The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-02-18
HANCOCK AT GErI YsDURG.

The death OF General Hancock, the
hero of Gettysburg, has called forth
nothing but expressions Of profound
sorrow throughout the country. He
was a great soldier, with all great
soldiers A0e qualities, and was one OF the
most admired, by all classes OF citizens,
Of the many military AguIes OF the late
war, The following graphic picture Of
tho superb" soldier Ia from the pen Of
his Ol ye and devoted eomrade, Major
GentrA, n. Clair A. Mulholland, who
am fms that hich no saw;
"a out noon we could soc c0nsldera.
Ole ACTIVITY alOug Seminary ridge. Bat
terry after battery appeared along the
edge OF the woods. GIuu we're ualmOer.
ed, placed In position ami the horses
taRen 10 tho rear, 0l our side, officers sat
ground IN groups and, through led
glasses, anxlt IL ly walcOed these move
menla "a our front aud wondered what
" all meant. Shortly after o'clock,
however we knew all about II.
Tho headquarters wagons had
at CONS up and General GlO
UOns had invited Hancock and stalf 10
paItake OF some lunch. The bread that
WAS handed arOund-if II ever waa
ealen---was consumed without butter,
fr M the orderly was passing tho latter
article TO the gentlemen, n shell from
Seminary ridge cut him In two. lu-
atantly Ihe air was Oiled with bursting
she'll Tho batteries that wo had been
watching for the last two hours going
into position In our front did not Upel
siugly or epa-m0diculy Tho whole
hundred aud twenty guns, which now
began to play upon uB, seemed 10 be dis
charged simultaneously ~ though by
electricity. And then for nearly tive
hours the storm OF death went on.
have reed many accounts OF this aftll
leiy duel, but the most graphite desrrlp
tl0n by tho most able writer's falls faI
short VI the reality. No tongue or pei
eau lnd language strong enough "a
convey any idea OF ita awfulneda
Streams Of screaming prOjectiles pOureC
through the air, falling and burslinl
everywhere. Men aud hOrSes were tori
limb frOn limb; calss0ns exploded on,
after another In rapid succession, blow
log the gunners 10 pieces. No spo
within uur lines VIVA free from thi
irighlful iron rain. The Infantry hug
ged close the earth and sought ever.
slight shelter that our light earthwork
afforded. IL was literally u storm o
shot and shell that the Oldest soldier
theTe--those who had taken part In al
/; most every battle OF tae war-had no
|, yet witnessed. That awful, III HIM
sound Of the flying missiles, whlc
! causes the DrmUst hearts TO quail, !
everywhere.
"At this tumultuOus moment we vii
], ness deed OF heroism such as we ar
I, apt TO attribute only TO knights OF th
0lden time. Hancock, mounted and nc
companled by his staii, Major Mitchell
Captain Harry Bingham, Captain lsaa
3. Parker, and Captain II. p. Bronson, wit
the corps nag flying In the hands o
Private james Wells OF the OH Ney
York cavalry, started nj the right OF hi
, line, where II jolns tho Taneytowi
road, and slowly rode along the terrlbl
crest TO the extreme left OF his position
; while shot aud ahell roored aud craehe
around him, and every moment tor
great gaps In tho ranks at his side.
ng,ormd at with shot aud nhcll,
Boldly thty rvde, aud we'll"
"It was n gallant deed, aud wlthal nc
a reckless exposure Of life, for tho pref
ence and calm demoanor OF the CON
mander 90 no passed through the line
OF his men set them m example whic
an hour later bore good fruit and nerve
their stout hearts 10 win the creates
aud most decisive battle ever fought o
this continent. For an hour after th
firing began our batteries replied vigol
ously and tben ceased altogether, bu
the rebel shells came by as numerous n
ever. Then for over half hour not
soul was seen stirring on our line. W
. might have been an army OF dead me
for all the evidence OF life visible. SUI
denly the enemy stopped their FIR
which had been going on for nearly wv
hours without intermission, and the
tho long lines OF their infantry
eighteen ihoLs nd strong--emerge
from the woods ana began their advnnc
"At this moment silence reigue
along our whole line. With arms ut
: right shoulder shift the division
Longetreets corps moved forward vii
n precision that waa wonderfully beaut
ful. l. IL now our turn, and the lint
V3sl Hl 4o''1id 10,