Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-02-10
DEATH OF GEN. HANCOCK.

died Yesterday evening on Governors Is
land, New York harbor, at ten minutes be-
fore 8 o'clock, of malignant carbuncle,
complicated with acute diabetes. Last week
he seemed to be in perfect health and was
contemplating o trip to Florida. On We'd
nesdey he went to Washington, and made
calls on the President, the Secretary of War
and Gen. Sheridan.
The day that Gen. Hancock went to
Washington he complained of boil on the
back of his neck. On Friday morning he
went to the Surgeon Generals Office and
had it lanced. 1t was pronounced small
carbuncle, but neither he nor anyone at the
Office attached any serious Importance to it.
He took the train for New York at IL o'clock
in the forenoon. The carbuncle, which was
situated at the base of the brain, seemed to
affect his whole nervous system. Sunday
the General did not feel we'll enough to
leave the house, and on Monday he could
not leave his room.
Gen. Hancock's death seems to have been
the result of high living. He was
fond of the pleasures of the table, and
took great care to eat and drink the best
he could find. He took very little exercise,
and suffered constantly from govt and
dyspepsia.
The orders in relation to the funeral cere-
mouies are expected from Washington to-
day. The body will be embalmed and will
probably be inferred at Norristown, Pa
Winfield Scott Hancock was born on the
14th of February, 1924, in Montgomery
county, Pa. His appointment to West
Point was due to Congressman Joseph For
nance and after graduating, he received a
commission as breyet second lieutenant OF
infantry.
His military services began with the war
with Mexico, and he was breveted on the
field and honored by the thanks of his native
State, for gallantry displayed 10 action.
Shortly after the close of the Mexican
war, on the 24!h of January, 1850, Captain
Hancock married Miss Almira Russell, of
ST. Louis.
Gen. Hancock participated with distin-
guished gallantry in all the important bat
ties of he late war, and by his gallant bear
ing and chivalrous conduct won alike the
respect and admiration of foes as we'll as the
confidence aud reliance of his superior OIL
GERS and subordinates.
After the war Gen. Hancock was made
| Texas, with headquarters in New Orleans.
that he issued his famous order, recognizing
the supremacy of the civil authorities in
time of peace, and in which he uttered the
sentence "Tho right of trial by jury, the
habeas corpus, the liberty of the press, the
| freedom of speech, the natural rights OF
| persons and the rights of property must be
preserved"
Gen Hancock was nominated on tho 23d
of juno, 1880, as the candidate of the Dem
| ocratic party for President The campaign
resulted in General Hancock's defeat. Since
that be has remained in command of the
Department of the Atlantic, residing on
| Governors Island, where he died.
Gen. Hancock was senior Major General
| and Major General Commanding the De-
partment of tho East and the Military
Division Of the Atlantic. BY his death Maj
Gen. Scofeld, will become senior Major
General There will be vacancy in the ma.
ior generals to be filed. O. 0. Howard, is
senior Brigader General, but it does not
follow that he will receive the place, as the
promotion is by selection on the part of the
President.
| kilograms of coincidence wero sent to Mrs.
Hancock Ivy President Cleveland and many
other distinguished persons, among them
Gov. Lee of this State. Gov. Lees message
YVES a follows:
"All parties and all classes in Virginia de-
pore the death of Gen. Hancock coun-
try mourns the loss of superb soldier and
noble citizen. personally grieve that q
true friend has gone. Please let me know
when Gen. Hancock will be buried. 1 de-
sire, if possible, to attend the funeral"
FITZ LEE.
Governor Lee, in an interview yesterday,
said II was very fond ofGeneral Hancock.
Hs was a noble, gallant fellow, and soldier
of undoubted merit and great ability. For
an instance, believe Gettysburg was the
turning point in our late war, and it was
Gen. Hancock's representations to Gen.
Meade that induced the latter to fight the
battle there. The result was the final over
throw of the Confederate arms. Ho fought
80 we'll on his side during the war that,
when it was over, he was satisfied and
sheathed his sword and believed that there
must be fraternity between both sections to
make the whole republic prosperous. Vir-
gina and the South will deeply regret the
death of generous soldier a courteous gen.
tleman, and strong, firm and constant
friend"