Life of Winfield Scott Hancock, major-general, U. S. A.

Preface

To tell the story of the life of a successful 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 lies 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 successful 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 aflairs, — most rare, indeed, in connection with such superlative military genius as he has shown.

8 PREFACE.

In writing the life of this patriot, soldier, and statesman, the only embarrassment is that of a superabundance of ma terial. 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 Republic during the past forty years such facts as may show the part which General Hancock has taken in the work of making and saving our country is the purpose of the writer of this volume. Much 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 country.

In collecting facts for this work, especial care has been taken 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. MulhoUand, Gen. George H. Gordon, Hon. George L. Thorndike, and others of his companions in arms ; to Townsend Ward, Esq., Secretary of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and to many others. The story of General Hancock's public services is chiefly taken from the official 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."

The heroes of the great civil wfir are fast passing away. Within a few short months the country has mourned the loss ct Grant, McClellan, and Hancock. Their lives and their

PREFACE. 9

deeds have become history. It is a history in which any

nation might take pride, and in no page is it more brilliant

than in that which records the career of Winfield Scott Hancock.

F. E. a.

Independence Square, Boston, February, 1886.

OONTEIfTS.

Page Preface 7

Chapter I. The Hancock Family

Its Services in tlie "War of the Revolution. — Marriage of Benjamin F. Hancock and Settlement in Norristown, Penn. — Early Struggles of the Young Couple. — School-Teaching and Law. — Education of the Twins, Winfield and Hilary 21

Chapter I. On The Frontier

Lieutenant Hancock enters the Sixth Infantry. — Protecting the Advance Guard of White Settlers. — The Outbreak of the Mexican War. — Hancock's Request to be ordered to the Front. — He

is sent to Mexico. — He begins to make a Record 45

Chapter II. His First Brevet

Battle of Churubusco. — The Advance upon the City of Mexico. — General Worth's Brigade ordered to carry the Fortification. — Lieutenant Hancock's Company leads the Charge.— The Repulse.

— Lieutenant Hancock wins his first Brevet for Gallantry in Action . 53

CHAPTER IIL

MOLINO DEL REY.

Situation of Scott's Army before the City of Mexico. — Lieutenant Hancock again foremost in the Post of Danger. — He leads his Company against the Battery at Molino del Rey. — Hancock saved amid the Carnage 59

Chapter IV. Chapultepec

Hancock describes his 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 V. Peace And A Home

Lieutenant 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 California, 70

Part III. — The Patriot. Chapter L

THE CALL OF HIS COUNTRY.

The Fire upon Sumter. — How the News was received in California.

— Captain Hancock's ElTorts to keep the State in the Union. — He asks to be ordered into Active Service 79

CHAPTER 11.

ON THE PENINSULA.

The Peninsular Campaign. — Siege and Capture of Yorktown. — The Battle of Williamsburg. — Hooker rej)ulse(l at Fort Magruder. Hancock turns the Enemy's Flank 85

CHAPTER III.

ORGANIZING AN AKMY.

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 lY.

ON TO RICHMOND!

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

CHAPTER Y.

ANTIETAM.

Pope's Campaign in Northern Yirginia. — 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 YI.

FREDERICKSBURG.

Opening the Campaign of the Rappahannock. —Hancock receives his Commission as Major-General of Volunteers. — He commands a Division on the March to Fredericksburg. — Hancock wounded, 112

CHAPTER YIL

THE CLOVER-LEAF BADGE.

Cbancellorsville. — " 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 YIII.

THE INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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

CHAPTER IX.

GETTYSBURG. — THE FIRST DAY.

Meade arrives at Taneytown. — 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 Command 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

CHAPTER XL

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 XIL

THE WOUNDED HERO.

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 XIIL

IN THE WILDERNESS.

Grant takes Command of all the Armies. — Hancock leads the Advance. — The Story of One of the Gallant Second Corps.— Hancock leads the Charge 104

CHAPTER XIV.

SPOTTSYLVANIA.

Hancock 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 Retort 171

CHAPTER XV.

A RACE BETWEEN TWO ARMIES.

Cold Harbor. — The March from Spottsylvania toward Richmond. — A Race between Two A rmies. — Hancock finds Lee at the North Anna. — He carries the Bridge 179

CHAPTER XVI.

THE PETERSBURG MINE.

Petersburg. — Hancock celebrates Bunker-hill Day. — He leads Successful Movements. — His Old Wound re-opens. — The Explosion of the Petersburg Mine 184

CHAPTER XVII.

LEE AT APPOMATTOX.

About Petersburg. — Hancock commands at Deep Bottom. — Promotion. — His Horse shot under him at Reams' Station. — Battle of the Boydton Plank-Road. — Recruiting a Veteran Corps. — Brevet Major-General for Gallantry at Spottsylvania. —In Command of the Middle Military Divison when Lee surrenders . . 190

CHAPTER XVIII.

HANCOCK AS A COMMANDER.

The Love and Admiration of his Soldiers for their General. — General Walker describes his Character and Habits. — Custer sketches him at Williamsburg.— The Secret of Hancock's Genius, 195

Chapter I. A Well-rounded Character

Hancock's Character. — How it developed under the Influence of his Career. — A Man of the People. — His Strong Purpose in Life. —The Discipline of Army Service. — His Administrative Ability, 209

Chapter II. The Assassination Conspiracy

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

— He posts Couriers to carry Pardon 214

Chapter III. Reconstruction

Hancock again at the "West. — He is called back to take Command of the Fifth Military District. — Sketch of the Progress of Reconstruction. — The Quarrel between the Executive and Congress.

— The South divided up into Satrapies. — Sheridan removed, and Hancock called to take his Place 231

Chapter IV. General Order No. 40

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 240

Chapter V. The Conflict Of Law And Arms

Reception of " General Order No. 40." — Civil Government resumes its Sway. — The Laws to be sustained by the Military Arm. — The Qualifications of Jurors. —Disposition of Property by the Courts. — Registration of Voters 249

CHAPTER VL

CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.

General Hancock and the Carpet-Baggers. — Governor Pease and Constitutional Government. —Hancock refuses to supjilant the Courts by Military Commissions. — Riparian Rights not to be adjudicated ui^on by Courts-Martial 264

Chapter VII. The Supremacy Of Civil Law

Troops at the Polls. — Hancock's Famous Order. — Hancock declines to use his Troops for the Collection of Taxes. —The Art of Law and of Civil Government. — Hancock's Letter to General Howard 274

CHAPTER VIIL

RESIGNATION AS MILITARY GOVERNOR.

The Carpet-Baggers protest against Civil Government. — Governor Pease's Open Letter. —General Hancock's Reply. — Congress attempts to get rid of Hancock. — Hancock's Resignation . . . 283

Chapter IX. In The Presidential Field

General Hancock's Patriotism. — He is sought to lead the Democratic Party. — The National Convention of 18G8. — Tilden's Nomination in 187G. — Hancock's Letter on the Electoral Contest. — The Cincinnati Convention. — Hancock nominated unanimously. — The Campaign. —Garfield's Election 300

Chapter X. Senior Major-general

Hancock assigned to the Division of the Atlantic. — Life at Governor's Island. — A Quiet and Honored Existence. — Duties of the Senior Major-General. — His Home Life. — Family Bereavements. — Death of General Grant. — The Funeral Pageant

CHAPTER XL

THE END OF EARTH.

Last Days. — Hancock's Short and Fatal Illness. — On Duty to the Last Moment. — A Nation in Mourning. — Funeral Services in Trinity Church. — Return of the Hero to the Home of his Childhood. — The Cemetery at Norristown. — Tributes of Honor, Respect, and Affection , »

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE.

Steel Portrait of General, Hancock .... Frontispiece. "

Hancock's Early Home, Norristown, Penn 32 '

Foraging Party 97 >■

Antietam Ill t

Hancock at the Battle of Gettysburg 147 -

Crossing the Rapidan 165 ^

Cavalry Charge 175 v

General Hancock's Residence, Governor's Island . . 323 ^ Hancock at the head of the Grant Funeral Procession 333 ^

Hancock's Tomb, Norristown, Penn 348

C, l^

WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.

I'.A.ia T I

BOY AND MAK.

CHxiPTER I.

The Hancock Family. — Its Services in the War of the Revolution. — Marriage of Benjamin F. Hancock and Settlement in Norristown, Penn. — Early Struggles of the Young Couple. — School- Teaching and Law. — Education of the Twins, Wintield and Hilary. — Character and Public Services of the Father of General Hancock. -

Early in the year 1828, a little family moved into the village of Norristown, Penn., from the farming country near by, and set up their modest household. This family consisted of Benjamin F. Hancock, his wife Elizabeth, and their twin sons. The boys, Winfield Scott Hancock and Hilary B. Hancock, were at that time four years old.

Both father and mother came of the farming families of Montgomery County. Their English ancestors had lived upon the soil in the old country ; their fathers and grandfathers had found more bountiful subsistence in the cultivation of the broad meadows along the Schuylkill and the rich intervales of the new land which they had possessed and made free ; Benjamin F. Hancock was himself a farmer ; Elizabeth Hexworth was a farmer's daughter.

It was a sturdy, patriotic stock, and it flourished in a section crowded with patriotic memories. Germantown, Brandy wine, Valley Forge, Paoli, are names indissolubly associated with the history of our struggle for independence as a Hepublic ; and it was among the associations clustering about these places that the Hancock family grew up.

These associations, too, were interwoven with their family histor}^ The grandfather of Elizabeth Hancock was one of the patriot farmers of the Revolution. He \von and honorably carried a captain's commission in Washington's army, and gave his life for his country, dying of the effect of hardships and privations in the Ijeld shortly after he saw the land made free for his children. Her father, Edvvard Hexworth, although a boy in his teens, also joined the patriot army, and fought hy the side of his father, returning to enjoy the fruits of the liberty for which he had given his youthful strength and enthusiasm. He attained great age, dying Jan. 29, 1847, upwards of 90 years old. Benjamin F. Hancock's father, Hichard Hancock, was a mariner. He was captured at sea, and, with so many other patriots, was given the choice of service against his country in the British navy, or consignment to the notorious Dartmoor Prison, whose name was a terror. He chose the patriot's part, and did not pass the double barricades of that melancholy enclosure until the close of the war. On his release, he returned to free America. In the war of 1812, when the British advanced their troops as far as Red Bank, and the safety of Philadelphia and all the towns in that section was threatened, Benjamin F. Hancock himself, then a mere lad, made one of the local company that garrisoned Camp Dupont.

This was the family whose youngest members took

WIXFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK. 25

up their residence in Norristown in 1828. It was good stock, — of the people, of the soil ; it had the traditions of earnest patriotism and honest labor; with neither crest nor pedigree, it held a place in the peerage of the Republic.

Benjamin F. Hancock, although born in Philadelphia, was brought up as a farmer; and it was while farming in the country near Montgomeryville that he paid his suit to Elizabeth Hexwoilh, a famier's daughter, and won her for his wdfe. Even at the time of his marriage he had aspirations for a different career, and with quiet earnestness he set himself to accomplish it. He had no means of his own ; his support, and that of his family, was the income that his own labor brought him. Farmer Hexworth was a man of moderate property, comfortably Avell off, but not of wealth sufficient to endow his daughter on her marriage. Indeed, such was not the custom among the farmers of Pennsylvania. The man who took upon himself the responsibilities of marriage was expected to know his ability to provide for his own. So the young couple set out in life dependent upon themselves, confident and brave. The husband, whose education was above the average, turned his talent to account in teaching a country school. The wife attended to domestic duties.

Then the children came ; and, under his increasing responsibilities, the father was impelled to push forward more rapidly in the career which he had marked out for himself. His ambition was not great ; but his purpose was steady : it was to place his children in a better position for starting in life than he had occupied.

2G LIFE AXD PUBLIC SERVICES OF

This it was that led him to remove to Nonistown, where there were opportunities for advancing himself and for eduoa(in«; his bo3's.

In ^'onistown, Avith then* young family, Benjamin Ilaneoek and his wife began their new life in a most modest way. They were poor; but they both had eoniideneo in themselves. The husband continued to teach school in Norristown, and meantime studied law in (he olHce of «Iohn Friedlcy, Esq. The wife, who was a true helpmeet, bravely took her share in the work of su})porting the family, and opened a milliners store in the house ; turning her talent, taste, and dexteritv to the best account in aid of her hard-workins: husband. Benjamin F. Hancock was admitted to the Montgomery County bar at Norristown, Aug. 19, 1828 ; and, long after this, the wife continued her occupation as milliner in i)leasant rooms on one side of the house, Avliilc the husband carried on his law business in his ollice on the opposite side.

The Hancock funily prospered, as they must have prospered with such earnest endeavor. Another son was born. The Vither was appointed justice of the peace ; and, while yet young, he began to receive proofs of the contidence and respect of his fellow-citizens, which naturally followed from his upright life. He was a (juiet, unassuming man, of sterling abilit}^ and gi-eat integrity. In his profession he was a counsellor, rather than a barrister : and he was much souijht for such business. Many were the trusts committed to his hands ; his character for uprightness standing high even in a borough whose lawyers have a proverbial reputation for honesty, and his strong good sense findin^'- reco^rnition from all his fellow-citizens.

One matter in which he took a special and active interest was public education. When he established himself in Norristown, the free-school .'system was not known in the State. Squire Hancock thoroughly believed in the system,— not as a pedagogu3, but as a practical man who had himself taught children, and who tad children of his own to educate. He was an earnest promoter of free pul)lic schools ; and, when the school' law was passed, he devoted his energies at once to the work of securing its advantages for his town, and accomplished as much as any other man in the formation and arrangement of the school system in Norristown. His own boys, whom he was educating at a private academy in the town, were taken out, and sent to the public schools ; and by example as well as by labor he urged the development of the system. From 1830 until his death, a period of thirty-one year^, he was a prominent and active member of the School Board of Norristown.

Mr. Hancock was further honored by the appointment as Collector of Internal Revenue by President Johnson, — a position which he held at the time of his death. He lived to see his son Hilary established in his own profession as a practising lawyer, his son John a colonel of volunteers in the war of the Rebellion, and Winlield wearing the stars of a major-general in the United States army. He died on the 1st of February, 1867, leaving to his children as the chief part of their inheritance the example of an honorable, Christian life. Mrs. Hancock survived her husband twelve years.

2S LITE AKD rUBLIC SERVICES OP

CHAPTER II.

Birth and Boyhood. — His Name, and its Influence upon his Career. — The School-boys' Train-baud. — Captain Winfield. — The Champion of the Weak. — Anecdotes of his School-days. — How he Met a Schoolmate in after Years.

WiNEiELD Scott Hancock, son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth Hancock, was born near Montgomery ville, Penn., on the 14th of February, 1824. His name was given him, not because of any relationship with the general who at that time held so high a popularity, but from admiration of the man. The Hancock family, on both the father's and the mother's side, had military traditions ; and the influence of this may have had its efiect in the choice of a name for one of the twin boys who came to the young couple that February day in the little farm-house in Montgomery County.

There is much in a name, especially when associated with hereditary tendencies ; and it can hardly be doubted that in this case the career of the young Pennsylvanian was in some degree determined by the name which he bore. It is, of course, natural to expect that, after the development of such exceptional military genius in the man, incidents of his boyhood should be recalled which seem to show that the bent of his mind was always in that direction. General Hancock's friends and school-mates tell with peculiar zest of the school -boy militia that used to train under his captain-

WINFIELD SCOTT HAI^COCK. 29

ship. They describe the wooden muskets with tin bayonets, the paper hats, and the home-made uniforms and flags, that distinguished their soldiery, and recount the parades and the drills in which they participated under the buddinor commander of thousands.

But it may be considered doubtful whether young Hancock really had any more than the usual boyish fondness for military display. One fact, however, is quite evident ; and this is, that even at an early age he showed the talent for leadership which developed to such a remarkable degree in the man. He was not only the captain of the school-boys' train-band, but the leader in sports, the chosen referee in boyish disputes. It was the frequent course, in case of a diflerence between the boys, for them to " leave it out to Winfield." And Winfield usually settled it with expedition, and with a good deal of sound common-sense. Gray-headed members of that juvenile militia company now relate with a chuckle — as illustratins: Winfield's readiness in an emergency — how he quelled insubordination that threatened to become a mutiny, by ordering the ringleaders to report at home to their mothers. Discipline was restored at once.

The boy Winfield was tall and slim, with no indications of his present figure ; and, indeed, he retained this physique until after he returned from the war. He was sound in body, mind, and morals ; for his home was a Christian one, and all the influences about the household of the Hancocks were wholesome and manly. One of his distins^uishiniic traits was an entire absence of fear in doing vyhat he considered his duty. He

30 LIFE AND PUBLIC SEEVICES Or

would tolerate no bullying of the smaller boys when he was about. As one of his school-mates says, "If a big boy undertook to worry a small boy, he'd find Winfield atop of him in short order."

Another story runs thus : There was a tumult among the boys returning home from school one day, just in front of Lawyer Hancock's office. The scuffle developed into a stand-up fight between two of the youngsters, which brought Mr. Hancock to his office door, as he recognized Winfield in one of the combatants.

" Come here, my son," called the father, in his invariably calm manner.

The boy walked directly up to the office door, and with flushed face looked his father straight in the eye.

"What is the matter, Winfield?" asked Mr. Hancock.

"That big boy tried to whip me," was the reply, " and I wasn't going to let him."

"But he is a great deal larger than you, my son."

" I know he is, father ; but I can't let him whip me."

The boy's persistence in his purpose of establishing the principle of equality had, however, to yield to the paternal judgment of the fitness of things, and the combat was closed then and there.

Keverence for parental authority was a characteristic of young Hancock, and so was filial afiection. His mother — whom he venerated through life, and deeply mourned when death removed her to rest beside her husband and General Hancock's only daughter in the quiet cemetery of Norristown — used to relate with happy pride an incident in point. It was when the twins were yet young that one evening she was left alone by the necessary absence of the father on public business until a late hour. She was engaged on some household work ; but she noticed that she was never alone. When bedtime came for the twins, one of them went, the other remained. After the lapse of an hour, the one who had been sitting quietly with her left the room, and the other came in to take his place. She found that the little fellows had, of their own motion, decided that mother was not to be left to sit up alone all that long evening, and had organized a watch to keep her company. One was to sit up the first hour ; the other, the next ; and so on.

Those who knew General Hancock as a boy speak always of his generosity as a leading trait in his character. There was nothing mean about him. He was thoughtful for others before himself. He always wanted his friends to share what good fortune he had, — to have as ofood as he had himself. This trait remained with him throu<2:hout his career, and won for him stanch friends in whatever station he found himself placed.

There is a story told which in a measure illustrates this quality, although its most curious interest is found in its sequel. A poor little orphan boy came to Norristown when Winfield was about eleven years old, sent there at the death of his parents to be cared for by distant relatives. Winfield, in a manner, took the little fellow under his protection. He was the youngest and the smallest boy in the school which they both attended, and was consequently on occasion the butt of those who were inclined to bully or tease. Young Hancock was alrcadj^ developing into a manly boy, and he stood between his little protege and his persecutors, fought his battles for him, made a place for him among the others, and divided with him his not very lavish supply of pocket-money in those treats which school-boys delight in. This little fellow left Norristown as poor as he had come into it, going to Philadelphia to work for his own living as soon as he had passed the dependent age, and reaching that city with only one cent in his pocket. But he was fortunate in finding work, and he worked so well at his trade, carpentering, that before long he was at the head of a gang of men ; and, to make a long story short, in the course of years he accumulated wealth, and, going into politics, was elected a member of the city council. During the same years, Winlield had also grown to man's estate, and made his own career in another field ; and it was the little forsaken fellow whom he had befriended in his school-days, who, in the city government of Philadelphia, introduced the resolutions of thanks and welcome to Major-Gen. Winlield Scott Hancock, in the name of the city, and offering him the use of the historic Independence Hall for a reception on his visit to Philadelphia. The chances of life had brou2:ht a^i^ain into immediate association John AV. Everman and Winfield S. Hancock, through paths so widely separated since the Norristown school-days, It was Everman, too, who, as chairman of the committee of the city government, presented the engrossed resolutions to his former school-mate and champion.

These recollections of the early boyhood of Vv^infield

Hancock's early home, norristown, pa.

WINTIELD SCOTT HAJVCOCK. 33

Scott Hancock are cherished as precious memories at his old home in the Schuylkill Valley ; having little value, indeed, in themselves, but serving to bring into closer sympathy the hero whom a united country honors, with the people from whom he came and one of whom he is.

34 LITE AND PUBLIC SERYICES OF

CHAPTER in.

One of Winfield Hancock's Cliiims. — His Home Life. — A Studeut in Norristowu Academy. — The Baptist Sunday-School. — A Cadet at West Point. — How he was Appointed. — His Class-mates. — Courtship and Marriage. — Birth of Children. — Honors received.

Among the intimate friends of General Hancock's school-boy days was Hon. B. E. Chain, now one of the leading lawyers of the Montgomery County bar. The friendship, which began in boyhood, has continued even to the present day ; Mr. Chain having had the settlement of the elder Hancock's estate, and in other ways giving the General and his family the benefit of his legal knowledge and business ability. A more vivid picture of General Hancock as a youth cannot be found in brief space than that which Mr. Chain gives in his own words, as follows : —