Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-02-05
GENERAL FITzIoHN PORTER

found guilty on all the charges and
specifications, and dismissed from the
service. These charges were, in brief,
as follows: s9
I. Disobeyibg. on the 98th OF Au-
gust, an order OF Gen. Pope, then his
superior officer. directing him to bring
his corps to help Hooker and others in
what is now known as the second bat
tie Of Bull Run. se ss-es-s
2. Disebeying another order Of Gen.
Pope on the day following, directing
him to make certain movements.
3. Totally disobeying very impor-
tant orders as to the movements of his
corps while the battle was in progress
on the said 29tb of August.
4. Disregarding a peremptory or
der from Gen. Pope to bring his COM
mand into action and to report in per-
son on the field.
8. Permitting certain Of his brig
sdes. in defiance Of positive orders, to
march back to Centreville, thus greatly
delaying the arrival Of Pratt's brigade
on the field of battle Of the 30th Au-
gust.
6. When peremptorily ordered into
battle, he did there shamefully DISC
bey, and did retreat from the advancing
forces OF the enemy, without any at
tempt to engage them, or aiding the
troops who were already fighting great
ly superior numbers, and were relying
on the flank attack be was thus ordered
to make 10 secure a decisive victory,
and to capture the enemy's army, q re-
suit which must have followed from
said flank attack. had 1t been made BY
said Gen. Porter in compliance with
the said order which be SO shamefully
disobeyed.
7. In that, "being With his army
corps on Friday, the 99th Of April, be-
tween Manassas Station and the field
Of battle then pending, and within
sound Of the guns, and in presence Of
the enemy, and knowing that severe
action Of great consequence was being
fought, and that the aid OF his corps
was greatly needed, did fail all that
day TO bringit on the field, and did
shamefully fall back and retreat from
the advance Of the enemy, without any
attempt to give them battle, and with
out knowing the forces from which he
shsmefully retreated."
8. That "being in the belief that
the troops Of General Pope were sus-
tanning defeat and retiring from the
field, did shamefully fail 10 go TO the
aid OF said troops, and did shsmefully
retreat, and fall back with his army to
the Manassas Junction. and leave to the
disaster OF presumed defeat the said
army, and did fail by any attempt to
attack the enemy, to aid in averting the
misfortunes of a disaster that would
have endangered the safety Of the capi-
tai Of the country"
9. That being commanded "to en-
gage the enemy's lines and to carry q
position near their center, and TO take
an annoying battery there posted, did
proceed in the execution Of that order
with unnecessary sloWness, and, by de-
lays, give the enemy opportunities TO
watch and know his movements, and to
prepare 10 meet his attack, and he did
finally so feebly fall upon the enemy's
lines as to make little or no impression,
and did fall back unnecessarily, and
without making any of the great per-
soual efforts TO rally his troops to meet
the sacrifices and to make the resistance
demanded by the importance of his
position, and the momentous conse-
quences and disasters of a retreat at so
critical a juncture Of the day"
These charges were submitted TO a
Court Martial composed Of Major Gen.
eral Hitchcock, Brigsdier- Generals Ru-
fus King. Prentiss, Ricketts,, Casey,
Garfield. Buford and Morris, the Hon.
Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate. General,
acting as Judge-Advocate. Gen. Por.
ter was defended by the Hon. Reyerdy
johnson and Charles Esmes, Esq, with
such eminent ability as to make the de-
tense especially notable, and it lead to
the opinion that he would be scquitted.
The hearing was long and patient, and
the largest latitude was allowed to the
accused consistent with the rules of
war. The record OF the trial, made up
by Judge Holt, was laid before the
President. Wednesday. was by him ap-
proved, and the sentesee ordered to be
forthwith executed. The findings of
the Court we're that Gen. Porter was
guilty OF every one of the charges 1--WE
think the last one above quoted was
abandoned in the outset. and the SEN
tence was Dismissed from the SER
vice." The news of this sentence was
communicated to Gen. Porter Wednes-
day evening, He was painfully affect
ed, and greatly sstonished, evidently
not having anticipated such a result
Indeed, it is more than probable that he
counted on full acquittal. as but a
day or two since he applied fos tempo
rary leave Of absence. ~ tsf-- a.ls sd
FitzjoEn Porter was cadet from
New Hampshire. leaving the Military
Academy in 1845. He was made
First Lieutenant in 1847, and the same
year Brevet Captain for gallant con-
duct in the battle Of Molino del Rey.-
At the battle Of .Chepultepec he won
the honors OF revet-Msjor. He was
wounded at the Bolen Gate, at the Ia.
king Of the City Of Mexico. After
peace with Merieo. he Vas Ass;stant