ever he would lead. In the battle of Williamsburg, on the Peninsula, in 1862, he was directed to make an assault. When the line was ready to move, instead of giving the usual military command, he quietly and with dignity turned to his column and simply said, “Gentleman, Charge.” In his character there was no place for jealousy, as he wrote to General Meade: “I would sooner command a corps under you than have the supreme command. I have faith in you.”
The troops had faith in him, too. When Gen. Reynolds was killed in the early part of the first day's engagement at Gettysburg, there did not seem to be any one in command of the entire field. Gen. Buford sent a telegram to Meade, saying: “For God's sake, send us Hancock” Riding thirteen miles he reached Gettysburg in two hours and immediately planted a battery on Hancock hill, commanding the officer to hold it at all hazards and not to leave without a written order from him.
Another instance of his valor, which occurred just before Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, is told by Gen. St. Clair Mulholland, who said: “At this tumultuous moment we witnessed a deed of heroism, such as we are apt to attribute only to knights of the olden time. Hancock, mounted and accompanied by his staff, * * with the corps flag flying in the hands of a brave Irishman, Private James Wells of the Sixth New York cavalry, started at the right of his line where it joins the Taneytown road, and slowly rode along the terrible crest to the extreme left of his position, while shot and shell roared and crashed around him, and every moment tore great gaps in the ranks of his side. It was a gallant deed, and withal not a reckless exposure of life, for the presence and calm demeanor of the commander as he passed through the lines of his men, set them an example which, an hour later, bore good fruit and nerved their stout hearts to win the greatest and most decisive battle ever fought on this continent.”
Gen. Hancock was the gentleman on the field as well as at home. On May 12, 1864, when the terrible slaughter was made at the Bloody Angle, near Spotsylvania, the Confederate Gen. George H. Steuart was captured by Col. James A. Beaver, now a Judge of the Superior Court. Steuart was unknown to his captors and was sent to Hancock's headquarters. When he appeared Hancock held out his hand saying; “How are you, Steuart?” The latter replied, “Under the circumstances, I
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