Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-10
DEATH OF GENERAL HANCOCK.

The country loses a model soldier, a
brave man and a patriotic citizen in the
death Of General Winfield Scott Hancock.
lie was one Of the few soldiers whose life
being wholly spent in a military atmos.
phere, developed statesmanlike quail
ties He was perfect type of the patriot
who regards duty to his country as supe-
rlor. lie was of an unselfish disposition,
amiable and kindly in every walk, the
very reverse of boastful, was studious and
possessed of ability of high order. 1t
IS as soldier that his character stands out
most prominently. Born in 1924. and
named after the chief military figure of
the day, he appears from earliest boyhood
to have displayed those qualities that later
made him so eminent as a leader of organ
lied bodies Of men, When a mere lad he
grouped his companions in cadet COM
pany, and drilled them upon the public
common. lie was always judicial in judg-
ment, cool and self-possessed, and of COM
handing carriage. He entered West Point
when 10, and was graduated when &c: was
breveted Second Lieutenant of the Sixth
Infantry at once, and went into service on
the Texas border. He served through the
Mexican war, and was made First Lien.
tenant. In 1855 he became Can
tam and QuartermaSter, and served in the
last Florida Indian war. At its close he
was sent 10 the Kansas border and in 1858
accompanied Harney's command to Utah.
Soon after he reioined his regiment and
came on to California with it as its Quar-
termaster. He was some time stationed at
Benieia and at Los Angeles, and was at
the latter point when the War of the Re
beliion broke out. He pronounced at once
Tor the Union, and was granted leave to
report for active service at the East. From
that time on his career was one familiar to
our readers. He was made Chief
Quartermaster on Anderson's Staff, but
was soon after made Brigadier-General
He at once became prominent figure
among Union officers, and his brilliant
record at the battle of williamsburg drew
to him general public attention. He was
made commander of the First Division of
the Second Army Corps on the field Of
battle, and fought at Antietam in A man.
ner that won the applause of the nation.
lie selected the ground for the battle of
Gettysburg, where he was wounded. In
1854, then Major-General, the city of
Philadelphia honored itself in doing him
special honors, and Congress formally
passed resolutions of thanks to him for his
gallantry, bravery and far-seeing military
capacity, 1t is unnecessary to follow him
through his splendid career in the battles
of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court
house, Cold Harbor, ChancelioryiIle. Pc
tersburg, Fredericksburg, the mastery
movements on the James and up to his APP
pointment to the high position of defender
of the national capital. His services sub
sequent to the war were no less valuable to
his country, as reference to his military
career upon the border and at New Or
leans freely discloses. His policy at
the latter place was not wholly in accord
with superior authority, but his sincere in
tesr..ty aud patriotism were never for a mo-
m mt questioned. The esteem in which
General Hancock was held by his fellow
citizens was manifest in his nomination by
a great political party of the nation for
the Chief Magistracy. His defeat for the
O ice in nowise affected his standing be-
fore the people, and was directed, not
against the man, but the party of his
atiiIiation. lie was patriot of unalloyed