Winfield Scott Hancock papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0099-F0815

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection of eleven documents follows the military career of Winfield Scott Hancock, particularly his involvement in the execution of accused Lincoln assassination conspirator, Mary Surratt, his brief command of the fifth military district (Louisiana and Texas) during Reconstruction, and biographical material which highlights his military career during the Civil War.

The first three documents chronicle the exact nature of Hancock's involvement in the trial and execution of accused Lincoln conspirator, Mary Surratt. The documents characterize Hancock's involvement as limited.

The second set of documents consists of printed military orders and correspondence generated by General Hancock while in command of the Louisiana and Texas (Fifth) District in 1867-1868. As commander of that reconstruction district, he issued general order No. 40 which restored the right to trial by jury, habeas corpus, liberty of the press, freedom of speech, and other civil liberties to the district. Along with this order are correspondence and a clipping ( The Weekly Crescent, New Orleans, March 28, 1868) related to the issue. This order was unpopular with Congress, resulting in Hancock's being relieved of command and transferred to the Dakota District.

Two drafts of biographical statements and a handwritten poem complete the collection. The biographical material concludes in 1867 when Hancock took command of the Fifth Military District and focuses on his military career. The handwritten poem is untitled, but the first line begins: "Dakota gents: please listen."

Dates

Creation: 1865-1872

Creator

Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886 (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, http://library.udel.edu/spec/askspec/

Winfield Scott Hancock (1824-1886)

Winfield Scott Hancock was a decorated Union officer during the Civil War. Recognized for his success in repulsing the Confederate forces at Gettysburg, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in 1864 and later major-general. In 1867 he commanded the Department of Louisiana and Texas, where his proclamation giving civil tribunals jurisdiction was heralded by local government but disapproved by Congress. He was relieved of command and transferred to the Department of Dakota (1870-1872), later the Division of the Atlantic (1872-1886), and finally to the Department of the East. In the National Democratic Convention of 1868 he received votes for the presidential nomination and in 1880 he was nominated for president by the Democratic Party, which he lost to James A. Garfield.

"Winfield Scott Hancock."Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936 reproduced in Biography Resource Center. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRCBiography (accessed March 2008).

Extent

11 item

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection comprises eleven documents regarding the military career of Winfield Scott Hancock, particularly his involvement in the execution of accused Lincoln assassination conspirator, Mary Surratt, his brief command of the fifth military district (Louisiana and Texas) during Reconstruction, and biographical material which highlights his military career during the Civil War.