The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-30

"a
- feldian rather; that ia,
S-ssa<-2@SS instead Of bursting into
o passion he became particularly polite, cool,
and self-satisfed.
The fighting all day had been irregular, not
to say unsatisfactory. On the right of our line,
during the fighting against Fort Magruder,
Smiths Division, Hancock's Brigade. was sup
posed to be in an advanced position, but in
reality only small part of the men were up.
Somehow or other, one would hesitate to say
precisely how. com paratiyely small body of
men, mostly belonging 70 Haucock's command,
found themselves In an uncomfortable position,
liable TO be overcome by superior force. Pro-
cisey who was in command of the Union forces
as whole no account is clear. At the time
Gen. Mcclellan was at least 10 miles in the
rear, Mt or toward Yorktown which tho rebels
had the day before evacuated. Our forces
had pushed on without much plan or clear
intent, except the enemy, having hurriedly
fallen back from the Yorktown line, were on
the retreat, and our forces were following them
up, when rather unexpectedly they came bang
up against Fort Magruder, a strong position,
defended by considerable force commanded
by Johnston or Lee. We were brought 70 a
sudden halt by this obstacle in the middle of
the afternoon, and prepared to reconnoiter and
await results. That night heavy rain set in,
and q more undesirable state OF things eonid
scarcely be imagined. 1t was wholly unex-
pected.
As the present intention is to say something
Of Hancock, will pass over the particulars,
except as it is necessary to refer TO them for
my purpose. Mcclellan, as / have said, was
nearly dozen miles in the rear, and matters
were at standstill during the night. The
rain had rendered the soil as 1t is nowhere else
after hard rain. It was difficult for infantry,
artillery or cavalry to move. A comparatively
small force under Hancock pushed over a
causeway to the right, well.nigh fauking the
fort, where the rebels were in great force.
Prince dc Joinville and his two nephews,
who were serving on McClellan's staff, were
the spot, and the Prince became exceed
ingiy FESTIVE under the situation; so much so
that. mounting his horse, bad az the roadway
was, he started back to report the state of the
case to Mcclellan. At the same time Gen. VIM.
F. Smith sent an Aid with the message to Nc
Clellan that he could not come up moment too
soon. Gen. REPRESENTATIVES and sometimes
Gen. Sumner-was in mmaud nominally,
but really neither seemed to comprehend mat
tiers. The Prince and the Aid, by different
routes reached Mcclellan about the same time.
What the former said was by no means COM
plimentary to either Reyes or Sumner, and con-
frmed Smiths message by the Aid. Mcclellan |
started Immediately for the front, riding |
rapidly.
Meantime 1t became evident that Hancock |
was in danger Of being attacked by superior |
force. Troops that had been sent to his relief |
were slow in reaching him, and when only |
small part had done so the brigade of the rebel |
Gen. Early were seen gathering in a wood /
nearly in front and well on the flank of Han
cock, making ready to attack. 1t was then that |
the General-then only Colonel, however
showed the trait of politeness instead of the
reverse. His men were in line-none too many
for the superior force that was forming for the /
attack. Roinforcements were out of the ques- |
no,;. 80 -
that was on its way could not get up in time. |
Passing up and down our line, and fully i'm
pressed with the critical character of his
situation, he addressed the men as follows:
" Gentlemen, we've got our enemy Just where
we want to have them!" The ground was de-
Sending from our line to the enemy's. which
was then advancing, less than quarter of Q
fire true and then charge at double quick.
Hancock's politeness increased, and no one
suspected OF his realizing any danger. The
order was given the rebels at the same moment
their - along long line, which
fell short, owing to the "lay Of the land" Ii
was fierce work on the part OF our men; they
charged furously. The enemy broke on their
approach, and in less time than il takes to tell
it the field was cleared, except of the dead and
wounded. Several hundred prisoners were
.aken. The action was "sharp, quick, de-
,isive." EwelPs Brigade was wiped out only
small number getting away.
Gen. Mcclellan came up just as Hancock was
finishing his work. Learning how complete it
lad beeu lie was greatly rejoiced, and in a dis
patch TO Washington declared that Hancock
IN the right was superb. Tomorrow I will
push the enemy TO the wall" 1t was mauy
lays before we made any material progress.
indeed, NcClellan's army never made the ,
progress foreshadowed in many proclamation, j
md accomplished nothing toward achieving
he great object for which he set out-the CAP
ure of Richmond.
This reminds me of an incident while the {
rmy was lettering along ostensibly on the way |
o the rebel capital, in which Hancock figures. {
;miths Division was in the advance, Hancock's ,
Brigade leading. and faithfulness to history !
ompels me to say Mcclellan, with the bulk of :
he army, was some 10 miles or more in the .
ear. One fine day as We were resting near I
Cent Courthouse, for what reason no one could s
imagine q cloud of dust was seen rising at |
istance In the direction in which we would i
ave advanced had we moved at all. The {
MYSTERY was soon solved by the appearance Of 1
ten. Stoneman and his staff. followed by con- 7
iderable body Of Regular cavalry. was stand
ng with Hancock little outside of our tent ,
lie and Stoneman were old friends ard hearty I
reeting followed. W hat are you doing here?" !
gas the energetic inquiry, the words inter I
Mingled with explosives need not repeat. I
"Waiting for orders to 90 forward" was Han g
ock s answer; or words to the same effect {
Storeman was mad. Nothing else would de- q
CT! be the fact "Why," said he al have been
Tithic Ave miles OF Richmond within the last =
iree days. The way Is open. The Ch;cka- !
ominy is dry. There is nothing to prevent .
bis army taking Richmond, ii he tried to DO it,"
hen followed q criticism of the conduct of {;
be war" on the Peninsula, aud of Mcclellan, y
nat mead not be written now. Hancock said y
ct word. Nor did Gen. Smith, who had 5
ONE up. These three men were devoted to 4
Little Mac" and never doubted bis genius q
IF war. For the first time heard Hancock, 4
lildly supported by smith. express doubt a
Does the General think he is making war;" v
routed Stoueman, referring to Mcclellan. d
Where Is he2" was TIE next question. On n
eng told DO was In the rear many miles, rest s.
1g his men. the cavalryman exploded furi- d
usly. II will fad him and tell him what he b
ont seem to know" Then ordering the bu- b
Ier to sound the forward movement, his column
,ds of at rapid pace.
cyan to have now views Of Little Mac" and
his way of moving on Richmond, as did .;
ANY others about this time, and for similar =
,asons. :.
Hancock was gentleman at all times, even %
,urtly ip his bearing, whenever there was $,
~ occasion for 80 being. With few fellows be q
as "joiiy coed fellow" in the best sense. | :.
b the fold Of battle he was dreaGfuIly In -
.rpess, though seldom particularly demon ~
rativs. He always had tie trus soldiers .
'lrit. ways ald instincts without being the
.Aa6 one thai Thomas was. :,