Middletown transcript., 1886-02-12
Deatl, Of General Hancock.

on the neck but he appears to have
been in failing health for some time.
General Hancock was born near
Montgomery Square, Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania, Feb. IA, 1924.
He was the son of Benjamin Franklin
and Elizabeth Hancock, who were ma
tives of Montgomery county. His
twin brother, Hilary Baker Hancock,
is lawyer, and has been for many
years resident of Minneapolis, Min
nesota. Another brother, John Han
cock, served as Il Major during the
war, and is now in railroad service at
Washington.
IN EARLY LIFE.
When the twin brothers Winfield
and Hilary, were four years old, their
father, who was school-teacher and
engaged in preparing himself for the
legal profession, removed to Norris
town, where Winfield was educated at
the village schools and also in a pri-
lvate academy. AS a boy be was fond
Of scientific studies, and also of mill
Gary exercises. His patriotic instincts
may be judged from the fact that, at
the age of fifteen, he read the the Dec
laration of Independence at a celebra-
tion of the Fourth of July. lie was
besides noted for his brave, manly, gen.
erous disposition. 1t is quite likely
that these qualities suggested his NOM
ination by Mr.. Fernance, the member
of Congress for his district as a cadet
at West Point. He entered the Acad-
emy July 1st, 1910, when but few
months more than sixteen years OF age.
While at West point he distinguished
himself by the display of artistic abIli-
ty and was besides an excellent soldier,
graduating No. 18 in his class on the
Both day of June, 1874. He was pro-
NOTED to be Brevet Second Lieutenant
in the Sixth U. S. Regular Infantry
the next day, and two years afterwards
received his commission as full Sec
oDd Lieutenant. In the meantime he
had served ON the Western frontier
against the Indians. In the spring of
1S47, the war with Mexico having bro
ken out, he, with his regiment, was
ordered to the front. He served with
General Scott's army, and was highly
praised and brevetted First Lieuten-
ant for his gallantry in action.
L. -f,1f 1.f, Lot H.,
offered his services to the government
and was first assigned Chief Quarter
master on the staff of General Ander-
son. Subsequently, however General
had him commissioned
Brigadier General and he was assigned
the command of a brigade. He was at
this time }S years Of age. His per-
sonal bravery led him very frequently
to command in person at the head of
his troops when in the time of des-
perate charge. Throughout his whole
career no complaint was ever made of
him or his troops. He bore conspic-
uous part in all the battles of the Pen
insula, and for his services he was rec
for appointment as Major
General of volunteers, and three bre-
vets in the regular army for meritor-
ious conduct. Hancock next appeared
in command of his brigade in the
Maryland Campaign under his old
Mcclellan. At Antietam
be rendered distinguished service and
was placed in command of Richard
sons division when that general was
wounded. At Fredericks-
burg Hancock again carried off the
honors for fighting qualities.
AT GETTYSBURG.
Following Charlottesville came the
invasion of Pennsylvania and at the |
leath of General Reynolds. who opened
.he battle uf Gettysburg. General |
was put in temporary COM
nand of the troops of the Army of the |
Potomac, then on the field. lie made |
such disposition of the troops as he |
leemed advisable and made such re-
port to General Meade as led the latter |
% determine to give battle at Gettys-
,urg. On the third day in the after
noon the Confederates made their |
grand assault which General Hancock |
lad the good fortune to repel.
The enemy opened a terrific cannon
lde all along the line and followed it by |
,he most desperate infantry assault of |
he war. Hancock rode up and down |
n front encouraging his men, and the
irm stand they made during The hand |
,o-hand conflict which followed was |
lue to his encouraging presence. At |
he moment of triumph the brave COM
nander fell desperately wounded. |
command took 5000 prison.
rs, thirty-seven stands of c6lOrs and |
many small arms. Hancock was
ordered to Washington in December
1863 though not entirely recovered
rom his wound. He was with Grant |
II the Wilderness and performed more |
excellent service.
In August, 1854, Hancock was made |
8rigadier general Of the n. S. A., and |
to raise veteran corps of |
70, 900 men. When this work was done |
le was ordered to the front in COM
nand of the Middle Military Division,
With headquarters at Winchester. He
hen had under his command 100, 900 |
nen. In March 1866, he was breveted
Major General U. S. A. for gallant and
services at SpottsyIvania..
The rebellion collapsed and he was
allied to Washington and given charge
4 the troops there, in April 1865.
AFTER THE WAR.
Gen. Hancock in 1865 had COM
handed of the so-called Middle Depart
nent in 1866 of the Department
fthe Missouri. On May Both
S66, the thanks of Congress were
endered to Major General Hancock
for his gallant, meritorions and con
picious share in the great and decisive
ictory of Gettysburg" "and on July 26,
866, he was made full Major General
]. S. A. In November, 1867, GEN
raj Hancock was commissioned as
of the Fifth Military Dis
rict and the Department of the Gulf,
With headquarters at New Orleans.
1ilitary commanders at the South at
hat time were autocrats if they chose
0 be so. General Hancock, on assum-
1g command, showed that he was
tatesman as well as soldier by issuing
is famous "Order No. 40," which
eriously interferred with his military
omfort afterwards, though it brought