Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-20

<SoAp oo0 TheaR FAILING Ou6
Adam Badean in the Philadelphia Presa
Hancock and Grant were at West Point to-
gether. They were good friends there, and
Hancock used to call his future chief BY the
familiar nickname OF sSam Grant" Long
Afterwards, during the Wilderness campaign
1t was the day after the great attack at Spott-
syivsnia' wnen Hancock reported: 81 have
nnisned up Johnston and am now going into
Eariy"-Grant nominated Hancock for briga-
dier general In the regular army. Hancock re
memoered the old relationship of the cadet
time, and said to the brother-in-law of the gem
eral-in-chief who told him the news: II love
Sam Grant"
a., me regard wa. mutual. At one moment in
dark; Warren was driven back at the center,
ana rush OF straggiers came hurrying in
t9wards Grants headquarters with news that
stick around and whitfield the other end: and md
been driven he said grimly: 81 don't believe
IT, In Few moments word came directly con-
trary TO the earlier rumor. Instead of retreat
Grant looked up and said with as much en-
tnu us.s rs ever knew him to betray: "Han-
He never changed his opinion Hancock was
always given the advance or the exposed posi-
ton: He bore the brunt of the battle OF the
Wilderness; he made three terrible assaults af
Spottsy lvania; he led the march to the North
Anna; he was in the thickest at Cold Harbor
His troops were the first of the Army of the
totomac TO come up before Petersburg and in
the subsequent movements on both sides of the
James, at Deep Bottom and at the explosion of
FURNISHES mine-always, until the opening of
an old wound compelled him to leave the field,
Hancock was given the command which re-
CURED the most superb daring. the clearest
head, the most sustained military ability More
than once heard Gen. Grant say that if Meade
were removed he should give the command of
the Army OF the Potomac to Hancock. In the
yyor hos 80 l14 To,
headquarters came up with Hancock at
the point where Long bridge had once crossed
the hickahominy. While the troops were
passing. the commanders dismounted, and
Grant, Hancock and Meade were sketched on
the grass together with their officers around
Never were three great soldiers more in COM
plete personal accord. There was no assump-
ton on the part of Grant, and the feeling Of
cdnadTdderie was perfect. They chaffed each
frontier; they discussed the movement in
which they were engaged; and finally Meade
referred to some resolutions OF Pennsylvania
convention nominating Hancock for the presi-
dency. Both Grant and Meade poked fun at
Hancock tor this, and he good-naturedly re-
ceived it all. Indeed, it rather tickled him.
He was not appointed a brigadier in the reg.
lar army for SpOttsylvania, but Grant was per
sIstent, and in August nominated him again.
This time the promotion was conferred.
In 1866 the grade OF general was created for
Grant. This made Sherman lieutenant general
and left vacancy among the major generals
10 which Grant promptly appointed Hancock,
who thus received both his promotions to the
rank of general from his old cadet comrade
HOW GRANT AND HANCOCK FELL OUT.
During the reconstruction period they were
on different sides. Grant believed that Congress
was right in the long struggle with Andrew
johnson, but Hancock espoused the views Of
the President. Grant at first had no suspicion
OF the leaning of Hancock and when ii became
apparent that Mr.. johnson was determined to
remove sheridan from command at New Or
leans and substitute Hancock, the general-in-
chief sent staff officer to warn him of the pur-
its mischievious tendency. Hancock, however
was ordered by Johnson to report at Washing
ton before he went to New Orleans, and Grant,
who was now convinced that Johnson's course
was iuil OF danger to the country, went in per-
son to visit Hancock at his rooms in Willard's
TO put him on his guard. But Hancock had
already determined on his conduct, and was
not to be affected by Grants advice or urging.
From this time their relations were strained.
Hancock pl oceeded to New Orleans against the
wish OF Grant, determined to carry out Mr..
Johnson's policy. which his generalin-chief be-
lieved to be almost reasonable, and which he
was directed by Congress to thwart. Hancock
constantly issued orders in conformity with the
views OF the President, which Grant as con-
stantly overruled. Finally Hancock asked to be
relieved and the request was granted
They never again had any pleasant inter-
course: There were times When each supposed
the other had been discourteous. Grant was
told that Hancock came to his headquarters
and wrote his name without paying his GEN
eral-in-chef the courtesy OF a further visit, and
remarks of each were repeated to the other not
-.
But there was no positive hostility.
W hen Hancock was nominated for the presf-
dency, Grant, in the privacy of his own house
at Galena, uttered some caustic criticisms to
an indiscreet visitor, which the same day were
telegraphed to the entire world. Among other
things, he said that Hancock was "ambitious
vain and weak" Hancock Mt first refused TO
believe that Grant had used the words; but,
though they were never meant for the public,
Grant could not and would not disavow them
when the reporters rushed for confirmation or
denial. Then Hancock was very much panied,
and doubt whether a reconciliation could ever
have been effected.
In his last days Gen. Grant more than once
spoke 10 me OF this circumstance and regretted
the pain he had given Hancock. He was gem
erous in his praise, and, though he criticised
what ne thought toibles and graver faults, he
declared that he ought not to have used the
words which Hancock disiked. This Hancock
never knew; but with equal nobility he bore his
part in the great funeral over his ancient chief
and cOmrade. The majestic character of those
rites that attracted the attention of the world
was greatly due to the tender care and chival-
rous punctilio of him who thought the dead
cheftain had wounded him.
The two soldiers have fought their last fight
and ended every difference. Each at the last
was full OF soldierly and brotherly generosity
for the other.