Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1880 — STAR SPANGLED BANNER. [ARTICLE]

STAR SPANGLED BANNER.

<>icn. W. S. Hancock at (•cltyNbiirg. In the Philadelphia Times is a pen picture of Gen. Winfield S. Hancock from his boyhood days up to the present time, written by Gen. J. S. Brisbin. We extract the following graphic account of the part played by the heroic General in the terrific conflict at Gettysburg: “It was at Gettysburg Hancock again loomed up before the country as a hero. When he arrived on the field he found the army in confusion, and retreat had already begun. Planting some infantry and batteries on Cemetery hill, he threw his whole energy into the battle and checked the enemy. Schwerin and Saxe were said to be worth each a reinforcement of 10,000 men to any army ; Torstensin was rated at equal to 15,000, and the Duke of Wellington said the arrival of Napoleon on a battlefield was a better reinforcement to the French army than the accession of 40,000 fresh troops. What, then, shall we say of the value of Gen. Hancock’s arrival at the critical moment on the battlefield of Gettysburg, a battle that by common consent is now admitted to have decided the fate of the Union, and fixed the final result of the war ? “Of Gen. Hancock’s individual attention at Gettysburg it would require a volume to tell. His was really the action of the army, and Round Top, Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Heights were his creations. He sent word to Gen. Meade that that was the place to fight, and, seizing the favorable positions, with the eye of a consummate General, hung on to them with the advance until Meade brought up the whole army and 4 e Uv* ere 4 m battle.

“Hancock was grand and magnificent in the battle of Gettysburg, and seemed the very incarnation of war. On the second day he was at Cemetery Heights during the frightful cannonade when the rebels concentrated the fire of 150 guns on our lines. The air was full of missiles ; streams of shot and shell hissed everywhere; it seemed as if nothing could live under that terrible fire—men and horses were torn limb from limb; caissons exploded one after another in succession, blowing the gunners to pieces. The infantry hugged the ground closely and sought every shelter that the light earthworks afforded. It was literally a storm of shot and shell, like the fall of rain-drops or the beat of hail-stones. Those who had taken part in every battle of the war never had seen anything like t(iat cannonade, and the oldest soldiers'began to be uneasy for the result. Hundreds and thousands were stricken down; the shrieks of animals and sereams of wounded men were appalling ; still the awful rushing sound of flying missiles went on and apparently never would cease. It was then, when the firmest ’hearts had begun to quail, the army witnessed one of the grandest sights ever beheld by an army on earth. Suddenly a band began to play “The Star Spangled Banner,” and Gen. Hancock, with his staff Maj. Mitchell, Capt. Bingham, Capt. Parker, Capt. Bronson—with corps flag flying in the hands of Private Wells, appeared on the right of his line uncovered and rode down the front of his men to the left. The soldiers held their breath, expecting every moment to see him fall from his horse pierced by a dozen bullets, but still he rode on, while the shot roared and crashed around him, every moment tearing great gaps in the ranks by his side.

Stormed by shot and shell, Boidiy he rode, and well. “Every soldier felt his heart thrill as lie witnessed the magnificent courage of this General, and he resolved to do something that day which would equal it in daring. Just as Hancock reached the left of line the rebel batteries ceased to play, and their infantry, 18,000 strong, were seen emerging from the woods and advancing up the hill. Hancock knew the artillery fire had been intended to demoralize his men and cover the advance of their infantry, which was to make the real attack. Turning his horse lie rode slowdy up his line from left to right, holding his hat in his hand, bowing and smiling to the troops as they lay fiat on the ground. Hardly had he reached the right of the line when the men, who, inspired by the courage of their General, could now hardly restrain themselves, received orders to attack the advancing rebels. Eighty guns which Hancock had concentrated opened tlieir brazen mouths and streams of blue bullets flew from the muzzles of our rifles to the breasts of the Confederates. It was an awful day, and Longstreet’s ‘ Old Guard of the South ’ melted away like wax under that terrible fire. Of the 18,000 who came to the attack, 5,000 fell or were captured on the hillside. Thirty stand of colors and an immense amount of small arms were taken. Hancock was everywhere riding the storm of battle as if he bore a charmed life. At last, just in the moment of victory, he was .seen to reel in his saddle and would have fallen to Hie ground had lie not been helped from his horse. A ball had pierced his thigh, and for a time it was thought the wound Avas mortal. “ ‘Tell Gen. Meade,’ said Hancock, addressing his aide, Col. Mitchell, * that the troops under my command have repulsed the enemy and gained a great victory. The enemy are now flying in all directions in my front.’ ‘ 4 When the aide delivered this message to Gen. Meade, and added his General Avas badly Avounded, Meade said : 4 Say to Gen. Hancock that I am sorry he is Avounded, and that I thank him for myself and for the country for the service ho has rendered to-day.’ ”