Winfield Scott Hancock Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

Winfield Scott Hancock and his twin brother Hilary were born on February 14, 1824 in Montgomery Square, Pennsylvania. Many in his family were soldiers, so it is only fitting that he is named after the man that some call the greatest soldier America ever produced, Winfield Scott, the hero of the War of 1812.

Answer: Texas

After his graduation from West Point, he received a commission of Second Lieutenant in the Sixth U. S. Infantry and was assigned to the Red River region of Texas, then Indian Territory. Here he served at Fort Towson and Fort Washita. During this time, encounters between Whites and Indians were relatively peaceful, and he spent two years hunting, fishing, riding the plains and becoming the man we now recognize. He remained there until the beginning of the Mexican War.

Answer: Winfield Scott

After repeated requests to the War Department for a transfer to the war front, on July 13, 1847, he was transferred to Vera Cruz to serve under General Winfield Scott, in the fight against Santa Anna. His first action was at the National bridge that connected Vera Cruz and Puebla, where he was ordered to capture the bridge.

He saw more action in the battles of Churubusco, Molino Del Rey, Vera Cruz and witnessed the assault and capture of Mexico City. On August 20, 1847, "for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco," Winfield Scott Hancock was promoted to First Lieutenant.

Answer: Almira

After the Mexican War ended the Sixth Infantry returned to St. Louis and here he met Almira Russell, the daughter of a prominent St. Louis merchant. They were married on January 24, 1850. The Hancocks had two children: a son, Russell born on October 29, 1850 in St. Louis and died on December 30, 1884 and a daughter, Ada Elizabeth born on February 24, 1857 in Fort Myers, Florida and died on March 28, 1875.

Answer: Seminole War

On November 5, 1855, Lieutenant Hancock was appointed Assistant Quartermaster, U.S.A, promoted to captain and ordered to Fort Myers, Florida during the Seminole Wars of 1856-1857. Hancock was one of the best as a quartermaster and was becoming indispensible although, according to his wife, "he very much disliked quartermaster duties."

Answer: Los Angeles

Hancock was stationed with his family in Los Angeles, California when the Civil War broke out.

Answer: Brigadier General of Volunteers

McClellan appointed him Brigadier General of Volunteers therefore he helped McClellan organize the Army of the Potomac.

Answer: Vicksburg

Gettysburg and Vicksburg occurred on the same day and Hancock played a pivotal role in the battle of Gettysburg.

Answer: Texas and Louisiana

He was the commander of the 5th Military District that covered Texas and Louisiana. He was supposed to implement the reconstruction policies in those states. He refused to change the civil courts into military ones, as he thought that policy offensive. General Grant, who opposed his softness towards the south, granted his request to transfer to the North.

In 1867 he was given command of the Military Division of the Atlantic.

Answer: 1880

His reputation as an honest man and being a war hero who was against Reconstruction led the Democrats to nominate him for president in 1880. Another Civi War veteran, Republican James A. Garfield, narrowly defeated him.