Huntsville gazette., 1886-02-13
NUMBER 13.

north, in whose cause OF National integrity
he had rendered such conspicuous and
important service on those famous battle
fields of the rebellion, with which the
honor of the Union and his own renown
must be forever linked. His face
was turned toward the South, whose af-
fection he had fairly won after the war
was over by his wise, beneficent and su-
premely just administration of affairs
during the reconstruction period, when,
though acting under martial law and
clothed with all the power which that i'm
plies, he kept his sword within its sheath
and asserted the supremacy of civil law.
AS far as could be learned no definite
arrangements for the funeral had been
agreed upon up to late hour last night.
1t was stated by one of the staff officers
that Mrs. Hancock had expressed hers elf
as being opposed to military funeral;
that it was her desire that the funeral
arrangements be as simple and un-
ostentatious as possible. The place
of interment has not yet been
fixed upon, but it is the general belief
that Norristown, Pa, where the Generals
parents and only daughter, Ada, are
buried, win be selected. 1t is also said
that Mrs. Hancock is opposed to having
the body embalmed and its lying in state.
In conversation with one of the officers
last night that gentleman stated that in all
probability only the immediate relatives
and most intimate friends would be in
vited to attend the obsequies, and that
only eight or ten officers of his immediate
staff and small detachment of soldiers
would accompany the remains to the
grave.
MAJOR GENERAL w. s. HANCOCK
was born In Montgomery County, Pa,
February II, 1924. He graduated at
West Point in 1914, served mainly on frontier
duty till 1916, and afterward in the war with
Mexico. He was breveted as first lieutenant
for gallant and meritorOus conduct in the
battles of ContreraS and Churubusco. From
.SfS to 1858 he was again on frontier duty in
various parts, and from 1853 to 1861 was
quartermaSter of the Southern District OF
California.
At the breaking out of the civil war he was
recalled to Washington, and was made
Brigadier- General of volunteers Septem ber
"a, 1861. During the peninsular campaign
he was especially conspicuous at the battles
of Williamsburg and Frazers Farm. lie
took an active part in the subsequent cam
paign in Maryland, at the battles OF South
Mountain and Antietam
Having been made Major General he, COM
manded division at Fredericksburg and
charlottesville. On July |, 1868, the first
day of the battle of Gettysburg, he was sent
by General Meade to decide whether deci-
sive battle should be given there, or whether
the army should fall back. He reported that
Gettysburg was the place to fight, and took
Immediate command until the arrival OF
Meade.
In the decisive action of July 8 he com
manded on the left center, which was the
main point assailed by the Confederates,
and was severely wounded. For his conduct
at Gettysburg he received (NIay 80. 1860 the
| thanks of Congress
was Sick leave until MaocJa, 1864, being
meanwhile engaged in recruiting the Second
army corps. which was placed under his
and III IA command
this corps at the opening OF the campaign OF
1864, and bore a prominent part In the
battles of the Wilderness MAY s. 81,
Spottsylvania Court House May 500, and
and North Anna (May %, "a, the second bat
tie of Cold Harbor (June 81, and the opera
tions around Petersburg until June 10, when,
his wound breaking out, he was short time
on sick leave. He afterward resumed com.
mand, and took part in several actions until
November 26, when he was called to WASH
ingten to organize the first corps of Veter-
ans.
After the close of the war he was placed
successively in command of the Middle De-
partment (lS65-6), theJ Department. of Mis-
souri, (ls66- d. of Louisiana and Texas Q567-s),
Of Dakota QSI0-72l. and. on the death OF
General Meade in November, 1872 OF the De-
partment of the East.
In the Democratic National Convention
held at New York in July, 1868, he was can
didate for the the Presidential nomination,
receiving on the first ballot 33]i votes ont or
81, which number gradually Increased 10
l4% on the eighteenth; this being, win the
exception OF l45S cast for Pendleton on the
twelfth ballot, the greatest number OF votes
given to any candidate for the noInlnation
until the twenty second oallot, when Horas
ito Seymour received the unanimous vote or
the convention.
General Hancock was afterward (June 80,
lS8O), nominated for President on the second
ballot by the National Democratic Conven-
ton held in Cincinnati, and was defeated by
James A. Garfield in November by MAORI
ty OF fifty nine electoral votes.
The dgniied yet sturdy canvass MADE IN
this contest by the soldier candidate and
the calm, almost indifferent manner IN
which he received the news OF his deteat are
too fresh in the public mind to need recap
ituIati6n here, rs are also his many noble
utterances and deeds on great occasions;
notably, the part lie TOOK IN tne Grant oDSc-
quies.
ment of General Pope next week, will leave
Schofield the only officer with the rank Oh
Major General in the country.
Had the General lived to the 14th OF
the present month he would have attained
his sixty-second year.
Messages of coincidence have been
pouring in from all points since the news
of the Generals death became known.
Among those received up to II p. m. are
the following:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON FEB. Q.
To Mrs GENERAL HANCOCK, GOVERNORS
ISLAND. n Y-Accept my heartfelt sym
nathy and coincidence in your terrible De.
reayement. The herosm and worth OF
your late husband have gathered to your
side in this hour Of your atfiction natior
of mournerS.
rSionedI GROVER CLEVELAND.
ST LOUIS Feb 9, 1856.
To GENERAL w. ID. WHiPPLE, GOVERNORS
ISLAND. n y: General Miner has been here
and saws Hancock Is dead. Is it possible'
must go to the Burnett House, Cincinnati,
to night. Telegraph me there. Can 1 20
anything to manifest my love for him and
his widow?
lSignedI SHERMAN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. g.
To Mrs. w. s. HANCOCK: have this mo-
ment heard of the death of General Han
cock and wish to express to you, my dear
Madam, my deep sympathy and coincidence;
The army has lost very distinguished ana
faithful officer and the country one OF Its
best citizens.
lSignedJ PHIL SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant General
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Feb. 10.
MRS. W. s. HAScOCK-I am pained De-
yond expression to hear OF your husDanus
e atb The loss to yourself is irreparaole,
to his country and many friends scarcely
less. tender you my heartfelt sympathy.
WM. III. ESGLIsH.
RICHMOND, VA, Feb. g.
COMMANDING OFFICER GOVERNORS ISL
md all n