The Wahpeton times., 1886-02-25
AT GETTYSBURG.
Harcock's Heroisn on Cemetery Ridge.

Har cocks Heroism ON Cemetery Ridge.
An officer who was with Hancock at
Gettysburg thus describes the gener-
ais heroism in the field: "On the Sec
ord day OF the fighting Hancock was
at Cemetery Heights during the fright
tul cannonade when the rebels concen
trated the fire of $50 guns on our
lines. The air was full OF missiles;
streams of shot and shell screamed
and Missed everywhere; it seemed as
though nothing could live under that
terrible fire-men and horses were
torn limb from limb; caissons explod-
ed one after another in rapid success
sion, blowing the gunners to pieces.
The infantry hugged the ground close.
ly and sought every slight shelter that
the light earthworks afforded. Itwas
literally a storm of shot and shell like
the fall of rain drops or the beat of
hail-stones. Those who had taken
part in every battle of the war never
had seen anything like that cannon
ade, and the Oldest soldiers began to be
uneasy for the result. Hundreds and
thousands were stricken down; the
shrlekss of ANIMALS and screams of
wounded men were appalling; still the
awful rushing sound OF flying missiles
went on and apparently never would
cease. 1t was then, when the firmest
hearts had begun to quail, the army
witnessed one of the grandest sights
ever beheld by any army on earth.
Suddenly a band began to play The
Star spangled Banner and Gen. Han
cock, with his statf-Maior Mitchell,
Capt. Bingham, Capt. Parker and
Capt. Bronson, with corps flags flying
in the hands OF private Wells, appear
I'd on the right OF this line, uncovered
and rode down the front OF his men to
the LETT. The soldiers held their
breath, expecting every moment to
see him fall from his horse pierced by
q dozen bullets, but still he rode on,
While the shot roared and crashed
aronnd him, every moment tearing
great gaps in the ranks by his side.
Every soldier felt his heart thrill us
he witnessed the magnificent courage
of his general and he resolved to
do something that day which
would equal it in daring. Just as
Hancock reached the left OF his line the
rebel batteries ceased to play, and
their infantry, $4,000 strong, was
seen emerging from the woods and ad-
vancing up the hill. Hancock knew
the artillery fire had been intended to
demoralize his men and cover the ad-
vance of their infantry, which was to
make the real attack. Turning his
horse he rode slowly UP his line from
left to right, h olding his hat in his
hand, bowling and smiling to the
troops as they lay flat on the ground.
Hardly had he reached the right of
the line when the men, who, inspired
by the courage of their general, could
now hardly restrain themselves, re-
ceived orders to attack the advancing
rebels. Eighty guns which Hancock
had concentrated opened their brazen
mouths and streams of blue bullets
flew from the muzzles of our rifles to
the breasts OF the confederates. 1t
was an awful day, and Longstreet'
'old guard OF the south melted
away like wax under that terrible
fire. OF the $4,000 who came to
the attack 5000 fell or were captured
on the hillside. Thirty stands OF col
ors and an immense number of small
arms were taken. Hancock was every
where, riding the storm of battle as if
he wore q charmed life. At last just
in the moment of victory, he was seen
to reel in his saddle, and would have
fallen to the ground had he not been
helped from his horse. A ball had
pierced his thigh, and for a timeit was
thought his wound was mortal.
Tell Gen. Meade, said Hancock,
addressing his aide, Major Mitchell,
that the troops under my command
have repulsed the enemy and gained a
great victory. The enemy are now
flying in all directions in my 'front.'
"When the aide delivered this mes
sage to Gen. Meade and added his gen.
eral was dangerously wounded, Meade
said: Saw to Gen. Hancock that I am
sorry he is wounded, and that thank
him for myself and for the country for
the services he has rendered to-day"