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| 8.5" X 11" Limited Edition Print Signed and Numbered (of 100) |
| Winfield Scott Hancock |
| He was dubbed "The Hero of Gettysburg." After proving himself one of the greatest American generals of all time, he later became the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. Throughout his life, he offered a model of honesty and patriotism which should forever be emulated by Americans. Born in Montgomery Square, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1824, and although named for America's top military hero of the day, Winfield Scott Hancock was not originally intended for a military career; nevertheless he was destined to become one of the best corps commanders in the Union army. An 1844 graduate of West Point, he had served in the infantry during the Mexican War and earned a brevet before transferring to the quartermaster's department. Fearing that he would be left to sit in California-where he had been instrumental in frustrating the plans of local secessionists-while the war raged elsewhere, he was ordered East for quartermaster duties but arrived to a brigadier's star. Taking his brigade to the Peninsula, he led a critical flank attack at Williamsburg and earned the sobriquet "Superb. " He continued to distinguish himself during the rest of the dismal campaign. During the battle of Antietam, Israel B. Richardson was killed and Hancock was sent to command his division in the 2nd Corps-thus beginning an historic association. At Fredericksburg his division took part in the costly assaults on Marye's Heights and at Chancellorsville he skillfully covered the Union withdrawal. With corps commander Couch's request for transfer accepted, Hancock stepped up to the 2nd Corps leadership. With the fall of John F. Reynolds early on the first day at Gettysburg, Meade dispatched Hancock to take over that wing of the army and decide whether the battle should be fought there or not. This was a high honor since Oliver 0. Howard, a senior officer, was already on the field. Belatedly he received the Thanks of Congress for this action. On the second and third days of the battle Hancock directed the Union center until wounded by a nail and by wood fragments-possibly from his saddle driven into his thigh by enemy fire. A long recovery followed during which he performed some recruiting duty. Remaining in the army, he assumed command of the Dept. of the East, with Hq at Governors Island, New York in 1877. He was a potential Democratic candidate for the presidency in 1868.In 1880 he was the nominee but was narrowly defeated by James Garfield. The best biographies acknowledge a subject's foibles. Hancock's biographers, however, did not tell us what his faults were. His wife of 36 years, Almira, did not reveal his faults, and she destroyed many of his personal letters. His political rivals could find little more to complain about than his stubborn honesty and integrity. General William T. Sherman told an interviewer, "if you will sit down and write the best that can be put in the English language of General Hancock as a soldier and as a gentleman, I will sign it without hesitation." When Winfield Scott Hancock passed away in 1886, former President Hayes said succinctly, "he was through and through pure gold." Source: Various internet biographies and written quotes. |