Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-10
SUPERB HANCOCK. q"
A sketch Of the Heroic Soldier aud Pru-
daut Stafasmau

Yanla, having been born n montgomery
county in that State On the l4,h day Of
February, 1924 he graduated at West
Point in IS+4, aud served mainly on fror-
tier duty till 1916 and afterwards in the
war with Mexico, breyetted ss First Lieu
teoaut for gallant and meritorious conduct
IN the battles OF Contreras and Cherrubus
CO. Iu ls+9 to 1855 he was employed in
frontier duty, and from 1855 to 1861 was
quartermaster OF the Southern District
ol California. Ia August Of the latter
YEAR be was recalled to Washington
and when the Army Of the Potomac was
transferred to the Peninsula 10 1852 ne
was already B,igadisr General with ap-
propriste command in the Fourth corps
His first opportunity to make q mark oc-
cured OF Williamsburg He next distin-
guished himself in the battle OF Frazer
Farm and subsequently, took an active
part in the campaign in Maryland and o!
the battles of South Mountain and Autie-
tam. Being made Major General he com
msuded a division Gt fredericksburg
and ChanceIlorville. At Gettysburg the
first day o, the battle, July lst, 1868,
he was sent by General Meade TO decide
whether a decisive battle should be given
OF whether the army should fall back, re-
ported that Gettysburg was the place to
6ght and took immediate command until
the arrival Of Meade In the decisive ac-
ton of July Sd be commanded on the lett
centre. sustaining ths terrific onset OF
Lopgstreets Confederstes and being Sc
verely wounded. Being disabled by his
wounds, be was on sick leave till March,
being meanwhile engaged in recruiting the
Second Army Corps. which was placed
under his command. At the opening OF
the campaign OF that year under Zen.
Grant, he bore a prominent part IN the
battles of the Wilderness, SpotsylVsn'a
Court House and North Anna, the second
battle of Cold Hsrbor, and the operations
around Petersburg till June 18th, when
bis wounds breaking out afresh be was
short time on aick leave. After he had
reaumed command and participated IN
several actions till November 70, when he
was called to Washington TO organize the
First Corps of Veterans.
I After the close Of the war he was placed
sncceeively in command OF the mido q
deosrtment OF the Missouri, OF Lo1lsiane,
and Texas, OF Dakota, aud Of the Depar;'
4 ment of the East. :,
/ While Gen. Hancock vas IN command
Of the military district OF Louisiana sna
+ Texas with headquarters IN New Orleans
in November. 1867, be fouad himself met
/ nv difficulties arising out of the results of
the war. With admirable tact and keen
sense of Justice to the laws OF the country
"a we'll as the people OF LOUISIANA ana
/ Texas he recouciled the differences tnst
bsd previously prevailed and which had
,bair origin In the abomiEable carpetoag
yovernmen,s that since the close OF the
Var had bHghted those States and instead
~ an onpreesor Louisiana and Texas
Goppd in him a Governor inspired by the
motives of the purest patriotism and Of the
brightest iustice. On assuming command
November 90, 1867, he issued bis we'll
known General Order No. 40, IN which ne
laid down his programme as Governor OF
,be District. There was everything in this
o-der to produce q profound sense OF
,,at;,pde IN the hearts of those TO
1bom II was addressed. 10 it be expressed
bis convictions that the people OF LOUISIANA
and Texas and he declared his purpose to
insure it by allosing the civil auihoriaes
70 carry out the civil laws. Following I;
cams for awhile the blessings OF peace ana
n-oape,i,y, and but for the fact that me so
rn:nistrafiou at Washington removed uen;
! Hancock fror his sphere OF justice and
bene6cent government, IEs period OF ms, +,
no in Louisiana aud Texas, Sou.c
bers ceased eighteen years ago
How honestly. how iupsrlaAy anc
49, p,nd.n,,y be conducted the shair'
oF tb6ss two States Is shown in the case O
S;s controversy With the carpet bsgger .;
called Governor Pesse, OF Texas inI' n
- individual had arbitrarily removed VI;
iuJgas aud county officers whom be ioGnC io
in ofiee and had appointed bis own cres
tpres TO fll their place5. Gen. HaneoeS
. 6rst at on assuming comualf gas 20 re
dress the Injustice that had been Gone y
the psople Of Texas, and in his Genera
J. Order No. 30 he repaired the wrong tuS
2 Pease had committed. Ho declared tne
e the right OF trial BY Jury, the haoeas cor
e pus, the liberty OF the press, freedom Q
!. speech, the natural rights OF persons anC
he rights of property should be respected
noble sentiments that have never bee
forgotten by tbs American people. Agar
n letter to Pesse hs said that on tn
l. laws o! Texas and Louisiana ps on
foundation of rock repOses almost tha al
n tlre structure Of social order. In these tW
!. States power may destroy the forms bg
: not the principle Of iusIiss. These WI
/ I've Ia soits of the sword. fhs iGl
It conrss Of General Hancock !
r The South otfsrded the carpst. .bsgseI
n spd M their radical friends in Congress WI