Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-01-10
THE PORTER COURT MARTIAL.
THE TESTIMONY OF GEN. MCCLELLAN.

We to-day make ruou for full report of the testimony
given by Gen Mcclellan on Friday last before The court
martial in the case of Gen Fits John Porter.
Gen MCCLELLAN stated that be commanded the Army
of the Potomac from Immediately after the battle of Bull
Run, 10 1861. up to about the end Of August 1852
Question. Did Gen. Porter command corps in that
aroiy IL go, at what time
Answer He served in that army from time in the
month OF St ptember l661frst commander of diyi
son and then commander OF corps. from about the
end of April to the beginning Of May, 1862.
Question. When did the Army of the Potomac reach
Aqua Creek
Answer 1t reached by detachmens, during tho latter
part OF August.
Question Have you knowledge Of any efforts made by
Gen Porter for the purpose of moving with his com
mand in order to get Aqua Greek to join Gen Pope
Answer. Immediately after the commencement OF the
move mrnt for evacuatng Harrons Bar, Gen. Porter
instructed his corps to the vicinity Of Williams
burg holding position in front OF it, so as 70 be able TO
support either wing OF the army attacked While Iners
re ceyed Information from conrabands and intercepted
letters showing that the rebel troops IN The vicinity OF
Richmond moving upon Gen. Pope, aud immediately
without waiting for further instructions from me- moved
hi, command with the utmost rapidly TO Newport News
TO embark While at Newport News ne used every EFFORT
to facilitate the embakation Of his command for Aqua
Greek.
Question Did he know that The object Of that movement
upon his part go quick possible to the assis
lance Of Gen Pope7
Answer. He did
Quest on AT what time did he get of from Newport
News'
Answer think he embarked in person the Goth of
August could not tell certainly without reference to
pspers and dates
despatch was handed to the Witness ard the question
asked, if that document refreshed his recollection
The following is the despatch alluded to-
FIT MONROE (yA.) AUGUST 20--il A. NJ, 1861 Il
The pecesiy is very pressnga matter Of life and death
What is being made and when VIII you De through
$50 GEO b. AIcCLELLAs, Major General.
To Major General +. j PORTER
Aitsr reading tho paper and acknowledging its author
ship Gen Mcclellan said To the best OF my knowledge
and belief Gen. Potter called tie evening OF the 20th
Of August
By him to your satisfaction
Answer Entirely SO.
Question You have stated that the first movement,
which he made for the purpose Of getting to Newport
News was without orders from you Was not contrary
to orders at that time
Answer 1t was departing from the letter of Instructions
Ihad given him should say however, 10 explanation OF
that that Gen. Porter sent telegram perhaps two,
stating that he woGi move up certaoly did not forbid
it, By some delay did not receive these dispatches until
after he had started but fully approved OF bis course in
dong what he did. .G
Question. Was the effect OF that movement to expedite
his arrival at Aqua Creek
Answer Very decidedly at least day if not more
Question. After he left Newport News with his COM
nand when did you see him, If at all, afterwards
Answer. At Aqua Creek.
Question How Ioag was he there under your immediate
supervision
Answer think from twenty-fcur to thirtysx hours
between there and Falmouth.
Question. Did you him sitter he left Falmouth until
d be campaign was at an end?
Answer No, sir.
Question From what you of his conduct from any
thing you may have heard from him after he knew
that he was to 20 the Of Gen. Pope did he do
ALL your opinion, that energetic, jealous patriotic
officer could have done7
Answer think he did.
Question. Had you any reason, at any time after he
received notice he was to 60 to the assistance Of Gen
Pope to believe that he would fail Gen. Pope the
country
Answer. None whatever.
Question Do you remember whether you received from
Con Burnside after Gen. Porter Joined the command
about to Join the command vi Gen. Pope, any des
patches he had received from Gen. Porter
Answer received several. The exact number l do
not know perhaps three or four--forwarded BY Gen.
Burnside from Falmouth
Question. To yourself2
Answer The copies, think wereaddressed both to Gen.
Haleck and myself
Gen Mcclellan here examined the various dispatches
referred to, in which Gen. Porter comments upon the
in which the Virginia campaign had been con
duct d. and acknowledged them to be the be had
received.
Question Did you, from the kilograms that you SO
received form impression that Gen. Porter would not be
true ~ his duty to Gen. Pope7
Answer. / did not
Question Will you do me the favor to look at this pa
per- lhandng it to him, aud say whether you rent that
despatch
Answer. did 1.-THE despatch alluded to is the one
l., ~
urging the latter TO do all In his power to assist Gen.
Pope
Question. As you have already stated that you never
entertained doubt that Gen Porter would be true
Gen. Pope in that campaign how you to send him
such despatch as that q
Answer sent 10 accordance with the request Of The
President of the United States. who sent for that
day and told that he had understood there
kind feeling the part Of the Army OF the Potomac to-
ward Cen Pope, and requested to my personal 10
fuence TO corert It, by eegraphng to Gen Porter to
any other of friends there told him that did not con-
slider it necessary but perfectly willing to do It,
had doubt then my mind but that the Army OF
the Potomac and all connected with would do their duty
without the necessity for any action my pat.
Question understand you to say, then, that you sent
the telegram to quiet the appehensions Of the President
Answer. Entirely so.
Examination BY The Judge Adrocais.
Question This despatch, Of which you have spoken,
bears date $50 p M, September 1862 We're you not
then time afterward in command OF the defences
Of Washingtnn1
Answer had been paced in command Of the defences
Of Washington that morning by verbal order
Question Can you recall the hour at which the fol-
loving day. the order Gen Pope to fall back
wi hin the defences of Washington
Answer The order did not emanate from me- but my
recollection is that it sent very early hour the
morning of the Cd Of September.
Question Did old not the execution of that order me-
cessary place the forces Of Gen Pope himself under your
command
Answer was directed not to assume any command
over the active troops commanded by Gen. Pope until
expressly excluded from all control over them until
then,
Question Did the President in his convsys a;on with
you previous t. the sending Of this despatch express ap