Appletons' Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events Volume 26; Embracing Political, Military, and Ecclesiastical Affairs Public Documents Biography, Statistics, Commerce, Finance, Literature, Science, Agriculture, and Mechanical Industry (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 Excerpt: ...was to turn the left of their line of works." In a letter to Mrs. McClellan he said that Hancock's "conduct was superb," and, as the letter found its way into print, the somewhat unfortunate adjective was applied to the man rather than his action, and hurt fully as much as it helped his fame. During the rest of the campaign he did good service, but was not so conspicuous as at Williamsburg. He took port in the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31 and June 1, and in the actions at Savage's Station, Glendale, and Malvern Hill, June 29, 30, and July 1. His brigade covered the withdrawal of the Union trains at Glendale, and endured without flinching a heavy cannonade. After the recall of the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula, and the defeat of Gen. Pope at Manassas, Hancock, still in command of the First Brigade of Smith's division, which had been transferred to the Sixth Corps, accompanied Gen. McClellan in his march to drive back the Confederate army then in Maryland. Sept. 17, 1862, he went into action at Antietam with his usual frankness and rapidity, and put his troops in a commanding position, which he held with slight loss. On the field of battle he was transferred to the command of the First Division of the Second Corps, succeeding Gen. Richardson, who was mortally wounded. This was his first connection with the splendid body of troops with which his name will be forever associated. When he took his new command the main fighting for the day was over, and he simply maintained the position to which Richardson had withdrawn the division after its gallant advance to the sunken road. Nov. 29, 1862, he was made major-general of volunteers. Deo. 13, 1862, he led his division in the memorable charge on Marye's Heights above Fredericksburg. He was to ...