The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-02-13
HANCOCK'S CAREER.
Brief Sketch of the
Gallant Soldier.
HIS SERVICES ON THE COAST.
The War In Mexico-Promoted for
Gallantry-Bis MarriaEe-A
Brilliant Record.

called montgomery Square, IN Mont
gomery County, Pennsylvania. Ben
jamimin, the father of the late general,
was lawyer by profession, and prac-
ticed for forty years at the Morristown
bar, dying in 1867. Winfeld's mother
died in 1879. Winfield Scott Hancock
was named after General WINFIELD Scott, |
and the venerable acknowledgement in
after years often referred to his rising
young namesake in terms Of pride and
and commentator.
Winfeld's early education was super
intended by his father, who, prior to
being called to the bar, had been a
teacher. With this careful home train
ing as foundation, he, with his brother
Hilary, was sent TO the Morristown
Academy A: school Hancock was es-
teemed for his entire unsel6shness and
pluck in defending the weaker bows
against the bullying of their stronger
comrades.
In 1910, at the age of 16, young
Hancock was sent to West Point. He
passed the entrance examination quite
creditably. II developed late" was his
remark, "and at 16 was too much of
boy to feel the Importance of hard
study" While young Hancock re-
msined cadet, General Scott-whose
name he bore-eften visited the
academy, and always exhibited lively
interest in his namesake. When Win
| field graduated, the old General asked
him what regiment he preferred JOIN
ing; to which the young man replied:
1.-The one farthest west. The company
to which he was assigned was stationed
at Fort Towson, in the Indian country,
near the Red RiYer, on the borders of
Texas. Fort Washita, ninety miles
west. was then the most remote station
on the western frontier. On June 10,
| 1876, Hancock received his commission
as Second Lieutenant In a company Of
his regiment, stationed on the frontier
of Mexico, where the troubles which
eventuated in the Mexican war were
already brewing. Sometime after
| hostilities commenced he was ordered
| to the field. The troops with Hancock
landed at Vera Cruz, and joined Gen
eral Pierce's column, which was about
to march to reinforce General Scott at
Pueblo He was appointed Adjutant
under Colonel NJ. L. Bonham. The first
important action IN which Hancock
was engaged was the battle of Cheru-
busco, on August 20, 1S47. Hancock
was present at the desperate assault on
the castle of Chapultepec, at the battle
of Contreras and Moline del Rey; also
at the capture of the City OF Mexico.
He was promoted for gallantry at Con-
treras and Cherubusco to first lieuten-
ancy. He escaped those fierce conflicts
with only slight wound.
On the oath of January, 1850, Lieuten-
ant Hancock was married toMiss Almira
Russell, daughter of Samuel Russell,
a merchant of st. Louis, where the GER
emony took place. Hancock gained
his captaincy on November 7, 1855. and
toned at Fort Myers. The Seminole
there being settled, Hancock went with
General Harvey to Kansas. In Janu-
airy. 1858. he accompanied Harvey to
| Utah. where there was trouble between
the Mormons and Gentiies. This out
break was not long lived, and when
things we're settled Hancock was or
dered to the headquarters of the De-
partment of Utah to join his regiment,
the Sixth Infantry, which was expected
to move into Oregon. The regiment
was soon ordered to Benicia, California.
Hancock awaited orders in California
for some time, but none arriving he
went east by way of the Isthmus of
Tehuantcpec and rejoined his family.
After a short stay home he was ordered
back to Los Angles and put in charge
of the Quartermaster's department
there, where he remained until 1861.
In 1861 Hancock was relieved from
duty in California at his own request,
and, repairing Immediately to. Wash
ington. applied for active service in the
field. He was appointed brigadier-gen-
eral, and assigned as quarteTmaster to
General Andersons command in Ken
lucky. He was actively engaged in the
siege Of Yorktown with Mcclellan =
army, and at Williamsburg led the gals
liant charge which took Fort Magruder
and won the day At the battles of
Goldings Farm, Garnett's Hill, Savage
Station, White Oak Swamp and during
the retreat to Harrison's Landing, his
services we're so conspicuous that the
breyets of major, observation-disclosures and
colonel were conferred upon him, and
General Mcclellan recommended him
for major-generalsnip. In the Mary
land campaign he led his brigade at
Champions Pass, South Mountain and
Antietam, where the death of General
Richardson placed him in command OF
the First Division, Second Army Corps.
October 10-11, 1862, he conducted an i'm
portant reconnaissance from Harper's
Ferry to Charlestown. He was then pro-
NOTED to be major-general of vol.
unteers. and, continuing in command
OF the First and Second divisions, he led
them at Fredericksburg, and in May,
1868, in the assault on Marye's Heights
at charlottesville. The next month be
was placed in command of the Second
Division, At Gettysburg, after the
death of Reynolds. Hancock was sent
forward by General Meade to assume
command He arrived Just as the
Union Army was retreatfng through
Gettysburg, stayed the retreat, and
threw his forces out to Cups Hill
where it checked the enemy's further
|, advance.
4 Noticing the advantages of the posi-
ton. Hancock at once sent Genera
Meade report of the situation such a;
determined the latter to give fight righi