Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-10

Caused by Malignant Carbuncle-Gen.
eral Expressions Of Regret.


briefly announced in THE STAR yesterday, took
place at nine minutes before three D. m, at
his nome on Governors Island. The cause of
oeatn was a malignant carbunce complicated
with Kidney disease. Twenty days ago Gen.
Hancock started on business connected with
the department to Philadelphia where he re-
manned two days, and then came to Washing
ton. In this city a boil developed on the back
OF his neck. It was lanced on January 3Oth,
and as the general was much Inconvenience
by its presence, he returned to New York sew
eral days sooner than designed. During the
first week Of February the eruption developed
into malignant carbuncle, which suppurated
constantly, and prevented sleep. DIR. Janeway
was called in attendance, and it was not until
marked weakness had resulted from the pres
ence of the carbuncle that the surgeon discov-
cred that Gen. Hancock was suffering from
diabetes and kidney trouble. The medical
men concluded on Monday that the case was
assuming very serious form, as the carbuncle
signs OF delirium. At ten O'Clock on Monday
night before going away, DIR. Janeway found
himsaF d ~ COCO Splits ana ape 70 assist
and in charge of Hospital Steward Robinson.
At 6:45 on Tuesday morning Mrs. Hancock
dispatched an orderly for DIR. Janeway, as she
feared the general was sinking rapidly. The
doctor came speedily and found the general in
premonitorv svmpsoms of death .Se The do doctor
summoned the two physicians already named.
Hypodermic injections of brandy and ether,
and OF carbonate of ammonia and brandy,
were administered.
THE CLOSING SCENE.
AT the consultation held Tuesday morning
the physicians were unanimous in their dag
nosis Of what soon afterwards proved to be a
fatal illness. This was to the effect that the
general was rapidly sinking from exhaustion
caused by the loss of vitality incident to the
powerful drain upon his constitution made by
the carbuncie, complicated and exaggerated by
hiatnn Gl,n fall into
what appeared to be a quiet slumber. Gen.
James B. Fry, who had served on Gen. Han
having heard that his old commander was i'll,
arrived during the morning and together with
Drs. Janeway and Sunderland, Hospital Stew
ard Robinson. Ward, the generals faithful pri-
vate messenger, and Daniel, his young colored
servant, were in the room watching and wait
ing when, at nine minutes before three o'clock,
the final summons came, and the great COM
mander, without a murmur, passed away to
join the noble army OF departed comrades.
The general leaves his widow and three
grandchildren, two girls and one boy. named
son, Russell, who died on December IS, 1884,
and whose loss the general has ever since
mourned. The remains of Gen. Hancock will
probably be inferred at NOrristOwn, Pa.
A BRoKEN-OFF TRIP.
Mrs. Hancock had been making preparations
to go to Florida. The party was to have left
the city one week ago yesterday, but as the
generals sickness assumed a threatening phase
the trip southward was given up. No member
OF the generals household had anticipated q
fatal termination of his illness until Mrs. Han
cock became alarmed yesterday morning.
Maj: Gen. Whipple assumed command of the
department, supported by Lieut.. Col. Jackson,
until the President appoints Gen. Hancock's
successor.
MESSAGES OF COINCIDENCE.
The flags in this and other cities were at once
half-masted on the announcement of the death.
AS soon as the death Of Gen. Hancock became
known throughout the country messages of
coincidence began to pour in to the bereaved
widow. Among those from whom messages
were received were the President, Gen. Sheri-
dan, VIM. 81; English, Gov: Lee, of Virginia,
Gen. NJ. T. Mcmahon and Gen. Lloyd Aspin-
wall.
The War department about o'clock received
the first intimation OF Gen. Hancock's death.
Secretary of War Endicott at once sent word to
his wife, who was at the White House aiding
Miss Cleveland at an afternoon reception, that
the entertainment to be given at their house
last night would be postponed. Mrs. Endicott
went at once home and recalled her invita-
tiOns.
THE PRESIDENTS ORDER.
When the President was informed of Gen.
Hancock's death the flag on the White House
was placed at half-mast. The President soon
after issued the following executive order:
''Tidings of the death Of Winfield Scott Ham
cock, the senior major general of the army of
patriotic and valiant defender of his country,
an able and heroic soldier. q spotless and ac-
complished northumberland alike with the
laurels of military renown and the highest trib-
ute of his Acknowledgement to his worth as q
citizen-he has gone to his reward. 1t is fitting
that every mark of public respect should be
paid to his memory. Therefore, it is now or
dered by the President that the national Gag be
of the executive departments in this city until
after his funeral shall have taken place."
THE DEAD GENERALS CLASSMATES.
Among the classmates of Gen. Hancock
Rufus Ingalls, is now quartermaster general in
this city, w. S. Rosecrans is register of the
Treasury, John Newton is chief engineer, with
headQ in Washington, and Gen. Horatio
c. Wright and Gen. Alfred Pleasanton are also
residents of this city. Gen. Don Carlos Buell.,
vile. KY, was also a classmate Of Gen. Han
cock.
THE RECORD OF A GALLANT SOLDIER.
Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock was born in
1924 in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania,
entered the West Point military academy In
1910, graduated four years later, and was COM
missiOned as q I'd lieutenant OF infantry In
aS46: he served t galiantly through the Mexi-
held the rank of captain on the staff, and was
acting as assistant quartermaster in the west
ern department. In 1861 he was appointed q
brigadier general of volunteers and served in
the Army OF the POJOmac. He accompanied
Gen; McCleilan,s army to the peninsula in 1862.
At the battle of Fredericksburg, in December
1862, he commanded division of the I'd
corps, and for his meritoriOus conduct on
as major general of volunteers. He took part
in the battles of Charlottesville and served
with great credit at GettySOurg In 1863 where
he was SO severely wounded as to be unable to
command a body of troops until April, 1864,
when he was promoted to the command of the
I'd army corps, and took part in the desperate
battles of the Wilderness campaign until later
in the same year when his old wound required
him again to leave the field for a short time
and he was unable again to undertake the more
arduous duties of campaign lite while the war
lasted. In August, 1864, he was promoted to be
brigadier general of the regular army; brevetted
major general March ID, 1865, and major gen.
eral July %, 1866. Since the war Gen. Han.
cock has commanded the middle department.
Louisiana and Texas, the department of Da-
kota, and the division Of the Atlantic. In 1880
Gen. Hancock was nominated by the demo-
cratic national convention tor the presidency,
and ran against Gen. Garfield.
ONE OF HIS TRAITS.
Gen. Hancock was regarded in the army as
one of the best exponents of a soldier, whose
first duty is to obey. When the President issued
the famous general order No. S5, sending back
to their regiments all officers who had been on
detached duty more than four years, Gen. Han
cock was one of the few general officers who
personal aides who came within the provisions
OF that order. He had but two aides at the
time the order was issued, one having resigned
just previously. One of the remaining two
Gen. Hancock dismissed Immediately, but ask
ed permission to retain the third for month
or two until he could select some one for his
staff. He was at once accorded that permission.
->&>--
The Tariff Question.
THE TWO BILLS BEFORE THE WAYS AND MEANS
coMppoMrcr ryprCrrr,