The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-23
The Porter Court Martial.
THE SUMMING UP OF MIR. EAMES
FOR THE DEFENCE.


| WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O.-The Court met
this morning at 10 O'Clock. Present, Ma
jor General Hunter, President; Major Gen
eral Hitchcock, Brigadier Generals Prem
tiss, Casey, Buford, King, Ricketts,, Gar
field and Slough, members of the Court,
Joseph Holt, Judge-Advocate General
! Fitz-John Porter, the accused, and his
counsel, Messrs. Reverdy johnson and
Eames. There were number of ladies
| present.
Mr.. Eames. one of General POrter'S
counsel, then commenced the reading of
the defence of Gen. Porter. The opening
set forth that up to the date of the first
charge Gen. Porter undoubtedly stood Of
fair name and fame; that his services had
been acknowledged by his superior officers
with generous regard and reward; and that
eminent and honorable men had appeared
and testified fully in his behalf-testimon
which he trusted, was sufficient to con
vince the Court of his entire innocence OF
the calumnous charges brought against
him.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Eames' MASTER
ly address, which was delivered with dra-
matte effect, Hon. Reverdy johnson pro-
ceeded to read the thrilling account of
Gen. POrter's personal services to his
country as an officer during the Mexican
war, and since the outbreak of the rebellion.
The peroration was patriotic and eloquent,
and for thrilling pathos is. unsurpassed in
the annals of COurts-martial. The scene
was impressive, and the addresses made a
visible effect upon the Court.
The following is Gen Porter's personal
defence:
Nh. PRESIDENT AND GENT EMEN My
defence is now concluded: Before, howev-
or, deliver it into your hands | hope to
be INDUCED in some remarks more eXclu-
sively personal. To speak of ones self in
terms OF COMMUNICATION is always unplea-
SAINT and is generally against the laws of
good taste-but there arc occasions when
it becomes unavoidable.
The sensibility which it then wounds
must bear the intiction, because Il higher
scnsibility demands the sacrifice.
When a soldiers honor is impeached,
when his loyalty is asSailed, when cowar-
dice is even insinuated against him, aud
when the safety of his country is said to
have been purposely and causelessly haz-
arded by him, in the indulgence of some
low, petty, contemplate motive, it can
not be expected that he is to be restrain
ed by the delicacy which belongs to the
ordinary intercourse between gentlemen.
If his past life gives the lie to The charge;
if it at all exhibits conduct totally incon-
sistent with its truth: lift speaks a nature
that would revolt even at the thought OF
the crime; if it eyinces long and peri
lous course OF duty, and an ardent and ever
enduring love of country--a constant zeal
for the honor of its flag and an undying
devotion to its service; if in the present
crisis of its history, from the first moment
that unhallowed ambition started on its
career of treason, he has given himself
with sleepless vigilance, and amidst count
less hazards, to do what he could to put
down this foul rebellion and reinstate the
authority of the Government; if until the
unfortunate Virginia campaign, Of last
Summer, his services were approved by the
public, by his brothers in arms, and signal
ly acknowledged by the President; if these
facts are true of myself, then may be well
excused for proudly invoking them as an
answer to the false and groundless impu-
tatioLs upon my duty and my honor as q
citizen and soldier.
What has been my history? First
served-then being Il mere youth-in the
Mexican war, throughout the Respondent
campaign of Lieutenant General Scott,
and was actively engaged in the several
battles of Vera Cruz Contreras Moline
del Rey, Chapultepec, and the City Of
Mexico. entered on that service as Bre-
vet Second Lieutenant ofthe Fourth Regi-
ment of Artillery, and was breveted Cap
4 = boI IL, I,+t1 l.,
of Molino del Rey, ANA as Major for like
service in the battle at the City of Mexico
Second-In February, 1861, | was or.
dered by the then Secretary of War, Mr..
Holt, your Judge Advocate, to proceed to
Texas, for the purpose OF withdrawing rs
many of the troops OF the United States as
could from that State, and thereby coun-
teracting, as tar rs possible the effect OF
the then recent, uneXampled and base
treachery of General Twiggs Amidst
great difficulties and much personal peril,
| succeeded in rescning seven companies,
in all five hundred men, and in posting
two of them at Tortugas. two at Key
West, and taking three to New York. The
whole duty was performed to the perfect
satisfaction of the Department
Third-In May. 1861, was commits
stoned as Colonel in the regular army, and
in August Brigadier General Of Volun-
teers, and afterwards served throughout
the Peninsular campaigns under Major Gen
eral Mcclellan; at the siege OF Yorktown
he constituted me director of the siege; il
the battle OF Hanover Court House | com.
manded a corps, now the Fifth Corps o
the Army of the Potomac, including all the
regulars. In the battle OF Gaines Mill, my
command being about $4,000, l lost, IL
killed. wounded and missing, 1900 men
q fact which tells the severity of the con
fict. In the battle of Malvern Hill, SITE
selected by myself the day before the fear
full and last struggle, with my own corps
which was joined by the commands Of Sum
ner. Heintzelman and Couch, each of whom
engaged in the fight, or cheerfully rendered
me every assistance in their power, amount
inc in the aggregate to some $4,000 men
through the skill of my officers and the in
domitable bravery Of my troops, | sue.