his own account. In the hospitals and on the field, officers and men were helping each other indiscriminately; together bearing the burdens as together they shared the honors of war.

The works captured from the enemy by the brave exploit of Hancock were found to be of a formidable character. The gallant charge he made was not a mere bloody display of valor. Its results were tangible, and valuable to the cause.

The enemy had

They evidently

come upon him with a furious onset. calculated that he would fall an easy prey to their yelling assault. A man with less invincible courage, with less firmness of resolution than he, would have fallen back, and waited for still more reinforcements. But the moment the additional troops he sent for rallied around him, that moment he advanced-giving assault for assault, and closing the day with his steady charge of the deadly bayonet. Not until the enemy was close upon him, not until he could see their eyes peering into those of his own men, not until they had swept far across the open field that intervened between the opposing lines, did he give the memorable order that has so honorably associated his name with the victory of that day.

It is admitted on all hands that the bearing of the foe was most gallant. His ranks were composed of

Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina troops, who literally strewed the ground with their dead ere they yielded to the impetuous valor of Hancock. Acres of felled and tangled trees, long lines of stronglybuilt entrenchments, showed the fixed purpose of the rebels to hold their ground to the last. Their ammunition was abundant and their fire most galling. But for the unexpected dash made on them by Hancock, where, at the point of the bayonet, their works were wrested from them, they would have remained for a long time in a strong position of defence.

Immediately opposed to Hancock, leading the picked body of the enemy, was the rebel commander Longstreet, who had been a lieutenant with him in some of the severest fights in Mexico. In his front, almost face to face, was Early, who had been, also, a fellow officer with him on those distant fields. What a place for such a meeting!

The brilliant success of Hancock was gained with a loss of not more than twenty killed and wounded. His engagement decided the fortunes of the day. The falling back of the enemy gave the Union a thousand wounded and three hundred uninjured rebel prisoners. Thus far seventy-one large guns were captured, many tents, and a great amount of ammunition.

With a barbarity almost without a parallel in the annals of civilized warfare, the rebels signalized their defeat by placing torpedoes within their abandoned. works, near their flagstaffs, magazines and telegraph offices; and secreting them in carpet-bags, barrels of flour, provisions, boxes, and other available spots liable to be reached by our troops. Murderous embodiments of their most wicked treason!

It is not pretended that the battle of Williamsburg partook of the nature of a great general engagement. It was more like a brilliant and successful skirmish of an army on the advance. The rebels speak of it in their reports as 'a handsome affair.' In the official despatches of Generals Hooker, Smith, Couch, Kearney, Birney and Heintzleman- all of whom, with Generals Peck, Jameson, Devens, Casey, Graham, Berry, Stoneman, and others, won fresh laurels on that day—it is placed in its true light, as a preliminary fight of much importance, whose effect was as beneficial on the spirits of our own men as it was desponding to those of the enemy.

To the gallant and lamented General PHILIP KEARNEY is especial honor due for his great aid in the restoration of the fortunes of the day, on the hard-fought field of Williamsburg.

CHAPTER XVI.

HIS LETTERS HOME.

"Give me my home! to quiet dear,

Where hours untold all peaceful move;
So fate ordain, I often here

Would list the tones of those I love."

Mrs. Opie.

HE advance of the Union army up the Virginia

THE

Peninsula, continued General Hancock at the front. He participated, with his accustomed gallantry, in the battles of Garnett's Hill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, and several skirmishes of an important character.

While thus occupied in the field of battle for his country, the General seized a moment to write a hurried letter home. It shows the heart of the true man, in the camp of the gallant soldier:

"U. S. CAMP, NEAR RICHMOND, 23d of May, 1862.

"MY DEAR MOTHER:

I wrote to father a few days ago. It has been some time since I heard from him or you. I presume some of your letters have missed me, in consequence of the changes of the field.

I am well; and so, also, is brother John. We are not in Richmond yet, but trust we shall be there, all in good time.

I hope that God, in his good mercy, will permit both your sons

to reach that city, in safety and in honor.

This confiding tribute to his mother is of the same class with all his letters home. While at one of his Western posts, early in the service, at the age of twenty-three years, he writes to his twin brother:

"MY DEAR HILARY:

"NEWPORT BARRACKS, KY., May 5, 1847.

I was exceedingly glad to find, on my arrival here from Fort Scott, two long and interesting letters from you. The only thing that grieves me is that I cannot get to Mexico. I made an application to-day to join the army going to the front. Whether the Adjutant General will favor it or not I do not know; but think it doubtful. I am actively engaged as Superintendent of the recruiting service for the Western Division, and acting as Assistant Inspector General; but, though my services are said to be useful, I still want to go to Mexico.

Your affectionate brother,

WINFIELD."

How different might have been his career, had his