea or land in Che struggle for
Independence. He received his early
education al the Morristown Academy,
aud in 1910 was appointed cadet al
the West Point Military Academy.
The military record OF Gen. Hancock IN
the Mexican and late Civil War is en-
inently conspicuous but is so well known
that we do not feel called upon to re-
peat il here. Ia the latter conflict, he
fought the fight Cor the Union with a
loyalty. persistency and success, at the
sasnc time with moderation of manner
and humanity OF action, which COM
handed the admiration Of friends and
the gratitude of opponents. Ii is rath-
eF, however. Of Hancock public record
after the war that we wish 10 speak, and
5fst OF has connection with the Surratt
case
While his headquarters were still in
the Valley ofthe Shenandoah, IN April.
1855, The conspirators against the lives
Of the PresideAt and his Cabinet consul
mated. in part, their plot, and President
Lincoln was murdered, Secretary Sc
ward was nearly stabbed 10 death, and
the country was panic-strlcken by the
sudden evidence OF a widespread, deep
ly laid plot to destroy tue entire gov
eminent by secret and concerted assa.-
sinaiion. General Hancock was sum-
noned at once 10 Washington, and re-
manned in Washington. BY order ce Pre-, :
ident johnson, during the days OF the
trial Of the conspirat0rs. aud until after
their execution. He was in command
81 q force in aud about the capital OF
about 100. 900 men, having practically
only the Secretary of War aud the Pres
ident - his superi0rs. With the de-
tails Of the guarding and care Of the
prisonsfs he bad nothing whaleveFto Do.
They were confined In the arsenal, and
fhe commanderthere was General Hart
rant, who took The position BY order Of
the Secretary Of War. A military COM
mission, ordered BY the President. tried
the prisoners, found them guilty, con-
demned some Of them to DEATH and the
findings Of the military court were ap-
proved BY the President. The execu-
lion had been ordered for the 7th day
OF Jsly. On the 9th. Messrs. Aiken and
Ciampitt. The counsel Of Mrs. Snrrait,
went before United States Justice Wylie
and procured q writ of habeas corpus.
This was served by the marshal OF the
District on General Hancock as the
military head OF the division. AS was
bis duty, be forwarded 1t &c bis superior,
a a. a.. - r.