Hancock's Speeches

Harrisburg, Pa. January 15, 1864

I have come among you as a Pennsylvanian, for the purpose of endeavoring to aid you in stimulating enlistments.  This is a matter of interest to all of the citizens of the State.  I earnestly call upon you all to assist, by the exertion of all the influence in your power, in this important matter. To adequately reinforce our armies in the field is to insure that the war will not reach your homes.  It will be the means of bringing it to a speedy and happy conclusion.  It will save the lives of many of our brave soldiers, who would otherwise be lost by the prolongation of the war, and in indecisive battles. It is only necessary to destroy the rebel armies now in the field, to insure a speedy and permanent peace.  Let us all act with that fact in view. Let it not be said that Pennsylvania, which has already given so many of her sons to this righteous cause, shall now, at the eleventh hour, be behind her sister States in furnishing her quota of the men deemed necessary to end this rebellion.  Let it not be that those Pennsylvania regiments, now so depleted, that have won for themselves so much honor in the field, shall pass out of existence for want of patriotism in the people.

World According To Hancock

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