Winfield Scott Hancock Importance

Winfield Scott Hancock Winfield Scott Hancock played a very significant role in the Union's important victory at the town of Gettysburg. Without Winfield Scott Hancock’s brilliant leadership in battle the Union might have lost the battle of Gettysburg and their overall cause. He was thanked by Congress for his significant part in the three day battle at Gettysburg. Hancock served four decades in the U.S. Army and the Union Army and was given the nickname of Hancock the Superb. He was very well respected and liked by all of his men and his superiors. He skillfully commanded the entire left wing of the Union army after the death of John Reynolds. Hancock was a skilled military leader who spent his life serving in various capacities of the military.

Hancock was tasked with scouting the town of Gettysburg to see if it was suitable for a battle with the Confederates. On the first day of fighting Major General John Reynolds died and Hancock was instructed by George Meade to take command of Reynolds’ troops. Hancock then organized the Union defense of Cemetery Hill with the new men under his command. On the second day of fighting Hancock was positioned at the center of the Union lines and had to rally the troops to make a good defense. In order to buy himself and his soldiers some time he had to send a regiment against a Confederate Brigade quadruple its size. The heroic sacrifice made from the 1st Minnesota Regiment gave time for troops to organize their defensive line and save the day for the Union army. Near the end of the day Hancock sent the first brigade to assist in the defense of Confederate General of Jubal Early on the Union’s artillery. Hancock's brigade was essential to the removal of Confederate troops from the Union batteries and pushing them back down Cemetery Hill. Throughout the third day of the battle Hancock endured most of Pickett's charge on the Union center. During the proceeding bombardment, Hancock “personally conducted the Union defense, riding on horseback even under heavy fire”(Hancock 2). A soldier protested “General the Corps commander ought not to risk his life in that way,” and Hancock replied “There are times where a Corps commander’s life does not matter.” It was at this battle that Hancock’s friend Lewis Armistead was mortally wounded and died two days later. Being wounded himself, Hancock was unable to visit his dying friend. Hancock was wounded himself during the battle when a bullet struck his saddle and debris punctured his leg. Being an inspiration to all of his troops throughout the three day battle Hancock was given a letter of recognition from