Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-11
7HE HERO OF aETTSssuR0
,,.n,r.IIy Entertained at Llttl'
Rock
A,.apsaw Gentleman 40.
a" ThIriy-Eisht Years
Little Rock Gazette, $, .
xxr:GolJ SNnkt

,,,orning. II was the ATTY yesterday
.;on 10 enter the Generals inten'
; ;rUT the DC city quietly and to
tI L;pT l;te st here, avoiding any
o un;aslv hc- demonstration, and to
LUZ, luz ard the train again and con-
IlnuO is journey. But this privilege
was not allowed him. While it is
ue that distinguished American is
/ tne freest man in the world, it is also
as true that his countrymen are as
equally free, and that they viii never
loose an opportunity Of expressing
| their appreciation OF him. Early yes
tsrday moTniRg-sO early that dawn
| timekeeper, the noted fowl that re-
minded Peter of the hesh's weakness,
had Just begun to make his mornings
announcement, people began to
walk around the streets with
tho expectation Of seeing General
Hancock. There is no man in Amer
lea whom the people Of Little Rock
would rather soc. Not alone in the
fact that be was chosen as the standard
bearer of the Democracy commends
him, but his record as a soldier, as
brave and true man, arises in living
letters and invites the admiration Of
chivalry are told and the fires of whose
nature is kiudled by the soul en-
trancing strains of q national air.
Avoiding public recognition, the Gen
eral went to the arsenal. A military
salute of thirteen guns was fired when
he arrived at the grounds. During
the firing serious accident happened
TO soldier named Getz. A prema-
ture discharge blew off three
fingers and 0 thumb of his right hand.
The injury was so serious that DR..
Bentley found it necessary to ampu-
tate the hand Just above the wrist,
Getz was a fine artillerymsn, gallant
soldier and gentleman, and the acct
cent is deeply deplored. General
Hancock visited him in the hospital,
and during the conversation remark
ed:
well, my gallant friend, we all
deeply deplore the accident, and now
let me assure you that so long as l
live you shall never want for any
thing"
At ] o'clock a reception was ten
dered General Hancock at the resi-
deuce of Major John D. Adams. The
reception was informal, but from the
interest aid attendance it would have
occurred to a stranger that days had
been spent in the arrangement. There
was large assemblage of well known
gentlemen. Nearly every prominent
man in the city was present. Minis
tiers, lawyers, doctors-nearly all old
soldiers, Northern and Southern
gathered with one impulse, that of
recognizing a man who had eminently
served his country and was thereby
endeared to the nation-to every one,
to every color, and especially to the
blue and the gray. 1t was a shining
mark for the historian. Three Gen
erals, two Confederate and one Fed
eral, laughing and comparing recol-
leetions of great battles
General" said an ex-OOnfederate
Major, advancing and extending his
hand, 81 had always thought that you
we're very courteous gentleman,
until some time ago, when | proposed
to call On you, and without exlain
ing, you refused.
What exclaimed the General.
Yes, sir, | proposed to call on you,
and you opposed my visit"
Where was that?' asked the Gen
eral.
AT Gettysburg" replied the Ma
| ior. Then eyerybodylaughed, and the
clinking Of glasses showed that the re-
membranes Of Gettysburg were con-
vivial.
Gays band arrived and played ma
tional airs. The entire place seemed
to be inspired by the spirit of the &C.
casion. Old battles were fought again,
and an engagement that once required
the struggle Of hours, was settled with
a smile and nod, while the not un-
musical report from the champagne
bottle furnished the recollection OF
the thunder, the contents Of the bottle
representing the charge.
| While the convi7iality was at its
height, a son of Major Brashear, a
little boy, cried out, LET me see The
General"
There he is, answered some one,
taking up the little enthusiast and
pointing out the distinguished guest.
We'll, | want to shake hands with
him." continued the boy. Il voted
for him twice, and | want TO catch
hold Of his hand" The General wa:
very much pleased to greet his little
constituent, and amid the hearty
laughter Of the company, the old war
rier, whose fields are many aud whose
/. fame is great, and the little boy whose
fields and fame are to come, shook
haLds with as much ceremony as
characterizes a meeting of two dis
tinguished heroes.
Suddenly, Major Adams, who, i
seems, had been especially providing
for each guest; remarked that Genera
Newton would propose toast. Gen
eral Newton then delivered the fol
lowing appropriate remarks:
y "Maor Adams and Gentlemen.
! II propose the health of Genera
Winfield Scott Hancock, whose emf
nent virtues as a citizen render hi
visit to US peculiarly pleasant, an,
whose fame as a soldier is inseperabl
e connected with the history of GU
common country"
The glasses went up, the wine wen
down, and General Hancock re
N sponded:
major Adams and Gentlemen of Littl
Rock:
a "As | look around and see so man
ie eminent gentlemen, so many m IN VIII
10 have been gathered together in I
y short time, | am lead to beliey