Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-16
PORTER AND POPE.

PORTER AND POPE.
General Porter, one of the victims selected
during the war to satisfy the public clamor
for scape- goat, has, after long years of
waiting and many vain efforts-several, we
believe, made while Grant was President
secured a re-hearing Ct his case. General
Pope, the braggart and liar who disgraced
himself and his government by claiming a
GROWING victory at Corinth in 1862, and the
capture there of fabulous amount of arms,
ammunition and supplies, and thousands of
prisoners, placed late in the same year in
command of the army of the Potomac, which
MClellau's skill as soldier made all that it
ever was, telegraphed another lie to the war
department TO cover up his failure and de-
liciencies as commander. On the thirtieth
of August, 1862 he telegraphed Halleck:
1--WE fought a terrific battle here yesterday
with the combined forces OF the enemy, which
lasted with continuous fury from daylight
until after dark, by which time the enemy
was routed from TIE field we now occupy"
A number of general and staff officers, among
them General Longstreet, of the Confederate
army, and Colonel Charles Marshall, one OF
General Lee aids de-camp, before the court of
inquiry at West Point, last week, swore point
blank, that there was no such battle, that the
fighting on that day was desultory, and moth
ing heavy until nightfall the Eederals ap-
pearing to be afraid and the Confederates be-
ing ordered by Lee, after reconnaissance by
Longstreet, not to bring on a general en-
gagement. There was some heavy skirmish-
=
engaged for a short time, but there was no
TERRIFIC battle" On his failure to come up
the UCcasIUu vi s,..V,.~y -l.-s-,..
Porter was charged with disobedience of or
ders, and with something akin to treason,
tried by court-martial organized to convict,
was found guilty, and it Is said was sentenced
to degradation from rank and to be shot.
This was committed by President Lincoln.
who, we are told on good authority, never
ceased to regret the finding of the court. In
order to maintain himself Pope not only sticks
to this terrific BATTLE but claims to have
sent Porter an order to move at half-past
four O clock, which he insists was delivered
to him at FIVE, whereas Porter says he did not
get it until between SIX and seven, when
his troops were already confronted
by those of Longstreet las Long,
street also Declares in such force as
to prevent the movement. A Mr.. Leachman
who knows all that part of Virginia then &C.
cupled by the two armies, swears that it was
a physical impossihility for Pope's order to
have been delivered In half hour, or in less
than an hour and a half, which would bring
the time of delivery to the hours named bv
Porter. Another charge of Pope's is equally
clearly disposed of. H. charged, and it was
put in evidence by him, that Porter manifest
ed bad disposition on the twenty-seventh,
when instead of marching from Warrenton
Junction to Bristoe at one clock in the morn
ing, he delayed until daylight, notwithstand-
ing he had all the advantages of a good road.
General Chauncey M 'Keever, who was adm
tant general of the third army corps under
giving his evidence swears that
the night was very dark, some rain fell and
he did not believe that Por-
ter's nine thousand men could
have reached Bristoe any sooner
by starting at one o'clock than if he started |
a. daylight. Mr.. Fisher A Baker, a LAWYER
New York, formerly a3jutant of |
the Nineteenth Massachusetts,, and Cen
erdl Buchanan, retired army officer, both |
sustain this statement, the latter adding that |
It was so dack that an orderly had to get |
town on mis- hands and knees and feel for
he road. Both these witnesses, and all
hose who served in the Federal army, who IRE
eded them, bear testimony to the fact that
'orter held his troops we'll IN hand during
he period referred to, and that there was
othlng like retreat attempted; on the con-
rary, that the troops were In line of battle
Il the time. General Buchanan, as we learn
rom the New York Herald's report. when
'ked again If there was anything in the
allure of retreat, repliexI: 81 will not only
ny there was none, but tie very idea is alb
ard, as there was no cause for ONE When
sked what Porter's con..uct was on the thir-
eth, he replied that ''ls1s conduct was that of
perfectly cool, collecsed man, very anxi-
Us, indeed, 10 achieve success in what
e were about, and SLOWING great deal of
Icellent military judgment and military
NIL throughout the day. At other times his
'nduct was always that Of a jealous officer =,
oroughly loyal to his cause and anxious to I
axe 1t successful in every possible manner. t
critical emergencies, under fire, never
w him excited at any time. He was per-
city cool on all occasions ever had an op- I
'rtunlty to meet him Clearer testimony c
AN this, or more intelligent, has never been 9
iduced in any cause. As with General
nchanan, so wit all the other officers
sderal or Confederate. The latter swear
at battle on the twenty-ninth was not |
ught' and that. there was no approach to a Y
neral engagehent. The former sustain y
Is testimony, and additionally assert that a
'rter made every effort possible to carry f
to execution the orders of the twenty-sey- r
tn, and that always and under all circum -
'nees ne proved himself brave, discreet
Intelligent officer, intent upon the success
the cause to which he had devoted his lie
talents. What testimony Pope has to 80 80
tam his position does not appear, and, we IN