like a driving storm of hail. General Hancock coolly maintained his seat on horseback, and watched, for a few moments, the dispositions made of the reinforcements he had so opportunely brought. Bowing gracefully to the parting salute of the Generals and others in command, he turned the head of his horse toward another part of the hotly-contested field. At that moment a ball passed near him, and struck directly in the forehead of General Willard, who fell dead at his feet. The look of Hancock at that thrilling instant is indescribable. He gazed silently on his fallen and gallant companion in arms, and then glanced his searching eye to note its effects on the men. Every man was at his post, fighting bravely still, as the new commander stepped forward to the vacant place. Again he waved his hand as a signal of adieu to the heroic troops who were standing up so bravely for the old flag, and dashed onward toward the next post of duty and danger. As the two Generals, Hancock and Birney, rode rapidly along, reviewing the lines, giving orders and words of encouragement, the brave fellows who lay wounded in their path would raise themselves up from the crimsoned grass, and answer with cheers: "General! we're driving them! Hurra!" Regardless of their own sufferings, they rejoiced thus in the triumph of our country, some of them amid the very agonies of death. "It was more than we could bear," said General Birney, relating the scene, as he remembered how his own tears, and those of the dashing Hancock, fell among those dying heroes. "What gem hath dropped and sparkles o'er his chain? The tear most sacred shed for others' pain; That starts at once, bright, pure, from pity's mine, It is no wonder to us, when we become familiar with such incidents as these in the career of General Hancock, that he should be so dear to the hearts of his men. When the roar of battle was the loudest, he was sure to be present, if in his power to be. Where his gallant soldiers fell the fastest, he was always certain to be near. The humblest man in the ranks never passed unnoticed. His manly, commanding presence acted like a charm wherever seen, and his well-chosen words passed like an electric force from rank to rank. CHAPTER XXIII. HIS PUBLIC TESTIMONIAL S. "His martial fortunes Made him a debtor for some courtesies, Which bind the good more firmly." Byron. HE brief sojourn of General HANCOCK with his THE parents, in Norristown, during a part of the summer of 1863, was as agreeable as the state of his severe wound would permit. On his reaching home from the battle-field of Gettysburg, the citizens flocked around to pay him their respects. His position in the railway car, where he was placed at length on a stretcher laid over the backs of the seats, drew to his side many sympathizing friends, who united to testify their warm admiration of his character. Arrived at the station, in Norristown, he was met by a detachment of the Invalid Guards, who tenderly placed him on their shoulders, and bore him through the streets. The inhabitants along the route, as may well be supposed, were deeply moved at the sight. 18* (209) Not knowing the extent of his wounds, and seeing him thus prostrate in the hands of soldiers, marching with a steady step on the side-walks, they watched the scene with peculiar interest. The boy of other days had now come as a Major General of the Army of the United States, bearing on his person a wound that attested the love he bore his native land. The doorways and windows of the silent route were crowded with anxious faces, down some of which coursed the tears of sympathy. What a change to WINFIELD from the days of his youth! How thickly the thoughts of boyhood, of school, of playmates and familiar scenes, crowded the mind of the gallant soldier! With what tender welcomes he was greeted at the threshold of the family mansion, and with what affectionate care he was borne to his quarters under the parental roof! Gentle assiduities, found only within the hallowed precincts of home, smoothed his couch of pain, and ministered to him there. Here let us draw the curtain, and leave him to repose. His recovery was gradual, but sure. In a short time his active energies were again at work. His mind soon reverted from that sick-room, from his own physical sufferings, to the condition of his country, and his duties in the service. As he gained in strength, his fellow-citizens waited upon him, as opportunity offered, and testimonials of personal friendship were added to those of a public character. His fellow townsmen took immediate steps to testify their appreciation of his signal services. At the instigation of several of his youthful companions, and others, under the direction, principally, of B. C. CHAIN, Esq., a service of gold and silver plate was prepared, and subsequently presented to him. The set consists of nine pieces, elegantly embossed, and bears the following inscription: ΤΟ MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK. FROM CITIZENS OF HIS BIRTH-PLACE, NORRISTOWN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. July 4th, Crowning the inscription on each piece is the badge of the Second Corps-the Trefoil, or three-leaved clover--a peculiar plant, called by some the 'none-such,' indicative of rare honor, and a choice ornament in the architecture of the temple of fame. The cost of this beautiful and appropriate testimonial was sixteen hundred dollars. Its value to the |