Biography:

Winfield Scott Hancock was born in Pennsylvania on February 14, 1824 and died on February 9, 1886.  He was a highly respected general and, in 1800, became the Democratic presidential candidate.
 
He graduated from West Point in 1844 and fought in the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848.  During the Civil War, he was appointed brigadier general.  He served with distinction at several important Civil War battles including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.   After the war he was appointed major general and commanded the Central Military Department and the Department of Louisiana and Texas.  His views and policies concerning Reconstruction made him well respected within the Democratic Party and in 1880 he became their presidential nominee.  He narrowly lost the election to James A. Garfield.  Hancock died on February 9, 1886 in New York City.