, 1863-01-13
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE,
The Porter Court martlnI-The Town
Full Of RumorH-The President Ne-
sfeKed-Uott0n Operations In tho Ar
my-SheFmRn Removed.
(Tc1egraphic Correspondence Chicago Tribune.1

Photographic Correspondence Chicago Tribune.1
WAau1sarox, Jan. II, 1858.
Fitz John Porter's Court Martial closed its
labors last Saturday evening, after having
protractcd its last session from 10 in the
morning till after 6 ut night. After Porter
had concluded his defense, the court consulted
short time, and agreed upon their verdict,
which was then signed and~sealed with tho
proceedings Of the court, and promptly sent
up to The President. It issupposcd that he
will make the result public... -
Meantime speculation Is rife The current
Of belief on the streets is towards Porter's &C.
quittal. There are, however, some grave res
SONS for doubling this; and while it is ob7i-
ously impossible for any one TO state def
nitely what the result is, enough Is neyerthe.
less known to warrant the opinion that If
fope's charges are not sustained In their full
scope, and to the extent of sub5ectins Porter
to- the penalty Of death, the latter officer will
at any rate bc far from coming out with m
untarnished reputation. Portcr's speech in
bis own defense before the court msr.
tial rccited his services at Vera Cruz, Cerro
Gordo and elsewhere In Mexico, his service
in removing the regulars from Texas In 1861.
and In the Peninsular campaign under McQlel-
Ian, and introduced very remarkable letter
from Mcclellan, In which he recommended
Porter 1or BreVet Major Generalship In the
regular army for services ut Gaines Mills and
Malvern Hill. McClellan's praise Of Porter is
80 extravatgant as to cause considerable heart
burning among the other general officers,
whose services were at least equally brilliant,
but who received no such cncomiumB from
their commander: Porter then reviewed the
evidence concerning the Virginia campaign,
and though making no attempt to impeach
pope'ss testimony directly, sought to show
that his conduct had been al that could be
required throughout.
In regard to the charge OF his being trail
tor to his country, he said If it had not u.s.
s'i1ned so solemn q form 1t would hare been
received ererywhere, where his conduct is
known, as rldicnlously false; or a creation Of
a diBtempered brain.
about week. His friends say his visit to
New York is dfctated1nore bya desire to gain
respite Of q week or tWo from his work
here, than by any special business, either
with bankers or anybody else, His health
had been quite had for some weeks; and little
rest had become necessity.
Mardock, the tragcdian, gavc series Of
patriotic readings on Saturday night in the
Senate chamber, to crowded audience The
President and brilliant audience Of eminent
statesmen and politicians were present.
The town is full Of ruulors tonight that
and that Rosecrans is rctreating on Nashville.
The former gains some credence, the Inter
none.
The President has been fairly besieged to-
day BY Congressman dissatisfied with the
prospect Of affairs, and urging such remedies
as each had to offer. The net result Of their
labors is not vely formidable.
Cotton huF1np frnnh1ea in fhn Snrfhweat :