The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-02-16
y Sketch OF Gen. Hancock.
News and C0urier.]

News and Courier.
Few men have served their country better
than Winfield S. Hancock, and few deserve
more from their c0untrvmcn. A big man,
with a big head, a big heart and Il big brain.
Hancock was the very persontication Of honor,
honesty and capacity.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born in Mcnt-
gomerv County, PENNSYLVANIA, February II,
1924, and was therefore nearly az years of
age. His mothers father was Il revolution
AIRY soldier and was captured ut sea and con-
fined i'll the Dartmoor prison, England: His
great grandfather on his mothers side was
good service, dying at the close Of the Itcvo-
luton from exposure and hardships endured
in the field. Fancock's father served in the
war of 1912 and afterwards became a lawyer
Of distinction in Montgomery County, Penn
sylvania. At the age of Ii Hancock was
sent tn West Point, and had for classmates
U. S. Grant, George b. Mcclellan. j. +. Rcy-
nolds, j. l.. Reno, burnside, Franklin and
W. +; Smith: He graduted in 1914, June
30. and i'll lS45-G served with his regiment
ant of the 9th infantry. In 1917 VIC find
him in Mexico. and c%onspicons for galantry
at the Natural Bridge, San Antonio, Con-
treras, Ch~crubuSco. Molino del Rcv and the
capture of the City IF Mexico. lie was
brcvcted for gallantry ut the battles of Con-
treras and Cherusbusco. In ls49 and 1850
he served with his regiment as quartrrnus-
ter and adjutant. and in the fall If 1854 was
married at st. Louis to Miss AImira Russell,
the daughter of a prominent merchant of
campaigns in the West, and in 1857 was en-
gagged in the Southern Florida war. He
served III the expedition against Utah, and in
1859 went to California.
Upon the secession of the Southern States
he took high ground in favor of the Cuion
and did much in 1861 to check the secession
spirit then scizing upon California. lie APP
piled to Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania
for a commission i'll the volunteers, but the
Governor being slow in replying to his arpli-
cation he obtained Il leave OF absence and
came East. His earncStness impressed Gen.
Scott, who ordered him tn report to Gen.
Mcclellan and on the formal recommends
ton of Mcclellan, President Lincoln, on the
23d of September, 1861, commissioned Han
cock a acknowledgement Of volunteers. He
was assigned to u brigade in the division of
Gen. Badly Smith and reported for duty at
Chain Bridge, Virginia, in the Army of the
Potomac.
HIS FIRST BATTLE.
His first battle in Virginia WAS ut Warwick
Courthouse, near Yorktown, and he led his
brigade in person with distinguished gallan-
try. At Williamsburg Hancuck bore Il con-
spicuous part. The C"nfederates having re-
pulsed Hooker and exposed Haurock's left
flank he determined to retire and ordered the
batteries back to the slope. where his brigade
line stood. The Confederate commander.
seeing the movement, at once advanced
his troops, and they came down on Han
cocks right in two superb lines of battle,
cheering tremendously and calling out, "l'ull
Run Bull Run! That flags Is ours Han
cock sat on his horse behind tho centre Of his
line, waiting with imperturbable coolnrss
the favorable moment. Calling on the men
to stand fast and keep their pieces loaded,
Hancock waited until the Confcdcratcs were
within one hundred yards, then dashing for
ward mn his horse. with head barred aud
swinging his hat, he shouted Forward !
forward forward !" The men saw the tow
and springinS up, with n shout that made the
hills ring, they prccipitatcd themselves upon
their assailants. The Confcderates taitercd,
halted for moment, wavered. and then fell
back slowly, Every inch of ground was stub
b0rnlv cnntestcd; still Hancock forced them
off the field, nor did they again advance until
the Union reinfnrcenlents came up and rem
dered the victory secure. 1t was almost night,
and no pursuit could be ordered in the dark
ness. The action of Hancock had rendered
Confcdcrutes abandoned it. Hancock's name
wns heralded from Maine to California, and
in II few hours. from nm unknown smbordi-
nate, he had leaped into fame and assumed
a national reputation. Mcclellan tclcgraped
the President, "Hancock was superb to-day"
an expression. which all who saw him tower
ing above his men, leading them to battle,
knew IT, b. only just.
HIS SERVICES IN THE PENINSULA.
On the eth Of June, 1862, Hancock, who
was then at Golding's Farm. in the PENN
suin, received a severe attack from the Con-
t. derates. He repulsed it and continued the
fighting fur into the night, the contending
forces firing ut each other at close quarters
in the dark. This battle of Hancock's was
one of the grandest spectaclos of the was,
and will never be forgotten by the Army Of
the Potomac. On the 18th Of June, 1862, Han
c"ck was heavily engaged at Garnctt's Hill,
as he y as at Savage Station on the 10Th ard
at White Oak Swamp on the 30th. His
troops fought four battles in as many days,
cock in person. He mover knew fear himself
aud could not tolerate it in Others.
For his services in the Peninsula campaign
Gen. Mcclellan recommended Hancock for
promotion t" the rank Of major general of
volunteers and the brcvets OF major, ~lieuten-
ant colorel and colonel in the regular
army.
ALWAYS At 1T.
In September, 1852, Hancock, commanded
his brigade in the battle Qf South Mountain
and afterwards at Antietan, In this. latter
engagement, when Gen. Richardson fell,
Hancock was sent to take command of that
gallant officers division. In November,
1862, Hancock received his commission as
major general, and on tho 18th Of December
assault on Marye's Heights. HIS behavior
on this occasion was in keeping with the
high reputation he had achieved. He war,
with his division, in the ti,ickest Of tho con-
aict, leading his men as far it was possible,
under the circumstances, for men to 60, and
only falling back when attempt at further
advance was foolhardly and useless. In this
fight, as, in fact iu almost every one in
which he was engaged, be seemed to wear a
charm on his life. lie received in the
slaughter PEN" AS the rank and file were
this fight, a slight flesh wound, coming out
otherwise unframed, though with uniform
perforated with bnllcts. In this battle Ham