Customer Reviews

Reminiscences of Winfield Scott Hancock

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I was truly excited to find this book. Almira Hancock (wife of Gen. Hancock) wrote this book soon after the death of her husband at the request of many friends and admirers. She gives a wonderful account of her life with one of America's greatest soldiers as well as a valuable point of view of America in that time period. It is not the most complete biography ever written on Hancock though, the chapters on the Civil War and specific battles (Gettysburg for example) lack detail and attention. She actually spent more of her time concentrating on his post-war activities (Indian War, and Presidential election) as well as his pre Civil War service (other than the Mexican War, which is not even given). Information on the Mexican war or the General's formitive years are not given, because Mrs. Hancock begins the book at their marriage. Which is understandable concidering that shes wrote mostly on events at which she was present. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the letters. Mrs. Hancock added many correspondence letters, ones that the General wrote to her, those written to and from Gen. Sherman, etc. and at the back of the book, many letters that Mrs. Hancock received just after the death of Gen. Hancock, from USA Gen. Sherman, USA Gen. Sheridan, CSA Gen. Gordon, etc. Most of the information given is not available in any other source, Mrs. Hancock burned any records or letters that she did not include in this account. After reading many books on Hancock, I'd have to say that this has the most reference to his character and personality, if not through Almira's descriptions, by his own dialog. This is an enjoyable and informative first hand account of America in it's formative adolescence.