The Influence Of General Winfield Scott Hancock During The Civil War

During the American Civil War, the Union and the Confederacy went through many different generals at the head of their armies. These generals ranged from very skilled, highly educated generals to battle bred, tacticians who were always one step ahead of the enemy in the battles. Today, I will be writing about one of the generals that does not get enough recognition in writings about the Civil War, General Winfield Scott Hancock. Hancock was one of the bravest, most liked commanders of the Union army who was definitely a top three behind Ulysses S.
Grant and George Meade. He participated on many battles through the war most notably the
Battle of Williamsburg where his brilliant strategies made the enemy withdrawal and earned him the title “Hancock the Superb”, the
During this battle he was fighting against seasoned Confederate commanders such as General James Longstreet and D.H.
Hill, but he was able to very well and keep the enemy from flanking his lines. During his engagement with Longstreet’s division he took over two abandoned redoubts which put him at an advantageous position against the 24th Virginia Infantry and D.H Hill which were trying to flank him. Hancock was very confident in his abilities and positioning that even after being requested to retreat, he persisted that it was an opportunity to counter attack since the enemy had recalled its attack. After a successful victory against the 24th Virginia Infantry and D.H Hill, he was able to make the enemy withdrawal from the battle. This battle earned Hancock the title of
“Hancock the Superb” which he effectively kept throughout the war until he resigned.
GENERAL WINFIELD S. HANCOCK 3
The Battle of Gettysburg was his second battle as a commander and the one that tested his true skills since he had been now promoted to commanding four different Corps in the