Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-10
SAD INTELLIGENCE.
Another Veteran of the
Civil War Passes F..
Away.
Death Of General Winfield s.
Hancock at Governors
Island.
A Carbuncle on the Back of His
Neck the Cause of His
Death.

New YORK, Feb. 9.
Ihe whole country was shocked this after
noon by brief telegraphic message from
AdJutant General Whipple, on Governors
Island, announcing the death of Gen. Win
field 5. Hancock, senior major general in the
United States army and commander of the
military division of the Atlantic. The in
telligence was Immediately conveyed to the
remotest corners of the country, and, as if by
magic, flags appeared at half-mast on various
public buildings in this city. Within an hour
the telegraph wire leading into the head
quarters was burdened with messages of con-
dolence and sympathy with the bereaved
widow, whose grief is overwhelming, and of
tributes to the generals private and public
virtues as a citzen,a well as to his greatness
as commander. The news of his death was
all the more startling from the fact that few
even of his intimate friends had any knowl-
| edge that his illness was considered serious
AS late as Saturday last, he was in his pri-
vate office, attending to his official duties
When he went to Washington, two weeks ago
today, there was a slight eruption on his
neck at the base of the brain. The uneasi-
ness of the inflammation increased so rapidly
that Friday, Jan. 29th, he had it lanced by
DR.. O'Reilley, attending surgeon at the
headquarters of the army in Washington.
The eruption continued to discharge freely
and the loss of blood was so much as to make
a very perceptible difference in the Generals
usual robust appearance. Immediately after
| his raft m Covarnor's T.lap1
the General sent for DR.. Jno. H. Janeway,
attending surgeon of the department, who
soon perceived signs of a carbuncle. To his
experienced eye the result of this was unmis-
tskeable. The next day the carbuncle ap-
peared and it gradually grew worse. although
DR.. Janewav did not consider the condition
of his patient past the point of speedy recov-
cry, until Sunday night, the 7th inst when
decidedly unfav orable symptoms set in, ac
companied by delirium.
The maladv had touched the brain and
there appeared good grounds for the opinion
that his days were numbered. Proper nour-
ishment, consisting of concentrated beef tea,
milk and stimulants was judiciously admin
istered. Col Chas. Sunderland, medical di
rector of the Island, cooperated with DR..
Janeway in attendance on the patient, and
the General cheerfully assisted his physi
| tions.
Although his condition was alarming, his
pulse was regular and he rested easily up to
last evening and during greater part OF the
night so that hope of his ultimate recovery
was by no means abandoned. Oliver Rus
sell, the Generals brother-in-law, watched
bv his bedside, and did not notice any de-
cided change until at an early hour this
morning
| Between and o'clock the General be-
came restless and was unable to take either
medicine or nourishment. The physicians
were called Immediately, and they sent to
this city for DR. ID. M. Simpson, an old
friend of the General's who arrived at 10.
In consultation, the physicians were unani-
nous in their diagnosis of what soon after
wards proved to be fatal illness. This was
to the effect that the General was rapidly
sinking from exhaustion, caused by the loss
of vitality, incident 70 a powerful drain upon
his constitution made by the carbuncle, COM
plicated and exaggerated by chronic diabetis.
| The General soon fel, into what appeared to
be quiet slumber.
Gen Jas. B Frye, who had served on
Hancock's staff as assistant adjutant general,
having heard that his old commander was ill
arrived during the morning, and together
with Drs. Janeway and Sutherland, Oliver
Russell, the hospital steward, Robinson
Ward, the Generals faithful private mes
senger, and Daniel, his colored servant, were
in the room watching and waiting, when at
seven minutes before three the final sum-
mons came and the great commander passed
away.
Mai. Gen. Whipple will assume command
of the department, supported by Lieut., Col
Jackson, until the President shall appoint
Gen. Hancocks successor from Generals
Schofeld, Terry and Howard.
Orders in relation to the funeral ceremon.
les are expected from Washington tomor-
row. Meantime the body will be embalmed
by the officers of the tpost. In the general
orders tomorrow will be promulgated the
announcement of Gen. Hancock's death when
the regulation mourning will be adopted
The General will probably be inferred al
Morristown, Pa.
The news of the Generals death had been
flashes abroad but short time when mes
.ages of coincidence began coming to the
Island. Among them were the following
WASHINGTON, Feb. Q.
Mrs. Gen. w. S. Hancock.
7 have this moment heard of the death OF
Gen. Hancock and wish to express to you,
nv dear madam, my deep sympathy and con-
doleuce. The army has lost a very disting-
uished and faithful officer and the country
one of its best citizens.
p. H. SHERIDAN, Lieut.. Gen.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Feb. 9.
Mrs. Gen. w. S. Hancock:
am pained beyond expression to hear Of
vour husbands death. The loss to yourself
is irreparable, and to the country and his
numerous friends is scarcely less. l tender
YOU my heartfelt sympathy.
WIN. II. ENGLISH.
Mrs. Hancock for several weeks psst had
been making preparations to go to Florida
with the wife of Lieut.. Eugene Griffin. who
is a niece of Gen. Hancock. The party was
to have left this city one week ago today,
but as the Generals sickness assumed
threatening phase the trip was given up. II
has been decided that there shall be no au-
topsy. ..u.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 9.
con ". u. Whipple: Gen. Miner has
-, ho-o and savs Cen Hancock 10 dead. II