The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-09
FROM WASHINGTON.

Special Dispatch TO the Chicago Times.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.-In the Porter
court-martial to-day, Gen. Burnside was
examined, testifying at length with refer
ence to the dispatches by the accused to
him during the progress of his corps be-
tween Fredericksburg and Bull Run. He
also testified that the order to eyacuate
the Peninsula was approved by the gene
raj officers Of McClellan's army, and
that they were not adverse to serving in
the Army of the Rappahannock. When
the question was put to Gen. Burnside if
he. considered Gen Pope competent to
command an army, he declined to answer.
The court was then closed, and it was de-
cided that he must answer. He then said
he did not think him competent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.-In the Porter
court martial Gen. Burnside was examined
on Tuesday, and testified to having re-
ceived unofficial kilograms from Porter,
after that officer had joined the Army of
| Virginia, relative to the operations of the
forces under Gen. Pope's command. He
was satisfied that what was said therein of
Gen. Pope's character was strictly correct.
Being asked whether the indispOsition an
nOunced by many of Gen. McClellan's Off
GERS to serve under Gen. Pope was not
chiefly caused by the withdrawal of the
army from the Peninsula, he replied that
almost every officer with whom he had
conversed had fully sanctioned the wisdom
Of that move. He had, however, no desire
to make personal reflections on the capacity
of Gen. Pope. Being further questioned
in regard to Gen. Porter, he stated that he
knew that Porter had Immediately obeyed
the order requiring him to join his forces
with Gen. Pope's, but whether he had
used efforts beyond the dictates of duty to
do so he was not aware. He spoke also of
an incident that occurred on the banks of
the Chickahominy, in which General
Porter displayed foresight. While on the
point of crossing that stream, the wagon
trains very much impeded the movements
of the troops. General Porter had ordered
the wagons to pass on beyond, and in do
ing so was compelled to change the posi-
ton of his corps. General Mcclellan was
at first displeased with this maneuvre, but
after the army had crossed, fully assented
to its righteousness.
General Butterfeld, of General Porter's
corps, stated that he was present when the
order from General Pope arrived directing
General Porter to march at O'Clock, AM
on the 28th Of August. Porter, he said,
having sent out his aids to explore the
road, was convinced by their reports of the
impracticability Of starting before day
break, and decided accordingly. He gave
an account Ofthe march from Pellis' Ford
to Bristow, during the latter part of Au-
gust, and of the fatigue of the soldiers
thereon. He believed that General Por-
ter had done his whole duty.
Gen. Buford, chief of cavalry to the Sec
ond corps of Popes army, was called in,
and briefly questioned with reference to the
report he made to Gen. Mcdowell, on the
29th of August, of the presence of large
force under Gen. Longstreet near Gaines
vile. He stated that he thought they had
come through Thoroughfare Gap, and that
they had approached from the direc-
ton of Gainesville about or loan.
communication was received on Tues
DAY from Gen. Sigel to the Mcdowell
Court OF Inquiry, stating that he was not
prepared to make any corrections in his
testimony. This together with letters
from Gen. Mcclellan, designed to throw
light on the declarations which he
had previously made before the court,
were read by the Recorder, and ordered
to be appended to the days proceedings.
Major Willord, aid to Gen. Mcdowell.
was the only witness. He was examined
concerning an interview between General
Mcdowell and General Sigel, on the 9th
Of August, near Blackland Mills, at which
he was present.