The Indiana State sentinel., 1874-05-19
THE GREAT WRONG,

FiTz JOHN PoRrER's cAsE-A MEMORIAL TO.
ior LHv on lr' CONGRESS. '.ro7f. p. lfi trr1t .
The following memorial, prepared in COM
pliance with previous resolutions Of the corps
and heretofore annually passed, has been
circulated by resolutions of the society Of
the fifth army corps, for the signature OF all
who-in order that truth and justice shall
be established-desire the investigation ap-
piled for. q All who desire to join in the ap-
peal are requested TO address General James
McQusde, "a Broad street, New York, who
will see the names property attached and the
appeal delivered to the president and to con-
gress. The press, to whom thanks are due
from earnest efforts in the direction of these
resolutions, are solicited to extend their gem
erous aid by disseminating this appeal and
these resolutions: -f5iHn n9T mo 7mc1
TO fhe Pyesideat and C6Rqrcss oJ the UHitefsSlsss:
Your memorialists. officers and soldiers OF the
9Th arm y>corps, and of other corps OF the army
of the Potomac, and of other armies in the late
war, respectfully represent: That Major General
corps OF the army of the Potomac in great bat
ties with signal gallantry and skill, with entire
devotion TO his duty and TO his country, and
with great appreciation of his commander, Gen.
eral Mcclellan and of President Lincoln, was,
when brought under command OF General Pope.
| in his campaign in Virginia, charged by that
general with misconduct in battle, causing the
defeat which he sustained In the battle OF Man
assas against superior forces. That court ma r
ual did, on these charges, sentence General Por-
| ter to be cashiered and to be Incapable forever
iofany Office of trust or honor under the United
States. That this court was held when the con-
trolling evidence, as now shown was inaccessi-
4 BILE; and when great interests and excited pas
sions, military and political, prevented an
impartial trial That able jurists among The
most emminent in The profession in the United
States, OF both political parties, have examined
the record OF the court-martials and declared
i their clear Judgment that the verdict was con-
trary to evidence, and that the accused ought tC
have been acquitted That evidence discovered
since the war proves absolutely, that the
charges, in essential matters were founded In
error OF fact And on these grounds and con
| elusive reasons, your memoriallstS respectfully
represent tnat General Porter is entitled, of ths
public justice OF his country, TO redress in some
mode OF re-hearing as a matter of right, because
| legged to be unjust and capable of clear and en-
tire refutatiOn. Such re-hearing may be had
1 before a board of capable and impartial Officers
appointed TO examine the new evidence Will
| the record of the court and to submit the
result OF their investigation to th'
president and to congress. Your memorial
lists further represent that full inquiry into tli
matter is due not only to General Porter, bur L
I the officers and soldiers of his command whS
have deserved the regard of their country hy
disaffection was also alleged against the Army
of the Potomac, "that many corps of that ARM
would not fight" The vindication of Genera
Porter will be the just vin6ication Of the ST.
corps, and of the Army of the Potomac, ant
clear that the battle of Manassas was fought by
especially by POrter's 5th corps, on whom tn
| brunt fell, with great hardihood and devotion
and severe lOSS-and that the battle was lost be
cause OF the superior forces opposed 10 us.