The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-22
OPEN LETTER TO INGALLS,.
COL. FINLEY ANDERSON DEFENDS
aAN. HANCocK's MEMORY.
He Calls the Defender OF Kansas Jay
hawkers to Time. but the Abusive
Senator Has No Reply to Make--A
Ringing Reioinder.

From the New York World, March rs
Col. Finley Anderson, who was on Gen.
Hancocks staff during the civil war, has
addressed the following open letter to Sen.
ator ingalls,, at Washington:
NEW York. March u. 1sss
The Hon. John J. Ingalls,, President pro tcm
United States Senate. Washington. D. c.:
Sir-I have just received copy Of the
Congressional Record containing the official
report Of your recent speech, in which you
not only insult the Chief Magistrate of the
nation, but attempt TO dishonor the mem
CRY Of both Hancock and Mcclellan by
naming each OF them as having been an
tally Of the Coniederacy." As a surviving
member Of Gen. 1Iancock's staff, who
shared with him the tolls and the triumphs
OF the civil war, and Ms a friend whom he
honord with his confidence and affection
to the end OF his blameless life, cannot
bear in silence your brutal blows at my
old companion. must therefore, as a
soldier and citizen, protest against any
ulterance that implies an impeachment OF
his loyalty TO his country.
When the summer flowers bloom again
on the graves of the heroic dead quarter
Of century viii have passed since the bat
tlciield of Gettysburg became the arena
where the valor OF the north and south
alike illustrated the greatness Of the Amer
lean people, and commanded the admira-
ton Of the world. The name OF the peace
iul Pennsylvania village, baptized anew
with their blood, was thus made immortal
a. the symbol OF national power equal to
any on earth. The growing victory OF that
combat has proved, under Providence, Us
clearly az though we had heard the voice
VI God himself, that those principles OF
liberty and law and fraternity and union,
in earnest devotion TO which Hancock lived
and died, are essential to the welfare OF man.
KIND. To this result, the highest human
achievement of this century, Hancock con-
tribuied more than any other solder In
the field. When Reynolds fell on the morn
ing OF the first day, il was Hancock whom
Meade selected 10 take supreme command
In front, with power 10 choose the ground
where the great battle Of the war should
De fought out. II was Hancock who
planted hiscoloH ON Cemetery Ridge, where
lac rallied our disordcrcd troops and formed
the lines OF those historic nights, beyond
which the rising tide OF the rebellion never
passed. II was Hancock who turned dis
aster into victory by the counter-charge
which slved the honor OF the army on the
evening OF the second day. IL was
Hancock who repnlsed that grand assault.
the most brilliant in the annals of the war,
when the flower Of the Army Of Northern
Virginia withcpd and died before the for
titudc OF the Army Of the Potomac in the
final struggle Of the third day. II was thus
that Hancock won at Gettysburg triple
crown Of glory.
Naturally enough, both houses OF Con.
gress adopted joint resolution TO the effect
TINT in addition 20 the thanks which had
been voted 10 the officers and soldiers Of
The Army Of the Potomac "for the skill
and heroic yalor which at Gettysburg re.
pulsed, defeated and drove back. broken
and dispiriicd, the veteran army OF the re-
bellion, the gratitude OF the American
people and the thanks OF their Representa-.
lives In Congress are likewise due, and
are hereby rendered, 10 Major-Genenl
W. s. Hancock, for his gallant, mcritorious
aud conspicuous share In that great and
decisive victory. In view Of Hancock's
constant and conspicuous service 10 his
country for more than forty years, sealed
~ that service wa by his own blood, and
in view Of his provcrbial purity OF char
actcr II Is amazing how any man could
rise In the Senaic chamber 10 deiame his
memory. hut having the audacity TO do
20, the least u.at you nov can do in rep
afhuon OF this wrong alike 10 llanco ck's
memory and the patriotic sentiment Of the
country Ia to rise again in the senate
chamber aud make full rotmclion aud
apology Respectfully youn,
finley AsDERsox.
Senator Ingalls, reply TO Col. Andenon's
open letter IS simply an acknowledgment