Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-22
THE SUPERB SOLDIER.
HOW GEN. HANCOCK RALLIED HIS
FORCES AT GETTYSBURG.
The Very Incarnation Of War-The Awful
Rushing and Sound Of Flying Missiles
BOLDLY They Rode and Weu',-Long-
streets "Old Guard"


Hancock was grand and magnificent in
tse battle Of Gettysburg, and seemed the
very incarnation Of war On the second
day he was at Cemetery heights during the
frightfui cannonade when the rebels con-
centrated the fire of $50 guns on our lines.
The air was full of missiles-streams Of shot
and shell screamed and Kissed everywhere
it seemed as though nothing could live un-
der that terrible fire-men and horses were
torn limb from limb: caissons exploded one
after another in rapid succession, blow ing
the gunners to pieces. The infantry Rugged
the ground closely, and sought every slight
shelter that the light earthworks afforded
1t was literally storm Of shot and shell,
like the fall OF rain-drops or the beat of hail
stones Those who had taken part in every
battle Of the war never had seen anything
like that cannonade, and the Oldest soldiers
began to be uneasy for the result
Hundreds and thousands were stricken
down: the shrieks of animals and screams
of wounded men were APPALLING. still the aw-
full rushing and sound of flying missiles went
on and apparently never would cease 1t
was then, when the firmest hearts had be-
gun to quail that the army witnessed one
of the grandest sights ever beheld by any
army on earth Suddenly band Logan to
play The Star Sgangled Banner and Gen
Hancock, with his staff-Col Mitchell, Capt
Bingham, Capt. Parker, Capt Bronson
with corps flag flying in the hands Of
Private Wells, appeared on the right of his
line uncovered and rode down the front OF
his men to the left
The soldiess held their breath, expecting
every moment to see him fall from his horse
pierced b. dozen bullets, hut still he rode
on while the shot -oared and crashed around
him, every moment tearing great gaps in
the ranks by his side.
BOLDLY THEY RODE AND WELL"
Every soldier felt his heart thrill as he
witnessed the magnificent courage of his
general, and he resolved to do something
that day which would equal it in daring
Just as Hancock reached the left of his line
the rebel battery ceased to play, and their
infantry, 1900 strong, Were seen emerging
from the woods and advancing up the hill
Hancock knew the artillery fire had been in
tended to demoralize his men and cover the
advance of their infantry, which Was to
make the real attack. Turning his horse,
he rode slowly up his line from left to right,
holding his hat in his hand, bowling and
smiling to the troops as they lay fla: on the
ground.
Hardly had he reached tie right of the
line when the men who, inspired by the
courage of their general, could now hardly
restrain themselves, received orders TO at
tack the advancing rebels Eighty guns
which Hancock had concentrated opened
their brazen mouths and streams of blue
bullets few from the muzzles of our rifles to
the breasts of the Confederates,
IL was an awful day, and Longstreet's
SOld Guard of the South melted away like
wax under the terrible fire OF the 900
who came to the attack 5000 fell or were
captured on the hill side. Thirty stands of
colors and an immense number of small
a rms were taken. Hancock was every
where riding the storm of battle as il he
bore charmed life At last, just at the
moment Of victory, he was seen to reel in
his saddle and would have fallen to the
ground had he not been helped from his
horse A ball had pierced his thigh and for
q time it was thought the wound was
mortal
Tel Gen Meade" said Hancock, ad-
dressing his aide, Col Mitchell, that the
troops under my command have repulsed
the enemy and gained great victory. The
enemy are now flying in all directions in
INV front n--Brooklyn Eagle