The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-02-13
AT THE BINOUAC.

On Tuesday last another great soldier
joined the silent bivouac of the dead.
Another who fought for our Union
passed over to the ranks of the voice
less regiments beyond the stars. The
news of the death Of General Hancock
came suddenly and shockingly upon
the country Just as came the intelligence
of the death of General Mcclellan but
few short months ago. In every
particular which concerns the soldier
these two men were noble specimens
Of what our American patriotism can
inspire. They were equals in many
qualities yet different in as many more.
Whilst Mcclellan was of that retired.
unobtrusive nature which mingles with
it so much of homely sweetness and SO
little of the world and its bitterness,
Hancock was the man of the public
and was placed IN such a position in life
as compelled him to pose in conspic
ious attitudes. He was a noble war
rior, keenly alive to the technicalities of
that bloody profession yet as tender
and humane as the Major General of
the United States army possibly could
be. Hancock was a man of fine ply
steal proportions, man Of deep intel
lect, observant, studious, and states
man of great capability, though never
SO successful politically as many an op
ponent who lacked his military distinc-
ton. He must always be loved and
honored by his countrymen, be they
friends or foes, for his service to the
Union, for his bravery, and his earnest
patriotism in lending strong and will
ing hand and a loyal heart to the great
cause in which the many whom he
meets now at that peaceful bivouac fell
bleeding, wounded, and dead. Grad
ually one by one these great military
leaders of ours are passing away. But
it may we'll be said for the reputation
OF a grateful land that they will live
forever in the memory Of their surriv
ers. More so than that OF Grant or
Mcclellan the nature Of Hancock was
difficult 10 penetrate. He was a man
who lived within himself. BIT the
pent up rivers Of his thought and char
acter were always ready to burst forth
whenever and wherever they could De
of benefit to one or to many, Ii is
such men as these that have made the
history of the past fifty years. Ta>y
have made its pages to sparkle, have
imbued :hem with the elamor Of some
thing sweetly noble and elevating, and
made our American life seem well
stored with a.. of those things which
loan an interest and magnetism to the
medieval times of England. And as
gradually one by ore these great lead
ers of the time withdraw from the surg
ing ranks of the living, leave the green
camps Of the earth, shut their ears TO
the sound OF the trumpets al GettyS-
burg and Missionary Ridge, leaving the
files of the great army of veterans thin
and depopulated, SO gradually one by
one increase that group of white still
faces that bend thoughtfully and peace
fully over the low camp fires that burn
forever in that silent city beyond the
high hills, that bivouac OF the dead.
Hancock will be welcomed there.
Arms will be stretched forth to greet
him, and those who wore the blue and
gray wi tn him on the field of conflict
will kiss the brow Of such 4 leader, glad
for the comrade who has passed be
yond the seige and bombardment into
the beautiful valleys of that strange
country where the white flags OF truce
float forever on the wind and the
sound Of roaring cannon and bursting
shells is never heard He was as nearly
perfect as manhood can be, and all can
give for tribute to his worth at least
one tear wrung from the bosom by
pure sorrow.