New-York tribune., 1886-02-10
THE GENERALS PUBLIC LIFE.
HIS CAREER IN THE ARMY - ptMoCRAIIC CANDl-
DATE FOR PRESIDENT.

General Hancock came of good stock. Ills
matern al grandfather and geat-grandiather served
in the war of Independence with credit anu MS
nate, nal grandfather during the period while
following the sea. lost his liberty to BrltlNh
cruiser and lay for time in the prison at Dart
,noor His father was a native of Montgomery
Connty Pennsylvania, and served IN the war o.
1872 afterward adopting the profession OF the law
with more than local success Winfield Scott was
born on February II, 1s2i, IN village cail'u
MONTGOMERY Square "A few miles from NOrrlN'oWh
His early life was passed there and he leceNeh MS
first education at IA local school lie was hoI Il
precocous or remarkable lad. beng noted chiefly
for vigorous health and tondness for outdoor games
and gymnastic exercises. He was lalge-irdhed'
strong and good tempered, and even then hoed lor
a simnIe uprcb tness which dominated his temper
ament through life. The military tendency
showed itself in him soon. and whcn at sixteen he
WAS entered at West Point his boylsh drills had no
don bt made the discipline familiar TO hni. At
West Point he had for comrades Grant Mcclellan
Burnside "Stonewal" jackson, Longstreet
Franklin, John +. Reynolds, who fell nj Oeitys-
burg, A. =. IIii aud many who subsequently
fought in the war of the Rebellion on eIther sue
Entering so young he did not fully appreciate MS
opportunities until half his term had expired 'hon
he worked hard. In June, 1914 he graduated ana
July l. of the same year. was brevctted second
field Scott happened to visit the Academy at the
time of Hamcocks graduation and asked hls name
sake. for whom he then and always exhibited
friendly feeling to what regiment he preferred 10
b., assgned "To the one that Is stationed iurthest
West the Young man replied and 50 he was sent
TO Fort Wachta in tie Indian country west OF
Arkansas where he could satisfy MS sporting tastes
He had some two years OF service on the plalns'
when the war with Mexico broke out, ami after
some delay. which chafed him. lie was permitted to
ION his regiment, already in the held. Iho war
had progressed the battles Of Palo Alto. kesaca dc
Ia Palma, and Buena Vista had been fought;
Monterey had been captured, aud Northern Mexico
WAS held by the army of Occur alton. Young Han
cock accompanied body OF troops dispatched 70
reinforce Scott at Puebla. and was III time to take
an active part at Contreras. Cherubusco, ana
Cbannltepec where he received his baptism OF TIRE,
and attested the gallantry which ever distinguished
him by leading his company into the hottest ure'
He was breYetted first Lieutenant Tor gallant ana
meritorious conduct in the battle OF ContreraS ana
Cherubusco" This. his first brevet, was gwen MN
August 20. lSl7.
He returned home after the Mexican war was
ended for brief furOugb. From lS4S To 1919 he
served as reglmeuta quartermaster and thence 10
1850 as adjutant. In 1850 his marriage WIN MISS
Russell. the daus shtcr of prominent merchant OF
Florida War and the following year he was on duty
in Kansas the troubles " of which Territory were
then at full head. lie accompanied the expedition
to Utah subsequently,, and marched :" the plans
across to California. When the Rebellion broke
out he was stationed at Los Angeles Calli0rpla
was then a doubtful State The secession element
was strong in il, and intrgues were actively en-
gag in to turn the balance against loyalty. some
of his brother officers cast IN their lot Win tue
South, but Hancock used all his influence Tor the
Cnion cause and on the 4th of July, 1861, having
brought together all the troops he could command
TO create a sanitary impression, organized patr-
otic celebration and himself delivered an oratioh
which greatly encouraged the Northern people and
convinced the SOutherners that secession under
existing circumstances would be attended with
difficulties. But the eager young soldier was hOt
content to remain in that distant region whle the
clash of arms sounded across the continent lie
wrote to Washington at once asking to be trans
ferred to active service at the seat OF war Ohcers
of experience were greatly needed at the time. ami
Winfield Scott remem bered the icry lieutenant oi
the Mexican War. His request was granted, and on
the 4th Of September, 1851. he arrived at tue Cap
ital, and imme liately reported for duty. go
He was now thrty-elght years OF age, with SIX,
teen years of active service behind hlni, ahd
thorough knowledge OF his profession at his dis
posa. lie was we-knOwn at headquarters. aud
his worth was understood President Lincoln was
ad yised by General Mcclellan to give MN com
mand, and his commission "a Brlgadlcr General OF
Volunteers was issued the I'D of September
1861 He was ASST gDed to the Army OF the Potomac.
under Mcclellan, and his brigade, the hrst OF
Smiths division, was rapidly disciplined INTO
model corps. Ills work was first tested IN the
Peninsula campaign which began with orktown.
and closed with the seven days hard lighting be-
fore Richmond 1t i'll this campaign that zen
eral Hancock showed his mettle nrst. aud most
clearly. When the Union forces were haltei by the
Williamsburg lines. and Hooker had made bis
gallant but futile attempt upon Fort Magruder, 1t
was Hancock who discovered the weakness OF the
enemys left flank. promptly decided 10 turn II, did
SO with force apparently quite inadequate for the
WORK. and held what seemed untenabe position
in the teeth of tremendous fire. until reinforce
ments arrived aud the Confederate retreat was
unavoidable. On this OCCASION he manifested that
intrepidity which distinguished him. putting him
self at the head OF his To inspire them with the
required nerve when the rebels were charging.
and so raising their morale that they fairly over
bore a force outnumberng them more than two to
one. -,
Mcclellan teegraphed to Washington after this
fight that Hancock was superb and the words
were caught up by the excited public and long re-
membered. During the rest. OF the Peninsular
Campaign General Hancock often engaged the
enemy and ne yer without making his mark. He
sLowsd at this time a leading conception which