"There's nothing so much like a god on earth as a General on a battlefield." The famous line from Michael Shaara's 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "The Killer Angels" could easily describe any one of the countless iconic figures from the Civil War. However, there is one in particular that might have fit this description more than the rest, a dominant presence among his peers and those under his command. A true force of nature on the battlefield. This man was General Winfield Scott Hancock. Hancock was born in Montgomery Square Pennsylvania in 1824 and was named after the famous War of 1812 U.S. General, Winfield Scott. Shortly after he was born the family moved to nearby Norristown, where he attended school, and in 1840 was nominated for the United States Military Academy by the local congressman. In 1844, Hancock graduated from West Point 18th in his class of 25. Two years later the Mexican-American War broke out and he was determined to see action, finally having that wish granted at the battles of Contreras and Churubusco. He served there with his regiment until the peace treaty was signed in 1848. After the war he served in various posts as a quartermaster and adjutant, as well as making numerous friends while serving in California, many of whom would later become commanders in the army of the Confederacy. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Hancock returned to the east, continuing his quartermaster duties for the rapidly mobilizing Union Army. In September of 1861 he was promoted to brigadier general and given command of an infantry brigade. After leading this brigade in a critical counter attack at the Battle of Williamsburg during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan sent a message to Washington stating that "Hancock was superb today". "Superb" would be a nickname that stuck with him for the rest of his life. At the Battle of Antietam Hancock assumed command of 1st Division II Corps after the commander was killed in action around the "Bloody Lane", and the following month led the division in the disastrous attacks on Marye's Heights at the Battle of Fredericksburg, where they suffered over half of the casualties of the entire II Corps. At Fredericksburg Hancock was wounded in the abdomen and again wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville while his division covered the army's retreat. After Chancellorsville, Hancock assumed command of the II Corps. On 1 July 1863, Hancock led his corps towards the town of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, and was soon rushed ahead to take command of the Union forces in the field after his good friend, Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds was killed early in the day. Upon his arrival, Union forces were crumbling, and in full retreat through the town of Gettysburg. Through his masterful leadership however, he managed to rally together the battered remnants of the I, III, and XI Corps, along with his own II Corps, to organize a defense on Cemetery Hill. On 2 July elements of Hancock's corps were again involved in action as he brilliantly maneuvered units to support the flanks of the Union line being heavily pressed by Lee's forces. One of these maneuvers prevented the collapse of the entire Union line, when he ordered the 1st Minnesota Regiment to charge an advancing Confederate brigade. Outnumbered 5 to 1 the 262 Minnesotans charged and repelled the attack, buying time for reserves to be brought up to stabilize the line. Only 47 survivors of the regiment would rally back under Hancock's command, their 82% casualty rate still stands as the largest loss of any surviving U.S. military unit in a single day's action. On the third day of battle Hancock was positioned on Cemetery Ridge, and was seen prominently riding amongst his men encouraging them during the Confederacy's preparatory artillery barrage. It was here, after being urged by his subordinates not to risk his life in such a way, that he is quoted saying, ""There are times when a corps commander's life does not count." During the infantry assault here, that would later be known as Pickett's Charge, Hancock came nearly face to face with one of his old friends, Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead, who was wounded in the attack, dying two days later. Hancock himself was wounded in the attack by a bullet that struck the pommel of his saddle, entering his inner right thigh in the pelvic area, carrying wood fragments and nails along with it. A tourniquet was applied and he removed the nail himself, refusing to be removed from the field until the battle was decided. It was decided, and the Battle of Gettysburg is often pointed to as a turning point in the war for the Union. After the battle Hancock was transported home and arrived in Norristown in early August and a week later had the bullet removed from his thigh by the chief surgeon of the Pennsylvania Reserves. This intense and invasive surgery brought the general near deaths doorstep again, but he managed to survive and continued his recovery in his childhood home. In July of 1864 some of his childhood friends led by his good friend, attorney Benjamin E. Chain purchased an ornate silver service set to show their appreciation and admiration for the general. This silver ewer was the centerpiece of the set which, at the time cost $1,600, and originally included nine pieces. It is beautifully embellished with ornate repousse and chased floral and scroll motifs throughout with the presentation inscription featured prominently at the center. At the top of the inscription is the trefoil badge of General Hancock's II Corps followed by "To Major General Winfield Scott Hancock From Citizens of his Birthplace, Norristown. Montgomery Co. Pa. July 4, 1864". A biographer later said in 1880 that "The value of the recipient cannot be computed in silver or gold" and that "He had always been a leader among them [his friends], and this appropriate memorial was a new assurance that they held him worthy to be a commander of a great army of patriots." Inside the base of the ewer is the Bailey & Co. maker's mark along with their sterling silver hallmarks featuring boxed lion, oval "S", a shield, and another boxed lion. Included with the ewer are various documents related to it and Hancock, including the Summer 2018 issue of Military Images magazine which features a short article about it. Hancock had returned to service in time for General Grant's Overland campaign and through to the end of the war. After the war he played a leading role in the execution of Lincoln's assassination conspirators, reconstruction of the south, and westward expansion, as well as a failed presidential bid, though his integrity was admired even by opponents. Republican President, Rutherford B. Hayes said of Hancock, "If, when we make up our estimate of a public man, conspicuous both as a soldier and in civil life, we are to think first and chiefly of his manhood, his integrity, his purity, his singleness of purpose, and his unselfish devotion to duty, we can truthfully say of Hancock that he was through and through pure gold.", showing how many viewed Hancock in stark contrast to the political corruption of the time. One of his last public acts was his oversight and leading of the nine mile long funeral procession for Ulysses S. Grant in 1885. On 9 February 1886, Winfield Scott Hancock died at the age of 61. Today he is remembered as one of the best field commanders of his time, a hero, and the embodiment of leading by example.

Exceptionally fine, generally showing an attractive antique patina and incredibly detailed repousse and chased motifs, along with crisply engraved inscription. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own an incredible piece of American history that was presented to one of the most well-known leaders of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War!