The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-09
Testimony of Gen. Mcclellan and
4 Burnside in the Porter Court

In the POTTER Court Martial, on Friday
last, Gen. MCCLELLAN was sworn, and tes-
tilted his belief in the loyalty, efficiency,
and ability of Gen. PORTER, and that he
faithfully respected all orders to him, those
from Gen. PORE included. He detailed
facts of the history of the Peninsular cam
paign, going to show an eagerness to 60 to
the relief Of POPE, including the steps taken
by POTTER to expedite the departure of his
own corps,-to that end acting in tempo
rary disobedience to his (MCCLELLAN's)
own orders, which act he approved on
hearing the :justifable circumstances re-
quiring it to be done. In the course Of his
examination, Gen. MCCLELLAN was asked
what induced him to send PORTER his dis
patch urging activity and fidelity on his
part in cooperating with POPE, and an
swered that it was sent only at the request
Of lie President Of The United States, who
seemed to fear that the officers of the Army
of the Potomac were adverse to co-operat-
ing heartily with POPE. He had remarked
to the President that he felt entirely conf
dent that PORTER and other officers of the
Army of the Potomac with PORE would do
their whole duty, but that he would tele-
graph one of them to crafty the President
During MCCIEILAN's testimony the follow
ing questions and answers occurred.
Q.-From what you saw of his conduct, or
from anything you may have heard from him
after he knew that he was to 90 to the assist
ance Of Gen. Pope, did he do all, in your opini-
on, that an energetic, Jealous and patriotic
officer could have done?
Al think he did.
Q.-Iiad you any reason at any time after he
received the order that he was to 90 to the as
sistance Of Gen. Pope, to believe that he would
fail Gen. Pope or the country:
A.-NOne, whatever.
The following extract from BUENsrDE's
evidence taken on the day previous is of
considerable Importance, and more correct
than the summary heretofore given
Q.-From your observations of Gen Por-
ter's military conduct, and from your knowl-
edge of him as an officer, what opinion have
you formed touching his attention and fidelity
to duty and zeal in its performance?
Al always thought him jealous faith
full, and loyal officer have never seen anything
to lead me to think otherwise.
Q.-State whether, the time at which these
dispatches were received was between the Goth
and Doth of August last, and whether any thing
in your mind excited apprehensions that Gen
Porter might not be inclined to do his duty as
a subordinate under command of Gen. POPE -
dispatches. | saw in Gen. POrters dispatches
exactly what h I'd heard expressed by large
proportion Ofthc prominent officers that l was
connected with at the time as very great lack
of confidence in the management of the cam
paign was not confined to Gen. Porter; and
although have heard him make use of very
indiscreet language, there was nothing in what
he said that made me feel for one moment that
he would not do his duty.
Q.-Arc you of opinion that the impression
of the army in regard to General Pope was of
such character as might have tended to the
embarrassment of his military operations
A. think they were.
Q-Was it from dispatches You received
from Gen. Porter that you first learned that
that officer lacked confidence in the manage
ment of the campaign under Gen Pope:
Al think not. felt that he had not con-
idence in him when he first started: but still l
cannot recOllect that ever heard him say one
word Oh that subject.
Q.-Were ithe expressions of officers you re-
ferred to relating to the policy of the opera
tons of the Army of Virginia, confined to those
belonging to the Army of the Potomac?
A.-NO, sir.
Q.-Did the doubts of these officers seem
to relate to the general policy Of the Army of
Virginia, or to the Army in the Rapidan and
Rappahannock Valleys, or to the execution of
the plan under the immediate command ofGen.
POpe!"
OIL never heard any general expression of
the kind, but there was strong distrust as to
Gen. Popes being able to carry out his plan?
The general impression is that General
PORTER will be triumphantly acquitted, al
though it is said that STANTON constituted it
with especial view to his conviction. There
is scarcely anything yet elected which
bears against him, save the opinions of
POPE and Mcdowell, that he could march
more rapidly during dark night, to the
assistance of the former. These opinions
are of little weight. The testimony of
all the Generals in the army, who have
been called for the defence, is highly IA
NOfdOlo TO IORTEis. lie never would nave
been cOurt-martialed but for the mutual
friendship existing between him and Nc
CLELLAN. A few days ago the radical pa
pers were clamoring for his blood, and de-
handing that he should be shot to death,
merely upon the testimony of such COM
mon and notorious liar as Gen. JOHN Pope
They are very silent since BURNSIDE and
others have spoken in his favor. General
PORTER is one of the ablest and truest
soldiers in the army, and the country can
not afford to have him sacrificed to the
hate of those who are incapable of appre-
ciating military excellence
The California steamer Ocean Queen
has arrived at New York, with $500, 900
in treasure This is one Of the vessels
relative to whose capture by the Alabama
some apprehensions have been entertained.
Gold in Chicago was 81, 34a last Sat-