Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-02-20


Winfield Scott Hancock was born in Mont
gOmery county, Pennsylvania, February a
1924, and was therefore IN the cd year Of
his age at the time of his death. In 1874 he
was graduated from West Point and served
until the breaking out of the war on the
frontier. During the war with Mexico he
was noted for his bravery and daring, and
for uerltOrlOus conduct was breVeted as first
lieutenant AT the commencement Of the
war OF the rebellion he was acting as quar-
termaster for the southern district of Cali
fOrnia, stationed at Los Angeles. Situated,
as he was among class OF people whose
sympathies were entirely with the southern
people 1t was hard and difficult matter for
General Hancock to decide what was his
duty. Should he espOuse the cause of the
cOnfederaCy as did his intimate friend and
fellow officer Albert Sidney Johnston or
should he champion the cause Of the union?
His family urged him to pursue the former
course but after consideration and delibera-
ton General Hancock cast his fortunes with
those of MS country, and IN 1861 proceeded
to Washington, where on September 23rd he
was appointed brigadier general of vOlun-
teers. During the peninsular campaign he
distinguished himself at the battle of FraZeE's
Farm and Williamsburg, and later he was
conspicuous at the battle OF South Mountain
and Antietam IN the Maryland campaign.
For his valiant services he was promoted to
major general and commanded a division at
Fredericksburg and Charlottesville.
July 1, 1888, the first day of the battle of
Gettysburg, he was sent by General Meade to
decide at what point the decisive battle
which was to follow should be fought. He
selected Gettysburg, and after reporting as
sumed command until the arrival of General
Meade. On the day of decisive action, July
g. General Hancock commanded the left
center, which was the main point assa1led-
For his services on this occasion he received
the thanks of congress. On account OF
wounds received on this occasion he was on
sick leave until March, 1864, being IN the
meanwhile engaged in recruiting the second
army corps. Having assumed active com
mand again he participated in the battle Of
the Wilderness, SpOttsylVanla Court House,
North Anna, second battle OF Cold HarD0r
and the operations around Petersburg. In
June, 1864, he again absented himself on
leave because of the fresh breaking out of
his wound. Shortly afterWard ne resumed
service, however, but in November was
called to Washington to organize a corps of
veterans. After the close Of the war he com
manded the departments of the Missouri, Of
Louisiana and Texas, of Dakota, and on the
death of General Meade, was placed IN com
mand of the department of the east.
In 1868 he was a prominent candidate for
the democratic nomination for president,
and In the national convention of that party
that year he received 14415 votes. In 1872
and 1876 he was again mentioned, and IN
| 1880 finally succeeded in securing the nOm1-
nation. He was defeated, however, at the
polls in November of that year by the mar
have been a sad blow to his aspirations. In
the latter part of 1884 he made trip across
the country and was received with OvatiOns
at every city.
He was one of the bravest soldiers the war
produced, and his services for the preserva-
ton of the union viii ever be g monument to
his memory in the hearts Of his cOuntrynen-