Reminiscences of Winfield S. Hancock

Although named for America’s top military hero of the day, Winfield Scott Hancock was not originally intended for a military career; nevertheless he was destined to become one of the best corps commanders in the Union army. A 1844 graduate of West Point, he served in the infantry during the Mexican War with distinction before transferring to the quartermaster’s department. During the Civil War, at the battle of Antietam, Israel Richardson was killed and Hancock was sent to command his division i