The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1886-02-13
DEATH or GEN. HANCOCK.

Major General WinnsM scott Hancock,
commanding tho Military Division of the
Atlantic, died at his hea1qoarters o. Gov
ernor's Island. New York harbor, last Tues
day, aged 81 years. He had been apparent
ly ill but few days, and It was not until
Monday last, the day preceding his de"th,
that the attending physicains decided that
his condition was daneeroas. A carbuncle
at first supposed to be only boil-made
its appearance on the back OF his neck on
the 28th ult., and an affection Of the kid
neys, previously unsupported, Was discover
ed to which the carbuncle was attributable.
The General sank into comatose condition
Tuesday morning, from which he emerged
only an instant, and at 2:58 P. n. his spirit
passed peacefully away, giving scarcely any
visible sign of its departure from its earth
" tenement. The disease which ended the
life of the distinguished soldier and citizen
was diagnosed by his medical attendants as
diabetes. -u
Gen. Hancock was born in Montgomery
county, Pa, Feb. Il, 1924; entered West
Point Military Academy at the age of Is,
where Gems. Grant, Mcclellan, Burnside
Franklin and other men who arose to dis
tinction in after years were his classmates;
served with galiantry throughout the Mex
lean war and in subsequent campaigns
against the Indians in Florida and the West;
entered the late war as q Brigadier General
in the Federal army. rising to the rank Of
Mayor General and rendering invaluable
service to the Union cause in the principal
battles of the Virginia campaigns, receiv
ing severe wou:d at Cemetery Heights,
Gettysburg.
Since the war he has occupied the posi-
ment of Louisiana and Texas, to which he
was appointed in 1867; commander of the
Department of Dakota from 1869 to 1872,
and commander of tho Military Division
of the Atlantic from the lutter year until
the day of his death.
He was Democrat in political opinion
and in 1880 was the candidate of his party
for President, being defeated by the late
Gen. Garfield. The fact that he passed
through the ordeal of closely contested
presidential campaign without a stain be-
ing left upon his character, is the best ev-
iience imaginable of the worth and purity
of the man whose sudden and unexpected
death is now mourned by the nation.
The Generals immediate family circle
contested of H devoted wife and three grand
to all of whom he was most ten
derby attached. His only daughter, Ada,
died in 1876 and his only son, Russell Han
cock, died Dec. 26. 1884. The domestic re-
iations of the distinguished deceased were
Of the happiest character, and i'll private, as
in public life, he was saus peur ct sans re-
|
The funeral is to take place to-day and |
will be of the simplest character, conform
ally to the known wish of the deceased. The |
remains will be transported to Norristown,
Pa, via Philadelphia, and inferred in !.
handsome mausoleum built by the General
in 1883, in Montgomery Cemetery, which can
be properly termed the burial ground of the
Hancock family.
Messages of coincidence aud regret have
poured in at Governors Island from all
perts of the country, transmitted by prom
lnent officials, citizens and organizations
representing every class of the people, and
indicative of the universities sorrow caused by
the death of this fearless soldier, incorrup-
tible patriot and noble citizen. |