The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-07-31
THE SUPERB SOLDIER.
How Gen. Hancock Rallied His Forces
at Gettysburg.

[Brooklyn Eagle.l
Hancock was grand and magnificent
in the battle of Gettysburg, and seemed
the very incarnation Of war. On the
second day he was at Cemetery heights
during the frightfuI cannonade when
the rebels concentrated the fire Of 150 |
guns on our lines. The air was full
of missiles-streams of shot and shell
screamed and Kissed everywhere; it
seemed as though nothing could live
under that terrible tire-nen and
horses were torn limb from limb;
caissons exploded one after another in
rapid succession, blowing the gunneEs
to pieces. The infantry Rugged the
ground closely, and sought every
slight shelter that the light earthWorks
afforded. 1t was literally storm OF
shot and shsIl, like the fall of rain
drops or the beat Of haiistones. Those
who had taken part in every battle OF
the war never had seen anything like
that caunonade, and The Oldest soldiers
began to be uneasy for the result.
Hundreds aud thousands, were
stricken down; the shrieks of animals
aud screams Of wounded men were
APPALLING, still the awful rushing and
sound of flying missiles went on and
apparently never wouid cease. 1t was
then, when the Grmest hearts had be-
gun to quail that the army witnessed
| one Of the grandsst sights ever beheid
by any army on earth. Suddenly a
band began to play "The Star Spangled
Banuer,' and Gen. Hancock, with
his ssaff-Col. Mitchell, Cap,s. B!ng'
ham, Bronson, with a corps flying in
the hands of Private Wel!s, APP
peared the on the right of his line
uncovered and rode down the
front of his men to left.
The soldiers held their breath, expec:-
ing every moment to see him fall from
horse pierced by dozen bullets, bu,
lstill he rode or, while the shot roared
and crashed around him, every mo
ment tearing great gaps in the ranks
by his side.
nBOLDLY THEY RODE AND WE'LL, -
Il Every soldier felt his heart thrill e.
he witnessed the magnificent courage
OF his general, and he resolved to dt
something that day which woult
equal it in daring. jus, as Hancock
reached the left of his line the rebe
battery ceased to play, aud tfei
infantry, $4,000 strong, were seer
emerging from the woods and advan
cling up the hill. Hancock knew tn
artillery fire had deem intended +
demoralize his men and cover til
. advance of their infantry, which wa
to make the real attack. Turning hi
horse, he rode slowly up his line fror
left to right, holding his hat in hi
hand, bowling and smiling to IL,
troops as they lay fiat on tho ground
Hardly had he reached the right {
: the line when the men who, inspire
by the courage of their general, coul
now hardly restrain themselves, recei\
ed orders TO attack tho advancin
rebels. Eighty guns which Hancoc
had concentrated opened their braze
mouths and streams Of blue bul!e
flew from the muzzles of our rifles
the breast of the Confederates.
1t was an awful day, and Lon gstreet'
"Old Guard Of the South" melte
away like wax under the terrible tit
!, OF Is, 900 who came TO the attack 5,tt
tel! or were captured on the hillside
. Thirty stands OfcoturS and an im'nens
number of small arms were takeI
=, Hancock was everywhere, riding IN
. storm of battle as il he bore IA Char!Dt
:, life. AT last just ut the moment ,
victory, he was seen to reel in Il
saddle aud would have fallen to Il
y ground had he not been helped fro
;, his horse. "A ball had pierced h
: thigh and for n time ii was thoug'
:, the wound was mortal.
= "Tell Gen. Meade" said Hanccc
:, addressing his aide, Col. Mi,che
have repnlsed the enemy and gain'
a a great victory. The enemy are nc
j, dying III all directions in my front