The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-21
THE LATE GENERAL HANCOCK.
A Reporters RecoliectiOns of a Pleasan
Afternoon with the General.

Reporters RecollectiOns of Pleasant
Afternoon with the General.
New York Times.
bear in mind a pleasant experience that fell
to my lot one wintry day not long after General
Garfield defeated General Hancock in the Presi-
Dental race of $780, Wind, and rain, and snow
comminged to add briskness to the day, and
was wet and shvering specimen of humanity
as stepped from the boat as it touched early in
the afternoon at Governors Island. An unfeel-
ing city editor had assigned me to see General
Hancock to get some sort Of military informa-
ton not obtainable elsewhere had never met
General Hancock. and / didn't entertain the
slightest idea that was to meet him row. But
there is no appea from death or city editor,
and there l was on the shore. drenched and
freezing, asking guard to direct me to the COM
mander's house. Two minutes took me to the
porch. and one more minute put me in the stall
wart hero's presence. General Hancock an
Swered my knock at the door himself. How tall
he looked he doomed up in the door! How
brave, how altogether noble he seemed as he
listened to my rapid Standardization. shot out
his broad right hand cordially, and calculated:
Come in. my boy. come in"
forgot that was wet; forgot that was cold.
The heartiness Of my welcome took the very
breath away. He waved me into ali easy chair
and gave the information / was seeking.
Then made ready to leave. The rain and the
wind were still banging away outside and the
windows looking seward shook and ratified as if
In sympathy with the storms rebellious spirit;
the rudy Goals of the CRATE inside vicious
wlntry storm outside it was no wonder that
should shiver as | arose.
Don't hurry" interrupted the soldier upon
whom had come intruding. Don't hurry stay
here while; it's a wicked day outside and I'll be
downright glad to keep you with me. I'm all
alone and feel more like talking than working.
Correspondents can wait little time I guess.
Tell me something of the life of newspaper re-
porters. Tell me something about the way the
journals manage to collect all their news!"
L obeyed 1t was dull half hour, however,
that saw my tongue wagging my tale of the shop,
but the hero of Gettysburg appeared to take a
live in terest in the story of the making of news
papers, and in the end he said. with something
akin to enthusiasm: II really believe would
have enjoyed being a newspaper reporter my
self" Then we drfted over to subjects that
dreadful days and it's victories Winfield Scott
Hancock was unbending. He talked freely, with
fervor and clearness. He had no eulogies of
himself no recitations of his own deeds but for
other leaders he spoke in lavish enthusiasm.
Grant. he said. was "too by hearted" for pigmy
critics to appreciate: Sherman was logged
and 'unshakable and true" Robert E. Lee
fought like an honest gentleman" and Phil
Sheridan "a whrlwind with spurs"
How that afternoon galloped away; it was
dark before it seemed vet second that had
been listening to the easy, enchanting flow of the
soldiers voice, and | was ready to accuse the
clock on the wall of conspiracy with the darkness
In recording the passage of the day. / had come
careless OF this man who had given me such
wondrous entertainment; left his ardent ad
mirer. with the remembrance of an experience
that had much OF substantial pleasure in it.