The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-26
FITZ JOHN PORTER.
General NIcClellan's Attempt to Have his Som
tence Reyoked-A Caustic Review.

General McCIellan's Attempt to Have his Sem
tence Reyoked-A Caustic Review.
The Washington correspondent of the Cincin-
natl Commercial, Don Piatt, writes:-
The motive for the unexpected visit of General
Mcclellan to this CITY, the other day, has come
10 the surface. An effort is being made to get
the President to revoke the sentence, and set
aside the finding of the Court called to try that
gentleman, whose devotion to his General ex-
ceeded his loyalty to his Government; II was
not that he loved the Union less, but Mcclellan
more. The pressure in his behalf is so great
that General Sherman has recommended to the
President that the disabilities inflicted be re-
moved, and the President has the subject under
advisement with what prospect of decision
one may gather after considering the pressure
that comes from West Point, and comparing it
with the hope of arenominationto the Presidency.
l am rather of the opinion that the sentence and
finding viii be set aside. The President has
such q contempt for politicians, aud General
Sherman such n scorn OF the people, that be-
lieve West Point win triumph, and General Por-
ter be saved the further ignominy that attends
his present situation.
have always thought that we struck at small
game when we put on trial the creature instead
of the master. Perhaps the master was too
shrewd and cautious to commit the overt act
necessary TO finding by eourt-martial But
there was one thing certain, the spirit existed ut
headquarters that inspired the overt treason. l
happened TO be cognizant of some of this. Dur
ing Pope's campaign, when his little army stood
between Lee and the capital holding the Con-
federates at bay until Mcclellan could come up
with his forces from the James, l made an
attempt to join my General. l proceeded to
Alexandria, intending to take the cars to Ma
nassas Junction, aud thence on horseback to
our command. found the town full of rumors,
10 the effect that the enemy was at the Juac-
tion in force. l could not believe this, and
succeeded in so convincing General Slough of
its absurdity that he made up train and sent
Ms out.
We came to grief not only in finding the re-
port true, but in collision between our train
and one fleeing. from the Confederate wrath in
lis rear. Defeated in this direction, l then
\ sought General McClellan's headquarters near
Alexandria, 10 learn, If possible, the meaning of
the trouble. l found my old friend Colonel
Key, who welcomed me to the little camp. l
was introduced to other officers of the staff but
could get no reliable information. / did, how,
ever hear enough TO satisfy me that the officers
there assembled had very little interest in the
struggle then going on, as they laughed at the
earnest demands sent by telegraph to General
Mcclellan from the War Department to hurry
on his troops to the relief of General Pope. Nor
could discover from them the road / must take
TO get to the 'front.' / did not see General
Mcclellan. / asked Colonel Key to get an
opinion from him, and, after an hours delay,
learned from Colonel Key that it was the opinion
at headquarters that had only to remain where
was and my command, or at least all that
might be left Of it, would soon join me.