The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-05
P0PES BULL RUN BATTLE.
FITZ-JOHN PORTER's REPLY TO SEN
1TOR CH1NDLER'S SPEECH.

~.
Strong A rqumcnt for the Rcopening oftbo
Trinl-LincoiD's Approval Based on Judre
Boifs Opinion-Pope's Army saved By
his Action-The Order In,practica bie--Tho
Charges false and Frivolous-Ge General
Thomas Opinion.
WASHINGTON, April 4--Con. Fitz-John Portsrs
reply to the recent speech by Senator Chandler has
been addressed TO that Senator with the request that
IL be laid before the Senate, "to show into what
grave errors MIR. Chandler had fallen" In enueavor-
ing TO do justice TO history The main points OF the
reply are that he has proofs Of the following:
That Mr.. Lincoln promised to reopen his case on
production OF new evidence; that be had based his
approval Of the sentence Judge Hots opinion,
not having had time TO examine the case himself,
That he delayed two hours Of night etccutng
Pope's order TO march by the
URGENT ADVICE OF HIS DIVISION consArDvRs.
Their reasons were: "that the command hsd
reached warrenton junction at late hour, without
food, very much fatigued by continuous march 90
thirteen days and nights OF broken rest; that the
night was pitch dark, the road was bad and block
AIDED with wagon trains in confusion that
THE SPIRIT OF THE ORDER
would be best carried out by delaying the march TIM
ddyIrSdk, because the troops would have their
nights rest and would march more rapidly. reaeh-
ing their destination IN condition for immediate ac-
ton and that as Tic indications pointed TO tie fact
that the then retreating nom before Gen.
Pope the necessity was not pressing"
He win prove on rehearng that though appreci.
atinq the soundness OF these reasons, he was de-
cldedly Of the opinion that "the order should be
obeyed :" that "he who gave the order knew
whether the necessities OF the case should warrant
tho exertion :" and that
HE YIELDED TO ruE ADVICE
Of lis Generals only after being assured by tho
bearer Of the order that he had been delayed by
the darkness and the blocked condition Of the road.
He will prove that the result showed that literal
compliance with tle order was impracticable; that
no time was lost by the delay, but the march made
all the quicker for ~ that he arrived as soon IS
other tro ops, coming q shorter distance and urder
as urgent orders that wien he did arrive there was
and had been
NOTHING FOR HIN TO DO;
and that he remained 10 Bristol all that day under
Pope's order, twice repeated. "to remain at Brls-
toll; when wanted you will be sent for"
He also show that he knew nothing about
Hooker wanting ammunition that he did not want
any and did not take any when it reached him. thai
this charge Of Pope was
NOT ONLY FALSE BUT FRIVOLOUS.
Tho Joint order " to Gen. Mcdowell ana himself
was according to all testimony, McDoweli's Include
elected to march away from him. taking one-half or
the whole force. lie left him confronted by all OF
Lonrstreets force, double md more In number, 10
position selected, and as LongsiTeet now writes
" most anxious TO bring fight"
Gen. Porter Chains that be desired 10 show this
on his trial as against Popes ehRrEe that
was any mics away, and he now adduces Lohey
streets testimony to prove that he, Porter. vac
POPS AND xDowELL wRoxo.
He claims that MoDowell's testimony should not
have been taken. as he admitted want Of memo
~ on VIZ points and had , ihs wan. snp0 ,s Sy
In Porters cnse len the bench to testify against hin
He CHALLENGES hts aecqsera to meet him sefores
military tribunal OF the best army men, with the fab
evidence he now has 10 present. He says . 80
THEY DARE NOT NEE, Tim TRrru.
He SAYS that Popes nnal aud most Important order
too late execute IT, Aceording to Il evidence now
In hand, lis action not only was the hes, for bis
eOTgs but s,ved Pore from t9,a, capture or r9us
the trial. for the following reasons:
The tines and circumstances checked free sK.
preston or Offering OF testimony.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR
refused the accused permission. early in the trial 10
send his aids to the army to see witnesses and gathes
When he did send bis aids on HI. own RESPONSE
bity letters to and from them and others were pur-
Joined, or opened and robbed Of information.
He was not apprised Of the names and location or
witnesses whom he was persuaded could furnish re-
liable Information IN ne fayor thus losing not only
the information they had as to
WHAT OTHER PERSONS COULD PRovu
in MS favor.
poroDt facts In his behalf did not appear I'LL the
moment they were called TO testify, compelling him
TO produce witnesses without knowing what par
cular facts they possessed OF and how to fully
elicit them
These Irregularities he complained Of to the Court
and to the Government during tho trial lie claima
they give additional grounds for rehearing.
QUOTING FROM cuANpLRR's SPEECH,
IN which &c latter said: "What business was II 70
him Porter whe.sAr he was cut to pieces or not"
Porter replies: "When ~ officer Is ordered 10 fall
on the hank Of one corps OF ne enemy, and pc can
not fall Il and defeat and capur, ", Is MS opsi-
ness not to be cut to pieces in falling u aho'ner
much larger body OF the enemy which he Wa NOT
ordered to attack. and which, II he did attack m,st
have defeated and CAPTURED him and the army Of the
Arain quoting from Chambers speech in which
s latter asserts 1st he had swoIp testimony ron
close, that Porter said In his hearing:
~ WAS NOT TRUE TO PORE,
and there's no use In denying it," Gen Porter says
that 1.-THE statement BY whomsoever mado IL false
In every particular. The person that makes q stats.
ment, which II true, is damning in It's character
and then begs the conccament OF his name, ia not
worthy OF recognition BY men. Aside from my
general character for reticcnce when in the armyi
certainly had no inducemcnt
TO LOSE MT SENSES
pending my trial, and falsely assert In any ones
endeavorins 10 prove" lie Significantly asks w5y
this reliable witness not produced on the trial,
Sieulolc, WOulu long ago nave
ended his appeal.
In reply TO the Senator's statement that the Court
had unanimously rendered the verdict, Gen. Porter
says this may have been the case, but
MR. CHANDLER CANNOT KNOW 1T
TO be So, unless some member has violated his oath
not TO discover disclose that vote unless required
TO give evidence thereof in due course Of law.
The General concludes by saying that the opposi-
ton to his request Will he regarded with suspicion
especially when the request is made By an otncer
who has
SPENT LfFB IN SERVICE,
ana whose record will not suffer by contact with
any OF his accusers, II the reUpenng OF the case
would deepen the public conviction OF the justice OF
his punishment, why should his enemies oppose
III 1t was due to
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY
mat the Justice OF his condemnation shoud be made
so palpable that citizens and Journalists will cease
their advocacy Of his cnHse.
. Neither Gen. Pope nor others can longer take re-
huge behind A." the want Of power" TO reopen his
case, the " bad precedent" il would hI upon the
army, and the like. The power has been found AMI
exercised; the precedent has been Fixed. And
nnally he will 20 on to the end, seeking his iust6ea.
ton nom the Government who owe 1t to him, or
leaving II, II God wills It,
LEGACY MY CHILDREN
to demand md obtain
Amoup tho nan n,r,o. a., q, ~.