The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-24
HANCOCK AT GETTYSBURG.
Thrilling Descriptions of the HERDS Inspir
ing Nalor.
HORATIO SEYMOUR,
From the Brooklyn Eagle. l


OF General Hancock's individual action at
Gettysburg it would require a volume to tell.
He was really the action of the army, and
Round Top, Culps Hill and Cemetery
Heights were his creation. He sent word to
General Meade that was the place to fight
and Selling the favorable positions, with the
eye of a consummate General, hung on to
them with the advance until Meade brought
up the whole army and delivered his battle,
Hancock was grand and magnificent in the
battle of Gettysburg and seemed the very
incarnation of war. On the second day ne
was at Cemetery heights during the frightful
cannonade when the rebels concentrated the
fire of one hundred and fifty guns on our
lines. The air was full of missiles; streams
of shot and shell screamed and Kissed every
where; it seemed as though nothing could
live under that terrible fire-men and horses
were torn limb from limb; caissons ex-
ploded 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 af-
forded. 1t was literally storm of shot and
shell, like the fall of raindrops or the beat
of hailstones. Those who bad taken part in
every battle of the war had never seen any
thing like that cannonade. and the oldest
soldiers began to be uneasy for the result.
Hundreds and thousands were stricken
down; the shrieks of animals and screams
of wounded men were appalling; still the
awful rushing sound of flying missiles went
on and apparently never would cease. 1t
was then, when the firmest hearts had begun
to quail, the army beheld one of the grandest
sights ever beheld by any army on earth.
Suddenly a band began to play THE Star
Spangled Banner" and General Hancock,
with his staff-Major Mitchell, Captain
Bingham, Captain Parker, Captain Bronson
9-with corps flag flying in the hands of
Private Wells, appeared on the right of his
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.
Stormed ct'by shot and shell,
Boldly he rode, and well.
Every soldier felt his heart thrill as he wit
messed the magnificent courage OF his Gen.
eral and he resolved to do something that
day which would equal it in daring. Just as
Hancock reached the left of his line the rebel
batteries ceased to play, and their infantry,
$4,000 strong, were seen emerging from the
woods ana 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 hardly re-
strain 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 COnfederateS.
1t was an awful day, and Longstreet's "0ld
Guard of the South melted away like wax
under the terrible fire. OF the Is, 900 who
came to the attack 5000 fell or were captured
on the hill side. Thirty stands of colors and
an immense number of small arms were
taken. Hancock was everywhere, riding the
storm of battle as if he bore 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 il was thought the wound was
mortal.
Tell General Meade" said Hancock. adj
dressing his aide, Colonel 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.'"