Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-10
PHILADELPHIAs TRIBUTE. E1.s'F
GEN. HANCoCK,s LIFE.
His Brilliant Career in the Military and
Political World.

Political World.
Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock was born
in Montgomery county, Pa, Feb. IA, 1924.
He graduated at West Point in 1914,
served mainly on frontier duty till 1916,
ana afterward in the war with Mexico.
He was breVeted as first lieutenant for
gallant and merltOriOus conduct In the
battles OF COntreras and ChurubuscO.
From lS4S to 1858 he was again on frontier
duty in various parts, and from 1859 TO
1861 was quartermaster OF the Southern
district OF California. At the breaking
out Of the civil war he WAS recalled 10
Washington, and was made Brlgadier
General OF volunteers Sept %, 1851. Dur
ing the peninsular campaign he was es-
peeially conspicuous at the battles OF
Williamsburg aud Frazer's Farm. He
took an active part in the subsequent
campaign In Maryland, at the battles Of
South Mountain and Antiet0m. Having
been made Major General, he commanded
adivision at Fredericksburg and Cbancel-
lorsville. On July 1, 1868, the first day OF
the battle az Gettysburg, he was sent by
Gen. Meade 10 decide whether a decisive
battle should be given there, or whether
the army should fall back. He reported
that Gettysburg was the place 10 fight,
and took immediate command until the
arrival Of Meade. In the decisive action
OF July 3 he commanded ON the leftce ntre,
which was the main point assalled by the
COnfedeTates, and was severely wounded.
For his conduct at Gettysburg he re-
ceiVed May 30, 1869 the thanks OF Con-
gress. Having been disabled by his
wound, be was on sick leave until March,
1864, being meanwhile engaged Ia recruit
ing the second army corps, which was
placed under his command. He took the
active command of this corps at the open
ing OF the campaign Of 1864, and bore a
prominent part IN the battles Of the
Wilderness, May and 9, SpottsylvaRla
Court House, NAV 10 90, and N0rtn
Anna, May % and q, the second battle Of
Cold Harbor, June 3, and the operations
around Petersburg until June 10 when,
his wound breaking out, be was for a
short time on sick leave. He alterWard
resumed command, and took part In
several actions until NOV. 26, when he
was called TO Washington 20 organize the
first corps Of veterans. After the close OF
the war he was placed successiyely In
command OF the middle department
(lS65-66), the department of Missouri
(1s66-67 J. OF Louisiana aud Texas 1887
So. OF Dakota i5I0-72), and, on the death
OF Gen. Meade In November, 1872, Of the
department OF the East. Ia the Demo
cratic National Convention held ~ New
York IN July, 1865, be was candidate
for the Presidential nomination, receiving
on the first ballot 33H votes out Of 3l7,
which number gradually increased 10
l44H on the eighteenth, this being, with
the exception of l4jls cast for Pendlcton
on tho twelfth ballot, the greatest number
OF votes given 20 any candidate for the
nomination until the twonty-secOnd bal
lot, when Horatio Seymour received the
unanimous vote Oftho convention.
Gen. Hancock WAS nominated by the
National Democratic Convention az Gin
cinDau for President June "a, 1880, on the
second ballot. VIM. II. Ennlish. of In
diana, was nominated for Vice President
The ticket gave great satisfaction, and
was Enthusiastically received throughout
the country. The campaign which iOl-
lowed WAS stirring one. The Republi-
cans nominated james A. Garfield for
President, and Chester A. Arthur. The
election was very close one. The ma
iorlty Of Mr. Garfield over Gen. Hancock
was only lob Of the popular vote Mr.
Garfield had 1926 por cent. and Gen.
Hancock 1925 per cent.
After the election Gen. Hancock de-
voted himself TO his army duties. Had be
lived he would have succeeded Gen.
Sheridan In command OF the army, as he
stood next 20 him In the line Of promotion.