The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-30

i lie BeCOuu tll vi AllcO'ctlOAtt wa vi |
the Goth, the day of the second battle of
Bull Run, when Pope met the whole rebel
army and disastrous defeat. The battle
commenced at daylight, and Pope sent a
Joint order to Mcdowell and Porter to adj
vance to Gainesville, there to unite with
Heintzleman, Sigcl and Reno. The order
was received when Mcdowell and Porter
were together and Mcdowell, the ranking
officer, was in command. They we're on
the march to Gainesville, and go continued
until shortly after noon, when they stop
ped for consultation, while the battle was
raging only some two or three miles dis
tant. Mcdowell said addressing Porter,
81 will go along the Scedley Springs road
and attack the enemy's center; put in your
force here and you will take them on the
right flank Porter, pointing In the d.
rcction of some rising dust, replied "We
cant 90 in here anywhere without getting
into fight" Is it any wonder that Nc
Dowcll retorted in surprise, "Thats what
We came here for ?" Mcdowell left Por-
ter, his temporary command over him
ceasing, and was soon In the thickest OF
the fight Shortly after, Porter, who had
thirteen thousand fresh men under his COM
mand, ordered Grifllth's brigade TO advance
which it did for a short distance, and until
the rebels fired "a few long shots" on them
| from two pieces of artillery, when Porter
ordered retreat to Manassas, where he
and his entire command reached in the af-
ternoon and remained all night.
The third act of disobedience was on
this wise. When they reached Manassas,
they stacked arms, although the sound of
the conflict was still borne to their ears,
and while Porter was reclining under the
shade-betwcen five and six o'clock two
smoke and dust begrimed aids from
General Pope reached him, with an order
to attack at once ''cithcr on the right flank
or, If possible, in the rear" Porter read
the order, conversed with the aids for a
quarter of an hour, aad they left him still
reclining in the shade. After their depart
urc, he ordered an attack with three regi-
ments, but, just as the advance began, he
revoked the order and recalled the three
regiments-an this was the end of his ex-
ertions. Popc's defeat was complete, the
rebel victory was all that rebels could ask.
Had Porter thrown his thirteen thousand
men into the breach, the result might have
been different. Who can tell ?-but we
arc OF liberty to assume it, although 1t
makes no difference with the quality of
Porter's acts.
These then are the specifications, in
brief, of the crime for which he was cash.
tered, and for which he has so repeatedly
asked Ii re-hearing. AS a writer, at the
time of his first petition, well remarked,
ga man can be traitor under the law
without consciously soiling his personal
honor. But the treachery of soldier, on
the field of battle, is personal baseness.
When an officer is guilty of that, the great.
est boon he can ask is to be forgotten.
He was tried and sentenced in the early
days Of the war, before treason had become
odious, and when our banners were trailing
in the dust. Dlsloyalty was not in disre
ruto ct the north. Pope was commander
and the conscientious, tendcr-hoarted Tin
coin was president His sentence was tht
very embodiment of lcniency. Well to-
him was 1t, that Grant was not the com
mander, and treason at discount. For, al
has been SAID, at may he stated as a Ger
tain fact that no general would have disc
beyed such important orders as Porter re
ceived il they had come from Genera
Grant. He might hate his commando
with mortal hatred, but unless he haC
been prepared TO be cashired or shot within
twenty-four hours, he would have obeyet
with all promptitude." And he would hav
been shot, and he deserved to be. In nj
other country could he have escaped this
the merited doom of cowardice or disobe
dence in the face of the enemy. For les
offenses than these, has many a British an
French army officer been shot to death AN
the civilized world has applauded and jus
e titled the execution. America was lcnenc
e and mercy itself, but Fltz-John Porter
!. not satisfied, He will not let his trcaso
die. He will not let his countrymen forge,
G We recall his case now, not because h
is q fitting exemplification of Tammany'
"home rule,' for, if they are satisfied wit
such representative, we haye no occasio
| to find fault. We recall it now becaus
e his last petition for a re-hearing has jus
e | been disposed Of The president, it is sad
4 | has thoroughly examined the record an
e testimony, and regards Porter as "havin
: been guilty of atrocious conduct Whethe
e he will formally reply to the applicatio
c for re-hearng, by a new court martial, c
!, not, is unknown, but advices from Wasl
\ ington state that if he does reply she wi
n reject the application on the ground tha
G the court could have no legal or mor'
= standing, so that its finding could be n
Is garded as of any effect, and that the coul
,, would have no power to punish Porter
q guilty, or TO abrogate his sentence if innt
d cent" 1t Is understood that all of IL
Ne members of the cabinet, with possible e.
d ception, concur with the president IL
i secretary of war saying that he should |
II willing for Porter to have a new trial g
70 the court could have power to shoot him
al he was found guilty and to restore him
= found innocent. AS the court could in Il
d case have this power, he was IN favor
!, disalowing his petition" If such be Il
g law of the case, and we presume that it i
Porter better devote himself to home ru
e, in New York and let his name drop I'M
re obscurity so far as it is possible to do s.
ID The more he strs up the matter tho wori
S. it will be for him, and well it is for hi
G. now that the followers of Tammany al
w not ike the bluff. honest, loYal but incnI