Winfield Scott Hancock

Winfield Scott Hancock
Hancock, c. 1860s
Personal details
Born	(1824-02-14)February 14, 1824 Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	February 9, 1886(1886-02-09) (aged 61) New York City, U.S.
Resting place	Montgomery Cemetery (West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Almira Russell ​ (m. 1850)​
Children	2
Education	United States Military Academy (BS)
Signature
Nickname	Hancock the Superb
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	U.S. Army (Union Army)
Years of service	1844–1886
Rank	Major General
Commands	II Corps
Battles/wars	Mexican-American War -Contreras -Churubusco American Civil War Battle of Williamsburg Battle of Malvern Hill Battle of Antietam Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Chancellorsville Battle of Gettysburg Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Battle of Cold Harbor First Battle of Deep Bottom Second Battle of Deep Bottom Second Battle of Ream's Station Battle of Boydton Plank Road Indian Wars

Winfield Scott Hancock (February 14, 1824 – February 9, 1886) was a United States Army officer and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1880. He served with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service in the Mexican–American War and as a Union general in the American Civil War. Known to his Army as "Hancock the Superb," he was noted in particular for his personal leadership at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. His military service continued after the Civil War, as Hancock participated in the military Reconstruction of the South and the U.S.'s western expansion and war with the Native Americans at the Western frontier. This concluded with the Medicine Lodge Treaty. From 1881 to 1885 he was president of the Aztec Club of 1847 for veteran officers of the Mexican-American War.

Hancock's reputation as a war hero at Gettysburg, combined with his status as a Unionist and supporter of states' rights, made him a potential presidential candidate. When the Democrats nominated him for president in 1880, he ran a strong campaign, but was narrowly defeated by Republican James A. Garfield. Hancock's last public service involved the oversight of President Ulysses S. Grant's funeral procession in 1885.