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From the painting by Mort Künstler, "Hancock the Superb."
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General Winfield S. Hancock. The Irish Brigade at Antietam
September 17, 1862.

Credit: ©2003 Mort Künstler, Inc., www.mkunstler.com

Born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1824, Winfield Scott Hancock graduated from West Point in 1844, and then fought under his namesake, General Winfield Scott–the hero of the War of 1812–during the Mexican-American War. By the battle of Gettysburg in 1863, Hancock was commander of the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. "Hancock the Superb." was the nickname that Hancock earned for his performance in the 1862 Battle of Williamsburg. It is also the title of this oil painting by artist Mort Künstler. Hancock's arrival at Gettysburg on July 1 instilled new confidence in the demoralized Union troops at Cemetery Ridge. His splendid performance at Gettysburg ended on July 3, when he was wounded while his veteran units held off the attacking Confederates at the high-water mark of Pickett's Charge. Hancock was shot from his horse and knocked to the ground. The wound in his thigh would haunt him the rest of his life.

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