Hancock, Winfield Scott (1824–1886)

US soldier with the Union forces in the Civil War. At the outbreak of the Civil War 1861, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers, and fought with distinction at Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. In 1880 he was Democratic nominee for the presidency, but was defeated.

Hancock was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the West Point military academy 1844, and served for two years with the Sixth Infantry in Indian territory. He fought in the Mexican War 1846–48. In 1866, after the end of the Civil War, he was promoted to major general in the regular army.