The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-02-10

the officers stationed there, or to offer
coincidence to the bereaved family, The
kilograms came in steady stream to the
Island Office and the operator, with scar.
cely moments respite, had all he could
do to write them OUT as last as they ar-
rived.
IIIs CAREER.
The EventfuI Life OF tho Dead Soldier.
Three Famous Battles.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born near
Norrlstown, Montgomery county, Pa,
February IA, 1924, and consequently was
but few days from being G2 years old at
the time Of his death yesterday. His an.
cestols we're Revolutionary soldiers, and his
i4they Tas ID the war Of 1872 with Great
Britain, consequently It may be said that
he, inherited his sOldierly qualities, and
that he responded with alaCrity and en-
thusiasm when the call Of public duty de,
manded. General Hancock entered West
Point Academy at the age OF sixteen, and
graduated well up in his class In June,
1874, and was commissioned Second Lieu.
tenant In the Sixth United States Infantry.
He served on the frontier In fighting the
Indians until the outbreak OF the Mexican
war, In which struggle he gained eminent
distinction. He was breveted for bravery
at the battles Of Contreras aud ChelubusCO.
He served afterwards with distinction In
the Florida Indian war OF 1867. His
future movements carried him through
many sections OF the country, until the
firing on Fort Sumter found him In Cali,
lornia.
AT THE OPENING or THE REDRLLloN.
AT this time he held the rank OF Cap.
tain. When the struggle in Charleston
Harbor reached him at Los Angeles, he
hrst forwarded to Governor Curtin his
application for. command among the
troops OF his native State, and. then con.
tributGd his part 10 saving California to
the Union with that love OF country
he always evinCed. This task was by no
means an easy oue, as the State was
largely settled by SoutheTners, and but
for the efforts Of bold, loyal men Cali.
fornia would have been one OF the rebel.
llous commonwealthS.
Had the rebellion extended west OF the
Rocky Mountains, the increased danger
To the Union Is apparent. The tempts.
ton to Great Britain 10 interfere would
have been vastly greater, 10 say nothing
Of the strain upon the resources Of the
country caused by having TO extend the
operations 'ot war across 30 wide range oil
country.
COMMISSIONED A BRiGADIER.
Gen. Hancock volunteered his services
to Gen. Scott, then head Of the Army,
who directed him TO report at Washing.
ton. Before Hancock reached the Capital
Mcclellan had succeeded Scott, and on
the recommendation ofthe latter Hancock
was commissioned q Brigadier General
September 81, 1861, and assigned to a com.
mand under dBaldy" Smith. His brigade
was composed Of Pennsylvania, New
York, Wisconsin and Maine volunteers.
Gen. HanCoCk's services In the defense
OF Washington were great. He figured
with honor at Lees Mills, Va, April 49,
1862, and In the subsequent operations
before Yorktownj at Williamsburg, May
s, 1882, his men bore conspicuous part
be repulaed the enemy at Garnett's Hill
in June; served we'll at Golding's farm
the 2Sth Of the same month, savage's
Station the succeeding day, and White
Oak Swamp the next. AT Antietam,
Sept. II, he led his brigade until given
command Of the First division Of the
Second corps, where he gtormed and car.
tied portion Of the rebel lines, capturing
many prisoners, arms and standsot colors.
November 81, 1869, he was promoted 10
Major General for gallantry, and served at
Fredericksburg in December, ChanCellors.
vile in May, 1868, covering the retreat.
He was gfven' command Of the Second
Corps June 10Tand permanently assigned
to that command by the President June
%. At Gettysburg, on July |, 2 and 3,
be bore o noble part, and fell severely
wounded.
WILLIAMSBURG. '.
Inthelas dayBot March, 1862, the Army
OF the Potomac was landed at Fortress
Monroe and extended its lines across the
Peninsula. General HancoCk's brigade
took part in the advance on Richmond,
and for month was engaged In bloody
skirmishes with the enemy. On the 4th
OF May II was discovered that the Conled.
crates had evacuated Yorktown, and the
pursuit began, which was checked by en-.
counterinR q second line OF formidable
works, General Hancock was ordered to
reconnoitre. He pushed forward and
moved rapidly toward the enetny's center
at Fort Magrider. BY this movement the
Confederate left was turned, and II was
evident 10 the rebels that their whole line
must be abandoned or Hancock dlslodged
The conflict beHau and ragged all thai
day, and owing 10 the failure Of reinforce.
metit TO arrive Hancock was compelled
10 retire. Tie next day the enemy
In full force burst upon the i1tre'
bid Union Generaps forces. They
swept iorward under deadly fire
Hancock maintained q steady front and
| a no less deadly fire, but fell back slowly
10 the crest ot q gentle ridge In his rear
The Coniedetates same on furlously with
their overwhelming numbers, shouting
HBull Run Bull Run That flag Is ourst'
Hancock halted and steadled his com
matid al The crest for one brief moment
Tie enemy were but lotty yards distant
tle next Incident Would decide the day
He dashed the mex instant from bis pla6I
behind the lines and riding bare headet
along the blazing front, shouted "Foi
ward? Forward For Gods sake, For
WaFli' No sooner did the men recogniSt
Ills heroic figure than they sent up . grant
cheer above The din o hattle and advances
10 the charge. The day was won, and Wy
enemy retteated before the Inspired attaCl
OF the Union forces,
TlE THIRD DAY AT uRrTYsauRd.
...ii.. k.n saij, utt viii hardlV b