The Life and Public Services of Winfield Scott Hancock, Major-general, U.S.A.

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Preface

To tell the story of the life of a> saccessful general is to recite a romance. Hard and cruel as the work of war may be in reality, it is only while it is doing that its hardships and its roughnesses are seen. When it is done, the glory of the result smooths the crudenesses, and gilds the dark places, and rounds the whole into a picturesque completeness. The love of conflict is as much a part of human nature as the love of peace ; and delight in tales of war Ues deep down in man's heart. Stories of heroes and of saints, of warfare temporal and spiritual, form the earliest literature of mankind.

But when to this is added the element of patriotism, and the successM warrior is one who fights not alone for glory or for the love of fighting, but for the love of country, a new zest is given the chronicle of his deeds. And when, still further, this love of country is the love of a free, popular government, — when the struggle is for the sake of liberty and for maintaining the will of the people, — the soldier in such a cause becomes a hero, whether successful or not.

The subject of this sketch is such a hero, and a most successful one. But, great as is his glory in war, the impartial historian will accord him at least equal honor for the display of rare administrative talent in civil affairs, — most rare, indeed, in connection with such superlative military genius as be has shown.

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8 FBEFAGE.

In writiDg the life of this patriot, soldier, and statesman, the only embarrassment is that of a superabundance of material. His life has been one long romance of duty well performed, filled with adventure, with great deeds, and with noble actions. To select from the history of the American Bepubiie during the past forty years such facts as may show the part which General Hancock has taken in the work of making and savii^ our country is the purpose of the writer of this volume. Mudh has to be left untold in the limits of a work of this sort. It is sought simply to show the man as he appears in the history of his couptry.

In collecting facts for this work, especial care has been tdken to secure absolute authenticity; and the author acknowledges his indebtedness to the courtesy of Hon. B. E. Chain and Hon. B. M. Boyer, of Norristown, Penn., intimate companions of the boy Winfield and trusted friends of the General ; to Gen. William B. Franklin, Gen. St. Clair A. Mulhi^and, Gen. George H. Gordon, Hon. Geoige L. Thomdike, and others of his companions in arms ; to Townsend Ward, Esq., Secretary of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and to many others. The stoiy of General Hancock's public services is chiefly taken from the ofiloial reports and documents of Congress and the War Department ; and, among unofficial sources, from Moore's '^ Record of the Rebellion," Greeley's * 'American Conflict," and Swinton's ''Army of the Potomac" and " Twelve Great Battles."

F. E. G.

Impependencb Square, Boston, July 15, 1880 ooiirrEirrs*

*Mi

XntroductioKi • • f • I • • • » » I 13

Past L-^Bot j»0 MAzr.

Chapter L — The Hftnooek Family. ^ Its Serrioes in the War of the Bevolatloii. — Marriaipo of Bei^amiD F. Jlancook and Settlement in Korrietown, Penn. — Early Struggles of the Yoang Couple. — Sehool-Teaohing and Law. — Edacation of the Twins, Winfleld and Hilary, 21

Cbaptbr II. — Birth and Boyhood. — His Kame, and its Influence upon his Career. — The School-boys' Train-baod — Captain Winfield.— > The Champion of the Weak. — Anecdotes of his School* days, 28

Chapter III. — One of Winfield Hancock's drams. — His Home Life. — A Student in Norristown Academy. — The Baptist Sanday-SchooL — A Csdist at West Point. — How he was appointed. — His Classmates, 34

Part II.— The Soldier.

Chapter I. — Lieutenant Hancock enters the Sixth Infantry.— Proteotiug the Advance Guard ef White Settlers. — The Outbreak of the Moxioan War.— Haucock's Request to be ordered to the Front. — He is sent to Mexico. — He begins to make a Record, 45

Chapter U. — Battle of Chnrubnsco. — The Advance upon the City of Mexico. — General Worth's Brigade ordered to carry the Fortification. — Lieutenant Hancock's Companv Leads the Charge. — The Bepulse. — Lieutenant Hancock wins nis first Brevet for Gallantry in Action, . . . . » 53

Chapter UI. — Molino del Bey. — Situation of Scott's Army before the City of Mexico — Lieutenant Hancock again foremost in the Pest of Danger. — He leads his Company against the Battery at Molino del Key. — Hancock saved amid the Carnage, . . 59

Chapter IV. — Chapultepee. — Hancock describes bis Feelings while confined to the House by Fever. — The Entry into the City of Mexico. — Lieutenant Hancock's Letters Home. — End of the War, 65

Chapter Y.- Lientenant Hancock Returns to the Department of the West. — He becomes Regimental Quartermaster, and then Adjutant. — His Marriage at St Louis.—* The Seminole War. — Brigham Young's Declaration of Independence^ — Hancock Ordered to CaJUfomia, 70

10 CONTENTS.

Part IIL — The Patriot.

Chapter I.— The Fire upon Samter. — How the News was reeeired in Califoraia. — Captaiu Hancock's Efforts to keep the State ia the Union. — He asks to be ordered into Active Service, . . 79

Chafteb U. — The Peninsnlar Campaign. — Sie^ and Capture of Yorktown. — The Battle of Williamsburg. — Hooker Repulsed at Fort Magruder. — Hancock Turns the Enemy's Flank, . . 85

Chapter III. — Hancock again Brevetted for Gallantry. — His Work in the Preliminaries of the Peninsular Campaign. — Military Discipline. — Raids upon the Virginia Farms. — Mr. Vollin, . 94

Chapter rv. — The Advance towards Richmond. — Battle of the Chickahominy. — Goldin^'s Farm. — Hancock repulses Toombs' Assault. — He holds the Enemy at Bay at White Oak Swamp, 100

Chapter V. — Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia. — Hancock joins in the Movement to Centreville. — McClellan's Maryland Campaign against Lee. — Forcing Crampton's Pass. — Antietam. — Hancock takes Command of a Division, 106

Chapter VI. — Fredericksburg. — Opening the Campaign of the Rappahannock. — Hancock receives his Commission as Migor-General of Volunteers. — He Commands a Division on the March to Fredericksburg. — Hancock Wounded, 112

Chapter VII. — Chancellorsville. — '* Fighting Joe " Hooker in command of the Army of the Potomac. — Hancock again leads his Division across the Rappahannock. — Occupation of Chancellorsville. -> Hancock takes Command of the Second Corps, . . 118

Chapter VIH. — The March to Gettysburg. — Lee Resolves upon an Invasion of the North. — Hooker's Resignation. — The Camp on the Rappahannock broken up. — Hancock's Corps the Rear Guard, 123 .

Chapter IX. — Gettysburg. — The First Day. — Meade arrives at Taney town. — The Advance Guard strikes the Enemy. — "For God's Sake send up Hancock." — Meade puts Hancock in command at the Front. — He Selects the Battle-ground, .... 130

Chapter X. — Gettysburg. — The Second Day. — Hancock in comr mand at the Left Centre. — Sickles's Corps cut up. — Hancock to the Rescue. — The Absolution of the Irish Brigade. — Fight for the Ridge in front of the Wheat-field, .... 139

ChapterXL — Gettysburg.— The Third Day. — The Storm of Fire.

— Hancock's Wonderful Deed of Valor. — The Final Desperate Assault of the Confederates. — Hancock Beats them Back. — Struck Down in the Moment of Victory, 146

Chapter XII. — After Gettysburg. — General Meade's Report. — Hancock's Fight ** Terminated the Battle." — His Opinion of the Battle and its Results. — Hancock's Wound. — The Surgeon's Story. — His Journey Home. — Invalid Soldiers carry him on their Shoulders to his Father's House. — He Returns to Duty, . 154

Chapter XIII. — The Wilderness. — Grant takes Command of all the Annies. — Hancock Leads the Advance. — The Story of One of the gallant Second Corps. — Hancock leads the Charge, . . 164

CONTENTS. 11

Chapter XIV» — Spottsyl vania. — HaDcock fights the Battle of the Po. — General Sedgwick's Death. — The Bloodiest Battle of the War. — Hancock Takes and Holds the Famous " Salient Angle.'* — Hancock's Uetort, 171

Chapter XV. — Cold Harbor. — The March from Spottsylvania toward Kichmond. — A Race between Two Armies. — Hancock lind» Lee at the North Anna. — He Carries the Bridge, . . 17S

Chapter XVI. — Petersburg. — Hancock Celebrates Bunker-hill Day.

— He Leads Successful Movements. — His Old Wound Reojieus. — Tho Explosion of the Petersburg Mine, 184

Chapter XVII. — About Petersburg. — Hancock Commands at Deep. Bottom. — Promotion. — His Horse shot under him at Reams' Station. — Battle of Iho Boydton Plauk Road. — Recruiting a Veteran Corps. — Brevet Major-General for Gallantry at Spottsylvania. — lu command of tho Middle Military Division when Lee Surrenders, 190

Chapter XVIH. — Hancock as a Commander. — The Love and Admiration of his Soldiers for their Geueral. — General Walker describes his Character aud Habits. — Custer Sketches him at Williamsburg. — Tho Secret of Hancock's Genius, . . 195

Part IV. — The Statesman.

Chapter I. — Hancock's Character. — How it Developed under the luHuenco of bis Career. — A Man of the People. — His Strong Purpose ill Life. — Tho Discipline of Army Service. — His Administrative Ability. — A Well-rounded Character, .... 206

Chapter II. — Assassination of President Lincoln. — Arrest and Trial of tho Conspirators. — Execution of Mrs. Surratt. — Charges oi Cruelty against General Hancock. — Mrs. Surratt's Counsel makes a Statement. — Also her Spiritual Adviser. — Geueral Hancock's Tenderness toward the Unfortnnate Woman and her Daughter.

— He posts Couriers^to Carry a Pardon, 214

Chapter III. — Hancock again at tho West. — He is Called back to take Command of the Fifth Military District. — Sketch of the Progress of Reconstniction. — The Quarrel between the Executive and Congress. — The Souib Divided up into Satrapies. — Sheridan Removed, and Hancock Called to take his Place, .... 231

Chapter IV. — Hancock takes Command of the Fifth Military District. — His Reception at Washington. — The vast Powers placed in his Hands. — His Opening Proclamation. — The Famous *' Order No. 40."— Judge Black's Letter, 24C

Chapter V. — Reception of "General Order No. 40." — Civil Government Resumes its Sway. — The Laws to be Sustained by the Miliiary Arm. — The Qualifications of Jurors. — Disposition of Property by tho Courts. — Registration of Voters, . . . 249

Chapter VI. — Ceueral Hancock and t he Carpet-Baggers. — He reads Governor Pease a Lecture on Constitutional Government. — His Refusal to Supplant tho Courts by Military Commissions. — Riparian Rights not to be Adjudicated upon by Courts-Martial, . 264

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13 CJONTENTS.

Chaffer VII. -*Troo|>8 at the Polls. — Hancock's Famoiu Order. -^ Hancock Declines to use his Troops fbr the Collection of Taxes. — He Instructs Governor Pease in the Art of Law and of Civil Government. — Hancock's Letter to General Howard, . . . 274

Chaptee VIIL — The Carpet-Baggers protest against Civil Govern-! ment. — Governor Pease's Open Letter. — General Hancock's Reply. — Congress attempts to get rid of Hancock.— Grant revokes Han- Cock's Orders. — Hancock's Besignation, ..... 283

Chapter IX. — Hancock's Consistent and Patriotic Democracy. — His California Speech in 1861. — His Acts in 1868. — The Democratic Convention of 1868. — Hancock the Loading Candidate. — The Convention of 1876.' — Ho Again Receives a Large Vote, . . 302

Chapter X. — The Cincinnati Convention of 1880.— Daniel Dougherty of Philadelphia nominates General Hancock. — Speech of Governor Hubbard of -Texas, Seconding the Nomination.—- Hancock nominated on the Second Ballot. — Speeches, . . « 315

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND PUBLIC CAREER OF WM. D. EJfGLISH.

Chapter I. — Parentage of William H. English. — Soand Democratic Stock. — Admitted to Practice in the Uuite<i States Supreme Court at the Age of Twenty-three. — He enters Politics in the Polk Cam-

Saign. — Elected to the Legislature. — Chosen Speaker of the Louse, ••...*.....« o<«*/

Chapter II.— Election to Congress. — The Famons Kansas-Nebraska^ Bill and Mr. English's action Thereon. — The "Popular Sover-' eignty" Idea. — Congress..— Labor against l^now-Nothingism. — The " English Bill," 338

Chapter III. — Letter fh)m President Bnchanan. — The Shadow of the Civil War. — Mr. English's Position. — Retirement from Public Life. — Founder of the First National Bank of IndianaxM>lis. — Views on the Money Question, 350

Chapter IV. — The Democratic National Convention of 1880. — The Nomination of Hancock for President is followed by that of English for Vice-President. — Speech of Acceptance, . , . 363

General Hancock's Letter of Acceptance, 368

Mr. English's Letter of Acceptance, 371

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Steel Portrait of Major-General Hancock, . . Frontispiece.

Steel Portrait of Hon. William H. English, . . Facing page 327

Hancock's Early Home at Norristown, Pa., . . " " 32

Foraging Party, " "97

Antietam, « "111

Crossing the Rapidan, " "165

Cavalry Charge, ....... " "179

Geu. Hancock's Residence at Governor's Island, • " ** 315

IKTRODTJOTIOK.

No history of the great civil war can be written

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without reciting the brilliant militaiy record of Major- General Winfield Scott Hancock. Educated in the military art at West Point, trained in the application of military principles to practice in the Mexican war, where he was brevetted for gallant and meritorious conduct, he had attained the age and the experience which make an accomplished soldier, at the commencement of what proved to be the greatest and most terrible war of ancient or modem times.

His gallantly and skill were shown on many of the hardest fought battle-fields, — at Williamsburg, Frazer's Farm, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna, the second battle of Cold Harbor, and the operations around Petersburg. It may be said that he took a prominent part in every important battle fought in the East, and thus largely contributed to the success of our arms and the restoration of the Union of the States.

The fame of this distinguished commander Is secure. It is recognized not only by his grateful countrymen,

14 INTBODUCnON.

but in all lands where militaiy talent and genius are 1 appreciated, and courage, fortitude, and the maxtial virtues recognized and honored. There is, and can be, no question of his rank as a great soldier. None challenge it. His title is clear, certain, and indisputable. Time, which levels so much and qualifies so often and so largely the claims of the great men of history, will never disturb his right to the niche in the temple of fame accorded to him by his contemporaries. His military services have been so recently rendered, that their mention is not necessary for the information of his countrymen, for they know them by heart. But there is a part of his life and history not shown in his public record, nor in his achievements on the battle-field, which the people must now desire to know ; as the great Democratic party — the party which the eloquent Choate declared, "bore the national flag and kept step to the music of the Union" — has, through its representatives, unanimously nominated him as its candidate for the Presidency. They know him as the brave, brilliant, and successful soldier ; but they have had no opportunities to learn the other sides of his character, nor those many qualities of head and heart which largely led to his nomination, and which eminently fit, him for the discharge of the duties of the gi'eat ojEce to which he will undojiibtedly be elected in November next. To supply the popular demand for t Vi

INtKODUCnON. 15

such information, it has been proposed to give, in the pages which follow, a brief sketch of the private as well as public life of this distinguished citizen.

It will bo generally conceded that there is a growing objection in the public mind to military candidates for the Presidency. This feeling doubtless comes from fear of the repetition of the cases, with which history bristles, of usurpation by successfiil soldiers of the executive power to the overthrow of constitutional government. Nor is it surprising that these usurpations occur. In war, the laws are silent; and the soldier, substituting his will as authority, recognizes no instrument for the attainment of his objects but force. When war ceases, he naturally submits with reluctance to a return to the methods of the civil power for administering government, and if his army is devoted to him, the temptation to seize upon power is often too great for resistance. Whether in this age of popular intelligence, and with a people possessed of ample means for combination and resistance to a coup d'etat^ all such apprehension is to be deemed groundless, it will not be necessary now to consider. In the case of Greneral Hancock, the objection that he is a soldier must dissipate, for his honest and patriotic conduct after the surrender of Lee and the termination of the war, in recognizing the rights of our citizens under the Constitution, showed most conclusively that he had no

16 niTBDBUCtlON.

disposition, if he had the power, to act the rdh of the conqueror ; that Washington, the Father of his Country, and not Napoleon, was his inspiration and guide. There is nothing nobler or more sublime in history than the eonduet of this hero of a hundred bat* ties, on the occasion referred to. His letter to Gov^ emor Pease, of Teicas, in 1868, when commanding the Fifth Military District, wherein he completely subordinates the military to the civil power in time of peace, wUl alone render his name illustrious and forever dear to all who love civil Uberty. When the judgment of mankind shall be elevated and refined by a higher civilization, so that it shall the more truly adjust the claims of its benefactors to the rewards of heroic conduct^ this patriotic surrender of the great soldier to the supremacy of the civil law will add more to his fame than all his great military achievements.

Let it be remembered that the action of General Hancock was in opposition to his official superiors at Washington, who for political and pai-tisan purposes wished to keep the South under militarj'- control, with 1 no rights that a Eepublican was bound to respect. Let it be remembered that he imperiUed his official and professional life by this sacred respect for right and patriotic regard for law, and our admir.ition augments^ i and we feel that whatever fear of detriment to th« Republic might obtiiin, should any other of our c>Uv.'cessful f

INTBODtJCmON. 17

I generals becoma President, there could be no danger \ in placing him in thci chair once occupied by Washing- : ton, who had shown himself possessed of equal moder- * ation, and equal respect for the Constitution and the laws of the country.

It is a curious fact that, notwithstanding the supposed popular distrust of miUtaiy men for Presidents, SO large a number should have been elected to this high office : Washington, Monroe, Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Pierce, Grant, and Hayes were all soldiers, and were mostly selected as candidates because of their military record. When we consider the functions and duties of the executive, it would seem that a soldier, accomplished in his art, would be eminently fitted for the discharge of these duties ; and, but for the popular apprehension before alluded to, the military qualities, instead of bemg an objection, would be regarded as a qualification in a supreme magistrate.

There is this advantage in favor of selecting Presidents from the military profession. They are not as likely to be conmiitted to any partisanship touching political questions, beyond a general endorsement of the principles of the party to which they adhere. Their professional position keeps them outside of party feuds and dissensions, and enables them to take broader and, as it were, more judicial views of political questions and measures than those laymen who, to

18 INTBODUOnON.

become sufficiently prominent to be candidates for tlio t high office, must make politics a profession.

In applying this observation to Greneral Hancock, we might observe that, while he endorses the platform of principles adopted by the Cincinnati Convention and approves the general policy of the Democratic party in respect to the important issues of the campaign, in doing so he is not called to modify previous opinions inconsistent with these principles, nor explain any former action antagonistic thereto. He will enter upon the discharge of the great trust which the people will conmait to him in March, free of all obligations, and relieved of every influence which might embarrass or fetter him. He has been always noted for his energy, industry, perseverance, fortitude, and patience. His intelligence, good judgment and sagacity are well-known. His knowledge of men has been conspicuously shown in the selection of his staff officers, as he has always surrounded himself with able assistants who well understood the work wanted from them. We are warranted in believing from his action in this respect that, should he become President, he will call to his aid cabinet advisers who will know their duty and be competent to discharge it. Right men will be put in the right places. The public interests will not suffer through official appointments made for political service only, nor will the country be longer

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INTRODUCTION. 19

I,

disgraced by the swarms of bummers who for years have infested every department of the government.

In looking through the life of General Hancock, we find, from the time he left West Point Academy, during all his military career, in war and in peace, he has exhibited peculiar aptitude for the duties of an executive officer. Possessing in an eminent degree what is termed ''character," his official conduct seems to have been always guided by fixed principles. He first seeks to find what duty requires in the matter before him, and, this ascertained, he enters at once upon the performance of the requisition. Without doubt, the nature of the military profession fosters and develops this habit of mind. We inay say that he is eminently a man of convictions, with the courage of his convictions ; but not obstinate in temper, nor imyielding, if good reasons be shown for a change of opinion. He is in every respect a most available candidate. There is nothing in his record which we are called to defend. We can abandon our shields in this contest, for we have no use for them. He is popular with all sections. His nomination satisfies equally the North and the South. He has united into a compact body a divided Democracy, and so acceptable is he to large numbers of our political opponents that we find Independent Republican Hancock organizations springing up in nearly all the States.

20 INTRO00OXEON.

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We have i^oken ei him as eertain to be elected, not only because this seems to be the general convictionj but because we feel that since such happy results would follow his election, it must occur that the fitness of ihings may be maintained* With Greneral Hancock as President of the United States, all the hMeous past would be biiiied forever. Demagogues would cease their devilish work of keeping the sections hostile by i rekindling sectional animosities. Amity and fraternal j regard would make us again one people. The era of good feeling would return, and the issue settled by war, "an indestructible union of indestructible States,'* everywh^e recognized.

i'BEPEiaCK O. PBINCE.

BosxoK, July 12, 1880.

WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.

T I.

BOY AND MAN.

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