Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-10

NEW YORK, February p.--Malor-
General Winfield Scott Hancock, senior
major general United States army,
DIED suddenly to-day at 3 O'Clock,
oFFIo IAL NOTIFICATION.
NEW YORK, February 9.-The fol-
lowing official notification Of the death
Of General Hancock has just been
received
GorernOr's Island, February o.
Major. General w. 5. Hancock, United
States Army, died at 2;jl o'clock this
afternoon. W. d. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adiutant. General.
General Hancock's death was the re-
suit Of malignant carbunCle on the
back of his neck, which had confined
him to his bed for several days. No
serious alarm was felt, however, until
shortly before he expired.
A SHOCK, BUT NOT A SURPRISE.
In front Of No. 3 Governors Island
an orderly this afternoon was pacing
40 and fro. 1t was the late residence Of
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock,
who had died therein at 2:jl o'clock.
II the General had lived until the l4th
day Of the present month he would
have completed his sixty-second
year, having been born at Nor
IiStowD, Pa, on February IL, 1924.
In the second-story front room, fur
nished with soldier-like simplicity, lay
the remains Of general who, as the
guards remarked, had led his troops to
more battles than any Of his military
contemporaries. The death of General
Hancock was not a surprise to his
family. II was shock to them, as to
bis friends. Twenty DAYS ago he started
on business connected with the Depart
ment Of the Atlantic TO Philadelphia,
where he remained two days, aud then
proceeded to Washington. In Wash
ington boil developed on the back Of
his neck. 1t was lanced on January
Both, and as the General was much in
cOnvenienced by its presence he return
ed to New York several days sooner
than he had designed.
THE CAUSE OF DEATH.
During the first week Of February
the boil developed into a malignant car
bmcle. which suppurated constantly
and prevented rest or sleep. DR., Jane
way was called in attendance, and it
was not until marked weakness had re-
suited from the presence Of the carbun-
Gle that the surgeon discovered that
General Hancock was suffering from
diabetes. DIR. Janeway called in con-
sultation DR.. Sutherland, medical di-
rector Of the Department, and DR.. ID.
NJ. Stmson, of New York. The
medical men concluded Monday
that the case was assuming very Sc
rious form. At 10 O'Clock Monday
night, before going away, DR.. Janeway
found his patient in good spirits and
able to assist himself, and he left him
apparently improved and in charge Of |
the hospital steward (RobinsOn). At |
Gas Tuesday morning Mrs. Hancock |
dispatched an orderly for DR.. Janeway, |
as she feared the General was sinking /
rapidly. The Doctor came speedily |
and found the General in comatose |
state, with feeble pulse, and all
premonitory symptoms Of death. The
Doctor summoned the two physicians
already named. lIypodermic injections
OF brandy and ether and Of carbonate
Of ammonia and brandy were admins
tered. These, however, only alleyiated
the suffering Of the soldier, who
GRADUALLY SANK AWAY
until death was touched at Psi p. NJ,
as stated.
In the words Of DR.. Janeway " The
General went down to the close of his !
life like person descending a flight of
stairs" When death came the three !
physicians and the hospital steward I
only were present. Mrs. Hancock was
then in an adjoining room. The Gene
raj leaves his wife and three grand
children, two girls and one boy-named
Mara, Ada, and Gwynne-the issue of
the Generals son Russell, who died
December %, 1856, and whose loss the
General has ever since mourned.
Major General Whipple will assume
command Of the Department, supported
by Lieutenant-COlonel jackson, until
the President shall appoint General
Hancock's successor from Generals
Schofield, Terry, or Howard. Orders
in relation to the funeral ceremonies are
expected from. Washington tomorrow.
THE BODY TO BE EMBALNfED.
Meantime the body will be en-
balmed by the officers Of the post.
In general orders tomorrow will be
promulgated the announcement Of Gene
raj lIancock's death, when the regu-
lation mourning will be adopted.
Flags were at once half-masted on the
announcement of the death. The Gene
raj will probably be inferred at Norris
town, Pa.
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. February "a tel
egram announcing the dangerous illness
of General Hancock was received by the
President about p. NJ. to-day, and
was read TO the Cabinet, then in ses-
sion. Just after the Cabinet adjourned
second telegram was received at the
White House conveying the intelligence
of his death. The President was at
once informed, and the flag on the
White House was placed at half-mast.
The President soon after issued the fol-
lowing Executive order:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Feb. Q, 1886,
4 o'clock p. NJ.
The tidings Of the death Of Winfield {
Scott Hancock, senior major-general
Of the army Of the United States, have
just been received. A patriotic and
valiant defender Of his country; an I
able and heroic soldier; spotless
and accomplished gentleman; crowned {
alike with the laurels of mill
tary renown and the highest tribute of t
his iellow-countrymen to his worth !
as q citizen, he has gone to his reward. !
II is fitting that every mark Of public !
respect should be paid TO his memory
it is now ordered by the Pre- J
sident that the national flag be display I
ed at half.mast upon all the buildings I