The daily gazette., 1880-03-20
fountfn,.ed from first page. ,

burg, battle that by common consent
| is now admitted to have decided the fate
of the Union and fixed the final result OF
the war?
OF General Hancock's individual ac-
tion at Gettysburg 1t would require a
volume to tell. His was really the ac-
tion of the army, and Round Top,
Culp's Hill and Cemetery Heights were
his creations. He sent word TO General
Meade that was the place to fight, and
seizing The favorable positions, with the
advance until Meade brought up the
whole army and delivered his battle.
THE INCARNATION OF WAR.
Hancock was grand and magnificent
in the battle of Gettysburg and seemed
| The very incarnation of war. On the
second day lie was at Cemetery Heights
during the frightful cannonade when
the rebels concentrated the fire of
one hundredand fifty guns on our line.
The air was flu Of missiles, streams of
ahot and shell screamed and hissed
| every where 1t seemed as though no
thing could live under that terrible fire
| -men and horses were torn limb from
limb calssons exploded one after an
other in rapid succession, blowing the
gunners to piecee. The infantry hugged
the ground closely and sought every
slight shelter that the light earthworks
afforded. 1t was literally storm of
shot and shell, like the fall Of rain-drops
or the beat of hailstones.' Those who
had taken part in every battle of the
war never had seen any thing like that
cannonade, and the oldests oldiers began
to be uneasy for the result. Hundreds
and thousands were stricken down; the
shrieks of animals and screams of wound
ed men were appalling; still the awful
rushing sound of flying missiles went OH
and apparently never would cease. 1t
was then when The firmest heartshad be-
| gun to quail, the army witnessed one of
the grandest sights ever beheld by any
army on earth. Suddenly band be-
gan to play"The Star Spangled Banner"
and General Hancock, with his staflm
Major Mitchell, Captain Bingham, Cap
lain Bronson-with corps flag flying in
the hands of Private Wells, appeared on
the right OF the line uncovered and rode
| down the front of his men to the left.
| The soldiers held their breath, expect
ing every moment to see him fall from
his horse pierced by dozen bullets, but
he still rode on, while the shot roared
and crashed around him, every moment
tearing great gaps in the ranks by his
side.
ST rmed at by shot and shell,
Boldly he rode, anu 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 woulI equal
it in daring. just as Hancock reaehed
the left of his line the rebel batteries
| ceased to play, and their infantry,
IL 900 strong, were seen emerging from
the woods and advancing up tho hill.
Hancock knew the artillery fire had
been Intended to demoralize his men
and cover the advance of their infantry.
which was 10 make the real attack.
Turning his horse he rode slowly up his
line from left to right, holding his hat
In his hand, bowling aud smiling 10 the
troVps as they lay fat on The ground.
Hardly had he reached the right of the
line when the men. who, inspired by
the courage Of their General, could now
hardly restrain themselves, received or
ders to attack the advancing rebels
Eighty guns which Hancock had con-
centraIed opened their brazen mouths
and streams of blue bullets flew from
The muzzles of our rifles 10 The breast OF
the Confederates. IG was an awful day,
aud LonRstreets "Old Guard of the
South, "melted away ike wax under
that terrible fire. OF the IL, 900 who
came to the attack, 5000 fell or were
captured on the hillside. Thirty stand
of colors and an immense Bumber of
small arms were taken. Hancock was
every where, riding the storm of battle
as II he bore charmed life. At last
Just in the moment of victory, he was
seen TO reel in his sadie and would
have fallen to the ground had be not
been helped from his horse. A ball had
pierced his thigh, and for time it was
thought the wound was mortal.
"Tell General Meade" said Hancock,
addressing his aide, Colonel Mitchell,
''that the troops under my command
have repulsed the enemy and gained
great victory. The enemy are now
flying in all directions In my 'front.'"
WheB the aide delivered this mes
sage to General Meade and added his
General was dangerously wounded,
Meade said : "Say TO General Hancock
that | am sorry he is wounded and that
thank him for myself and for the couD-
try for the services he has rendered to-
day"
General Meade afterwards, in com
menting on the battle of Gettysburg,
said 10 General Drum .sNo command
ing general ever had better lieutenant
tnan Hanc ck He was always faithful
and reliable"
UNDER GRANT.