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Winfield Scott Hancock (February 14, 1824 – February 9, 1886) was a career United States Army officer, serving with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service in the Mexican-American War and as a Union general in the American Civil War. He is best known for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded. His reputation as a man of integrity earned him the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States in 1880. He ultimately lost to Republican Party candidate James Garfield, although the popular vote was the closest ever, a record that still stands as of this writing.
He was named for War of 1812 hero Winfield Scott, whom he later served under in at least part of two wars.
Winfield Scott Hancock in The Guns of the South[]
During the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5-6, 1864, Winfield Scott Hancock commanded II Corps of the Army of the Potomac. On the first day of battle, his forces were trapped between A.P. Hill's III Corp advancing south and James Longstreet's I Corp advancing north. His forces attempted four times to break through Hill's forces but were repulsed by the Confederates' new repeaters.[1]
On the second day of the battle, Hancock's forces were subject to attack by Hill's forces. Despite their field fortifications, the Confederates succeeded in driving them out, causing them to either flee or surrender.[2] Casualties in II Corps were extreme; General Lee would remark that Hancock's command was "hors de combat," effectively destroyed as an organized force.[3]
Hancock was one of several Union generals who were used as "imaginary" targets when the Rivington Men demonstrated the AK-47 to Lee and his staff early in 1864.[4]
See also[]
- Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1880 in Southern Victory.
References[]
- ↑ The Guns of the South, pgs. 121-123.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 132.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 140.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 6
| Party political offices (OTL) | ||
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| Preceded by Samuel J. Tilden |
Democratic Presidential Candidate 1880 (lost) |
Succeeded by Grover Cleveland |
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