New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-06
COUET-MARTIAEO OF GEN. PORTER

ANU hIIIoNeu'
Major. Gen. Pope was then called aud sworn HE
testimony as follows:
Court-General, will you state to the Court what
position you occupy in the military service Of the
United S,atesl
/ WiiuesS-I hold a commission as Bngadier Gen
eral in the regular army, and Major General OF Vol
unteers.
q. What was your position and commsnd and
what the position Of your operations on the 9th OF
August last
A. DO you mean my military position as com
mander 7
/ q. Yes, Sir
! a. commanded the Army OF Virginia, which, as
originally stated, consisted OF the army corps OF
Mcdowell, Banks and Fremont; this, by the 9Th
of August had been REINFORCED by portion OF
Gen. Burnsides command by Gen. Heintzeman :
corps, and on the morning Of the 9Th by half of
Gen. Porters corps; portion Of my command,
also, consisted Of the troops under zen. Stuigis,
which had begun to come up to Warrenton Junction;
was myself, on the morning OF the 18th, at the
Warrenton Junction, the field Of the operations Of
the army at that time covering the region Of country
between the Warrenton Turnpike and the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad.
q. AT what time on the 27th did You leave War
renton Junction, and in which direction did you
move
A.. left q little before midday, think, and
moved east along the railroad following the move
meats Of liookers Division toward Manassas June
ton.
Q. At what time did Gen. Porter arrive with his
command 10 which you refer, or portion OF II 81
Warrenton Junction
A. think between the hours Of and 10 o clock
OH the morning Of Aug. H.
=, How many troops bad be then with bin
A. He reported TO me that be had brought Sy kes
Division Of Regulars, numbering 4 800 men.
z. Did you zee his troops II 80 what was their
| condition
A. only saw them ne they p,ssed q, di,,Anee,
and was, therefore, unable 10 no,ice their o9Econ
I q. Did you, after leaving Narrenion junction,
TO proceed cast ssue order TO Gen. Porter and II
30 what " as lts character
A. issuod order @ en-. L. late in the afternoon
o. the 9th, dreciing HIM 10 move forward ith
bis command ut O'Clock that ni.ht a. the position
then occupied at Kettle Rum; that If Gen. Morr-ll
with his Division, was not at Warrenton Junction,
when he received the order 10 send back aud hurry
him up, but 10 come forward with the troops which
lac had gave bin some further directions concern
ing Gen. Backs, tie substance OF which only re-
collec'. An order dated Bristow Station Va, Aug.
q, lsb--at 6:3O !. NJ, was here handed the wit
nes., which he acknowledged TO be the refer, d
TO his answer.
q. VIII YOU explain TO the court the reasons for
the urgency OF this order indicated in the follow
ing words:
= IL II necessary that you should be here by day-
hight i rend an officer with thu Dispatch who will
conduct you 10 the place
/ A. Yes Sir. Gen. liookers Diyi,iOn had had a
revere Ubnt blNuR iuf fhllibsu, ZONE
four miles west Of Bristow's Station and had sue
ceeded III driving the Divirion OF Gen. Eweil back
along the road, but without putting II 10 rout, ~
that at dark Ewel forces stlll confronted Hooker
Division along the banks OF "A small stream at Bn-
tow Station. Just at dark Gen. Hooker sent me
word (which fact was also reported to me by Gen.
lleintze man that lie almost entirely out OF am
InuuitiOn, having bu. FIVE rounds TO tie nan left,
and that If any action took place in the morning. he
would, IN consequence be without the means Of
Lao
that Jac ksOn with hs aud the Division Of A. l..
Hill Wac AT or near Manassas Junction, and near
enough to advance 10 the support Of Eweli, il was
altogether probable that If he should learn The weak
ners Of our forces there, that he would unite and
make al attack III the morning. IL war for tine
reason was anxious 10 have Gen. Porter's corps
present.
q. What distance would Gen. r. have had to march
10 obey !
a. About nine miles.
/ q. Within what time ?
a. ! directed him 10 move at one in order 10 give
his command much time TO remain in their beds at
night a. possible, supporting it wOuld occupy him
three hours TO bring hls forces upon the ground.
had looked for him about O'Clock certainly.
q. You bad us passed over the road along which
| he was required by this order 10 march. Will you
state its condition.
A. The road was in good condition everywhere,
and the greater portion WAS double road.
.. Did Gen. Porter obey that order
a. lie did not
y. At what time on the 2Sth did he arrive at Brs.
tow Station, tie point indicated in your order
a. The head OF hls column reached there at pre-
cisely ~ minutes past 10 In the morning.
q. Did he at that time, or any time prior to his
arrival explain to you the reaAon why he did not
obey the order.
A. lie wrote me IA note which think / received
on the morning of the 18th little before day hight.
! COunsel-leyerdy Johuson-We should like TO
see the note.
Wiiness-lt has been misaid. / have searched
| for 1t but have been unable 10 find IT,
q. WHAT was the nature oil the night, clear or
stormy
A. IL was a very clear night, if recoect Alright
q. Were any obstacles likely 10 BIO encountered
on the march
| A. have several times made marches with u
larger force than Gen. Porter had during the night;
there was some slight distractions caused by the
wagon-trans following IN the rear OF Gen. Hook
ers Division on their way TO Manassas but not SUN
cient TO have delayed for any length Of time the
passage OF artillery; but even had the roads been
entirely blockaded, the railroad track was clear,
and along that road had Passed the larger portion Of
Gen. lockers infantry; Gen. Porter's infantry
could have marched along the same route without
! Q. Whatever the obstacles which might have ex-
;ted in point Of fact was II not land aEx il rs IA
9Gt Question: the duty of Gen. Porter roeoiv,
INC lis command from you as bis superior officer, to
/ have made earnest efforts 10 o-ey III
A. Undoubtedly, Sir.
Mai. Gen Hitchcock interposed TN objection as
unnecessary.
The Judse Advocate stated that be put the ques-
ton to him as an expert, I'd il was point on " Inch
military men might differ.
I'm that view It was allowed to be put, aud to 90
upon the record.
| %. Will you state what orders, if any, you gave
TO Gen. Porter ON the 18th VI August Ia reference 10