The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-03-17

WEDNESDAY, MARCH IL, 1886.
At GETTYSBURG.
HANCoCK's HERoIsM ON CEMETERY
RIDGE.

An officer who was with Hancock |
at Gettysburg thus describes The
Generals heroism in the field: 'On
the second day of the fighting an
cock was at Cemetery Heights our
ing the frightful cannonade wnen
the rebels concentrated the fire of
$50 guns on our lines. The air was
full of missiles; streams of shot
and shell screamed and Missed every
where; it seemed as though nothing
could live under that terrible fire
men and horses were torn limb from
limb; caissons exploded one after
another in rapid succession, blowing
the gunners to pieces. The infantry
Rugged the ground closely and
sought every slight shelter that the
light earthworks afforded. 1t was
literally storm of shot and shell
like the fall of rain-drops or the
beat of hailstones. Those who had
taken part in every battle of the
war never had seen anything like
that cannonade, and the Oldest SOL
ders began to be uneasy for the re-
suit. Hundreds and thousands were
stricken down; the shrieks of ami
mails and screams of wounded men
were appalling; still the awful
rushing sound of flying missiles
went on and apparently never would
cease. II 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 q band began to play
The Star Spanglcd Banner and
Gen. Hancock, with his staff-Maj.
Mitchell, Capt. Bingham, Capt.
Parker and Capt. Bronson, with
corps flags flying in the hands of
Private Wels--appeared on the
right of this line uncovered, and
rode down the front of his men to
the left. The soldiers held their
breath, expecting every moment to
see him fall from his horse pierced
by dozen bullets, but still he rode
on, while the shot roared and
crashed around him, every moment
tearing great gaps in the ranks by
his side. Every soldier felt his
heart thrill as he witnessed the mag
nificent courage of his General, and
he resolved to do something that
day which would equal him 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 advancing up the hill.
Hancock knew the artillery fire had
been intended to demoralize his
men and cover the advance of their
infantry which was to make the real
attack. Turning his horse he rode
slowly up his line from left to right,
holding his hat in his hand, bowling
and smiling to the troops as they
lay fiat 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, received
orders to attack the advancing
rebels. Eighty guns which Hancock
had concentrated opened their bra
zen mouths and streams of blue
bullets flew from the muzzles of our
rifles to the breasts of the Confeder-
ates. 1t was an awful day, and
Longstreet's '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 colors and an i'm
mense number of small arms were
taken. Hancock was everywhere,
riding the storm of battle as if he
bore a 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
time it was thought his wound was
mortal.
/" Tell General Meade said
Hancock, addressing his aid, Major
Mitchell, that the troops under my
command have repulsed the enemy
and gained great victory. The
enemy are now flying in all directions
in my front
"When the aid delivered this
message to General Meade and
added his General was dangerously
wounded, Meade said: Say to Gen
Hancock that l am sorry he is
wounded, and that l thank him fol
myself and for the country for the
services he has rendered to-day. >
IS. II. Bulletin.