Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1880 — WHERE HE WAS. [ARTICLE]

WHERE HE WAS.

In Mexico—Breveted for Gallantry at Contreras and Cherubusco. f| At Williamsburg—McClellan telegraphed to Lincoln: " Hancock was superb to-day. At Antietam—He was in the thickest of the fight. At Chancellorsville —His horse was shot under him. . . , . , ~ At Gettysburg—He seemed there 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 one hundred and fifty guns on our lines. The air was full of missiles; streams of shot and shell screamed and hissed everywhere; it seemed as though nothing could live under that terrible fire —men and horses were torn limb limb; caissons were exploded one after another in rapid succession, blowing the gunners to pieces. The infantry hugged the ground closely, and sought every slight shelter that the light earthworks afforded It was literally a storm of shot and shell, like the fall of raindrops or the beat of hailstones, Those who had taken part in every battle of the war never had seen anything like that cannonade, and the oldest soldiers began to be uneasy for the result. Hundreds and thousands were stricken down; the shrieks of animals and screams 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 any army on earth. Suddenly a band began to play “ lhe Star Spangled Banner,” and General Hancock, with his staff, with corps flag flying, appeared on the nght of his line, uncovered, and rode down the front of his men to the left. _ The soldiers hem their breath, expecting 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. Every soldier felt his heart thrill as he witnessed the magnificent courage of his general, and he resolved to do something that day which would equal it in daring. Just as Hancock reached the left of his 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, he rode slowly up his line from left to right, holding his hat in his hand, bowing and smiling to his troops as they lay flat 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 their brazen mouths, and streams of 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 hill side. Thirty stands of colors and an immense number 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 the ground had he not been helped from his horse. A ball had pierced his thigh, and for a time it was thought the wound was mortal.