Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Brett Schulte.
General Hancock
Hancock, in personal appearance is tall, well formed and very handsome. His height cannot be less than six feet two inches and he weighs fully 240 pounds. He would make the finest looking President who ever sat in the White House, except possibly George Washington. His form towers above other men, and he attracts attention by his mere looks wherever he goes. His eyes are blue and have a benignant and mild expression when in repose, but inspiring when in danger. His manner is dignified and knightly, and is courtesy itself. He is always magnetic, and draws men to him by his kindliness and gentle interest in their affairs. His sympathies are easily aroused and he becomes intensely concerned for the sorrows and misfortunes of others, striving in every way to relieve them, as though their troubles were his own. Hancock’s kindness to his subordinates won not only their love, but also their confidence, and caused them to rely on him as a friend as well as a commander. He gave a man a good opinion of himself, and made each one feel he was of more importance than he ever before suspected. It was this which caused him to have such power over his officers and men in battle, and made them prefer rather to die than to forfeit the good opinion of their leader.
General Hancock had two children, Russell Hancock and Ada Elizabeth Hancock. The latter died in New York of typhoid fever, when eighteen years of age. She was a young lady of great promise. Russell Hancock the General’s only son, is living and is a planter in Mississippi.
A volume would not contain an account of all the heroic deeds of a man like Hancock. He is a noble character, and it is a pleasure to write of such a man. A glorious soldier, a steadfast friend, a useful citizen.1
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Source:
- Unknown Author. “General Hancock.” National Tribune 1 July 1880. 6:2. ↩